It astounds me how expensive and lavish children's birthday parties have gotten over the last few years. It seems parents will go overboard to make sure Little Suzy has the biggest birthday party on the block. They rent moon bounces, clowns, ponies and caterers to make sure their three-year-old has the very best. But, to paraphrase an iconic song, kids just wanna have fun. And to kids, the simple things in life are the most fun.
I know a little boy who got a trampoline and a Wii for his birthday. Do you know what gift he liked best? A bag of suckers! It's not how much we spend, or even if they get the latest toy or gadget, it's about what really gives our children pleasure–and that's usually something ordinary and inexpensive.
Try these ideas for your child's next birthday party:
* Gather water toys that are age appropriate like kiddie pools, balls, water guns, sprinklers, slip 'n slides and the like for a summertime birthday pool party. Borrow from friends and family to accommodate the number of guests. Serve summer food favorites like hot dogs, chips, fresh fruit, and lemonade and let the kids have a great time in the water.
* For a toddler's party, borrow playhouses, slides, and other outdoor play equipment and let them have a blast outdoors for a fun-filled party. Provide sidewalk chalk for those who want to take a break.
* Little girls delight in tea parties, so let them dress up and create their own party with plastic tea party sets and tea party food.
* Boys will have a great time at a Legos birthday party. Have a bakery made a cake resembling Legos, and let the boys build to their hearts' content. You can even send some new blocks home with each guest as a party favor.
So you see, it's not about how much money you spend. It's about seeing the world through a child's eyes and finding joy in the simple things.
This kids party theme post is sponsored by Douglasville, Georgia party cakes.
Photo courtesy of Flikr Creative Commons.
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