With allergies and food sensitivities today, it is difficult to celebrate birthdays with cupcakes and cookies like we did in the past.
The idea of giving our children even more new toys just seems like way too much. When you host a birthday party for your child, traditionally each invited member brings a small gift for your kid and depending on the size of your party — that can amount to a lot of new toys.
So here are some ideas for parents that we want them to share with their children and classmates for birthday celebrations treats and traditions to celebrate birthdays in schools
• Have kids bring food for the local food pantry in lieu of a gift.
• Book exchange–everyone brings a book and the guests exchange amongst each other, so everyone leaves with a book, too.
• Children pick out their favorite book from their own collection and bring it to the party. At the party each child draws on bookplates to personalize the book. The host then arranges to give them to children who need them.
• Bringing materials to the party and have the children join in making birthday cards, and bring non-perishable foods or toiletries to donate to a local animal shelter.
• “Donate your old but gently used toy to another child”. Local churches are always looking for donations as are many other charitable organizations throughout the year.
• Parents use their child’s birthday event as a way to collect for the animals. Each invited child either donates a bag of dog/car food, tennis bass or drop extra change in a cup. Then the invited children’s parents come by during adoptions week at nearby animal shelter and drop it off. At the drop off, have them take their children’s photos with the animals.
• At the event have children make cards for the cages during adoptions- they really stand out and show off their art work or how very sweet they are when they wish the animal finds a home.
It is so very touching to see these kids proud of what they’ve accomplished and helping out an animal in need.
• Pick a charity and have guests bring items to donate to the charity. Guests can also solicit donations from their friends, neighbors, and classmates. Arrange delivery or pickup with the charity beforehand. Have all of the children participate in the giving! This teaches children at a young age to appreciate the things they have. There are always children with less, even compared to a child who has little. Instill these values in your children while they are young, so that they will live by them as adults.
• Each guest brings the supplies for a craft project. Set up stations for each kid to complete their adult-supervised activity. Get creative. Encourage expression and detail of work. Help the children create things with their special mark of individuality. Have each child do at least two crafts. They can each keep one. Use the other craft to exchange with the other attendees as party favors! Teamwork is key for cleanup!
• Check with local hospitals or kids hospitals and check to see what they are in need of. It could be something simple like crayons and coloring books, small toys, stuffed animals or something like collecting money for a bigger purchase.
• Collect stuffed animals:
• Fire departments, police officers and even social workers often need them on hand to pass out to kids that are scared, alone or have been separated from them families.
Remind children of just how blessed we are and how we really don’t need anything else. And, there are so many people that are either in need, or very sick and can use some help with their families. Children need to learn so that they don’t end up accumulating too much unneeded stuff. Instead a birthday party can be a teaching moment about generosity and giving.
Shaheen Syed
Director,
New Horizons Montessori
