Few things are more memorable in your child’s life than having a fun birthday party. It’s a chance to invite over family and friends and show your kids just how special they are while creating core memories. You can create an incredible outdoor birthday party celebration with the right theme, a few fun ideas, and protection from the weather and the elements.

How to Host an Outdoor Birthday Party for Kids

Taking your kid’s birthday party outside is a great way for them to enjoy nature while celebrating their big day.

Come up With a Theme

The first thing you should do when hosting an outdoor birthday party for kids is to create a theme so you can form a game plan for the activities and the decor. When choosing a party theme, consider your budget, the number of guests, the time it will take to set up, and most importantly, your child’s interests. If your child enjoys a popular show or character, you can often find entire kits that contain the streamers, party hats, stickers, and everything else you’ll need to get started.

When you’re considering possible kids’ party themes, you can go with something specific, like pirates or princesses, and design the decor around that idea. Your child may also get a kick out of a clown who performs tricks, paints faces and makes balloon animals.

Find a Venue

You will also need to select an ideal venue for hosting your outdoor birthday party. While camping with your child or going to a remote location for their birthday party can be fun, you may want to choose an option closer to home. If you are looking for a neighborhood with safe play areas for children, first look at parks and playgrounds in your area. You may also want to look at traffic and signage in the area to make sure the space is kid-friendly. Discuss how safe the area is with other parents — they might know something you don’t, which would save a lot of hassle before you send out invites or book a reservation.

Winter Parties

Many parents believe that outdoor parties are only reserved for the summer months, but with the right planning, you can throw a great bash during the winter as well. Again, the party planning can start with the theme. Consider creating a tropical theme where you set up a mock tiki bar and serve cookies and lemonade. Filling a pool with sand, adding beach toys, and having a sand castle competition is also fun.

There are also many activities that you can have during a winter party to keep the kids warm, like having a campfire or constructing an outdoor tent or shelter where the kids can play. You can also make games that will keep the kids active so they keep the blood pumping, like playing tag or having a snowball fight if there’s snow on the ground.

Ensure everyone is comfortable during a winter party by setting up heat lamps and encouraging all kids and parents to wear their coats, hats, and gloves. If kids are complaining or it’s simply getting too cold, bring everyone inside and continue the party there.

Keeping Your Kids Safe Outside

If you are hosting an outdoor birthday party in a remote location, such as a cabin or campground, know how to protect your health, and that of your kids, when outdoors. Researching destinations before you go, not choosing activities that are above your or your child’s abilities, and wearing sun and bug protection are essential. If you are choosing a particularly adventurous activity for the party – such as a wilderness backpacking trip, whitewater rafting, or another outdoor sport – it’s essential to go with someone who has more experience than you do.

Although your child’s birthday only happens once per year, you can ensure the party goes off without a hitch by looking at the weather forecast and choosing a mild day where everyone will be comfortable. However, even if you plan, you could still run into inclement weather, so it’s wise to be prepared.

Prepare for Weather Issues

The one thing that can often dampen an outdoor birthday party is a sudden rainstorm. To prepare for the possibility, create a rainy-day contingency plan so the festivities don’t need to come to a screeching halt. The easiest strategy is to choose a venue close to an indoor shelter so you can take cover if you need to. If the forecast shows a possibility of rain, prepare for the possibility by setting up a tarp or shelter.

Consider these tips and theme ideas for your child’s next birthday and don’t be afraid to host this special event outdoors. It’s a great way to create memories for years to come.

About the Writer: Miles is an independent writer with a background in business and passion for tech, psychology, news, and simply helping people live happy and fulfilled lives. He has lived and traveled all over the United States and continues to expand his awareness and experiences. When he is not writing, he is most likely mountain biking or kicking back with a cup of tea.

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