Summer Birthdays Can Be a Bummer. Here’s How to Make the Celebration Memorable for Your Kid

If your kids are like mine, then they likely spend the few months leading up to their birthday talking about what they want to do when the big day arrives. They have ideas for the theme, the guest list, the toys they want to get, and more. As parents, it can be exciting to get into the planning phase and think about how much fun the kiddos will have, but before you do, you need to think about the logistics, especially if it’s a summer birthday.

Parties during this time can be tricky because when the kids are out of school, a lot of families go on vacation. That means that many kids that your children want to invite may be out of town. That’s okay. It just means that you may need to throw a less traditional birthday party.

Even though summer birthdays can sometimes be a bummer, there are many fun ways to celebrate your kids growing one year older this time of year. If you're planning a summer birthday party, here are some ideas to get you started.

Water Party at the Beach

Kids love to jump in the pool during the warmer summer months. That’s why pool parties are so popular. However, you may want to be careful when planning a summer birthday. If you have a pool party and everyone from school can’t attend, it can cause trouble and potential jealousy. The people who can’t make it may feel bad.

A good way around this is to have a water party at the beach or a nearby public splash pad. That way, the kids who can come to the party can still enjoy the water, feel refreshed, and have a good time. The kids who can’t come won’t feel like they were left out of anything. They can always go to the public beach another time.

Park Picnic Party

On the cooler days, you can do something similar to the beach party by planning a summer birthday party at a public park. This idea allows you to invite as many kids as possible, and if they can’t go that day, they can always go to the public park on their own time. Or you can set up a playdate with your kids and their friends on another day. A party at the public park is also very affordable. You can pack sandwiches and other low-cost items. You can even tell the other parents to bring their own meals. The kids can play tag or set up activities like a piñata.

Take Your Kid on a Trip

You can also take the other kids out of the equation by taking your child on a special trip to celebrate their birthday. That could be as grand as a trip to another part of the country or a trip to a special restaurant in town. Maybe your kid always wanted to go somewhere fun like Disney World. If it’s in the budget, consider a trip. If your child is enjoying their first summer birthday as a teenager, then perhaps consider celebrating by bringing them to a fancy restaurant. By taking your kid somewhere away from home, you don’t need to worry about inviting other people from school.

Go to an Event

Another fun alternative to the traditional summer birthday party is taking your son or daughter to an exciting event. That could be a concert, a celebrity signing, or anything else your kid enjoys. This will likely be a memory that they’ll remember forever. Ask your child if they want to invite some of their friends to the event as well.

Sleepover Experience

If most of the kids are out of town and your kids want to have a small gathering for their birthday, then consider a classic sleepover. Allow them to pick out their favorite movies, snacks, and drinks, and let them go wild as they enjoy their flicks and fall asleep in comfy sleeping bags. If it’s not too hot outside, consider having a sleepover in the backyard. Set up a projector and make it an epic night they won’t soon forget.

Head to an Amusement Park

One of the most reliable summer activities is a trip to an amusement park. Ask which park your kids want to go to the most, and they can spend a whole day enjoying rides, eating tasty meals, and getting plenty of exercise as they go from attraction to attraction. Amusement parks can be expensive, so this is one of those times where it’s a good thing that you don’t have the whole class coming along for the ride. Invite a few select friends and have a blast.

Head to the Zoo

Similar to an amusement park, a trip to the zoo is another fun way to celebrate a summer birthday in a unique way. You can easily spend hours walking from exhibit to exhibit. Save money by packing your own lunch, and have any friends who come along pay their own way.

Bowling Alley

A great way to beat the heat during a summer birthday is to head indoors to a local bowling alley. You can either make this into an official birthday party and invite kids from school, or make it a family affair and still have a blast. Many bowling alleys have themed bowling days that can be a lot of fun, plus many also have snacks and even birthday cakes you can purchase. Remember, this isn’t competitive bowling. You’re just having fun.

Mini Golfing

A guaranteed way to have a great time for a smaller birthday celebration is by going to a local mini golf place. You can make it a friendly competition without getting too serious. Many mini golf businesses also have snacks, including ice cream, which is perfect for birthdays and hot days. After your round of golf, you can head to a favorite restaurant for a dinner celebration.

Movie Theater

A surefire way to have fun during a summer birthday is by going to the movies. Summer is a great time to go because there are always big films debuting, and your kids will likely have the flicks on their radar anyway. The movies are a great way for your child to spend a few hours with a close group of friends as they laugh or cry or sit on the edge of their seats while they eat popcorn and have a great time. Many theaters also have an arcade attached, so the kids can play games there afterward and make a day out of it.

Attend a Sports Game

If your kids are fans of the local sports teams, then you can also make a day out of heading to the park or arena to enjoy a game. This is a chance to invite a small group of friends and head on a field trip. While watching the game is fun, most venues also have plenty of snacks, great food, museums, activities, and more. Your child is likely to always remember when they went to see their favorite team during that one special birthday.

Arts and Crafts Party

Creative children may get a kick out of having a smaller arts and crafts-themed event during their birthday. You can go to an art studio or have the event at your home. You can have a party where you decorate jewelry, make necklaces, paint portraits, make artwork, create frames from seashells, and more. Your child and their guests can make a craft that they’ll cherish forever. 

Host a Summer BBQ for the Kids

Finally, if you only want to have a few kids and families over for your child's birthday, then make it an official summer BBQ event. Break out the finest meats, side dishes, and refreshing lemonade beverages, and have a blast with the kids. You don’t need to make this an official birthday party where you invite the entire student body. Make it a smaller affair with presents, food, and cake, and your kids will still have a blast.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Evgeny Atamanenko/Shutterstock.com