Sugar can often become the main event of birthday parties: a cake slathered in neon icing, goodie bags filled with candy and a table covered in sweet treats that children can munch on throughout the day, usually resulting in a bit of a sugar craze.
For parents searching for healthier birthday party options — or simply want to try something new or be mindful of certain dietary restrictions — here are some ideas to get you started!
Obstacle Course
To place the focus on the birthday activities and not the food, consider an action-packed party. This can be done at home or inside a venue, such as a trampoline park, bowling alley, roller rink or an inside rock climbing space.
If opting for a home birthday party, transform your backyard into an obstacle course with hula hoops, old tires, barrels, wooden planks, cones and possibly a bounce house at the end.
Cooking Party
For food lovers or kids who enjoy hands-on activities, plan a cooking do-it-yourself party!
This can include decorating pizzas together, making tacos or creating fruit kabobs. The activity offers full creative freedom to the children, allowing them to enjoy something that they made with their own hands. You also won’t have to worry about planning a lunch in addition to the party activity.
Do-It-Yourself Craft Party
A craft party provides a wide range of activity options for children of all genders and interests. This is also a creative and highly eventful party idea to keep all guests occupied until lunchtime or dinner comes around.
• Tiara building or decorating with miniature gems, ribbons, felt, fabric scraps, glitter and craft paper
• Nail painting station
• Magic wand building
• Creating dinosaurs out of paper plates
• Building fairies out of tissue paper, felt and popsicle sticks
• Creating and decorating Minecraft swords out of cardboard and markers
• DIY airplanes made from popsicle sticks and clothing pins
• Turn a rock into your pet! Customize with googly eyes, paint and markers
• DIY archery targets from red paint or markers and cardboard. Utilize with Nerf guns or kids’ archery bows
Movie Theater
Movie theaters are a simple party idea that can still include the ability to snack but remain away from sugar.
Bring miniature Ziploc or treat bags to the theater and purchase one to two large popcorns, depending on your party size. Separate the popcorn into the bags and pass them around to all the party members. This is a great way for them to enjoy an activity while snacking on something sugar-free, and it prevents arguments over sharing the popcorn.
Sugar-free, tasty and fun birthday snacks:
• Pigs in a blanket: These can be store-bought or homemade with crescent rolls and hot dogs. If you really want to get creative, place candy eyes on the hot dogs to add a sense of personality!
• Cheese and crackers: Consider using miniature cookie cutters or a small knife to cut the cheese into small shapes, like stars or hearts.
• Fruit creatures: The wide range of colors and textures makes fruit the perfect ingredient for whimsical creations. Use bananas and strawberries to create mushrooms, transform apple slices and blueberries into crabs or lobsters or turn tangerine slices into miniature spiders.
• Frozen yogurt station: Though frozen yogurt still contains sugar, it offers a much healthier dessert alternative for kids who are still craving a bit of sweetness.
• Frozen yogurt bites: Dab spoonfuls of yogurt, such as strawberry yogurt, into miniature dessert molds and set in the freezer for about three to six hours.
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