COVID-19 is no fun for anyone, but it can be especially tough and disappointing for kids with birthdays during the social distancing.
Just because the birthday party had to be cancelled doesn’t mean they can’t have a birthday to remember! Here are some ideas to still make the day special for the birthday kid.
Surprise Gifts
Once Upon a Party is offering Birthday in a Box! They’ll deliver a gift-wrapped box, filled with goodies you can customize to surprise your birthday kid on their special day. When they open the box, balloons pop out and kids will find games and activities to help ease the sadness of missing their party. $50, free delivery in our area, $10 if beyond. Order here.
Pottery By You is offering To-Go-Go kits so kids can get their creative on in the comfort of home. They have both acrylic and glaze options available for pottery or choose a wood sign.
Basket Pizzazz, at 2159 Glebe St in Carmel, offers a huge selection of gift baskets for all ages. Creative puzzles, mosaics, and scratch coloring books, gourmet food, candy, spa and lounge wear, and much more. They offer curbside service, local delivery and coast-to-coast shipping. Call (317) 564-4888. Order here.
Arrange a singing video from their favorite princess or superhero! Happily Ever Productions is taking requests to create special custom videos for kids. These take time to create, so be sure to reach out to them as soon as possible.
Reach out to 4 Kids Books via email so they can arrange books and toys for delivery. Most items can arrive on your doorstep within 24 hours – including birthday bags and boxes. Contact them at [email protected] or on their website.
Fundae’s – with locations in Whitestown and Speedway – offer curbside pick up for their 8” cakes and birthday candles, along with family pack options – pints with waffle chips and toppings. Order here.
Kids Ink Books at 56th and Illinois is available to help you find the perfect gift for kids! Call the store at 317-255-2598 between the hours of 10:00 am – 5:30 pm Monday through Saturday and they can have an order ready for pickup or delivery (if you live within a 10-mile radius of the store).
Carmel-based Over the Moon Balloons can deliver an amazing bouquet of birthday balloons right to your porch.
Nothing Bundt Cakes, with several locations in Indy including Keystone Crossing, Fishers and Greenwood, offers delivery and curbside pickup.
Notes from Neighbors
Have neighbors and loved ones come write a note for the birthday kid! Chalk drawings in the driveway or walkway will bring a smile to your child’s face. To be safe, ask them to bring their own chalk. You could also try getting your hands on some window markers or dry erase markers and have people write notes on windows.
Yard Decorations
Make DIY birthday signs for your birthday kid. Don’t have the boards or supplies? If you have time to allow for shipping, Oriental Trading, Amazon, and Etsy have options! Also, Yard Jive and Yard Greetings are a couple options for local companies that provide yard signs and displays.
It’s also worth contacting local art studio to see if they can deliver or arrange a contact-free pick up for supplies. For example, Line+Form was offering rolls of paper to hang outside for a suggested donation of $5 per roll.
Have a YES Day
Chocolate and peanut butter roll-ups for lunch? YES. Afternoon movies in pajamas – YES! Kids will remember that more than anything.
ZOOM
Schedule as many ZOOM or video call dates as you can – with classmates, family and friends. You can ask friends and family to participate in an activity of your child’s choice, whether that’s a specific costume theme, reading a story, etc.
Drive-By Car Parade
Ask friends and family to drive by your house at a certain time. If the visiting kids have pom-poms or streamers, have them wave them outside the car to make it fun and interactive!
Blissful Backyard
With a little ambient lighting, you can turn your backyard into something magical! Borrow a movie projector and project a movie in the backyard. Or, if possible, stream a memory slideshow. Perhaps build a backyard fire, make s’mores and enjoy each other’s companies.
Balloons
if you have access to balloons, have fun with them. Let them play balloon volleyball and get crazy! Kids love balloons.
Decorate their Bedroom Door
Use whatever you have! Post-it notes with all the reasons you love your child, fun pictures of their favorite characters, streamers and balloons – anything.
Bake Treats
Get your kid(s) involved. Bake together and make it fun. Use what you have! Play fun music, do video chats with family, and make it special!
Special Meals
Explore contact-free takeout to make the birthday meal special. We know Baby’s has milkshakes and all the food kids love to go! Many ice cream spots are also offering takeout. Give your favorite restaurant a call to see if they’re still open for takeout.
Slumber Party
Perhaps have a tent in the backyard and camp out for your child’s birthday. Too cold? Set it up indoors! What kid doesn’t love a living room campsite?
Make the Presents Fun!
Build a scavenger hunt around the house and/or yard for presents to make it even more exciting! You could also do a birthday party build up and let your child open presents for the week leading up to their actual birthday.
Do you have an idea or COVID-19 birthday story to tell? Share it with us at [email protected].
