8 of the best ways to celebrate your child’s birthday, because social distancing can still be fun
Go shorty, it's your birthday!
So, your kid’s birthday is coming up and you’ve had to break it to them that the party they have been looking forward to all year is cancelled. Sigh. This whole COVID-19 thing really does suck, especially when it upsets a child on their special day.
Even celeb kids, like five-year-old Silas – son of Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake, have had to put the party plans on hold.
38-year-old Jessica took to Instagram to honour Silas’ birthday, confessing that it might not look the same this year as it has on other years, sharing a picture of her and and her son during a happier time.
“This little man is 5 today!,” the star of The Sinner penned. “We’re at home, covered in legos and birthday cake right now… but I just found this pic on my phone from last summer and it made me so happy.”
In lieu of a big birthday celebration, Jessica shared that, as a family, they were supporting local charities, Save the Children and Feeding America, and urged others to try and find a little happiness in their day too.
“Scroll through your old pictures today and post something that brings you a little bit of joy! Sending lots of love to you all…”
Like Silas Timberlake, your birthday boy or girl can still have an amazing day, even with all these pesky, but necessary, social distancing rules in place.
Keep scrolling for these serioulsy cool birthday-in-isolation ideas.
Create a DIY Nerf gun wall
PR Queen Roxy Jackenko, 33 has celebrated her son Hunter’s sixth birthday in extravagant style.
Aside from a massive balloon display she had installed inside the family’s Vaucluse mansion and a mountain of presents for the birthday boy, the owner of Sweaty Betty PR firm also shared to Instagram the Nerf gun wall she had custom made for her youngest child.
In the caption, Roxy explained that Hunter has been checking out Nerf displays on YouTube and gave a shout-out to her builder buddy.
“A huge thank you to my friend Dan for helping me do this, albeit one of his stranger construction requests!” she said showing off the impressive wall display.
In her Instagram story Roxy explained how the wall was constructed.
But, the best bit? All materials, including the black 50x50cm interlock foam mats and nails to hold the toy guns, are from Bunnings and you can DIY your own display for about $50.
Roxy and huband, Oliver Curtis are parents to Hunter, six and daughter, Pixie, eight.
PR Queen Roxy Jacenko had a Nerf gun wall installed for her son’s birthday – and you can make one too for $50!
Attend a virtual party hosted by Emma Wiggle
It’s estimated that over 700,000 Aussie children under six will miss out on celebrating their birthday with friends and extended family due to current social restrictions.
Best&Less is inviting children to get together and celebrate their big day in Australia’s Bestest Virtual Birthday Party, hosted by Yellow Wiggle, Emma Watkins.
“Who doesn’t love a childrens party? Together we can make this the biggest, Bestest party ever! Can’t wait to see you all there!” says Emma.
Here’s your invitation:
Australia’s Bestest Virtual Birthday Party
Date: Saturday 16 May
Time: 11:00am-11:30am AEST
Venue: Virtual Online Party
To attend the event, parents must register at www.bestandless.com.au by 10 May.
You’re invited to join Emma Wiggle for a virtual birthday party.
Decorations = happiness
One mum decided to totally embrace the whole quarantine theme and decked out her son’s cot with crime scene tape and a cheeky poster that read, ‘None one of you are invited’.
Sharing the image to instagram, Perth mama, Kylie Najjar wrote, “HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY TO OUR BABY🎈Jai’s got this social distancing gig down packed.”
Kylie’s birthday post for her baby boy has now gone viral with this brilliant and super-cute image shared all around the world.
Virtual party with friends
It’s never been so easy to catch up and party with friends online with video chat apps like Zoom, FaceTime and HouseParty at our fingertips.
Why not hold a disco party for your little star? Set up a playlist of all their favourite songs, connect a group of their friends via a social app and let them all dance around their lounge room. Mix it up by pausing the music for a game of musical statues.
And before the virtual birthday bash is over, make sure the party guests sing, Happy Birthday before the birthday boy or girl blows out their candles.
Make a cake with your kids
Isolation, as it turns out, is the perfect time to spend an entire day making an elaborate cake with your kids.
Radio host and presenter, Fifi Box recently celebrated her daughter Trixie’s 7th birthday with a homemade Disney Moana cake which she made with the birthday girl herself.
“Another great thing about iso Trixie and I had a whole day to make her Moana inspired birthday cake,” wrote the mum-of-two.
Need some cake inspo? Why not try this Frozen cake recipe.
Organise a special birthday party with Elsa or a super hero
This idea is seriously cool and a great way to make your child feel super special on their big day. Children’s entertainment and event specialists Superheroes Inc have adapted quickly to these challenging times and have launched Virtual Zoom parties.
With more than 180 characters on offer, you can choose from a range of party formats including an Interactive Party, Magic Show or a Dance Off with games, quizzes, storytelling and the Happy Birthday song! They also offer a free video message from a character.
Hold a drive-by birthday parade
Missing out on party doesn’t mean you have to totally miss out on a celebration. A new trend is seeing people doing a birthday party drive-by parade. Simply, set a time and ask friends and family to all cruise by your house to shout out happy birthday from a socially acceptable distance.
Visit the most magical place on Earth
Disneyworld might be closed right now but you can still take your birthday boy or girl to the most magical place on Earth, virtually anyway. That’s right, you can head to the Virtual Disney World channel on YouTube and experience attractions, shows, park areas and rides within an interactive 360º video environment.
Ride on Frozen Ever After at Epcot, Splash Mountain at Magic Kingdom, Toy Story‘s Slinky Dog Dash and loads more. Click here for details.
