Summer is a fantastic time of year for young children’s birthday parties. The warmer weather lends itself perfectly to outdoor celebrations that capture preschoolers’ energy and excitement. If you’re planning a party for a child under 5 this summer, here are 7 fun theme ideas to make it a memorable bash on a budget.
Outdoor Adventures
The sunshine and longer days provide the ideal backdrop for an outdoor adventure party for energetic little ones. Pitch a tent in the garden and provide fun camping accessories like flashlights and binoculars. Set up activities like a scavenger hunt for sticks, leaves and bugs. Have a pretend campfire with red paper flames and serve snacks in cones. End the evening by telling stories in the tent.
Beach Bash
Bring the essence of the seaside to your own back garden with a beach birthday. Fill paddling pools with sand and water, and provide buckets, spades and balls for play. Decorate with beach scenes, seashells and fish. Serve fish finger sandwiches and fruit kebabs. Organise games like Limbo and Musical Statues. Give out flower leis and sunglasses as party gifts.
Back Garden Sports Day
An action-packed sports day theme is perfect for energetic youngsters. Set up stations for activities like sack races, obstacle courses and bean bag throws. Provide props like cones, hoops and balls. Decorate in bright colours with sports day flags. Serve mini pizzas and fresh fruit. Finish with a medal ceremony and give out prizes like bouncy balls.
Under the Sea
A colourful underwater world theme sparks preschoolers’ imaginations. Make jellyfish streamers and octopus snacks. Play games like Shark Attack and Pin the Tail on the Mermaid. Set up a bubble machine and water play station. Decorate with fish cut-outs and ocean scenes. Serve star and shell-shaped sandwiches and cupcakes iced like shells and sea creatures. Give out aquatic party bags.
Dinosaur Adventure
Dinosaurs capture many children’s fascination and lend themselves to a roaring prehistoric party. Make playdough fossils and volcanoes. Set up a dinosaur egg hunt and dig site. Provide inflatable T-Rex toys and dinosaur costumes or masks. Serve dino nuggets and green jelly with gummy worms. Make fossil or volcano cupcakes. Give out dino backpacks or toys.
Teddy Bears’ Picnic
A classic teddy bears’ picnic theme is great for the imagination. Ask children to bring their favourite teddy or soft toy. Provide picnic snacks like sandwiches, fruit and bear-shaped biscuits. Set up blankets and baskets for the bears. Decorate with balloons and bunting. Organise teddy-themed games like Bear Hunt and Pin the Bow Tie on the Bear. Give out teddy notebooks or enamel pins.
Rainbow Party
Bright, colourful rainbows is another great theme idea. Provide crafts like rainbow windsocks and collages. Decorate with multi-coloured balloons, streamers and tableware. Serve rainbow fruit skewers and jelly. Organise games like Musical Rainbows. Make rainbow cupcakes or a rainbow fruit platter. Give out rainbow party bags, sunglasses or craft sets.
If a summer party is not what your foster child wants, perhaps because they are shy, then organise a day out somewhere fun instead. Your summer activity allowance from ISP Fostering is one way to help fund an excursion.
With smart planning and fun age-appropriate activities, you can throw a magical birthday bash for under 5s without breaking the bank. The summer weather and long daylight hours are perfect for energetic outdoor parties they’ll love.
