While each birthday in a child’s life should be equally celebrated, it’s undeniable that some feel just a little more exciting than the rest. Turning one, hitting double digits and becoming a teenager are among some of the more exciting ages in childhood and early adolescence. Here are some fun ideas to make those birthday milestones unforgettable.
Baby’s First Tree
Arguably, the cutest birthday of all time is the first. Watching your baby destroy her first birthday cake, blowing up all the balloons and seeing extended family members are all part of the fun. While these moments are precious, there’s one tradition in particular that will last a lifetime. Planting a tree is something people do on big anniversaries, but not everyone thinks to do it for first birthdays. It’s a special marker of the start of your baby’s life, and something she can appreciate for the rest of her life. This is something all your guests can get in on, too, with each person helping plant the tree.
A Double Digits Disco
Turning 10 is another major milestone for your child; when he hits double digits, he’ll feel a shift within himself, and his celebration should reflect that. For something fun and high-energy to celebrate the day, take your kid and his friends roller-skating. Skating rinks play loud music and will turn on the colorful strobe lights if you ask them to. Who doesn’t love an age-appropriate disco? On top of that, skating rinks usually have a food court, so the kids can go crazy with all the pizza and nachos they want.
Thirteen and Thriving
If you didn’t know, 13-year-olds don’t “play” anymore; they hang out! This is the age when slumber parties and overnight hangs are all the rage. A fun idea is to have a camping or “glamping”-themed birthday. This isn’t just for the summer babies; it can be an indoor event, too! Set up the birthday party in any open space in your house, using blankets for makeshift tents, and hang string lights for all the cozy teenager vibes. Have your guests bring their own sleeping bags, and serve them hot dogs and burgers for the full camping experience. This will be a memorable birthday party for your child and a great way to start her teenage years.
These are just a few of the milestone birthdays in your child’s life. Watching him grow each year is bittersweet, but at least you get to plan all the fun with them. Just remember: Each year is a gift, so try to treat each birthday as a milestone!
Editorial media intern Brooklyn Castillo is a senior at the University of Kansas studying journalism.