Winter Party Fun

To plan a perfect birthday party this time of year takes a bit of ingenuity, as any parent who has babies born in the chilly months of winter knows.

Even though it’s cold outside, don’t let that stop you from planning a memorable, fun birthday party for your winter-born kiddos. You can find plenty of places to go, and all offer perfect ways to celebrate.

One idea is to bring the party to your home, with in-home entertainment. Another idea sure to get kids up and moving is host your party at a local gym or activity center, both of which offer plenty of gymnastics. Some also include a trampoline and foam pit to play in, along with lots of other fun activities.

Want to swim while it’s freezing outside? Plan a party at an indoor pool. Kids can enjoy the water and take a break in the party room for cake and presents. For a great list of indoor pools all over the Metro, log onto KCParent.com. 

An ideal winter activity is ice skating, indoors at the variety of ice skating rinks around the city. Check online to find one close to you. Crown Center is a famous destination throughout the winter months, but bundle up as it’s outdoors. Speaking of Crown Center, the Crayola Café and Coterie Theatre are delightful indoor ways to entertain youngsters.

Young boys and girls alike will enjoy a video game competition at their home. Provide plenty of popcorn and snacks to keep them fueled as they compete with their favorite games. To extend the fun—or as the feature itself—plan a camping party for the kids. Have everybody bring a sleeping bag and pjs for a night of fun. If you have a tent, set it up inside, and they’ll have their own little hideout. And don’t forget the s’mores!

Another fun idea for a themed home party is a drive-in movie event. Create cars from cardboard boxes and paper plates and bring out washable markers so kids can decorate and detail their own vehicles. Before the feature film begins, make sure the snacks are plentiful, from popcorn and veggies to candy and Kool-Aid. Then, light the candles on the car birthday cake you made!

Why not create your own carnival indoors? Bring the amusement inside with a carnival-themed party featuring classic games, including paper plate ring toss and bean bag throw. Jazz up the table with salted peanuts, cotton candy and a face-painting station. Be sure you make or purchase a cake shaped like a carnival ride or the big top.

Another fun activity for a birthday is a Nerf gun competition. You can do this at home or, for a larger venue, check out renting a school or church gym.

Treasure hunts are favorites, and your home has plenty of hiding places. Whether you come up with your own treasure hunt game, complete with pirate ship birthday cake, or purchase a game, kiddos will have fun searching for clues and being the first to find the treasure and solve the mystery.

Games are a big part of any party for young children, and indoor adaptations of favorites are many. Create an indoor hopscotch, making the squares from pizza boxes. The kids can decorate them with markers and stickers, then tape them to the floor and let those little feet jump.

A candy Olympics is another fun diversion. Set up three candy-themed stations, and children can bob for marshmallows, run a relay race with a licorice baton and compete in a Smarties chopstick challenge by seeing how many Smarties then can place in a bucket across the room using only the chopsticks. Provide candy necklace medals as prizes.

Whether you opt to cart your crew to a fun location or plan a party at home, let your creativity and kid’s personality be your guide.  

An avid outdoors girl, Judy Goppert lives in Lee’s Summit and enjoys all seasons, especially summer. She enjoys drawing on her personal experiences to write about the nuances of everything wonderful about life.

Sources: Parenting.com, Fatherly.com