Among the questions facing parents as they plan their child’s birthday party: What will the kids actually do at the party? How can we keep a bunch of kids engaged and happy, while celebrating the birthday child in ways that will be memorable?
When you’re responsible for entertaining a roomful of young kids, that doesn’t leave much time for watching your own child have fun and capturing the best moments in photos or on video. Especially during the winter months when playing outside isn’t an easy option, parents may not be sure what solution will fit their needs — and their budget.
All photos courtesy of Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh.
“Parents want to know that all of the kids attending their child’s birthday party will have a good time. So our role is to make that happen while taking the pressure of entertaining off parents,” says Jessie Hawkshaw, Senior Manager of Visitor Services at Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh.
Here are some ideas from the birthday party experts at the Children’s Museum:
CREATING A TAKE-HOME TREAT
Kids who are on a creative mission are more likely to have fun and stay engaged. They’re also more likely to get along well with one another.
At the Children’s Museum (CMP), the main activity during a birthday party often involves a hands-on project where the kids create something cool. These little party-goers don’t just access their inner artist during the party. They create something they can take home and have fun with long after the birthday celebration ends. It serves as a memento from the day and as a “goody bag” item for them to enjoy.
Among the options you’ll find at CMP:
Create Your Own Plant Pet: With help from a Birthday Associate, partygoers fill a small pot with potting soil and winter rye grass seed. Each child can choose their own way to decorate the pot with googly eyes and stickers to show off their pet’s personality. The fun continues after the party: If they water the Plant Pet daily, they’ll be watching it grow “hair” within the week!
Make Your Own Slime: Kids get squishy with it as they create the slime of their dreams using dyes and mix-ins of all different shapes, sizes and textures. Then they decorate the slime’s container to take it home for more fun.
Both of these ideas are great for kids ages 5 and older. At MuseumLab, more sophisticated hands-on projects are designed for bigger kids.
ADDING IN A BONUS ACTIVITY AT NO COST
One big draw for hosting a birthday party at a place like the Children’s Museum is that the entire museum is available to the partygoers and their families. CMP packages include admission for up to 30 people who can enjoy their party room as well as admission to the museum for the entire day.
“So if you’re having a one o’clock birthday party, you can come at 10 a.m. when we open, even if you’re just a guest of the party,” Hawkshaw explains. “You can spend the whole day experiencing all the joy and creativity that we offer at the museum.”
This kind of wrap-around experience elevates the day for everyone involved. And it allows each partygoer to seek out the kinds of activities and exhibits that appeal most to them and their families. For kids who are first-time visitors to the museum, a CMP birthday party can be an especially memorable experience.
“Birthday parties have many moving parts. So it’s really helpful for families that we understand the challenges of party planning for young kids and be ready with solutions to make the day run as smoothly and easily as possible,” Hawkshaw says. “The day is about your child and the friends they’re building relationships with — and it’s ideally a chance for parents to have fun, as well.”
