Everyone thinks the best parties are the summer ones outside in the backyard. But the truth is a winter kids' birthday party can be lots of fun too. Here are some ideas to try.
Winter Party Invitations
A fun invite, although a little tricky, is to take a piece of paper 8 by 8 inches and fold it three times. Trace out a snowflake outline for the child to cut out. When they open it up, the details of the party are written on the arms of the snowflake. You want a pattern that is very simple, with not too many cutouts. There are great templates online at Kinderart. Another option is to send invitations using winter E-cards. Try the Build-a-Snowman e-card.
Birthday Party Decorations
To decorate for a winter party, think white. Kids can actually make all the decorations by hanging paper snow flakes, stringing chains of white paper across the ceiling, and stenciling windows with spray fake snow (watch the movie “Elf” for inspiration). Wrap white mini lights around window frames, use white paper lace dollies under plates (they look like snowflakes) and have a snowman at the end of the driveway holding a sign that says, “Party’s Here”.
Winter Party Theme
For a girls’ party create a snowflake type ball and the girls can be snow princesses. Ask the girls to wear party dresses and then give them white fake fur cuffs and collars. Fake fur is available inexpensively at any craft or fabric store. Just cut strips about 3 inches wide and attach Velcro to make cuffs for their wrists and one as a collar to go around their neck. Also add silver crowns and wands. For boys, make them snow pirates, with a white eye patch and head scarf.
Party Games to Play
Have snowshoe races in the back yard. For snowshoes, take thick branches from a fir or evergreen tree, about two feet long and one foot wide. Have the child step on the branch and tie it to their boots with strong twine. They can race individually or in teams.
A snow dig is just as much fun as digging in the sand. Section off an area of clean snow and then drop in coins or small toys. Give each child a sand shovel and have them dig for the prizes.
For an inside game try the Penguin waddle. Take black crepe streamers and wrap them around each child’s legs, from their ankles to their knees, but not too tight. They then have to race each other or in teams. They may fall, so try to do this on carpet and away from anything they can bump their head on.
Have the kids decorate snowmen. There is no need to build a whole snowman, just snowman heads that each kid can decorate with buttons, carrots, hats, even Mr. Potato Head pieces. When they are done take their picture with their head resting beside their snowman head.
Food to Serve
Obviously the birthday cake should be a white cake, but cover it in shredded coconut or whipped cream for a snowy effect. Add crushed candy canes to the batter or peppermint extract to the icing to get a cool, winter feel.
Make white chocolate balls so the kids will think they are eating mini snowballs. Popcorn balls can be done with the same effect.
Snow cones are another fun snack idea. Just fill a plastic cup with crushed ice. Take a can of fruit juice like grape or cherry and let it melt. Add a half a cup of water to the melted fruit juice and pour it over the crushed ice.
Winter Party Loot Bags
A fun loot bag for a winter party is a white velvet sack or fluff fur bags filled with candy and other small party favors. Alternatively, give a personalized hot cocoa mug or a plastic snow brick mold filled with candy and wrapped up with cellophane and ribbon.
Be sure to also read my article: Fun in the Snow - Outdoor Winter Activities for Kids
Having a party in the winter doesn't mean less fun. All of these party ideas take advantage of the best things about the winter months.
Gail Oliver - Gail is an author, writer and researcher. She has been quoted in magazines as diverse as Cosmopolitan and Maclean's. Gail writes on a ...
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