In the era of over-the-top kids’ birthday parties, planning a greener, more environmentally friendly celebration can actually make things simpler. And, if you’re trying to live more sustainably as a family, hosting a “green” birthday party is a great way to show your kids how your values can be put into practice.
As with our suggestions for Hosting a Birthday Party That Gives Back, be sure to check in with your child first and determine their expectations for their party. Most kids tend to have rather simple demands when it comes to their birthday celebration. Their favorite foods and hanging out with their friends, sometimes is all it takes to make them feel special.
For even more birthday party ideas for Des Moines Kids visit our Birthday Party Guide.
Here are a few ways you can make your child’s next birthday party a little “greener”:
Send Tree Free Invites
This is one of the easiest ways to make your child’s birthday party more environmentally friendly. Go paperless and send a digital invitation, text or even call your guests. If you must send “snail mail” invites, be sure you get ones that are made from recycled paper, hemp or other paper alternatives.
Take the Party Outside
Kids love to be outdoors and hosting a birthday party outside comes with built in perks. The beauty of nature will help you go easy on the decorations, and simple park activities—from kicking a ball around to blowing bubbles to hitting the playground—carry a light carbon footprint. You could also host a birthday party at home in your own backyard, so that you can have maximum control over all the elements.
Rethink Your Party Décor
So many party supplies are used once and then put into storage never to be touched again. Ask friends and neighbors if they have any party supplies, they are willing to lend or rent. Think about investing in reusable multi-purpose decorations that you break out for all your shindigs or repurpose items from around your home. Consider purchasing or making party decorations that follow a zero-waste mentality. Choose decorations that can be reused, eaten, composted or repurposed.
Cut Down on Food Waste
One of the best things you can do for the Earth is eliminate food waste. How many parties have you hosted where you’ve thrown away plates of cake and barely sipped sodas? Hosting a more sustainable party gives you permission to not overdo it on the food and offer some simpler options. Think finger foods. Instead of a cake (which requires plates and utensils), try cupcakes instead. For drinks, skip the juice boxes and try a drink dispenser or two with compostable cups nearby.
Go From Disposable to Reusable
There’s nothing worse than having to throw out a heap of plastic plates, utensils, and cups knowing it will end up in the landfill. If you go the finger food route, you won’t necessarily need plates or utensils, but if there’s a specific plated dish you want to serve (cake included), try using your own dishes, utensils, and cloth napkins, or purchasing utensils that are compostable.
Choose Eco-Friendly Entertainment
Hiring a clown, magician, superhero or princess is a great way to support local entertainers. Many of them will agree to environmentally friendly requests like using recyclable and compostable materials and will refrain from handing out unnecessary items like bubbles, stickers and balloons, if asked. If you’re not using the services of a professional, you could play simple games with the kids, like egg and spoon races, musical chairs and pin the tail on the donkey. These require little or no elaborate preparation, don’t involve a lot of props and are always great fun.
Ditch the Goody Bags
Why did giving out goodie bags full of cheap, plastic toys and other junk ever became the protocol for kids’ parties? One solution is to buck the trend and skip them altogether, but if you think that is too bold a move, go for kid-pleasing eco party favors like small plant pots filled with soil and a packet of seeds, organic bath bombs or homemade playdough.
What does a “greener” birthday party look like to you? If you’ve got some great ideas for how to throw an eco-friendly birthday party, please share them with us in the comments below!
