For kids celebrating birthdays during social distancing requirements, there’s certainly some disappointment about not being able to gather and party with friends, but there are some creative ways to make sure that kids have a memorable and happy day. Below you’ll find many ideas for making children’s birthdays special during this time.

Book a Private Rental or Virtual Experience:

— Pollyanna Theatre Company
Popular Austin-based children’s theatre company, Pollyanna Theatre, has debuted a new option for socially distanced birthday parties utilizing its Zoom-based original plays. The birthday parties are a fun option for kids in preschool to grade school and are facilitated by a professional actor with party themes that range from magic castles and dinosaur adventures for younger children and mysteries for older children. These interactive parties can include up to 16 children. Pricing starts at $90. Get more details on their website.

— Mad Science
Mad Science of Austin has a variety of Virtual Birthday Party Packages to choose from. Celebrate your child’s special day without compromising on safety, while friends can join in at a distance.
Mad Science will ship selected supplies before the party, then you can join an engaging, live virtual science show with party guests, from the comfort of their own homes. Learn more on their website or call 512-892-1143 to book your event.

—- Alamo Drafthouse
Austin’s favorite cinema is rolling out the red carpet for friends and families looking to book a private screening! Book your Own Private Alamo for $150, for a safe birthday activity or just-for-fun movie night.

— Princess Party Co.
You can schedule a virtual chat with your child’s favorite princess! A virtual princess party package options include an exciting 20-minute video call, including storytime, getting to know the princess one-on-one, playing fun games, and simply connecting with your little one. Prices are $49 for a personalized video message from your child’s favorite princess for $29, which you can book online.

— Tiny Tails to You
Bring your friends and family together to celebrate your child’s birthday party no matter their location. A Tiny Tails to You virtual birthday party will delight animal lovers of all ages. Party guests get to meet cuddly, adorable animals. Through a scheduled private zoom session, you can learn fun facts about the animals, ask questions, and have a really unique, interactive experience. A 30-minute session is $65, but you can view more options on their website and book online. (Read about our experience.)

We had a blast on Zoom with the animals from Tiny Tails To You.

— Sport Ball
Sport Ball Coaches will bring structure to your family and pod with games and activities and all the equipment for a fun time in your own backyard or park setting of your choice. 1-hr Parties are $185, which you can book online. Visit the Sport Ball website to learn all about coaches’ safety protocols.

— Dart ‘Em Up
Austin’s indoor Foam Dart Sports Arena offers a fun and exciting place to play Dart Tag games with scenarios from Team Elimination battles to Humans v. Zombies, with family and friends. Book the entire space for $100/1 hr or bring the fun to your own backyard by renting all of the gaming gear! Call 512-735-1919 to reserve your event, or book online.

— Violet Crown Clubhouse
Take over the coin-operated arcade with your own private group. For $165 you get 1.5 hours rental of the clubhouse to yourself, pre-packaged ice cream, popcorn, and a mini-fridge stocked with drinks. Email [email protected] to plan your experience.

— Figment Creative Labs
For something unique, creative and convenient, consider an Artstream Birthday Party. The Figment Artstream Studio is a one-of-a-kind mobile art studio housed in a vintage 1968 Airstream, which brings the party venue to your home or local park. The Figment staff will lead your birthday party guests in creative art activities centered around the theme of your choice. Learn much more on the Figment website and book online.

Photo from Figment Creative Labs’ Instagram

Easy Ideas for Celebrating Your Child’s Birthday at Home:

Treat Your Child to Breakfast In Bed. Make a very special breakfast for the birthday boy or girl and serve it up with the royal treatment.

Coordinate a Parade of Friends & Family. Pick a time for friends, neighbors and relatives to drive by your home waving, honking, throwing candy, etc. OR you can plan to jump in the car and drive by the houses of loved ones and pals who can wave from their front yards and driveways. Either way, your child will get to see happy familiar faces and hear personal messages on their big day.

Set up a Birthday Present Scavenger Hunt. Hide presents around the house and write out clues for your child to find them.

Pick up Take-Out from a Favorite Restaurant. If you were likely to go out to dine at a special restaurant on the birthday, call in an order of your child’s favorite meal and have it delivered or picked up curbside.

Schedule a Virtual Party.  Plan a time to gather with friends on FaceTime, Google Hangouts or Zoom where pals can sing “happy birthday” and share some laughs together.

Ask for Video Messages. Send a note to friends and family asking them to record themselves sharing joyful messages for your child and watch them on their birthday.

Gather Birthday Cards. Make a request to classmates, neighbors and friends to make hand-made cards to drop off in a box that you leave on your front steps.

Let Your Child Make Rules for the Day. Give your birthday buddy the option to create household rules for the day. Could be things like “must wear PJs all day” or “nobody has to make their bed today”.

Have a Campout. Set up a tent in the backyard to sleep outdoors for the night if the weather is good. OR make your own tent in the living room, bring in the sleeping bags, and enjoy an indoor camping experience.

Go Nuts Decorating the House. Fill the birthday child’s room with balloons, hang streamers, make your home look as festive as can be for the day.

Bring in the balloons!

Local Resources for Birthday Cakes, Gifts and More:

— In need of the perfect gifts? Check out our list of places to get Toys, Books, and Craft Supplies for Curbside Pickup or Delivery.

— Want to decorate BIG with Balloons & Yard Signs? For festive yard signs, try: Card My Yard, Lone Star Yard Greetings, Sign Gypsies Austin. Or try these local spots for big balloon displays: Ballooms of Austin, Balloons Magic, or Starr of Texas.

— Want to order treats? Try one of these local shops:

  • Amy’s Ice Cream – Order ice cream cakes or pints for curbside pickup or delivery.
  • Hayley Cakes & Cookies – Place your order for a whimsical cake with free delivery.
  • Bakery Lorraine — Order treats for takeout, curbside, or via third-party delivery.
  • Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop – Choose from vegan “crazy cakes”, decorating kits, and more.
  • The Cupcake Bar — Choose from pickup or delivery of pre-iced cupcakes and cupcake kits.
  • Capital City Bakery — Place an order for vegan custom cakes, cupcakes, cookies and more.
  • Violet Crown Clubhouse — Order party packs of ice cream, popcorn & drinks via email to [email protected].
  • Dolce Neve — Get gelato to-go and curbside pickup at both Austin locations.
  • Tiny Pies — If cake’s not your kid’s thing, choose from a variety of delicious pies with curbside or third party delivery options.

Can you have a birthday without cake and ice cream? Photo from HayleyCakes and Cookies’ Facebook page

No matter how you choose to celebrate, we hope your child has a very happy birthday!

 

*Our virtual magic show giveaway has ended, and our winner has been notified.