Birthday Parties: Season by Season

Throw a party for your child with themes tied to the time of year.
By: Tracy Dingmann

University-Circle-Ice-Rink

During the winter, consider throwing a party at an ice-skating rink.

The weather and the season often determine what sort of party you throw for your child on his or her big day. Here are some ideas from Cool Kids' Parties guest experts Lorna Hennington and Kim Salisbury of The Ultimate Planners in Los Angeles, and Kim Hein of The Perfect Setting in Newport Beach, Calif.:

WINTER

  • Got snow? Build your child's birthday party around sledding, ice-skating or a snowman-building contest.
  • If you're looking to stay cozy inside, throw a cookie-baking party in your kitchen, rent a roller rink for the day or take over an indoor hotel swimming pool.
  • Truck in some snow. If it's warm where you live but there's snow in nearby mountains, consider borrowing or renting a pickup truck (or using your own) to transport a big load of the white stuff to your backyard.

SPRING

  • The best spring ideas involve getting outside, so go ahead with that barnyard-themed petting zoo before temperatures get too hot.
  • Spring is prom season, and younger kids like to dance too. Pitch the party's theme to the '60s, '70s or some other fun decade, or plan a Dancing With the Stars, Hawaiian luau or Latin dance motif.
  • If you're worried that spring showers could put a damper on things, consider party ideas that can easily be moved inside if the weather turns bad. Scavenger hunts are a good solution because they can be done inside or out.

SUMMER

  • Create a mini carnival in your yard by renting clowns, magicians, ponies, jumpers, and old-fashioned carts serving hot dogs and cotton candy.
  • Host a backyard camp-out with telescopes and a late-night astronomy lesson. For kids who love creepy-crawlies, plan a bug- or reptile-themed party; make the party even more interesting and educational by hiring an expert to bring a collection.
  • Summer parties should be all about water and sand. Have a pool party, reserve part of a water park, or go to the beach. Run sack races, wage water balloon fights or stage a volleyball tournament.

FALL

  • Turn your child's party into a harvest festival by having them bob for apples and decorate gourds.
  • Dress-up parties that aren't based on Halloween are also popular for this time of year. Throw a New Orleans-type masquerade, with everyone wearing masks they made. Or pick a theme like "cowboys" or "pirates" and have kids come dressed accordingly.

Learn more about Kim Hein at www.theperfectsettingevents.com.

Next Up

Print Our Birthday Scavenger Hunt for Your Kid’s Next Bash

Bring joy to any birthday celebration with this interactive scavenger hunt that you can print, cut out and hide throughout your home.

How to Host a Stellar Solar Eclipse Party

Find decorating ideas, crafts and souvenirs to help celebrate the 2024 "solar-bration."

Free Big Game Party Printouts From HGTV Magazine

Host a unique Big Game party with fun stickers, pennants and signs exclusively from HGTV Magazine. Be mindful of the printing and paper instructions for each.

Halloween Party Game: Eyeball Toss

Create a Halloween version of a classic ball-toss game where partygoers have to throw eyeballs into cups held by creepy skeleton hands.

Halloween Party Game: Gross Guessing Game

In this mystery touch-and-feel game, partygoers have to stick their hands in a jar and guess what’s inside. They may think it’s something gross like eyeballs or warts, but it's actually everyday items from your pantry.

How to Create a Platter of Classic Finger Food Appetizers

Make entertaining easy by serving a sampler board of classic, easy-to-assemble savory bites such as spicy wings, sweet-and-sour meatballs, loaded potato skins and more.

Kids’ Craft: Haunted Halloween Gingerbread Houses

Why should Christmas have all the fun? Have the kids make gingerbread houses for Halloween. It's a party activity that's inexpensive to put together and the kids will love it.

How to Make a Vegetarian-Friendly Cheese + Crudite Tray

This abundant cheese, fruit and veggie charcuterie board is perfect for potlucks, holidays, tailgates or any occasion you can think of.

Arugula Salad With Homemade Orange Poppy Seed Dressing

Round out your springtime brunch with the ultimate light side: a garden-fresh, leafy green salad. Arugula and watercress are ideal for this healthy recipe as both are cool-weather crops harvested in spring, with a crisp, peppery flavor. Fresh orange slices, tart strawberries and sweet blueberries scattered on top harmonize well with the from-scratch orange-poppy seed vinaigrette. Sprinkle on blue cheese crumbles for a savory, creamy note.

Printable Easter Cupcake Toppers

Decorate your sweets for Easter with these fun, festive and colorful toppers that can be made in a snap.

Go Shopping

Get product recommendations from HGTV editors, plus can’t-miss sales and deals.

On TV

Follow Us Everywhere

Join the party! Don't miss HGTV in your favorite social media feeds.