Published on March 24, 2020 | Last Updated on December 1, 2021

With all the uncertainty right now and trying to adjust to a new normal, it’s hard to know what the next few months will look like for us. This also means celebrations with friends and extended family present are out of the question right now. But this doesn’t mean we still can’t make a birthday or special occasion memorable!

While it might not be the birthday bash you envisioned, there are still ways to make it special as a family! I’ve put together a list of ideas and products created by some very talented small businesses.

20 Fun Social Distancing Birthday Party Ideas

Get friends and family involved

• Google Hangout or Zoom with friends or family to sing happy birthday.
• If you’re in communication with their teacher, ask him or her to send a little birthday message!
• Message the parents of your children’s friends and ask them to record a short message to share with your son or daughter.
• Order individually wrapped treats from a local bakery and post in the class Facebook group or text neighborhood friends to pick up a socially distant sweet treat from the front porch to celebrate from afar!
• Order favor craft kits from Etsy and drop them off on a friend’s porch. You can text the parents with the time and date of the Zoom video chat so all the kiddos can work on the kit “together!” Some cute kit options: Letter Paint Kit, Suncatcher Kit, Caterpillar Kit, Pirate Boat Kit

Social Distancing Birthday Party Ideas: the Cake

• Spruce up box cake mix with this easy hack!
• Dig through the toy bin to find small plastic figurines to add to the top of the cake. I can be Legos, animals, small Barbie’s, LOL Surprise Dolls, Trolls, dinosaurs, etc! I added farm animals and sprinkles to a store-bought cake for Piper’s birthday.

• If you don’t want to decorate the cake. Add a cute banner and call it a day. This Lego cake and banner are adorable and so this felt ice cream banner from Pearl & Jane!

• Let your kiddo help sprinkle the cake. I love SprinklePop fun sprinkle mixes but it’s a local small business.

Social Distancing Birthday Party Ideas: the Decor

• Create a tabletop balloon garland. I have a tutorial for a full-size one you can find here, but if you don’t have balloons already, I’d recommend ordering a kit from my friend Tiffany with Glamfetti.
• High chair balloon garland: Cute for making a first birthday festive!

• Printable party hats: If you’re short on time, printables are the way to go!
• Laminated personalized placemat: My friend Tammy makes these and I think it would be a fun surprise for birthday breakfast.

• Reusable birthday banner: I have several felt banners and I love them. So easy to store and you can use year after year!
• Make paper chain garlands using colorful construction or craft paper you have on hand. I love the size variety Oh Happy Day uses here!

• Cover the kitchen table or island with colorful wrapping paper.
• Give the cheap white plasticware from your latest takeout order a makeover!

Social Distancing Birthday Party Ideas: Activities

• Birthday Craft Kit: I came across this Etsy shop and I’m obsessed! I think the birthday craft kit is perfect for celebrating a birthday at home. The kit is filled with activities and decorations. She also has a plane activity kit I plan to purchase next time we travel!

• We always have balloons laying around the house and Piper loves to play with them! Here are some easy ideas for young toddlers. (play with balloons should be closely supervised)
• Birthday scavenger hunt: Pinterest has a lot of free printables. Sharing my favorites here and here. Both of these are perfect to do at home.
• Cloud dough sensory kit: Cloud dough only uses two ingredients but you can add vanilla to make it smell like cake! Add in some sprinkles, birthday candles, tiny bowls, cupcake liners and other trinkets you have around the house for a fun birthday activity.
• Birthday coupons: I love the idea of creating experiences over gifts but I know we’re limited right now. You can create your own or purchase a customizable template on Etsy to change the coupons to include social distancing friendly activities. Some ideas: ice cream, movie night, extra screen time, no chores, dessert first, family hide and seek, pajama day, dinner of your choice, family game night, etc!
• Make pudding finger paint: sugar intake doesn’t count on birthdays, right?! I love the idea of making colorful pudding finger paint. You could add in some sprinkles too!

Establish New Traditions

This will be a unique birthday so why not embrace it with a new tradition!

• Growing up we had a red plate and were able to eat on it on our birthday. It was something so simple but I always looked forward to my turn with the red plate. I just ordered this YAY plate to use for special occasions. You can document each milestone on the back which I love!

• I never put together a baby book for Piper but I love the idea of documenting what her favorite things year after year. This birthday questionnaire to record what makes your kiddo so special!