How to Celebrate Birthdays at Elementary School

Having your real birthday fall on a day when you have school is every elementary child’s dream. But what’s the best way to celebrate their birthday?

Here are some tips and ideas to make your child’s birthday celebration fun and enjoyable for your child and all of their classmates!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Homemade or store bought treats
• Small trinket for classmates
• Paper plates, napkins, disposable forks
• List of classmates first names

Talk with Your Child

1. Set a budget. Your child may want to take everyone to the moon -- and back -- for their birthday. Decide what your budget is before you start talking. This makes it easier to say, 'no' if your child has an unreasonable request.

2. Before doing anything for your child's birthday, ask them about it. Would they like to have a small celebration in their classroom? What have other kids done to celebrate their birthdays?

3. Does your child attend an after-school daycare program? If they do, explore whether you will want to have their birthday celebration in their classroom or as part of the after-school daycare activities.

Talk with Your Child's Teacher or Daycare

4. Talk with your child’s teacher, or daycare provider, a month before their birthday. Let the teacher know that you’re planning a special event so they are aware of it ahead of time.
   
   Ask if any of the children in the class have allergies or special needs that should be taken into consideration.

5. Ask if the school has restrictions on food made at home or store bought. Many schools are now requiring that food brought for consumption by the entire classroom be store-bought instead of homemade.
   
   If your child is at a religious school, they may have special restrictions that govern what types of food can be brought to school and shared with others.

6. Ask if any of the children in the class have allergies or special needs that should be taken into consideration.

7. Ask how many children are in the class. You’ll need to know this to provide food, hats, or any other party items for your child.

8. If you are planning to give small gifts to everyone in the class, ask for a list of the first names for all of the students.

9. If you’re making homemade treats, cupcakes are the best type of treat to provide. You don’t need to supply a knife and all of the kids get the same ‘amount’ – no arguing over who got a bigger piece.

10. If you’re purchasing treats pre-made, try to have it cut before bringing it to your child’s school. This makes it easier on the teacher and all of the children, too.

11. If you are planning to give small gifts to everyone in the class, write their first names on their gift bag.
    
    Most stores have a party supply aisle where you can find a multitude of toys for less than a dollar.

12. If you can attend, ask your child’s teacher what time would be best. Be sure to remember to bring the paper plates, napkins and disposable forks, too!
    
    If you’re unable to be at the party, arrange to drop these items off with the teacher or in their classroom when your child goes to school.

Tips & Warnings

• Don’t send candles, matches, knives or anything that could be misconstrued as a dangerous weapon.

[bizewriter]

on 1/31/2008 I agree with grouch...those were the days!

[grouch]

on 1/7/2008 Remember back in the day when you didn't have to buy prepackaged food. Ahhh that was nice and the treats were always so much better.