Ideas for a 30th Birthday Party That Includes Kids

Create a memorable 30th birthday for your loved one.

A 30th birthday marks a major milestone, as it is the beginning of a new decade in life. Many people tend to view the milestone as a depressing occasion because it is an official passage into adulthood where the younger carefree days are over. Turn the potentially depressing occasion into an exciting event for people of all ages, including children.

Invitations

Invitations with a 30th birthday theme are available at many party supply stores and online. Make your own invitations by printing copies of the number “30” and taping them on card stock. Write the party details on the back of the card stock. Or, cut the number "30" from card stock and write the party details on the numbers. Include a note in each envelope stating that children are welcome to attend the birthday party. For more decoration, sprinkle confetti in the shape of the number “30” inside each invitation envelope.

Decorations

Use party decorations, such as balloons, streamers, tableware and wall hangings, that feature the number "30." Cut the number “30” out of poster board several times. Hang the numbers all over the walls and from the ceiling using fishing line. Include the guest of honor's favorite color or hobby as part of the decorations, too. For example, if the guest of honor loves to hunt, decorate the poster board numbers in a camouflage pattern. Place noisemakers, party poppers and silly string on the party tables for the guests. Children will love the noise and mess, and the adults will have fun as they express a sillier side of themselves.

Food

Plan the food according to the birthday guest’s taste. If she likes Mexican food, create a fajita and enchilada buffet with all the fixings. If she enjoys cooking out, make hamburgers and hotdogs with all the fixing. Create a few choice items for the children, like quesadillas or chicken nuggets. Use the numbers “3” and “0” to make the cake. For a really kid-friendly cake, bake several batches of cupcakes and lay them out to write the number “30.” Or, put the cupcakes together and ice them to look like one big cake. After the guest of honor blows out her candles, serve the cupcakes by pulling them apart.

Games

Organize games children and adults can play together, like limbo or a relay race. Have two adults hold a pole to create a game of limbo. Put a 30th birthday twist on the game of limbo by having the last five players go under the limbo pole 30 times before moving on to the next round. For a relay race, have each child select an adult as a partner. Have each pair tie their two inside legs together like a three-legged race. Give each player a spoon and an egg. The pairs must race from a starting line to a finish line 30 times without dropping the eggs. If they drop an egg, they must start over. The first team across the finish line after the final lap with their eggs in the spoons wins the game.

References

• Celebrations: 30th Birthday Parties