Unique Celebrations for One-of-a-kind Kids

By Jessica Gordon

Birthday parties are a very big deal for Tracey Powers’ two daughters. Every year, each girl chooses a theme that their mom, an art teacher at Loveland Intermediate School, spins into a magical party. Past themes include princess, purple-unicorn, and tea party. Depending on your child’s interests, you could choose any theme, from trains or Legos® to football or Halloween.

At-home extravaganza

Whatever the theme, the key to success is decorating. You can keep it simple, or as Powers says, “Decorate like crazy!...The more balloons, banners, streamers, the better. Use whatever you can to totally transform your house or yard.” You can make your own decorations with computer art or big shapes cut from poster board.

For her daughter’s tea party, Powers set an elaborate table in the backyard, complete with lavender tablecloth, paper doily place settings, and vases of flowers. “The table looked like a fancy grown-up table, but sized for little kids,” Powers says. She made teacup cupcakes with chocolate-covered pretzel handles. She also included a note with the invitations asking everyone to wear her prettiest party dress. Then each guest received a fitting gift: little white gloves and matching boas.

Bring the theme into party games and even crafts. A treasure hunt is perfect for shipmates at a pirate party. What about a sprinkler and water balloons for a beach party? At Powers’ tea party, she lead the girls in a game of Hot Teapot instead of Hot Potato. She also had guests decorate plain accordion fans.

While theme parties may call for a bit of work, they don’t have to cost a fortune. With some planning, you can often find items at dollar stores or on sale at craft and department stores.

Relax! We’ll take care of everything.

If you love the idea of a theme party but are short on time, Powers suggests finding venues that suit the theme. Her children have had birthday parties at various places, including a pajama-party-cooking theme at the Young Chef’s Academy and a gymnastics party at Kids First Sports Center. A dinosaur theme works well at the Cincinnati Museum Center. And for a child who’s a budding chef, what could be better than a cooking party at Whole Foods?

You can also hire party planners to come to your home and carry out the theme for you. For instance, if the theme is music or dancing, a Kindermusik party is perfect for smaller children. Older kids will love a party hosted by the Funky Divas that includes choosing a favorite song and a theme of their choice (like luau or Miley Cyrus) and then having professionally trained dancers teach a dance to go with the song.

Or you can opt for an art party. Companies like Thomas Claire provide prepackaged kits for a paint-your-own-pottery party. All you have to do is pick the kit, and all the materials you need are delivered to your door, including brushes and glazes.

Whatever you choose, your child’s unique party will be a cherished memory!