birthday party

summer

How to Make Summer Birthdays Special

Every parent wants their child to have a great birthday, but how do you do that during the Summer, when your child may not be in touch with classmates and you need to coordinate a celebration around Summer activities and travel plans?

Every parent wants their child to have a great birthday, but how do you do that during the Summer, when your child may not be in touch with classmates and you need to coordinate a celebration around Summer activities and travel plans?

"My daughter's birthday is in July, so that means no bringing cupcakes to school to share and most of her friends are not around in July to celebrate," says Mary M.  

Similarly, mom Laura says her son's sixth birthday falls on July 9 and she was planning to have a birthday party at a bowling lane, but no one RSVPed. "I dont know what to do," she says. "This happens every year to my son. I feel really bad for him because it seems to be because of the fact [that] his birthday is during the Summer and so close to the fourth. Can someone please give me some advice?"

Even if not as many friends and family are around to help celebrate during Summer, Circle of Moms members say it's still possible to make Summer birthdays special. Keep reading for their top three tips.

birthday party

15 Special Kids' Birthday Themes

The best part about throwing a children's birthday party is being able to create fun, different party themes every year.

The best part about throwing a children's birthday party is being able to create fun, different party themes every year. So we've rounded up 15 mom-tested party themes that are too cute not to try. From a mad scientist theme to a "Peace Love and FUN-do" party, these ideas will rev your engines for your child's next party!

summer

23 Outdoor Parties to Throw Your Summer Birthday Child

With two cold-weather babies, I've always envied moms who could plan an outdoor birthday party and take advantage of their backyard or local park.

With two cold-weather babies, I've always envied moms who could plan an outdoor birthday party and take advantage of their backyard or local park. Nature makes the great outdoors ideal for garden parties, water games, messy projects, and sporting events — and best of all, they can be done at a fraction of the price of indoor ones without rental fees. Check out 23 fun parties you can throw right in the yard, without ever worrying about how you'll fit all those kids in your home!

Sources: Simply Styled Home, Kiki's List, Pencil Shavings, Brenda Marafioto for Beth and Co.

Editor's Pick

Tori Spelling Shares Stella McDermott's Fourth Birthday Tea Party

We're excited to bring you a new post from mother and actress Tori Spelling!

We're excited to bring you a new post from mother and actress Tori Spelling! Every other week, we're bringing you the best parenting and lifestyle advice from ediTORIal by Tori Spelling, which is Tori's daily blog about everything from food and fashion to parenting and relationships. This week, Tori shares her daughter Stella's fourth birthday party.

This past weekend we celebrated Stella's fourth birthday, and I was in full party-planning mode to give Stella the tea party of her dreams.

Related: Liam McDermott Graduates!

Stella had strict orders. . . . She wanted her tea party to be all hot pink and purple with pops of yellow. For her dress, I found this amazing (and very well-priced) party dress on Etsy.com that you can order in any color tulle. It was the perfect blend of fairy couture and princess poof!

What's the most memorable b-day party that you've thrown for your kiddies?

More great reads from Tori Spelling:
Momvo — Too-Smart TV?
Caption This: DJ HCat
Happy Birthday, Stella!
Creative Ways to Eat an Avocado
tuTORIal: Kids DIY Mailbox

birthday party

OnSugar Blog: the Cutest Eco-Fairy Party

Lots of moms like to think out loud, and House of Anaïs is one of them.

Lots of moms like to think out loud, and House of Anaïs is one of them. Here is one of the latest posts on her House of Anaïs blog.

A little while ago, we went to a lovely birthday party, and the kids absolutely loved it. Give the young son some glue, and he is glued to the activity forever and ever. Give the girls some fairy wings and fancy decor, and they will make their own fairy tale. Give the parents some mimosas and the most amazing sweet and savory treats, and they will not want to leave the party ever.

Since the hosting family is a pretty green family (think of growing chickens in the middle of city), we chose more sustainable wooden presents, and this time, they all ended up being from Melissa & Doug. The presents are always a hard one for me, as the etiquette is not so simple to figure out — when you have multiple kids, should you get a little present for each to give, or just have one together?

And talking about presents, I think it's great experience to let children help shop for the presents and put some thought into what their friends might like, but with so many parties to go to in a year, I am thinking that our shopping might move more online, as everything always seems to be discounted somewhere . . . Sad, but at the end of the day, it will save a lot of money.

Keep reading to see all of the details from the party!

Editor's Pick

One Year in a Flash: A First Birthday Party

Baby's first year of life flies by in a flash — and what better way to celebrate a first birthday than to take a look back at the past 12 months?

Baby's first year of life flies by in a flash — and what better way to celebrate a first birthday than to take a look back at the past 12 months? One Year in a Flash was this creative mama's theme for her daughter's first birthday party. From custom invitations to one-of-a-kind portrait party favors, every detail of this "flashback" party was super sweet!

Click through to see how she put it together and get inspired to celebrate your little one's first year of life.

Source: Hostess with the Mostess

Disney

Bow-tastic! How to Throw a Minnie Mouse-Themed Birthday

If mama's little girl is turning a year older and all she wants is a Minnie Mouse-themed birthday bash, then that's exactly what she'll get — and we've got some great party planning ideas to get you started!

If mama's little girl is turning a year older and all she wants is a Minnie Mouse-themed birthday bash, then that's exactly what she'll get — and we've got some great party planning ideas to get you started! From the birthday girl's Minnie-inspired outfit to dessert table sweets, click through to check out some of our favorite Minnie Mouse birthday finds.

Editor's Pick

Sunny Days: How to Throw a Sesame Street-Themed Birthday

This post is brought to you by the letter 'P' — as in party!

This post is brought to you by the letter 'P' — as in party! For over four decades, Sesame Street has been providing children with education through entertainment and humor. We don't know what exactly it is that makes the Sesame Street gang so appealing, but we do know one thing for sure — kids love them!

So if your little one is part of a new generation of fans, a Sesame Street-themed party is a great idea for your tot's next birthday. Click through to check out some creative ideas on how to throw your very own bash!

Camping

A Girlie Camping-Themed Birthday Party

What girl could possibly say no to camp when it's this girlie?

What girl could possibly say no to camp when it's this girlie? Arts and crafts and sleeping in tents are just a few of the things that make camp so appealing to little ones — but your kiddo doesn't have to go anywhere to celebrate her birthday at camp, because you can bring it to her!

Click through to check out this girlie, camping-themed birthday party and get inspired to throw a party to remember for your little girl's next birthday!

Source and Photo Credit: Wendy Updegraff Photography

Editor's Pick

Fall Down the Rabbit Hole and Into This Alice in Wonderland Birthday Party

Get set for a wild trip!

Get set for a wild trip! An Alice in Wonderland theme for a birthday party can be so much fun. It's got lots of bright colors, whimsical characters, and details that make party planning a delight. With Lewis Carroll's classic tale as your guide, be inspired to host a magical afternoon tea party with this Alice in Wonderland-themed birthday party!

Source: Sweets Indeed