Eco-Friendly Ideas for a Kid’s Party

Wrapping paper is littered throughout the house, garbage bags full of single use plates, and neon colored party snacks are everywhere. Toys and party favors that will never be touched by tiny hands, and will soon end up in a landfill surround you. This is the aftermath of many children’s birthday parties. As you sort through the mess, and lug your garbage bags out to the curb, you may be thinking, this can’t be necessary, there must be a better way. Well, you are right, all of that waste is wholly unnecessary, and there are some creative, inexpensive and playful ways to throw your son or daughter an eco friendly party.

Green Themes

Party stores are lined wall to wall with cartoon themed plastic table clothes and environmentally hazardous balloons. Instead of picking up some TV character and calling it a day, try a more thoughtful and activity oriented green theme. If you have warm weather, and the option to do an outdoor party consider throwing the party in your own backyard. It’s free to rent, and already decorated with the beauty of nature. Try a scavenger hunt that you and your child can plan together. Or, a planting party, where all the kids can get involved in planting their own herb garden, or flower pot, and these plants can double as a goodie bag replacement. You could also plan a backyard camping slumber party. Ask guests to bring a sleeping bags, and their favorite scary story. You can have a cookout, and make natural versions of s’mores by finding homemade marshmallow recipes online and using natural chocolate and graham cracker alternatives.

If you are limited to indoor activities, there’s an abundance of lively and green activities you can do inside your own home. You could organize a natural cooking party or tea party, and bake natural cupcakes the kids can take home as favors. Or you could try some arts and crafts options, like natural tie dying or natural soy candle making. For a slightly older girl, you might consider hosting a natural makeover party, using organic make-up and spa products, all the girls can learn to pamper themselves ‘eco style’.

Earth-friendly Invites

Once you have decided on your theme, it’s time to start sending out your invitations. For the greenest invites, you can use post-consumer recycled invitations, or you can send out seeded invitations. I love the seeded option because the invitation gets planted and becomes a beautiful flower, with no waste! For some seeded invitation options go to www.botanicalpaperworks.com or learn how to make your own at www.save-on-crafts.com.

Gracious Gifts and the 3 Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle):

You might also want to specify on your invitations, what kind of gifting you want to incorporate. For instance, you can ask your guests to bring gently used books and toys as gifts, thus eliminating the waste of unused toys, and reusing what is already available. Or, you can ask them to donate to a cause you child feels connected to. However, your child might not be ready for this sort of altruism, and after all, it is their birthday. Instead, you can also register for gifts, this way you can ensure that your son or daughter will only get gifts that they will use, and you can oversee the list to make sure these products are safe and environmentally friendly. If you are receiving gifts, you can also request on the invitations that the gifts be wrapped in newspaper or reusable cloth bags. This will not only limit the waste, but save your guests money as well, so I’m sure they will be happy to comply.

Dazzling Decorating

For a festive touch consider using biodegradable and recycled decorations. Green Party Goods, www.greenpartygoods.com, has a great selection of eco-friendly adornments including; biodegradable crepe paper, recycled paper garlands, biodegradable bamboo and sugarcane plates, compostable cornware table settings, and much more. Just think how wonderful you will fell as you dump your post party waste in your backyard to return to the earth, rather than waiting for the garbage truck to take it to a landfill.