So, the exciting birthday outing or party your kid was eagerly looking forward to is no longer an option. No need to fret! There are plenty of alternative ways to creatively and safely celebrate your young ones’ special day.
Kidcreate Studio in Alexandria is hosting virtual birthday parties for ages 3-12, so your child can enjoy artistic activities and the company of friends safely from home.
Kidcreate Studio will provide birthday guests with prepared do-it-at-home art kits. Kits can be picked up at the Kidcreate Studio studio or shipped directly to your door-step. Guests can participate in a number of fun projects led by a Kidcreate Studio teacher via live online conference. Activities include making clay mosaics with air dry clay and beads, painting Picasso-inspired self-portraits, creating a “birds on a wire” canvas board painting, making a clay minion with air dry clay and paint, and of course, mixing and playing with gooey slime! Private studio times will be available for children and their immediate household members starting when Virginia moves into the first phase of reopening on Friday, May 29.
Looking for birthday kits for guests of all ages? AR Workshop in Alexandria has DIY To-Go sign painting kits that can be ordered online and picked up at your local workshop doorstep. Shoppers first decide how many signs they would like to receive in their package. Then, they can choose among a variety of different plank sign sizes and designs. Some of their featured designs include “for the kiddos,” complete with sports and game motifs; “for the dreamers,” perfect for all unicorn, butterfly and mermaid lovers; and even “for the on-trend,” with “VSCO girl” designs that your bigger kids may enjoy. There are plenty of designs for adults as well.
Add to the birthday excitement by sprucing up your home with DIY birthday decorations made from materials easily found at home. Do you have tissue paper leftover from past gift-wrapping? Perfect! Turn it into a colorful, tasseled birthday garland. Use a hole puncher and cardstock to make your own colorful confetti. No birthday is complete without party hats. Use cardstock and an online template to create the base, then have your child embellish it with their choice of decorations. Some ideas include DIY pom-poms, glitter-glue, or hand-drawings for a one-of-a-kind design!
In addition, local parents have coordinated outdoor surprises, including having children put up balloons and signs at a child’s home overnight, so the birthday girl or boy wakes up to a surprise. Birthday drive-by (or bike-by) parades have gained popularity with parents and children, as well.
For presents, consider shopping local and picking up a child’s favorite meal from a local restaurant to enjoy at home. You can also pick up gifts from local businesses an desert from our local cupcake shops that are delivering locally or offering contactless pick-up.
Go to ALXathome.com for a variety of specials, contact-free retail shopping and more.
