Many of our kids will have birthdays during the coronavirus pandemic. Even though we can’t gather friends and family in person to celebrate our kids’ special day right now, we can still make the day special. Here’s our ultimate guide for celebrating kids’ birthdays at home during the stay at home order.
Decorate your lawn
Your kid will be thrilled to wake up to balloon decorations in their yard on their birthday! There are two local companies offering balloon yard decorations in the Rockford area.
Dabadooya and Company in Rockford is offering flower-shaped, explosion clusters, and giant number balloon displays delivered to your yard. They start at around $15 each. Message them to order.
Glitz and Go in Beloit is offering yard signs and balloons! They start at around $10 each and are delivered to your yard. Call 608-313-8460 to order.
Birthday chat with a princess or superhero
Once Upon a Dream is offering one-on-one Zoom calls with their characters including Spirit Queen, Snow Princess, Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel, Mermaid Princess, Cinderella, Highland Princess, and Galatic Girl. You can book a 30 minute call for $35 or a personalized video message for $35. Book here.
Queen Princess Events offers one-on-one calls with the Frosty Queen. Book her on her Facebook page or by calling 847-220-8113.
Have a virtual birthday party with Crosstown Exotics
Crosstown Exotics will do a private birthday party with 10-12 of their biggest reptile ambassdaors or bugs. For more details or to schedule your Virtual Birthday Party call 815-715-4815, or email crosstownexotics@gmail.com.
Do some arts and crafts and play games at home
815 Wood Designs offers fun wood painting kits for $15 each. You can message them on Facebook to order.
Bristle and Timber offers board and paint projects. Check their Facebook page to see what they are offering now and text 779-970-6804 to order.
Erica’s Board Creations offers a ton of $15 to-go kit options including fun designs for kids like a sloth. Message on Facebook to order.
The 3R’s in Rockford has tons of cool items including puzzles, science kits, etc. and will ship or drop off on your porch!
Get some sweet birthday treats
Every birthday needs some sweet treats! There are several local businesses offering delicious things you can pick-up curbside or get delivered. Shop local when you can, it makes a huge difference!
The Baking Grounds North in Machesney Park has birthday cakes, cake balls, macarons, cupcakes, cookies, and more for sale plus they have a drive-thru window to pick-up your orders! Call 815-904-6819 to place an order.
Bella Luna in Rockford has birthday cakes, cannolis, cookies and other Italian treats available for curbside delivery. Call 815-670-7028 to order yours.
By the Dozen in Machesney Park has birthday cakes, cookies, brownies, cupcakes and more. They do curbside pick-up from 6 am – 12 pm most days. Order your treats online.
Sugar Britches in Rockton offers curbside candy pick-up that would brighten any kids’ day. While you’re there, don’t forget to pick up some delicious chocolates for yourself too! Place your order on their website.
Wonderland Sweets has cupcakes, donuts and other limited-time treats available for curbside pick-up. See what they have now and order on their website.
Get a shoutout from the Rockford Police Department
Message the Rockford Police Department on Facebook to get a live shoutout on the week of your child’s birthday and possibly win a $10 gift card to Walmart!
Video chat with friends and sing Happy Birthday
Set up a free Zoom call for your kids to talk to friends and play games. Kids will love the chance to see each other and talk.
If you’re looking for party games you can play on Zoom, try…
- Would you rather?
- Tic Tac Toe (using the Zoom whiteboard)
- Bingo (free card here)
- Guess Who (both kids need to have the game boards)
Fill out a birthday worksheet
Long Creations, who put together the fantastic COVID-19 journal, put together a Birthday sheet for kids celebrating during this time in history. Download it for free here. If you’d like to document other coronavirus memories, go here for more ideas.
Have a birthday parade
Ask your friends and family to drive by your house at a certain time to honk, wave, blow bubbles, and sing. Bonus points if they decorate their cars!
Watch a movie together and chat
Download Netflix Party and your kids and their friends and family can watch a movie together and chat! Here’s a list of the best 15 family movies on Netflix now.
Decorate the inside of the house
Put up streamers, balloons, homemade signs and other decorations. Even though you can’t have a big party, you can still make it feel festive!
Glitz and Go in Beloit has party decorations, flowers and balloons that they can deliver to your door! Check their website and call 608-313-8460 to order.
Chalk the driveway
Write a big birthday message to your kids and ask others to wish them happy birthday. Leave a few pieces of chalk in a bucket on the driveway so neighbors can add messages as they walk by.
Video messages from friends and family
Ask family and friends to send birthday wishes to your kiddo then compile them into a big video message or show each individual message to your kid!
The Discovery Center Museum is also offering a free personalized message for your kid if you email them with your child’s name and age at parties@discoverycentermuseum.org.
Throw a backyard camping party
As it warms up, a backyard camping birthday party is the perfect option! Set up a tent in your yard, roast ‘Smores, play games, and tell spooky stories. You’ll make great memories and it will be a birthday that your kid does not forget!
Enjoy the time together
No matter how you celebrate your kid’s birthday during the stay at home order, the most important thing is being together and healthy. Your kid will love anything you do!