Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
Ideas for kids' birthday parties in lockdown
Get the neighbours involved
There were emotional scenes when neighbours hung out of windows and stood in gardens to sing Happy Birthday to Sophie as she turned eight on a street in Southampton in England – check out the video posted by her dad on Twitter at @robthomas_1. Other neighbourhood gestures have included getting all the street to make happy birthday posters and put them up at their windows, then get the birthday boy or girl to do a tour of the street. Sophie’s dad organised the sing-song by putting notes through the neighbours’ doors asking them to sing at a particular time.
Get family to record messages
Ask friends and relatives in advance to do a wee video message – it could be singing Happy Birthday or sending a message. Stream them all together for a fun way to start the birthday boy or girl’s day!
Try a Zoom/Netflix Party/Kast/House Party party
Let them catch up with a group of pals remotely! Zoom might have started as a business conferencing facility but it’s the coronavirus buzz app. zoom.us. Kast is a real-time video sharing app with screen capture, voice, text, and video chat. www.kastapp.co. Netflix Party allows groups of people to stream shows together meaning you can watch a favourite movie with pals. Currently only available with Chrome browsers. www.netflixparty.com. The House Party app has also soared in popularity since lockdowns began. It lets groups of up to eight friends get together via video calls. Houseparty.com
Book an entertainer online
Lots of party entertainers are offering an online service so you wee one can still enjoy some virtual fun! Check out Magic Gareth’s 20-20 Virtual Birthday Package on Zoom, a 20-min, £20 package where your child does the magic here!
Have a camping party in the garden
If you have a garden and it’s large enough and you have a tent, why not camp overnight for a mini family birthday adventure? Wrap up warm with lots of blankets and sleeping bags – it’s still very chilly at night even when it’s been a warm day – and make sure all their cuddly toys join in the fun. Take some torches for an after-dark explore of the garden. Or build a den in the living room and have a sleep-out there.
Go to town on their birthday cake
If you were going to be shelling out for a birthday party which now can’t go ahead, why not spend the cash instead on a dream birthday cake? Some of the major cake makers are still accepting orders and delivering. Or spend some of that lockdown time creating and making one yourselves? Your birthday boy or girl could design it, and (once you’ve toned down the design into something vaguely possible) have a go at making it with them.
Scavenger hunt for their presents
We’re all familiar with an Easter egg hunt – why not get them to hunt for their birthday presents? Hide the presents around the garden or house and start the birthday celebrations off with a scavenger hunt to find them.
Virtual day trips
Lots of museums and other attractions have started virtual tours, so you can go anywhere in the world for a birthday trip “out”. Stay local and tour the National Museum of Scotland on Google StreetView (here) or Edinburgh Zoo, which has a panda, penguin tiger and koala cam. (here). Or with the whole world to choose from, try Taronga Sydney Zoo in Australia here. While you're Down Under, why not tour Melbourne Museum with Primary Times' 2019 Fringe Children's Choice winners The Listies here? Longleat Safari Park has launched a virtual safari narrated by BBC Animal Park presenter Kate Humble. The guided tour is free to view on the Longleat website and across its digital platforms here . Take a tour of the international space station with Nasa here or watch the Disney parade here or search YouTube for lots of virtual rides on Disney attractions.