This blog is 100% is reader-supported. When you make purchases through links on this site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.
It’s the beginning of March, which means that I have kid birthdays on the mind.
Not only do 3 of my 4 children have a birthday in March, but they all 3 have a birthday within 4 days of each other. Then add in my husband’s, and we celebrate 4 birthdays in 7 days.
March Madness takes on a new name in our house that’s for sure.
When someone has a birthday left and right, it’s not only somewhat chaotic for me, but it can feel like everyone is sharing a birthday. So, I try my absolute best to make their day extra fun and special, without it being too crazy.
That’s why I like to celebrate with easy birthday traditions – with the emphasis on easy.
Since it’s a whirlwind of birthday madness, I like to keep things simple. But, these fun & easy birthday traditions are anything but special, and your kids will LOVE them!
1.Make a birthday Countdown
Like a countdown to Christmas, but for birthdays! You can keep this simple and easy by making a chain out of craft paper (like we did in grade school). Or, you can take it up a notch and create a fun, countdown calendar. Whatever method you decide to choose, this birthday tradition will keep the excitement and anticipation at high levels.
2. Cover the floor in balloons
This one is especially fun for the little ones. Coming out of their room and seeing a floor of balloons on their birthday is a fun way to start the day. My kids especially love this one and it’s super easy and cheap to d0 (and provides hours of entertainment).
If your kids are going off to school, you could surprise them with balloons when they return home in the afternoon. Makes for a fun and exciting birthday greetin
3. Surprise them with a party
You don’t need to be an adult to have a surprise party planned for you. You can surprise your kids at any age with a party. Whether it’s at your home, a family member’s, or a party center or park, a party is a fun and easy way to make a kid feel extra special on their big day.
4. Special balloon or flower delivery
Every year on my birthday growing up, I would always get called into the school office at the end of the day. While my peers would watch me walk away to the office with curiosity in their eyes, I knew it just meant one thing: my birthday balloon delivery.
Up until high school, I would get balloons sent to me at school at the end of the day (and had to bring them home with me on the bus). Once I outgrew the balloons, my parents started sending me flowers instead.
It was definitely one of my favorite birthday traditions as a kid and you can make it a tradition in your home too.
5. They pick dinner
Often times it’s Mom that picks dinner in the house (for us at least). So, when the birthdays roll around, the kids get to pick.
This is such a simple way to to make your kids feel extra special on their birthday and it’s extra fun to see how their tastes change over the years. What started out as mac n’ cheese and pizza has now evolved to alfredo and sushi in my older kids.
6. They pick dessert
Since we have a lot of March birthdays, you can imagine how much cake that must be. By the end of the 1st birthday, we are pretty much “caked out.”
Instead of making 4 cakes within a 7 day period, the birthday kids get to decide their birthday dessert. We aren’t much fans of cake to begin with, so this is a resourceful way to not get burnt out on it so quick.
7. Take them to lunch
While I don’t do this for every birthday, I like to take my kids out on a collaborative lunch during their birthday week (can you imagine 4 lunches in a week with 4 kids? That adds up quick!).
If we don’t do lunch, I will take them out for ice cream or a snack at out favorite local dive. It’s an easy way to add a special touch to their birthday.
8. Conduct a birthday interview
Kids change so often, so what better way to commemorate these changes than by conducting an interview?
A few questions that you can ask every year include: favorite color, favorite food, what they want to be when they grow up, favorite song, favorite book, favorite holiday, etc.
It will be a fun tradition to do every year and see what (and what doesn’t) change throughout their childhood. When I asked my 12 year old what his favorite food was at age 3, it was nachos. Today, it’s still nachos, but many other things about him have changed.
Short on time? Grab this ready-made printable Birthday Interview.
Download, print, and done. Makes for a fun birthday tradition on the fly!
9. Take their picture
I might be a bit biased since I am a photographer after all, but taking a birthday picture is a MUST (although my kids may disagree).
This will make any birthday more memorable and meaningful because you will end up having proof of the day later on down the road – which will lead to many happy recollections.
This doesn’t have to be fancy, but anything to capture them on their day will do. If it’s blowing out their candles (check out this tutorial on how to take these), opening their gifts, or just smiling with their crown on, you will be glad that you took it.
10. Plan a birthday photo session
If you adore photos as much as I do, then planning a birthday photo session is a fun tradition to do every year.
Now, this can be as elaborate or as simple as you’d like, it really just depends on your kid. When my older kids were much younger, I would plan out a birthday session months in advance. I’d buy props, get balloons, and stress over every little detail.
As a photographer, it was a fun tradition to do every year. And since my older two have birthdays within 2 days of each other, I would combine the photo session. But, once I had my 3rd kid (who wanted nothing to do with the camera), I let the traditional photo session slide and I took a more documentary approach.
Whatever you decide to do, let it match your child’s personality and you will cherish this even more.
11. Create a birthday photo book
After the special birthday photo session, you can make this even more memorable by putting them into a book!
I personally like to make my own photo books in Lightroom and have them professionally printed at my pro lab, but I realize that is a costly option. (and not always preferred).
If I am in a pinch, I like to design my photo albums through Nations lab or Zno. Both provide great quality with the option to design with their online software. Makes it simple & easy, even if you have zero design skills!
12. Go on a birthday present hunt
Instead of giving out the present, why not hide them and make a game out of it? This can especially be fun during the colder months when options to be outside or do any kind of outdoor activities are somewhat limited.
All you need to do are write a few clues out on some note cards and you have a simple and fun birthday game!
13. Plant a tree or plant
Now this is something that we haven’t always done since we move a lot, but what a special tradition.
When my 1st son was born, we planted a cherry tree for him (which later died during a hard winter). But, it was so much fun watching it grow and mature over the years alongside my son.
So if you are living in your forever hour, this can be such a great tradition that you can start.
14. Make a special breakfast
Good food makes a birthday extra special, am I right?
Why not surprise your kids on their birthday with their favorite breakfast treat? I usually go for pancakes, cinnamon rolls, cereal, or donuts, but any of their favorite food will do!
I am just happy that the little one discovered bacon recently – looking forward to that breakfast!
15. Mail them cards ahead of time
Either you can send them a card in the mail or band together relatives to do so. Either way, this is a fun birthday tradition – because who doesn’t love getting birthday cards in the mail?!
16. Make a craft
I’ll admit, I am that kind of Mom that doesn’t prioritize craft making or art all that much (just means more messes for me). So, I let it slide a few times a year and let them go nuts with a fun craft.
They could make party hats, decorations, or a new toy depending on their age and skill level. No matter what you choose, this can be a fun way to pass the time waiting for their presents and special birthday dinner.
17. Let them wear a birthday crown
This can be a part of their craft time or you can simply buy them a crown (or tiara) ahead of time.
This can be a special way to prance around on your birthday. Plus, who doesn’t love wearing a crown made for a King or Queen?!
18. Decorate their room
There are so many fun ways that you can do this. Balloon floor. Balloon wall. “Trap” door. Streamers, confetti, decorations, oh my!
Or, if they share a room with their siblings (like how mine do), then you could decorate their bed. Maybe cover them up in a new blanket and add some streamers around so when they wake up, it will feel like a fun little birthday nest.
19. Let them have a “camp out”
This is one of my kids FAVORITE things to do on the weekends: have a camp out in the living room.
they get to stay up “late”, watch movies, and play video games. Sometimes, they look forward to this special sibling time all week, which makes it the perfect tradition to add on birthdays!
20. Take them to their favorite place
The zoo, museum, park, you name it. What better way to spend than day going to your favorite place?!
If it were up to me, we’d be hitting up the beach, but I’m not really crazy about 13 hour drives.
21. Organize phone calls or video calls with friends and family
If they can’t see your loved one on their birthday, then why not organize a phone call or video chat?
They will LOVE the extra attention that they get and it will really make the day even more special.
22. Watch their favorite movie & make snacks
If you don’t go the whole camp out route, then why not settle for a movie night?
It’s a great way to wrap up the day. And if they binged on too many sweets during the day, maybe much on some fresh veggies or cut fruit.
23. Interview others to share kind words
Going along the idea of interviews, why not fill out a questionnaire to share with them? They will be so surprised PLUS it’s always nice hearing uplifting and encouraging words from the people that you love the most.
Grab this printable “I Love You” interview – it’s the perfect way to show your kids how loved they are! Just download, print, fill out, and give to them on their birthday. Such an easy and fun birthday tradition to start!
24. Go on a road trip
This one may not always be in the budget, but why not plan a road trip? Especially for milestone birthdays.
Even if it’s to a park or monument that’s easy to travel to in a day, this can make a birthday even extra special.
25.Dance party!
You can have a birthday without your favorite jams.
Pump up the volume, go nuts, and get a good workout in too. Kids LOVE to get the wiggles out, plus it will help burn off that extra sugar dosage they take in throughout the day.
Do you celebrate your kids birthdays with a special tradition?
Please, tell us below to share even more birthday tradition ideas!