For many families, the last two years have been pretty light on social events, including kid birthday parties. Now that safe vaccinations are widely available and the weather is getting warm enough for outside parties, even the most cautious families are starting to think about how to throw a super fun kid's birthday party again. And while making a party fun for kids is pretty easy (just add pizza, a bounce house, and some cake and BOOM! Perfect party), a lot of us also want the grown-ups to have a good time, too.
Now, there are a lot of ways to make a party fun for adults that are clearly not the right game plan for a kid's birthday party. We don't want to judge, but if guests are shouting "shots, shots, SHOTS!" and tequila is happening at 11 a.m. on a Saturday morning, things are probably a little out of hand for celebrating someone turning 5 years old! The good news is that there are actually a lot of fun and easy ways to make a kid's party fun for adults that don't run the risk of ruining the fun for kids or require having an open bar. We've rounded up 15 ideas that can take a kid party from something adults have to survive to something that adults can actually enjoy, which is perfect for people who've spent the last two years forgetting what going to a party actually feels like! Read on for all the inspo!
Double the Piñatas
Piñatas are always a kid's party hit because what kid doesn't love getting permission to hit something and the prospect of candy? Make a party fun for grown-ups by adding a second adults-only piñata! Not only is it hilarious to watch blindfolded adults taking a swing at the thing (we suggest having it high and making it a challenge!) but instead of candy it can be filled with more adult friendly prizes, like mini booze bottles (plastic so they don't break) or a few $5 Starbucks gift cards!
Making a Banging Playlist
Just because a party is for kids doesn't mean the music has to be something dreadful like a playlist of only "Baby Shark" and Kidz Bop! Plan a playlist that is both kid appropriate and that just might inspire some adults to break into a dance party. Can we suggest some classics like "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, "Wannabe" by the Spice Girls, or basically anything by NSYNC? The nostalgia vibes will be real for the adults!
All Ages Party Games
Party games can be fun, especially when there is a mix of games that all ages can play. A tug of war, spinning on a bat and running relay, and the plastic wrap game are all fun for mixed ages! For the plastic wrap game, get two rolls of plastic wrap and then wrap prizes like cash, candy, or gift cards in layers and layers of plastic wrap until there is a huge ball of plastic wrap filled with layers of prizes. To play, players have to wear mittens and try to unwrap it as much as they can during their 30-second turn. Whatever they can reveal they get to keep. Trust us, the competitive side of adults will come out but the mittens will keep the game on an even playing field for the kids, too!
Kiddie & Adult Cocktails
Kids love the chance to feel a little fancy and most adults wouldn't mind a little day drinking, so combine that by making a round of signature mocktails and cocktails for the party! Something tropical with juice for kids and maybe some rum for adults could be perfect and keeping it to one or two rounds keeps the party and drive home safe for everyone!
Party Bingo
OK, so this next idea is fun but probably requires knowing that all the adult guests have a sense of humor and don't take parenting too seriously. We all know that kid birthday parties are fun but also places where there is a lot of sugar, stimulation, and potential for predictable disasters like tantrums, tears, and duplicate presents. Lean into that by making some bingo-style cards for all the adults with squares like "diaper blow out," "toddler tantrum," "child with cake in their hair," or other funny moments. The first adult to get party bingo gets to take home a bottle of wine!
Helping Hand
Give other adults a chance to really unwind by hiring some older cousins or neighborhood teens to be party helpers. They can run some games, wrangle the kids during present opening time, and help serve food, so the other adults can actually enjoy some adult conversation for a change.
Feed Them Well
Kids may be perfectly happy with a slice of pizza, a cupcake, and a juice box, but most adults would probably love some party food that is fit for grown-ups, so consider having a kid menu and an adult menu. It doesn't have to be fancy, some chicken off the grill, roasted corn on the cob, and maybe a charcuterie board would be perfect!
Adult Bounce House
A bouncy house is a classic kid party element, but we are confident that there are always some adults who wish they could go jump, too! Instead of renting the bounce house that is just for kids, consider upgrading to an inflatable obstacle course or big slide that has a high enough weight rating for all guests. Designate some times for adult only use and we guarantee that there will be some very happy grown-ups!
Skip the Present Opening
Let's be real: Watching someone else's kid open presents is boring. Avoid both the adult boredom factor and the potential for present related jealousy from other kids and bad present manners from the birthday kid by skipping the public present opening part of the party.
Double Feature
Instead of doing a traditional daytime party, consider doing a double feature movie night with an outdoor screen! Choose something kid and adult friendly for the first feature (maybe a fun throwback feature that the kids haven't seen a thousand times already) and then put the kids down for a sleepover and choose a more grown-up movie for the second feature!
Cooking Class
A parent/child cooking class can be a fun idea for people who like a little more structure to their party or who want to go somewhere other than their house to host. Cooking classes work well for a smaller group (more than eight to 10 kids would be pushing it) who like to get creative.
Keep 'Em Caffeinated!
Sometimes, an early party time is better for littler guests (gotta hit that pre-nap time sweet spot!), so make life easier for parents by asking for their coffee order when they RSVP for the party. Everyone will be happy to come to a party where they know a tasty latte is waiting for them!
Mini-Golf Outing
Miniature golf is one of those things that it's possible to forget how fun it is until we get a chance to play it again. A mini-golf birthday party can be fun for older kids and adults. Let the kids group up in foursomes and adults in their own foursomes and see which groups score the best! Up the ante by offering prizes like a six pack of craft beer or scratcher tickets for the adult winners.
Pool Party
A pool party is a classic summer birthday idea, especially for older kids who are comfortable with swimming. Make it fun for adults by hiring lifeguards or hosting it at a pool that provides lifeguards. Parents will appreciate the chance to unwind on pool chairs or in the pool knowing that trained eyes are watching to keep kids safe.
Adult-Only Zone
Create an inviting space that is designated as an adult-only zone (maybe that's where the cooler of beer and wine is stored) and have the hired party helpers make sure kids stay out of the grown-up zone. Give parents a chance to unwind, have a drink, and enjoy an uninterrupted conversation for a change!
