Our kid turned 6. We bundled up and walked to a nearby play structure with two friends and then came home for s’mores and cocoa by the fire pit. Kids were seated and spread out for cocoas and s’mores and otherwise masked. Kept it to 2 hours so no need for real food or for kids to use bathroom. We had side door unlocked for quick bathroom access but nobody needed it.

DD's birthday is coming up. Having one friend and sibling and their parents over for dinner. We've been seeing this family pretty regularly throughout the pandemic. I wouldn't say they are in "our bubble" since they go to separate schools, the parents work, etc. It is a risk, but I consider occasionally socializing with one family to not be high risk. My DH has been vaccinated.

Scavenger hunt of gifts, all 3 meals at home chosen by birthday child, best friend visit outside masked, cake and singing. She said it was “her best birthday ever” and she’s 9.

Outdoor party with a fire pit and bounce house for our pod. It was totally fine for this year, but my 6 year old is already talking about how great it will be to have a “big” party next year with all of her friends.

Op some ideas
https://arlington.macaronikid.com/articles/5ffff0cd9b25c77b7150dc9d/21-ideas-for-winter-birthday-parties

We are doing cake a pinata outside with our neighbors who we have been bubbling with.

Movie night. We basically have a group of 3 families that we chose to distance with. We all accepted the risk back in March and so far so good. The kids will all come over for a movie, pizza and snacks.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One of my kids - his 3 school pod buddies over for a small celebration with cake and play. (in masks).

Another one - an ice skating birthday with 3 friends.

Where did you have the ice skating party?

I would be interested in hosting an ice skating party.

I am not the PP but my 8yo has been ice skating twice now. Silver Spring outdoor ice rink. You have to buy tix online, wears masks etc.

We celebrated with just our nuclear family.

Cake and some presents

We are having one friend over (and his little sibling) since they have played together the whole time and neither goes to school or daycare and we are not seeing other families and they are not either. My kids is turning 5. Shes had family birthdays and then3-4 kids party last 2 years. So i dont have expectations of big birthdays thank goodness. I grew up like that and loved it. We will do a fun cake and puzzle scavenger hunt/quest for her the day of and im taking the day off and will go for a far away hike and leave her baby sister at home with the nanny. So a special day for my oldest even in covid.

Son just attending indoor party. Birthday boy got to invite 2 friends over. These 3 kids typically play together outside 2-3 times a week. I was a little hesitant, but it’s been a week and no one got COVID.
That said, his birthday is in a month, and we haven’t figured out what he’s doing yet.

Anonymous wrote:One of my kids - his 3 school pod buddies over for a small celebration with cake and play. (in masks).

Another one - an ice skating birthday with 3 friends.

Where did you have the ice skating party?

I would be interested in hosting an ice skating party.

One of my kids - his 3 school pod buddies over for a small celebration with cake and play. (in masks).

Another one - an ice skating birthday with 3 friends.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cake and presents with just us.

I am hoping this pandemic stops the expectation that my kids have to have a huge party every year. We didn’t as kids and we turned out fine.

+1 to all of this.
DD turns 5 later this month. We've done 2 huge parties before for her (her first birthday and her 4th last year), but she doesn't even seem to care about it this year, really. I might pick up some cupcakes for her class at daycare, but we just aren't comfortable hosting friends and extended family this year.
We usually get invited to 10-12 parties a year. We haven't received an invitation to one in the past 10 months. Several of her friends have had Zoom calls instead.

Yes to this and post above! I’m hoping we all stick with a more pared down lifestyle. Birthday parties maybe every three to five years and attending way fewer. Same with activities.

My kids are actually doing better with less. They play in our yard happily and just with each other. The older one, 7, has gotten into botany and gardening. Both are reading more and generally more peaceful.