Image by Marcos Cola from Pixabay

Social Isolation and Children

Teenagers and kids are more vulnerable to the negative effects of social isolation than adults. Anxiety, depression, etc. have become more common for our children during the last 18 months or so, that they have had limited live social contact with their peers. Covid-19 has resulted in many missed opportunities for your child to enjoy fun times with their friends. Because of this, as parents, want to help them stay socially connected, especially for occasions like their birthday. The question is how do we do this safely? 

I’m not in a position to state what kind of party is the right answer for your family. I’ll just share a few ideas of how other families have safely created happy memories for their kids in spite of the pandemic. Some of these ideas are from my personal experience performing fun magic shows at birthday parties, and other ideas come from what I have read.

Outdated Information

I am also aware that some of the safety measures that I’ll share below have been deemed by some scientists as not having much impact on limiting the spread of Covid-19. I mention them anyway because of two reasons.

First, I like to go the extra mile to make people feel safe. Here’s what I mean; not everyone reads up on the latest findings by the medical community. Some people are still acting on older information. As such if they see that you are not embracing certain (now outdated) protocol for safety then it may make them uncomfortable attending your party and/or allowing their child to be there. This can potentially mean some of your child’s favorite friends will not come to the party. Second, it’s better to be too careful than not careful enough. To what degree you take that extra care is up to you. 

Full Isolation

Full isolation from people outside of your normal “bubble” is a serious consideration for families with children who may have an underlying health condition.

Image by Alexandra_Koch from Pixabay

2) Birthday Party Parade

If your family is opting to maximize social distancing then another way to at least see friends is a birthday party parade. Send out the invites with the date and time for friends and family to drive by your front door without leaving their cars. They can honk, wave a banner, toss out a gift, sing happy birthday, and so on.

General Live Party Guidelines

3) Get Vaccinated Yourself

I know that there is a segment of the population with whom this is not a popular idea but I’m going to say it anyway. Since the vaccines are not approved for children as of the time of this writing, their protection comes from the adults around them getting vaccinated and following the safety protocol.

4) Guest Reduction

As we transition to considering a party options with live guests, the key to safety is to limit exposure. The first step at this is reducing the number of guests. Instead of inviting the entire class to your child’s birthday party, pick just a few.

6) Follow Safety Protocol

At the start of and again during the party share some safety tips with the kids. Remind kids to make sure to cough and/or sneeze into their elbow. Also share that they remember to wash their hands with soap when they go to the restroom.

7) Keep Your Distance

Socially distanced activities like games that don’t involve physical contact. Red Light / Green Light, Scavenger Hunt, etc.

9) No Mouth Toys

Don’t have party favors that kids put in their mouth, like whistles, etc. This lessens the chance that kids will be sharing saliva by swapping party favors.

10) Cake and Candles

Have individual cupcakes and only have candles on the cupcake to be eaten by the birthday child. Candle space may be an issue. Or, skip blowing out the candle entirely. If you do have it blown out by the guest of honor, make sure the group is appropriately distanced from the candle.

11) Prepackaged Food

Minimize the possibility of anything being transmitted by food by using prepackaged individual serving food and drink boxes, single serve bottles of water, bags of chips, ice cream cups.

Affiliate Link

Outdoor Party

13) Honey Bucket?

One dad recently told me that they are keeping guests out of their house during the party, even to the point of renting a port-o-potty for their yard.

14) To Mask Or Not To Mask?

A mask is always safer, but the CDC guidelines suggest that masks are not necessary for outdoor events if people are staying socially distant. It doesn’t hurt to have them though.

Indoor Party

Affiliate Link

16) Circulation

Studies have shown that when people remain close together in a room without recirculating the air, then it is easier for viruses to transmitted from one to another. Keeping some windows open for air circulation guards against this.

17) Kids Only?

Consider a drop off party. Based on news reports, kids are a lot less likely to transmit the Covid-19 virus than adults are. Omitting the adults reduces the risk. However you still do need enough adults around to help host the party.

Self-Promotion

18) Birthday Party Magic

Now for a bit of self-promotion. Another fantastic thing you can do to help create a great experience and lasting memory for the kids at your party is to hire a professional grade magician. I’d prefer that you hire me but at lest make sure you get an entertainer with lots of experience and plenty of 5 star reviews.

Why should you get a magician?

1) We are funny. At least the good ones are.

2) We are amazing. Yeah, I know. It’s an over-used word. But, we do stuff that the kids have never seen in their lives. Well… that’s true for the good ones. And I’m not the only one.

These two points matter because of this: kids and adults easily forget what is ordinary. To make your party memorable it needs to be different…in a good way.

These two things are key triggers to force something into long term memory: funny and amazing.  (surprising, astonishing, unbelievable, etc.).

I look forward to hearing from you. 

More Articles On Birthdays and Child Safety During The Pandemic

Small and Large Gatherings article from the CDC

26 Ways to Celebrate Birthdays with Kids During Covid 19

This article shares ettiquette tips on inquiring about vaccination status of potential guests.

Note that any Covid-19 comments in this article is based on news sources available at the time of this writing. This information is no substitute for guidance from your pediatrician and/or current information from the Center for Disease Control or your local government health agency.

Click to find out more info on a fun, educational, and inspiring show for your group.

Free Guide

Save time and reduce stress in planning your child’s birthday party. Get our FREE “Birthday Party Planning Survival Guide”. Click on the button below to download it today!

Talk Back

Do you and your children continue Covid precautions when in groups? How do you manage that for birthday parties?  Please post this article and/or share your comment on our Facebook Group. Mucho thanks.

Tell Others

If you find value in this article, please use one of the links on the page to share it with your friends on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.