When you think of children’s parties, you’ll likely imagine lots of wrapping paper, packaging, glitter, disposable plates, decorations, party favors, and toys. What do these things all have in common? Plastic - non-recyclable, harmful plastic.
Hosting an eco-friendly birthday party that doesn’t contribute to landfills and climate change is easier than you think. You can keep it simple, save money, and make amazing memories without harming the planet!
Here are a few ideas on how to hold an eco-friendly birthday party at home:
Use Wooden Disposable Tableware and Cutlery
Single-use plastic plates and utensils have a huge impact on our environment and climate change. Swap them for disposable wooden cutlery and plates for a more eco-friendly birthday party. Not only is wooden tableware free from harmful toxins but it’s also compostable and biodegradable. The use of these wooden disposable utensils pushes for the use of sustainable materials that helps the environment heal and recover.
Go for Paper Straws
You might be thinking that liquids and paper don’t mix well, right? But the colorful paper straws are made from durable paper and they won’t decompose immediately! Just keep them to the side until you’re ready to serve drinks.
Eco-Friendly Decorations
Plastic banners and balloons may be the easier option, but they are not eco-friendly. You can make your own pretty party decorations with hand-sewn cloth buntings, paper chains, or wool pom-pom garlands. If you’re short on time, there are plenty of online stores selling eco-friendly party supplies for kids.
Eco-Friendly Kids’ Party Favors
Party favor bags and the plastic toys inside quickly end up in the trash and into the landfill. There are eco-friendly options that won’t cost the earth.
Here are a few ideas for more eco-friendly kids party favors:
- Books
- Homemade treats
- Puzzles
- Chalk
- Coloring pencils
- Recycled crayons
- Recycled paper notebooks
- Wooden yo-yo
Make a Recycled Piñata
Piñatas are a great party pleaser and making your own piñata from household materials is economical and easy to do! You can use large cereal boxes or paper bags and decorate them with lots of colorful tissue or crepe paper. Make it even greener by filling it with eco-friendly treats. Small packs of pencils, lip-gloss, felt finger puppets, granola bars, or dried fruit snacks are the perfect piñata fillers.
Eco-Friendly Birthday Party Games
Pass-the-parcel is a timeless birthday party game but the parcel does tend to be a plastic toy in layers of plastic wrapping. Swap the wrapping for recyclable materials like newspaper or brightly coloured catalogues. Ditch the plastic prizes for wooden toys or edible treats.
Green Party Activities
Icing and decorating cookies and biscuits is a great idea. Kids get the chance to be creative and eat their masterpieces afterwards! Making paper airplanes or boats with recycled materials is also a great eco-friendly source of entertainment. Kids can have friendly competitions with their paper planes too!
It might take a little extra effort and time planning but it is possible to create a low cost and eco-friendly kids party that is both magical and memorable.