My parents came up with the absolute best birthday traditions that made us feel insanely special and left us with incredible birthday memories. So, as soon as I had kids myself, I knew I had to start those same traditions myself. Plus, we’ve found a few new ones along the way too.
This post is all about our absolute favorite birthday traditions.
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Birthday Traditions
How Many Birthday Traditions Should You Do?
Our main goal on our kids’ birthdays should simply be to make them feel extra special and loved. It isn’t about showing off to friends or family or doing a certain number of traditions. In fact, if you do too many, it may take away from the birthday for both you and your family.
Find traditions that are right for your family and simply enjoy every moment.
Our Absolute Favorite Birthday Traditions
Wake Up to Decorations
I remember waking up to streamers and balloons and wrapped presents on the table every year when I was a kid. In fact, it still makes me smile just thinking about it. So, I couldn’t help but start this tradition with my own kids. Even my littlest lights up in a smile at the sight of the balloons and streamers.
It’s a super simple tradition that’s easy to throw up once your kids are in bed the night before but it will mean the world to them. This is also a tradition that kids will appreciate regardless of age. In fact, my mom still does this when I happen to visit around my birthday and I always feel extra special.
Birthday Table Cloth
My favorite birthday decoration was the birthday table cloth that my mom put out for every birthday. I now have the same table cloth for my own kids and I can’t wait to pass it on to them too. While ours is a bit older to link, I did find this super cute birthday table cloth that comes in a ton of different sizes to fit your table.
Birthday Letters
We love writing our kids birthday letters every year about what happened that year. We love to include the ways we watched them grow, the big events that happened, and a few of their favorite things. Writing down their favorite songs, books, toys, and games will be a super special memory for both of you so be prepared to get a bit emotional.
This is a tradition you can wait to start until your kids are old enough to read them or you can write them each year in secret and give them a whole stack of letters when they turn 18.
One Flower for Each Year
I still distinctly remember my dad bringing me roses at school on my birthday and how insanely special I felt. So when we had our daughter, I knew we had to do a special birthday tradition between her and her daddy.
Each year he brings her one rose for every year she is old and I press the flowers with my microwave flower press to keep them as a sweet memory for later. And for now until she turns 12, my husband gives me the extras from the bouquet as a belated push present.
One Dollar for Every Year Old They Are
This is a fun gender neutral edition of the flower tradition. This is super fun for kids of any age. It works great as an addition to their card or a stand alone present. You can even go tooth fairy style under the pillow.
Birthday Interview
We started this tradition last year when our son turned three and it was both hilarious and super special. Just grab your phone, press record, and ask your kiddo some fun questions. You can ask the same questions every year and watch the answers change or you can ask questions that are more so geared toward events from that particular year (like moving, having a new brother/sister, etc.). But, here are a few question ideas to get you started.
- What is your absolute favorite thing to do if you could do anything?
- What’s your favorite food?
- What’s your favorite song?
- What do you want to be when you grow up?
- How do you feel about turning “X” years old? What are you most excited for?
Let Them Pick the Menu
Whether you choose to do a special birthday dinner, birthday breakfast, or let them choose all the meals for the day, they will be absolutely tickled. Just consider their birthday a meal time. “Yes” day.
See How Much They've Grown
Buy a growth chart, create your own, or simply use a doorway to record your kids’ height each birthday and other holidays to create a super special keepsake. I love that this wood one has space to write the date and little memories along the way.
More Ideas to Consider
Birthday Plate
You can start this birthday tradition at any point. I’m honestly thinking about starting it myself this year with our four year old!
You can create a birthday plate for your baby on their very first birthday and use it every year for their birthday meals or cake. Or wait till your little one is a few years old and have them help create their own birthday plate. Either way, it will be a special addition for their birthday for years to come.
Special Bedtime for Their Last Day as a "X" Year Old
This tradition is one I found recently and can’t wait to try with my toddler this year. (Although, I’m gonna struggle to not cry!) You can make their last bedtime before their birthday special with a family movie, a special treat, a camp out in the living room or yard, a new pillow or blanket, or maybe a new stuffed animal friend to sleep with them.
Make the Cake With Them
When your kids are still little, they don’t care when the cake is ready as long as they get a big piece. So, take something off your plate for the day before their birthday and instead spend the time baking together.
Share Your Favorite Things About Them
At your child’s birthday meal, have everyone around the table share one or two of their favorite things about the birthday boy/girl. Kids love and need to hear these things from us but this is an extra special tradition because they will get to hear those things from their siblings as well.
Get a Special Birthday Crown/Hat/Sash
This is a fun tradition that your littles will love and that you will love to embarrass your teens with later on. This birthday crown is actually adjustable so you can use it for kids of
Go On a Special Birthday Adventure
Our kids want our time and attention more than anything else. Plus, most of us are actually trying to get rid of toys. So, going on a birthday adventure to an aquarium, zoo, park, etc. is a fun way to make the day special without adding more stuff to your home.
Have a Family “Coffee” Date
Family coffee dates are one of my absolute favorite things. Let your kids get a sweet treat or a yummy (non-caffeinated) drink while you get to load up on caffeine for a fun day ahead.
Sneak a Surprise Into Their Room
If your kids are to an age where you feel confident they will sleep through the night, leaving a gift, toy, big balloon, or some form of a fun surprise in their room will get them excited for the day right out of the gate.
Pick a Bible Verse for Each Year
This is a super special idea to commemorate the previous year and what God has done in your child and family that year. Or picking one for the upcoming year can be a special way to pray over your child throughout the coming year. This is a great add into a yearly birthday letter or you can do it all on its own.
This post was all about finding the perfect birthday traditions for your family. I hope they make every birthday a little extra special.
-Beautifully Busy Mom
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Meet the Author
This post was written by Monica, a former teacher turned stay at home mom. After feeling very lonely at the beginning of her motherhood journey, she started this blog in hopes that other moms wouldn’t feel the way she felt. So, this blog is filled with free resources and fun activities so that you can enjoy the beautiful chaos that is motherhood. Let’s be friends 🙂
