It’s Your Party & You’ll DIY If You Want To!

curious candy
CuRious Candy

[Editor’s Note: Click HERE for our ultimate guide to the best birthday parties in the city for 2015!]

Though it may seem like a daunting task to undertake in an NYC apartment, a DIY b-day celebration for your child is actually totally doable. Check out the resources below for tips on décor, food, crafts, party favors, and other creative ideas to prepare your home for the festivities.

DÉCOR: Cynthia Rowley’s CuRious Candy offers abstract print paper plates, goodie bags, unique piñatas, and cool wrapping paper. Party accessories include glitter crowns, confetti poppers, and surprise balls. Round out your celebration with a sparkly number piñata filled with her line of whimsical candies, all available at her West Village and UES concept stores as well as online. curiouscandy.com

FOOD: For kid-friendly and easy recipes, turn to Weelicious’ birthday party suggestions. Whether you are inspired to include their sweet potato dippers, a chocolate chip cookie cake, magical fruit, a DIY pizza buffet, or Mexican chicken sliders in your celebration, these dishes are nutritious, delicious, and easy on both the eyes and on your DIY birthday budget. weelicious.com

CRAFT ACTIVITY: Get crafty with blogger Handmade Charlotte’s old-fashioned and kid-friendly DIY ideas as entertainment for your party. Your guests will be pleased to make and take home a kaleidoscope, a fairy light, or a puppet in addition to their goody bags. Plus, be sure to check out Charlotte’s DIY colorful peaceful cake for easy-to-follow instructions for making a classic butter cream cake with a surprise inside that will to wow your guests. handmadecharlotte.com

BAKING ACTIVITY: For a great party activity, try a baking project! Chloe Doughy’s mission is to make baking at home simple and fun. To get all you need to make yummy cookie delights, this local business will deliver cookie dough, cookie cutters, dusting flour, and frosting to streamline your birthday baking process. You can even book them for private classes in your home if you wish. chloedoughy.com

FAVORS: For unique party favors and decorations, check out NYC-based Imagination Lane’s curated selection. Throwers of themed parties shouldn’t miss their offerings for animals, dinosaurs, glam, fairy tales, monsters, outer space, pirates, sports, superheroes, transportation, and under-the-sea events. imaginationlanenyc.com

INSPIRATION: Use Pinterest for more inspiration for your DIY party—to get the most out of the site, use key search terms like “kids’ birthday party,” “birthday décor,” and “DIY kids’ party.” For throwing parties in smaller spaces, Pinterest offers a wealth of creative solutions and “hacks” for set-up, rearranging furniture, food service, and lighting. Plus, New York Family’s Pinterest profile has a great Birthday Day Party Ideas & Décor board! pinterest.com/newyorkfamily

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Happy Birds Virtual

<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff; color: #5856d6;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Alegreya Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 16.8px;">The Happy Birds are REAL  parrots that love to show off during a VIRTUAL show that is great for all ages. Six amazing parrots talk, sing, and perform over 25 tricks. During the performance, they will ride a miniature bicycle, scooter, play basketball, roller skate, sing songs, dance, and much, much more!  Happy Birds a great fit for any age fun to watch for the whole family.  Best of all, the birthday child will be included as a special helper during the show to make their day memorable.</span></div> <div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff; color: #5856d6;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Alegreya Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 16.8px;">Since 1989, Ed and Julie Cardoza's Happy Birds have entertained children and adults alike. Their unique online experience is personalized for your child's birthday party or any special event. They also offer educational virtual school and library programs for at-home learning and fun. The birds have been featured on</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Alegreya Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 16.8px;"> </span><em style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Alegreya Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 16.8px; box-sizing: border-box;">The Tonight Show</em><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Alegreya Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 16.8px;">,</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Alegreya Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 16.8px;"> </span><em style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Alegreya Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 16.8px; box-sizing: border-box;">Ellen</em><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Alegreya Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 16.8px;">, and</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Alegreya Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 16.8px;"> </span><em style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Alegreya Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 16.8px; box-sizing: border-box;">Pet Star</em><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Alegreya Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 16.8px;">, and they hold three world records in the</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Alegreya Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 16.8px;"> </span><em style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Alegreya Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 16.8px; box-sizing: border-box;">Guinness Book of World Records. </em><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Alegreya Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 16.8px;">The Happy Birds are fun for the whole family and will provide a unique and memorable experience.</span></div>

Super Soccer Stars

<p>Soccer Stars is New York’s most popular youth educational soccer program! With 24 years of experience under our cleats, we have positively impacted over one million kids in our local community by putting the FUN in FUNdamentals in our weekly classes and camps.</p> <p>At Soccer Stars, we use the soccer ball as a vehicle to help children not only improve their soccer skills, but develop self-confidence and physical literacy, improve gross motor skills, build teamwork, and hone socialization skills. Our highly trained coaches and early childhood experts lead an age-specific curriculum with a low kid-to-coach ratio so every child gets individual attention and can grow at their own pace.</p> <p>Kids ages 1-12+ can join our seasonal programs, including Parent & Me, FUNdamentals, Development Training, and Travel Soccer. Join us at one of over 80 locations in neighborhoods across across Westchester County, Connecticut and New York, available 7 days-a-week:</p> <p><strong>Connecticut:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Cos Cob</li> <li>Greenwich</li> <li>Port Chester</li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><strong>Westchester:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Briarcliff</li> <li>Eastchester</li> <li>Mt. Kisco</li> <li>New Rochelle</li> <li>Ridgefield</li> <li>Scarsdale</li> <li>White Plains</li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><strong>New York City:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Bronx</li> <li>Inwood</li> <li>Upper West Side</li> <li>Upper East Side</li> </ul> <p> </p> <p>Can’t find a class or location that fits your schedule? Soccer Stars also offers private classes for small groups or individual training. Let our coaches come to you with a completely customizable program, anytime, anywhere. Birthday parties are also available! </p>

Child's Play NY - Birthday Parties

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Celebrate what your birthday kid loves most with a customized party from the award-winning theater company, Child’s Play NY. Currently offering both virtual and small, outdoor in-person customized parties. </span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"> </p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Here’s what makes Child's Play NY parties unique:</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"> </p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-left: 36pt; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Theater teachers bring improvisation and play to a whole new level as they make your child the star of the day.</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-left: 36pt; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-left: 36pt; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They throw a spotlight on creative games, centering peer connection and imagination</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-left: 36pt; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The lauded drama curriculum is tailored for birthday fun!  Kids learn new skills, express themselves and have a blast making up stories together.</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-left: 36pt; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">  </span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-left: 36pt; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you can imagine it, it can be played!  Choose from a menu of themes or create your own, like “Spies vs Police”, “Mad Hatter Tea Party” or “Harry Potter Adventures.” </span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-left: 36pt; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Parties can be done safely outside in-person or remotely. </span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"> </p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"> </p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Child's Play NY is a Brooklyn-based company founded in 2009, committed to offering a diverse array of theater arts classes for children. They believe studying the art of acting encourages kids to be even more creative, collaborative and compassionate human beings. Since its inception, Child's Play NY has touched the lives of hundreds of students, worked inside dozens of schools and is consistently ranked as among the top theater arts programs.  It is the 2019 winner of Brooklyn Family’s Choice award for Best Performing Arts Class.</span></p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-53b45def-7fff-9739-c308-7e15694135e5"></span></p>