What are some fun birthday traditions? Inside this post we'll share five birthday traditions that kids love!

In our family, we LOVE making birthdays special while also keeping things pretty simple and easy to replicate! We have a few birthday traditions that we do EVERY year and the kids wouldn’t have it any other way!

Why are family traditions important?

Family traditions are important because they help strengthen family bonds and build a strong foundation in your relationships. Consistency can also be comforting and offer security to kids. Family traditions can also give family members a sense of belonging.

Why is it important to celebrate birthdays?

When we celebrate a child's birthday, we acknowledge them and celebrate their life and show them that they are important to us. Often that includes giving gifts, but our favorite ways to celebrate include simple traditions that help the child know how much they are loved and help us have fun together as a family!

Birthday celebrations are a way for us to strengthen our connections with each other.

What are the keys to a successful birthday tradition?

Keep it simple and fun
Make it easy to repeat
Use materials you mostly already have

Five Birthday Traditions That Kids Love

1. Birthday Donut Cake Breakfast!

This tradition is so easy! Kids pick their favorite donuts and we put them into a stack to make a donut cake with a candle. Sometimes they are grocery store donuts and sometimes my husband runs out and grabs them from our favorite donut shop that morning.

Everyone eats donuts together and sings Happy Birthday. It's a great way to start the day!

2. Birthday posters!

The night before their birthday, family members “sneak out” and help make birthday posters for the birthday boy or girl. Then we stick the posters on the bedroom door of the birthday child and add some balloons. We all wake up the birthday kid on their birthday with singing and then they spend time checking out all their posters. We try and personalize the posters for each kid and what they love. They are the cutest and such a fun way for younger and older siblings and parents to be part of the celebration!

3. Candy Poster!

For this tradition to you need: markers, a poster board, and some candy!

We use markers to draw a big number on a poster board. The number corresponds with how old the birthday child is. Then we tape on whatever candy we can find in the house. Sometimes we grab a few favorites from the store too. My October child always ends up with the best candy since our house is always full of Halloween candy.

4. Birthday Adventure

The birthday child gets to pick a birthday adventure to go on during their birthday month. If possible we try and go on their actual birthday, but sometimes that's not possible.

Some birthday adventure ideas include:

Visit to a pet store or animal shelter
Trip to a favorite park
Visit to the zoo or aquarium
Trip to a concert/movie/show
Trip to the beach
Family hike to a favorite spot
Camping trip
and more!

We have a list of favorite experience gift ideas that we pull from for birthday adventures as well.

5. Birthday Dinner

The birthday child gets to pick what we have for their birthday dinner/dessert. Some years we stay home and they pick what we cook, and some years we go out and they get to pick the restaurant.

My kids especially love getting to pick what type of cake (or dessert) we get to eat. They love having control over a few special things on their big day.

Must Have Birthday Celebration Supplies

One way to keep birthday traditions easy, is by always being prepared for them. Here are a few of our favorite birthday supplies to keep on hand for birthday celebrations.

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Balloons (we love get giant number balloons and regular colorful ones)

Balloon blower pump

Candles (these small ones are great for donuts and cupcakes)