Lots of fun ideas for a special birthday party!

THE PARTY PLAN

Choose a Theme - Just like you would for an in-person party, pick a theme for your virtual party to keep things fun and as expected for your child. A fancy dress party could add a nice dynamic to a virtual party.

Choose a Date - Many people's schedules have changed drastically over the last few months in lockdown and people are only just starting to return to work. Some schools are not yet open and home-schooling is still something that families are doing at home. Select a time, perhaps a weekend, or afternoon, after home, and school work is completed.

Create & Send Out Invitations - The free version of Canva has hundreds of customizable birthday party invitation templates that you can personalize for your own party in line with your chosen theme.

Choose A Venue or Platform For The Party - there are some incredible party venues on the Cote D'Azur. All these venues have birthday party packages. They can be found in the Enfants D'Azur Directory under "Party Venues". Just like businesses have been using tech platforms like zoom, Microsoft teams and, google hangouts so these can be equally suitable to host virtual birthday parties. Consider ease of use and send out clear instructions along with your invitations so that guests find it easy to log on at party time. Also, consider how long you envisage your party to be. Google Hangouts for example allows many guests and no time limit free of cost whereas Zoom is free for up to 100 guests but will cut you off automatically after 40 minutes. Or why not create a pop-up Facebook group and invite all your child's friends to the group. Go live and allow others to go-live with you. Have people post videos and pictures and just have fun interacting with each other in realtime.

Choose Your Entertainment - Many companies and individuals pivoted their party-entertainment businesses to be able to continue to delight children with "at home" virtual birthday parties. Petit Paris Playgroup for example has online music classes on Zoom. Now looking to reopen, with strict safety and sanitation precautions, on the 2nd of June, many of these businesses will continue to offer their online options. Keep the age group in mind when choosing activities and entertainers. Online dance parties, karaoke, and a shared movie & popcorn night can be fun for older children and teens. Some might enjoy pamper parties or jewelry making parties where props or materials needed for the party are delivered in advance to each party guest. Younger children might like to create things with playdough or do simple arts and crafts.

Get the Enfants D'Azur easy "No Cook Playdough Recipe" printable here

The "Toucan Box" in France delivers craft boxes to children which can function both as the party activity and the remaining items as the Party bag that they can keep and enjoy at another time.

Toucan Box - With 2 creative activities in each box for 3 to 8-year-olds. This Arts and Crafts Subscription box can be personalized and delivered to each child. There is no engagement and so you can get 1 off's perfect to a virtual birthday party activity. Here is a link to their business listing on www.enfantsdazur.com.

Decorate - Birthday parties are of great significance for kids and decorating the venue can be lots of fun, adding to the anticipation and excitement of the event. There are all sorts of banners streamers, props, tableware, flowers, table confetti, and balloons which can complement your theme and make your venue pop! but it needn't be too elaborate, kids will still be happy with a small effort as long as they are made to feel special. Balloons, partyware, and basic decorations are available at most supermarkets. If you are seeking more choice look no further than Fêter et Recevoir, one of the largest party shops in the area, who has one of the most comprehensive party product lines in the region. And if you are seeking Balloon Art look no further than Deco Balloon. They will come out to any venue, yacht or private residence and transform it with their fabulous balloon structures, arches, and displays.

Deco-Ballon - Balloon Design & Sculpture

Don't Forget The Traditional Party Cake  - The cake is probably one of the most significant parts of the birthday party. It is custom to celebrate the age of the child with the same number of candles. One idea would be to send out a cupcake with a single candle to each guest so that they can all participate in the candle blowing out ceremony together with the birthday child, this will help to make the children all feel that they are a part of a celebration even though not together in the same room. Les Gateaux Sucrés is a local creator of birthday cakes on the Cote D'Azur. No matter what your theme, Les Gateaux Sucrés can make the perfect cake.

Les Gateaux Sucrés. Creator of birthday Cakes. Cote D'Azur