Sustainable Celebrations: How to Host an Eco-Friendly Birthday Party for Kids

Looking to host an eco-friendly birthday party for kids? Read on for tips about all the things when it comes to sustainable kids’ birthday parties and how to have low-waste festivities for your family.

I am definitely the weird birthday party mom. I’m the mom that adds “No presents please, just your presence” on the invitations (and actually means it). I skip party favors. I strongly encourage my kids to have simple birthday parties at home or take a few friends on an adventure without a lot of pomp and circumstance. And just about every detail goes through a vortex of questioning about how we can make it more sustainable.

I didn’t even throw birthday parties for my kids until they were old enough to ask for them (which meant they were also asking why other kids had birthday parties and they did not). Can’t win ’em all…

But the wasteful birthday parties are getting to be a lot! So much wrapping paper and loads of cheap plastic gifts abound. Mountains of single-use food containers and leftovers tossed into the trash. Not to mention the party bags of tchotchkes that end in the trash practically before the party is over.

I know it’s all well-intentioned, but it’s also sending our kids disappointing messages about the world of waste and why it matters (or doesn’t…). And generally, the most wasteful parts of kids’ birthday parties aren’t even about convenience! Buying presents for kids we don’t know well or creating goodie bags of things “any kid” will enjoy consumes more of our time and money, not less. Let’s ditch the things we don’t need and focus on the parts of the party we want our kids to actually care about.

From eco-friendly invitations to waste reduction strategies, a lot can be done to minimize the environmental impact of a birthday party. Integrating sustainable practices into the planning process not only reduces waste but also teaches your child valuable lessons about caring for the environment.

By making small yet significant changes in the way you plan and execute your child’s birthday party, you can create an engaging, fun, and memorable experience without compromising on your commitment to protecting the environment. Read on for practical and easy-to-implement suggestions for hosting an eco-friendly party that your child and their friends will cherish.

And don’t forget that perfection doesn’t have to be the goal. Choose the sustainable or zero-waste birthday party ideas that work for you and pass on the ones that just aren’t accessible. It’s best if we all do something to be more environmentally conscious, even if we can’t do everything perfectly.

Eco-Friendly Birthday Party Ideas

General Sustainable Principles to Guide Planning for Eco-friendly Birthday Party for Kids

As with most elements of sustainable living, many of the specification recommendations and tips related to throwing an eco-friendly birthday party for kids come back to a handful of guiding principles like:

• reducing waste
• using less energy
• opting for more sustainable materials and products
• and supporting the local economy (which is good for the environment even if it’s not as directly obvious on the surface).

As a bonus, many of these principles help save money too, especially as it relates to sustainable birthday party planning.

Embracing a Minimizing, Sharing, and Recycling Mindset

To create a more sustainable birthday party, embrace the principles of minimizing, sharing, and recycling. This can be as simple as doing things like:

• opting for a smaller, more intimate gathering to reduce waste and promote simplicity
• borrowing party items from neighbors
• sending leftovers home with guests to limit food waste
• making sure to offer containers for easy recycling (organic and non-organic).

Less Packaging and Single-Use Plastic

Try to minimize the amount of packaging and single-use plastic you use. Many times, toys and decorations come with excessive packaging that will end up in a landfill. Consider looking for items with minimal or recyclable packaging (or skip purchasing certain items altogether if you don’t need them). In later sections, I’ve covered alternatives to single-use items and those using lots of plastic packaging for elements like tableware, gift bags, decorations, and more.

Choose Environmentally Conscious Products

Be mindful of the types of materials used in your party supplies, such as tableware, decorations, and favors. Opt for reusable, recyclable, or compostable alternatives to single-use plastic products. For example, if you can’t use reusable items, choose plates and cutlery made from wood, bamboo, or compostable materials instead of disposable plastic or Styrofoam options.

Supporting Small Businesses and Charities

A fun and fulfilling part of creating an eco-friendly birthday party is supporting local small businesses and charities. Whenever possible, purchase your party supplies and decorations from local stores. By supporting local businesses, you contribute to a more diverse and robust economy, reduce shipping and transport-related emissions, and may even find more environmentally friendly products.

For a more meaningful celebration, consider asking your guests to donate to a local charity or environmental cause instead of bringing gifts. This action not only promotes a sense of community but also helps raise awareness about environmental issues.

Choose Guests Intentionally

Don’t skip important guests just to save the planet, but be mindful of how many people you invite to the festivities. A larger party will almost always have a larger environmental impact, even if it’s just more food, drinks, and transportation.

Don’t rain on the party parade just for a marginally more sustainable party, but stick to the guests that you know will make your party exactly what you hope it to be without going overboard (i.e. here’s permission from Mother Nature not to invite all those obligatory guests that you’d rather not have at your party anyway).

For our boys’ birthday parties, we’ve allowed them to invite various numbers of guests based on what they wanted to do. When they choose a low-key party at our house where everyone plays outside and eats homemade cupcakes, then they can invite as many friends as they would like. If they want to do an expensive adventure day with friends, then they get to invite a small handful of kids to come along for the ride.

Send Eco-Friendly Party Invitations

Instead of traditional paper invitations, consider sending electronic invitations via email, social media, or text. This reduces paper waste and allows you to easily track RSVPs.

Paperless Invitations and Email Options

Paperless invitations are an excellent way to reduce waste and cut costs for your child’s eco-friendly birthday party. Take advantage of online tools like Evite, Paperless Post, and Canva to create personalized, digital invitations that can be sent through email or social media.

Remember to include necessary information such as the time, date, and location of the party, as well as any special instructions for guests, like bringing their reusable water bottles or dressing up in eco-friendly costumes.

Simple Text Message Invites

If you’re just inviting a few friends, you can even communicate with simple calls or texts to arrange plans. We recently planned a birthday party for our older son. He wanted to go go-karting with a few friends. I simply sent out texts to the respective parents to coordinate the event. No hassle of paper or digital invitations to manage.

Choose a Sustainable Party Venue

Choose an outdoor venue, such as a local park or your backyard, to take advantage of natural lighting and reduce energy consumption. If the weather permits, you can plan fun activities and games outdoors. There are also many types of more sustainable venues, including your own home.

Here are a few ideas for affordable venue and location ideas for sustainable kids’ birthday parties:

Backyard Celebration

Let’s start with the simplest option if it’s available to you. Host the birthday party in your own backyard, taking advantage of the existing space (and the fact that it’s free). Utilize natural elements and incorporate sustainable decorations such as potted plants, reusable banners, and solar-powered lighting. Plan activities that connect children with nature, such as a scavenger hunt or gardening activities, or just let them play in your yard.

We have hosted many birthday parties at our house, most of which revolved around large groups of kids expending immense amounts of energy playing sports and games of their own creation. On two occasions, we rented a bounce house to really amp up the vibe in the yard.

Outdoor Park or Garden

Choose a local park or garden as the venue for the party. Outdoor spaces provide a natural setting and require minimal decorations. Take advantage of the existing greenery and utilize picnic tables or blankets for seating. This reduces the need for additional furniture or decorations.

Last year, one of our friends hosted a laser tag birthday party in a community park. They had several sets of laser tag gear at their house (and asked us to bring ours as well), so all the guests could play laser tag in teams around the park. They had a blast while the adults hung out on picnic benches.

Local Library Community Room

Often for a very reasonable fee, you can rent out the community room at your local library. Many people have hosted their birthday parties at our local library, and I have seen some pretty amazing themes. I’ll never forget the neon party we attended where many things were lit up with neon lights and UV lights while the space was pretty dark for most of the party. It was so fun for the kids and so creative.

Nature Centers or Wildlife Reserves

Explore hosting the party at a nature center or wildlife reserve, where children can learn about local flora and fauna. These venues often have educational programs and interactive exhibits that promote environmental conservation. Arrange guided tours or nature-themed activities for an engaging and sustainable experience.

Farm or Agricultural Setting

If available, consider hosting the party at a local farm or agricultural setting. Farms often provide educational experiences for children, promoting sustainability and environmental awareness. Children can learn about farm-to-table practices, interact with animals, and explore nature.

A few years ago, my son attended a birthday party at a local farm and the kid’s got to pet brand-new baby goats (and also see a host of other farm animals). They totally loved it!

If you have a slightly larger budget, here are some additional sustainable kids’ birthday party venue ideas:

• Eco-Friendly Community Center or Venue: Consider renting space at a community center or event venue that prioritizes sustainability. Seek out venues with eco-friendly features such as renewable energy sources like solar panels and energy-efficient lighting. Look for sustainable waste management systems that effectively incorporate recycling and composting. And ask about water conservation measures. Further, consider venues that have green certifications (like LEED – Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) or other sustainable initiatives in place.
• Sustainable Restaurants or Cafes: Choose a sustainable restaurant or cafe as the party venue. Look for establishments that prioritize local and organic ingredients, eco-friendly packaging, and waste reduction initiatives. Ensure the venue supports sustainable practices beyond just the menu, such as energy-efficient appliances and recycling programs for both organics and inorganic materials.

Skip the Gifts from Guests

I know someone is going to grind my gears for suggesting that we deprive children of the joy of birthday gifts, but so many kids already have so much stuff! There’s ample argument that more stuff actually does our over-indulged children a disservice.

Let your guests know that they don’t need to bring a gift. Include it on the invitation. My favorite phrase is “No presents please, just your presence.” Unfortunately, however, at some point along the development of cultural expectations, we collectively convinced ourselves that those who put this request on the invitation are lying and that we should, in fact, bring gifts.

Wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong. If you want guests to bring gifts, don’t let me get in the way of that. But if you tell them not to bring gifts, assume they will believe you. Please! It’s a disservice to those of us who are actually being genuine with our friends and family when we invite them to our festivities.

Because of this bazaar trickery, let your guests know that you’re serious. In past years, I’ve reminded guests individually that they really do not need to bring a gift and I’m serious. Some second guess my sincerity (which is actually kind of frustrating, but I understand their hesitation).

In recent years, after some people inevitably brought gifts (though it was usually subtle gift cards), I’ve offered a charitable donation alternative along with the invite. If someone would really like to give a gift, I encourage them to donate to a specific charity in the name of my son. We often pick the local library but let your child choose whatever interests them the most.

Gifts from Grandparents & Close Family

When it comes to gifts from grandparents and close family, we often give them suggestions, encourage them to take the boys out for an adventure together, or suggest they give the boys money towards a specific thing the boys have been asking to buy for themselves (but is out of a reasonable birthday gift price range). Once they have the money for the specific gift, they send a photo and call to share about the gift toward which the money was contributed so the gift giver knows it was appreciated and spent as intended.

Recently, my younger son wanted a particular pair of basketball shoes that were more than my parents typically spend on a birthday gift. They gave him a gift card, and he paid for the remainder of the cost with his own money. The shoes were a gift, in part, from his grandparents and also something he could take pride in earning on his own.

My in-laws take the boys on birthday adventures each year instead of giving them presents. They’ve visited museums, gone bowling, and more. They also tend to include lunch at one of the boys’ favorite fast casual restaurants.

Environmentally Friendly Decorations

Decorations aren’t required. I can attest to that after having thrown eco-friendly birthday parties for my kids without any decorations… and we all lived to tell about it. Decorations aren’t really my thing. I just don’t have an eye for them, and trying to create a Pinterest-worthy aesthetic makes my brain hurt. But I know that’s not the case for most people.

If you want sustainable party decorations, there are definitely some really great options to consider that are better than the single-use throw-away options packaged in plastic at the big box party stores. Some people have such a keen sense of style and design and can create beautiful sustainable party decorations from the most modest of materials.

If this is you, I’m envious of your skills. Our writer, Reese Moore, has mad upcycling styling skills. Just check out her series of low-waste tablescapes for a variety of holidays and events if you want proof of her creative genius.

Whether you’re an eco-conscious design maven or a beginner like me, consider these ideas to make your eco-friendly birthday party for kids just a bit more sustainable.

Recyclable and Reusable Materials

When planning an eco-friendly birthday party, consider using recyclable and reusable materials for your decorations. Some examples include:

• Natural elements: Use leaves, flowers, and plants to create a beautiful, nature-inspired setting.
• Reuse serving ware and glassware: Instead of disposable plates or cups, use serving ware or glassware from your kitchen to minimize waste.
• Compostable tableware: If you must use single-use serving ware, consider using bamboo or wooden tableware that can be composted after use.
• Paper straws: Skip plastic straws and choose paper straws (or no straws if they are not necessary) that can be recycled or composted after use.
• Paper hats: Use recyclable paper hats for a fun and environmentally friendly touch.
• DIY garlands: Create your own eco-friendly garlands using items such as leaves, flowers, or fabric to replace plastic garlands.

For example, a cloth birthday banner can be a fantastic addition to your party’s decor and can be used for future events. Opt for paper or cloth napkins, as they are more sustainable and can be composted, recycled, or washed and reused. You can also create your own decorations from wood, fabric, or paper, ensuring that these items can be repurposed or recycled after the party.

It’s worth noting that reusable materials and decorations are only more eco-friendly if they actually get reused. We are worse off if we choose long-lasting alternatives that end up in the trash after just one or two uses.

If you’re responsible for reusing materials like sustainable party decorations, it’s easy to commit to storing and repurposing them. But if you are contemplating investing in something like reusable fabric bags for gifts or goodie bags that will be gifted to someone else and not returned, don’t waste your time or money if they aren’t likely to reuse them also.

DIY Upcycled Party Decorations

Take your party decorations to the next level and transform things you already have on hand or can find for free and turn them into totally new sustainable party decorations. How cool is this DIY photo booth made from upcycled gift bags?

This table runner has a holiday theme, but you could easily make a few modifications and make a table runner using photos of your birthday person and their favorite colors to spice up the table setting. Let your imagination run wild and use things around you to create new masterpieces that will bring your party space to life.

Borrow Party Decorations

Instead of buying or making your own decorations, consider borrowing decorations from family, friends, and neighbors. You can ask to use things you know they already have on hand. Most people love sharing things they aren’t using to help others celebrate special occasions. If you have a Buy Nothing group, that’s also a great place to request to borrow party decorations.

Sustainable Balloons and Glitter

Despite the best marketing efforts, there’s really no such thing as sustainable balloons and glitter. Some balloons and glitter claim to be biodegradable, but I’m suspect. If you must have balloons at your party, check out mylar balloons. Then save them to be refilled in the future or share them in your Buy Nothing group or on Facebook Marketplace for free to see if someone else can use them for their own party. Just yesterday I saw a neighbor giving away a full set of baby shower decorations including balloons and banners, and several people were interested in just a few hours.

Sustainable Gift Wrapping Options

Eco-Friendly Wrapping Paper and Cards

When it comes to gift wrapping, consider eco-friendly wrapping paper made from recycled materials, and avoid wrapping paper with glitter, plastic coatings, or heavy dyes that are not easily recyclable (if you even need gift wrapping at all). Additionally, seek out wrapping paper printed with water or soy-based inks, rather than those that use petroleum-based ones.

Here are a few alternative low-waste gift wrap methods:

• Reuse materials: Gift bags, fabric, or newspaper can serve as creative substitutes for wrapping paper. We save all of our gift bags and use them again when we give gifts to others. I have a small collection stored in a closet (that occasionally I have to purge and give away extras on Buy Nothing because we seem to collect them faster than we use them.)
• Compostable wrapping paper: Find paper that is made from recycled content and is also compostable. You may be able to buy this. Just be sure it doesn’t have glitter or any shiny coatings on it as these will almost certainly contaminate the compost. We’ve got all the details for you on compostable wrappings paper and how to know what is compostable and what has to go into the recycling or the trash.
• DIY compostable gift wrap: You could even make your own compostable wrapping paper with a little paint and brown kraft paper. How cute is this DIY compostable wrapping paper? Switch up the shapes, and it’s perfect for any occasion! Even if you don’t want to paint it, you can decorate it with drawings or other eco-friendly embellishments.

Lastly, consider eco-friendly cards made from recycled paper, plantable seed paper, or digital options to accompany your gifts. This way, you minimize waste while maintaining the thoughtfulness of including a card.

Sustainable Food and Drink Considerations

Mindful Portions

Food waste is a huge problem that is one of the most significant contributors to climate change. It’s also just a huge waste of money and resources. When planning for your party, buy enough food to reasonably feed the people attending. You really don’t need food for an entire army if you’ll only have a dozen kids. You can save so much money buying the right amount of food.

If you’re really concerned about not having enough food to feed everyone, buy snacks and treats that will last as leftovers and can be sent home with guests. Then you can feel comfortable knowing people won’t go home hungry but also you won’t have a ton of food that has to be tossed in the trash at the end of the day.

Eco-Friendly Snacks and Treats

Choose local and organic fruits and veggies as part of your spread if it’s available to you. Visit your nearby farmer’s market or an organic farm to source fresh, seasonal produce. Incorporate treats made with ingredients from local dairy farms or bakeries to support your community while reducing the carbon footprint of your party. Opt for homemade cookies, cupcakes, and other goodies instead of pre-packaged, processed snacks.

Sustainable Drink Options

Replace juice boxes and single-use plastic bottles with more sustainable drink options. Serve water, lemonade, or homemade fruit punch in a large dispenser to minimize waste. Provide reusable cups, encourage guests to bring their own reusable drink containers, or provide compostable ones at your party.

For a fun and eco-friendly touch, create a DIY-infused water station. Not only is this tasty and refreshing, but it can add a lot of color to the food display and be a design element on its own. Eco-friendly party decor and sustainable drink option in one; it’s a win-win!

Alternatively, you may get lucky and find drink options that you can save from being wasted. Last year, just a couple of weeks before my son’s birthday party, a neighbor posted two boxes of unopened juice boxes on our Buy Nothing group. It turned out her daughter didn’t care for the flavor.

While I don’t generally buy juice boxes (and wouldn’t have bought them for the party), it was a perfect way to keep these already-purchased drinks out of the trash while also making them available to our birthday party guests. My son was stoked to have a novel drink at his party that isn’t something we typically buy.

Birthday Cake, Cupcakes, or Sweet Treats

There are so many options for that quintessential birthday treat that brings everyone together to sing for and celebrate the birthday person of honor. A traditional cake might be your thing.

Order a cake from a local bakery that uses organic ingredients. Request minimal or no plastic decorations on the cake. Consider using natural food coloring or fresh fruits for decoration instead of artificial dyes. There are a plethora of really talented home bakers that share their creations on places like Instagram and Facebook. Ask around for recommendations. You’re sure to find some amazing options!

Alternatively, make your own birthday treats! A few years ago, we made this purple vanilla cake with recyclable decorations for one birthday and these yellow-frosted chocolate cupcakes (when my son’s favorite colors were yellow and brown – nice combination, huh?). My favorite were these mini chocolate cupcakes. I am far from a cake decorating expert, and even I could manage a pretty little frosting swirl with this cake icing tool.

Moreover, you only need cake if that’s important to you. In the past, we’ve made Nutella stuffed chocolate chip cookies, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, and brownies (from a box!). Do what works for your family and your guests. There are no rules about the “right” kind of sweet treat at a kid’s birthday party.

Tableware

To further minimize waste and promote sustainability, choose reusable or compostable tableware for your eco-friendly birthday party. Opt for cloth napkins and tablecloths, which can be washed and reused, instead of disposable alternatives. I promise that washing them after the party is no big thing.

When it comes to serving dishes and utensils, use your own everyday items or select sturdy, compostable options. This simple change can greatly reduce the amount of plastic waste generated by your party. We have used our own daily dishes for all sorts of parties and events and haven’t lost one yet.

If you don’t own enough reusable tableware for all of your guests, consider renting it or borrowing it from a neighbor. There are some really cool rental options like the Party Kit Network, through which you can find a local person that rents out complete sets of reusable party materials (cups, plates, serving ware, decorations, etc…). You can also request to borrow items from family and friends or neighbors through your Buy Nothing group.

We have parties often enough that we invested in some affordable, reusable plastic tableware from Target a few years ago. It’s perfect when we need extra servings for casual parties or just need something to give to younger kids at the house who may not be as comfortable using real, ceramic dishes.

Sustainable Party Favors and Games

Eco-Friendly Party Games and Crafts

Options abound to keep kids busy and engaged without creating a lot of waste, especially when we get creative with things we already have or resort to simple, classic games and activities. Here are just a few ideas of ways to create low-waste fun at a birthday party.

• Rent a bounce house
• Play classic games like musical chairs or charades.
• Jump on trampolines
• Play sports games
• Do a scavenger hunt (kids can search for natural items like rocks, leaves, and sticks)
• Set up a DIY bubble station
• Make homemade playdough
• Face painting with non-toxic paint
• Play in a mud kitchen
• Break open a DIY pinata like this one (and modify it to match your theme)

Craft activities are another great way to entertain children while keeping the environment in mind. Set up a station with recycled materials like cardboard, paper scraps, and natural items for kids to create their own masterpieces.

Alternatively, let the kids lead and choose what to play and how. It might take them a few minutes to get into something fun they can do together, but they’ll find something that’s likely more creative than whatever the adults had in mind.

Environmentally Conscious Party Favors

And just before everyone leaves… the dreaded (in my opinion) party favor bag. Like most kids, my boys love the initial excitement of sifting through a party favor bag as soon as they leave the party. But inevitably, the energy fades before we are even home, and most of the items don’t make it out of the backseat of our car (literally).

On most occasions, we have skipped the party favors entirely. It’s not right for everyone, but it’s worked well for us. One year, one boy asked near the end of the party where the goodie bags were. I just told him we chose not to have them at the party, and he had no further questions.

Another year, when I was feeling particularly motivated, I decided to make a small DIY candy bar. As kids left the party, they could grab some treats (that I got from the bulk section at the grocery store) and fill a small paper bag.

It looked nice, but the kids ended up taking home a lot more candy than I would have wanted my own kids to take home. The bags held more than I anticipated! So we haven’t gone back to that option, although it could be a great alternative for older kids who may have a bit more self-control or better understand the intent of guardrails around limiting quantities of candy.

If party favors are a must, here are some eco-friendly party favor ideas to consider:

• Reusable water bottles
• Small potted plants or seed packets
• Wooden or fabric toys
• Homemade playdough or natural crayons
• Small books
• A box of candy
• DIY bath bombs
• Homemade slime (in an old Easter egg)

Sustainable Party Waste Management

Let’s talk about trash, recycling, and composting. You know composting is my favorite, and I’m sometimes a “save the best for last” lady. Be sure to have proper and well-marked receptacles for different types of waste you’d like guests to sort properly.

Depending on how common composting is where you live or among your guests, you may need to provide some guidance throughout the night about where items belong. When we have parties, I usually put a few things into each container before the party starts to help guide people in the right direction. This is especially useful for non-organic recycling receptacles.

As for compost, it’s not super common where I live so most people don’t even think to separate organic waste. I try to keep marked buckets for compost around the party, and I also help people sort their food waste into the right buckets when I see them getting ready to empty their plates. It’s not a bad opportunity to provide my friends some education among the fun times and geek out on my love for composting.

Avoid using disposable items as much as possible. When you use reusable items, consider having receptacles around the party space specifically to collect reusable tableware and utensils. This will make it easier to clean it all at the end of the party and will keep it from piling up in the kitchen (often a central point of socialization).

Skip the Birthday Party Altogether

Blasphemy, right?! I told you I was the weird (i.e. mean) mom over here making my kids care about the planet, sometimes at the expense of fun. But for now, there are no rules that say you must throw your child a birthday party, especially when they’re really young and the party is more for adults than little ones anyway. If you don’t want to host a party, then don’t.

There are plenty of other ways to celebrate the special birthday person. You can celebrate as a family at home with special activities or privileges for them throughout their birthday. This past year, my younger son asked to stay at a hotel in Philadephia (the metro area in which we live) and enjoy downtown instead of getting gifts and hosting a party with friends. It was so much fun! You can check out a little highlight reel of our adventure here if you’re interested.

And I loved that the birthday festivities became more about spending time together as a family and celebrating him than about getting the right gifts or making sure our house was clean enough for visitors.

Do you have other ideas about how to plan an eco-friendly birthday party for kids? I’d love to hear all your ideas in the comments! There are so many ways to celebrate.

If you like sustainable kids’ birthday parties, you might also like:

70+ Creative Sustainable Birthday Party Themes for Kids

How To Repurpose Greeting Cards As Upcycled DIY Gift Tags

10 Thoughts on Simplifying Kids’ Birthday Parties