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Birthday parties have reached astronomical proportions. The overabundance of gifts, clowns, rented jumping equipment, storytellers, and the list goes on and on! If, like me, you are ready to get back to a simpler celebration of your child's birthday, here are some ideas for unique celebrations that I've collected as a teacher and a parent! Take your kids and a few friends and cousins, maybe some grandparents, and enjoy an extra-special day without the stress!

Here are my top ten suggestions (in no particular order) for creative ways to celebrate:

1. The zoo or aquarium: Kids, animals, open spaces, touch tanks, petting areas! Spend the day, eat lunch outdoors, and celebrate with an ice cream!

2. A boat cruise: If you live near the water, there are sure to be an abundance of theme cruises available. My son took a cruise on a pirate ship with his sister and cousins last year and still talks about it to this day! It might be a dolphin or whale-watching cruise, a riverboat cruise, or even a kayaking trip (for older kids) but it's sure to be fun!

3. A local farm: Many farms have more going on than just crops these days! Strawberry-picking, hayrides, petting areas, programs letting the kids help out with the chores - a day at the farm can be a lot of fun! Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the countryside!

4. An arts-and-crafts center or local art museum: Paint your own pottery, create a masterpiece in clay, paint a huge canvas with your buddies - many shops and museums will arrange such an activity for birthday celebrations. This is a great idea for an especially artistic child!

5. The local park: Sounds boring, but a hike through a wooded park with a picnic basket, a compass, some binoculars, and some other fun gadgets can be quite an adventure for little kids. You could even "hide" a special surprise along a trail before the outing and have your adventurers "find" it!

6. The beach: Any body of water will do - the river, the lake, the beach, a waterfall - water is fun for kids! Bring along some fun water toys, a picnic basket, and a raft or two and spend a relaxing yet fun day! Make sure you have enough supervision for the kids though! How about digging up a hidden pirate treasure using a map you've prepared ahead of time?!

7. Miniature golf: Kids love minigolf so head to the best one in your area and bring along a few simple prizes for the hole-in-one shot, the best overall score, and so on! Finish off with ice cream at an outdoor parlor!

8. A campground: What kid wouldn't love to spend the night in a tent with his or her best friends! Singing around the campfire, having a barbecue, roasting marshmallows, telling ghost stories - what a blast and what a memorable birthday!

9. Skiing: If you have enough adult help and the birthday falls in winter, a daytrip to a ski resort with good kiddie slopes makes an excellent outing for a big birthday celebration! Eat in the lodge, sip hot chocolate, and ski or sled your hearts out on the bunny slopes with the little ones!

10. A bike trip: If you have a fairly athletic group of kids, you may want to consider a biking adventure! Check out the rails-to-trails offerings in your area and make a special day of it. Pack a lunch and take an easy, downhill ride through the country! This is for older kids, but the little ones can ride with mom and dad or in the trailer! Or check into renting a two-person bike designed for parent and child!

There are so many ways to have a fun and memorable birthday celebration without throwing a big party! Get creative, think about what's important or interesting to your child, and capitalize on that! They are sure to appreciate this unique experience for years to come!

Learn more about this author, S D Rios.
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