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This month we celebrated my daughters 4th Birthday. Over the years we have developed a few traditions with the kids birthdays. I thought I would share some of those to maybe spark some creativity for what you can do with your kids. Sure you could just go out and spend a bunch of money on gifts and parties but that gets old and more expensive every year. Here are a few things we do that make the kids feel special all day.

Morning Surprise

The night before our kids birthday my wife and I decorate the entire living room. We run streamers all over the place. And I’m not talking nice and neat, I mean we just let loose on the place. We then run them back and forth on the hallway so they have to break through them to get into the living room.

Then we blow up a ton of balloons and throw them all over the place. The kids wake up and it is always priceless to see their faces. They love the mess we make and understand it is more work than buying just the gifts they get later.

All Their Favorite Meals

The other thing we do that day is that during the week before, we get a list of the food they want to eat. They are allowed to pick their favorite breakfast, lunch and dinner. This year my daughter wanted cocoa puffs for breakfast, Einstein’s bagels for lunch and pancakes for dinner. I know, I know not the greatest combination of meals but that’s a 4 year old for you.

They love having all their favorite meals through out the day. It’s just another way that they feel special that day and again without spending a bunch of money.

We try to make the day a big deal and come up with creative ways to have fun.

We also try to make the cake instead of buying one.

What ways do you celebrate your kids birthdays?

What traditions have you started in your family?