So, you want to throw a green birthday party, an eco-friendly bash. We are all for that! We love the idea. We think it is fabulous. But, when it comes to green party planning it isn’t always the thought that counts. It is THE action, THE doing and THE being an example that will execute an impact on the environment and inspire others to take this green party road.

Little things do add up to a big difference. We congratulate you on taking on this feat and we are going to help you along the party planning process for throwing a kids green themed birthday.

The first step is to pick a theme. While being green is important so is making sure this birthday is still about your child and is your celebration. Because green is such an “in” thing these days it isn’t hard to incorporate characters into a green themed birthday. Here are 3 questions to ask to make any birthday party theme earth friendly! Here are a few suggestions on how to tie in a green message with some popular themed party ideas.

• Has the Green Theme already been covered?

Green is in. Although some companies may use going green as a marketing technique, this can be used to a party planners advantage. Earth day is another opportunity for characters to be involved in the earth message. We love Elmo in our house. Elmo has a whole episode devoted to being green. An Elmo Birthday party that is green would be easy and FUN! It is true, in the world of make believe, characters everywhere are going green. This is an amazing time to plan a fun green birthday party.

• Use YOUR imagination with every theme. Can green habits be habits of your child’s character?

Once upon a time…….Cinderella likes to walk places, ride her bike, and her horse carriage instead of use the car. Belle loves to read instead of wasting electric energy on television watching. Aurora loves to sing and make music of her own. Snow White and Giselle love animals and the forest!!!! In fact they believe EVERY forest is enchanted wanting to be enjoyed, preserved, and discovered. Cars 2 now has a green theme, Pirates LOVE the ocean and all sea life in it. Think out of the “normal” story “box” with your child’s favorite characters.

• Is your theme green already?

Some of what kids love the most are ALREADY earth friendly. Remember when your child was 2 and you had just bought a new toy for your child and ALL.THEY.WANTED to do was…… play with the box. As adults we always make things complicated while kids are ok and actually sometime prefer and LOVE simple. Kids already love animals, love bugs, and love outdoors already! I know of a family that recently bought a croquet set to use for a birthday party. Their son loves baseball and mini golf and they incorporated both in an outside party. Sometimes…….. It is so hard for me to remember that the fun of party planning sometimes can distract from the simple beauty of your child entering another year. A celebration can STILL be spectacular when it is simple and enjoying things that children naturally love. Want to make stick bugs anyone? Soccer goal games? Star watching at a campout?

The possibilities are endless. The fun is limitless. The green options that make a difference are eternal. You can make a difference not just by entertaining, or by sending out green birthday party invitations, but also by enjoying being green and teaching that all kinds of life is something to celebrate especially another year of your child’s.