There are few things more rewarding in life than having a child who loves to explore, learn new things, and travel the world. And when it comes to making the perfect party that’s going to be extra special and exciting for them, you don’t always have to wait until your next big holiday to celebrate in style!
With a little effort and a lot of creative thinking, you can host the ultimate travel-themed party that’ll be the talk of your child’s school playground (while winning you some much-deserved parent points at the same time!).
Here are a few simple steps to transforming their next birthday party into an explorer’s dream come true.
Make the invitations extra special
Making party invitations is a great way to get your child excited about their big birthday celebration. They can be as personalized as you like, but what matters most is that your theme is clear across the invitation, whether it’s a specific country or a party based on travel and exploration!
Be sure to include information that parents will need to know and don’t be afraid to (politely) ask for travel gifts to be given. Most parents will be grateful to have such a broad theme to buy a gift for, as it covers presents for boys and gifts for girls aged 10 and above.
Plan fun travel themed activities
Let’s talk about fun! There are several cool travel themed activities you can organize for kids (and adults) during the party such as:
Travel Trivia game
There are lots of free kids travel trivia games available on the web – just Google “kids travel trivia game”. I have created my own travel trivia for kids about U.S. National Parks so feel free to borrow it:
Travel-themed board games
There are many travel themed games and below are our favorites:
International candy and/or dessert tasting
Buy international candy/desert (candies, cookies, waffles, chocolates, etc. ) from several countries and have a delicious tasting. I put together a list for you of various international cookies, candies and chocolates that you can easily purchase on Amazon.
If you are having a party for younger kids just have them rank the sweets by their preference. If you are having a party with older kids add an addition twist – have them guess which country each item came from.
Please, remember to be mindful of potential food allergies your guests may have – it’s best to check with parents in advance.
Make an international craft
There are lots of crafts ideas from around the world that you can make at home. I created a list of several really cool ones that cover an array of interests, for example: bracelet making with African beads, Japanese origami, Russian dolls painting, and much more: International Crafts for Kids.
Watch a travel-themed movie
How about watching a classic travel themed movie?
There’s an art to picking out the perfect movies about travel, adventure, and road trips. Do you want to have a little romance in your movies? Or is your child happier watching a pure comedy? Maybe family fun is what matters most? Perhaps there’s a fun family movie they always want to watch?
Either way, just remember that some parents may not want their children watching anything that’s too adult in nature. A quick email can reassure you that you’re on the right track!
Plan out the decorations
If you’re having this party at home, you can transform their room into a wild jungle, a vast desert, or the rockiest of mountains. You’ll just need to have a few handy crafts, some easy-to-put-up wallpaper, and maybe a glass or two of wine to keep you sane!
For parties that are being hosted at a kids’ venue, have a word with the manager about what you hope to achieve with your decorations and theme. You’ll be surprised at how helpful they can be.
Stock up on international foods and drinks
Having a wide range of world-themed snacks doesn’t have to mean spending a fortune. Most supermarkets have a world foods section and are pretty affordable. Plus, there’s always a frozen foods section offering a broad range of international snacks!
You can also cook some easy but delicious international dishes for your guests. I have created a list of easy, healthy and yummy video recipes on YouTube that our family often makes and thoroughly enjoys, kids included. There are French, Indian, Middle Eastern, Russian, etc. recipes in the playlist. I am adding new recipes all the time so check back often!
For older kids and adults you can also create a party designed around an international food ceremony such as English high tea or Japanese tea ceremony. For adults only party you can do international wine tasting.
My personal favorite is doing international cheese tasting, however not all kids are fans of cheeses, so this activity may also be best reserved for the adult group of your guests.
A full blown international food ceremony will require more effort on your part in terms of planning, decorations and food but it may be worth it for a special occasion.
In any case, as always, before making any food purchases or menu planning, be sure to check for any dietary restrictions that guests who are attending may have.
Consider the wishes of other parents
Other parents are entrusting you with their most precious thing in the world – their children. It’s important to understand that and respect any wishes that they may have, even if it’s something you see no harm in your own child doing.
Conclusion
In the end remember that the main goal of the travel-themed party is to have fun, so relax and enjoy. I hope these tips for planning a travel-themed party will save you lots of time and angst.
If you have ideas for a travel-themed party that worked or you, please, share them in the comments below. Thank you!
