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How to host an eco-friendly kids’ party!

March 9, 2013 · 45 Comments

how-to-host-an-eco-friendly-kids-party

How to host an eco-friendly kids’ party!

Today I am bringing you my top tips for a very green kids’ party. Keep in mind that even the little things we do can all make a difference.

 

♥ Plan ahead. Many environmentally friendly products are sadly not widely available, so you may need to hunt around or order online.

♥ Make a list and consider what you will need. From here you can work out how you can make the party greener. Borrow from friends, consider using things you already own or things that can be re-used, composted, recycled or upcycled in anyway.

♥ Invitations can be made at home with recycled paper or cards or you can use some eco-friendly invitations.

♥ Skip the paper invites and email the guests or create a Facebook event!

♥ You need to be very careful with balloons. If you want to have them, please dispose of them properly as they pose a choking risk to animals (even the biodegradable latex ones).

♥  Tell your guests that your party is eco-friendly and ask them to join in the fun. You could ask them to wrap the gift in recycled paper, make the gift a preloved book or toy or have a no-plastic gift policy. One year my son invited so many kids to the park and we really didn’t want over 20 toys (and the packaging!) to add to our home. Luckily he felt the same way and was more than happy to say ‘no gifts, donation if you prefer’ on the invites. He felt very proud donating over $250 to NAPCAN, one of our favourite charities.

♥ Set up boxes or bins, clearly labelled for recycling for easy clean up.

♥ Make paper chains. Use old wrapping paper, cards, brown paper or homemade artworks. Masking tape is best as its recyclable.

♥ Get creative with party decorations. Use things like candles, flowers, leaves, gumnuts, pebbles, shells, seeds and pods! Popcorn garlands and hanging biccies are fun too.

♥  Instead of using disposable plastic tablecloths and banners, invest in a gorgeous fabric party decorations that can be reused over and over again at every celebration! Check out these hundreds of ideas at Etsy – you can even find people who will make customised products for you.

♥ Check the local op-shop for colourful platters, plates and cups. It’s not hard to wash them up and you can store them in a box to be used again and again.

♥ If you want to use disposable party-ware, check out this range  that is all natural and compostable. You could even use washed banana leaves as plates – what fun for a jungle themed party!

 

food-covers

 

♥ Food covers are better options than using cling wrap (gosh we used to go through a lot of that stuff for parties!)

♥ Try and cater most of the party yourself. Buying individual portions of food uses lots of packaging and it’s usually more expensive.

♥ Face-paint can be really toxic. My daughter always breaks out in a terrible rash if she gets her face painted! Choose a natural face paint like No Nasties Nevada.

♥ Instead of plastic party bags, use paper bags, fabric bags, noodle boxes, paper doilies, pot plants or even paper cups! Check out my healthier party bag ideas here.

 

For your next birthday party, spare a thought for the environment and see if you can make even one small change. Trust me, it makes you feel good to know you are doing you’re little bit!

Do you have any more ideas?

 

 

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Filed In: FAMILY, HOME / Tagged: decorating, eco party, eco-friendly, entertaining, environmentally friendly, green party, kid's party, kids, party

Comments

  1. Alisha says

    March 9, 2013 at 7:01 pm

    I can’t stop commenting on these posts, they are absolutely fabulous and you really make things look so easy and it is! Thanks again for another great ready reference for the future x

    Reply
    • Natural New Age Mum says

      March 9, 2013 at 7:09 pm

      awww thanks Alisha – it is easy by the 25th party!

      Reply
  2. Shannon says

    March 9, 2013 at 7:08 pm

    Great post Sonia! I’m loving all the recent party posts. My daughter’s second birthday is just over a month away so it’s perfect timing! My best eco-party tip has already been covered in your post – using 4 My Earth food covers for covering all the food. I have been using them for over 6 months now and love them! 🙂

    Reply
  3. Jane says

    March 9, 2013 at 7:16 pm

    I love reading your posts and sharing them to my followers to show that there are great alternatives and ways to have a super party that will also have other parents talking!All in a good way! Thanks 🙂

    Reply
  4. linda says

    March 9, 2013 at 7:16 pm

    one of the best things we did at mr 6’s party was have sausages on bread rolls for lunch at the local pool, we had reusable trays & didn’t bother with all the plates and bowls ect just used the rolls instead & napkins for cake we also did a skewer fruit platter very easy.

    Reply
    • linda says

      March 9, 2013 at 7:19 pm

      i love the covers idea much better than all the cling wrap we used

      Reply
  5. Pam says

    March 9, 2013 at 7:19 pm

    Last year we went to a party where the children were given a little flowering plant in a pot as a take home gift, I thought that was fab!

    Reply
  6. Trina B says

    March 9, 2013 at 8:59 pm

    Really great tips!! I have just had a look around the Eco party box – they have some really lovely things 🙂

    I don’t really have anything new to add to your tips, but we always prefer to use reusable items for birthdays – plates, cups, cutlery, platters etc added to over the years from op shops. we love to get crafty! Invitaions, party bags, sometimes the liittle prizes – time permitting – we handmake or decorate. Our fabric bunting has been going strong for many years now and is used for every single birthday, celebration and party and was made from fabric in my stash that – truthfully – I didn’t like enough to use on anything else but it made gorgeous bunting! We also find that we don’t need much extra decoration with these – as soon as the flags are up it’s party time !!!

    Reply
  7. Carlie says

    March 10, 2013 at 2:18 pm

    All these posts are mking me so excited, and even though it can be a bit daunting, you make it look so easy and even just one small change can make a difference! I love trying out new things, and over the years have found that personality trait causes me stress with the overvriety we have in “stuff” and “things” today, but the challenge and newness of searching, findig and using eco-friendly products for a party is so exciting 🙂 !

    Reply
  8. Linda says

    March 10, 2013 at 2:41 pm

    Lots of great ideas that I will be using. My eco party tip is to be organised early especially with the menu so that I have enough time to make lots of healthy yummy treat.I loved the “Make it Pink” smoothie you shared – what a great way to add healthy colour to the party table.

    Reply
  9. Cate says

    March 10, 2013 at 3:07 pm

    I often cover the tables with paper (recycled) and have the party guests decorate. Lots of fun!

    Reply
  10. Suzie Love says

    March 10, 2013 at 6:24 pm

    Everytime we go on a picnic with family and friends my kids draw and decorate loose bits of paper around the house and that is used as table mats when we have our bbq.

    Reply
  11. Kelly says

    March 10, 2013 at 6:53 pm

    Definitely coming back to your party posts when I get to party time for my kiddies!

    Reply
  12. emily says

    March 10, 2013 at 7:00 pm

    Hi, Thanks for all this great info!
    I have been looking for a long time for a environmentally friendly reusable party set (plates, cups, cutlery etc,) like a picnic set but for more people and maybe brightly coloured for kids. Has anyone seen something like this??

    Reply
    • Natural New Age Mum says

      March 10, 2013 at 7:39 pm

      Hi Emily, no I haven’t. I will ask on Facebook if you like. Are you connected with me there?

      Reply
      • Emily says

        March 10, 2013 at 7:42 pm

        Yes that would be great thanks!

        Reply
  13. Fiona S says

    March 10, 2013 at 7:15 pm

    we use a lot of fruit……therefore what we don’t eat, goes to the chooks and compost 🙂

    Reply
  14. kayla says

    March 10, 2013 at 8:04 pm

    for parties we use jam jars for cups, biodegradable paper straws, serve organically grown Vegas food 🙂

    Reply
  15. Kathryn says

    March 10, 2013 at 10:01 pm

    My eco friendly tip is to use some wrapping paper as a table runner under a clear plastic table cover, then the paper can be used again later to wrap presents 🙂 love the tips!

    Reply
  16. Deb says

    March 10, 2013 at 10:09 pm

    We bought some cute cups to use at my daughters party and the children took them home as their party favor, no horrid sugar filled bags to take home.

    Reply
  17. Tanya Smith says

    March 10, 2013 at 10:13 pm

    Great blog. For pass the parcel you could use your children’s drawings as the wrapping paper and if they open it gently enough they get to keep the picture to take home in their party bag.

    Reply
  18. Jade Catton says

    March 11, 2013 at 9:31 am

    My eco tip is reuse, reuse, reuse. Rather than throw away tables clothes, plates, decorations etc. I build up my collection each party, store it, bring it out and add to it with each party. I also give away items that I don’t think I will use again when people have a similar theme to something I’ve done. It may take a litle more work but anything that’s worth it usually does right?

    Reply
  19. Angie Boylan says

    March 11, 2013 at 11:34 am

    Food covers instead of plastic, recycled napkins instead of plates and cups which the kids took home full of lollies from the handmade pinata!

    Reply
  20. karina w says

    March 11, 2013 at 12:41 pm

    Use newspaper as wrapping paper!

    Reply
  21. Candice B says

    March 11, 2013 at 12:46 pm

    For my sons 1st birthday we had a teddy bear picnic theme. Everything was reusable and for the party favour my grandmother and I knitted little bears for the kids to take home. It was great, I learnt how to knit and the kids loved them.

    Reply
  22. Fiona Quinn says

    March 11, 2013 at 1:11 pm

    Get the kids to make wrapping paper for the pass the parcel game. Stamp painting with reusable shapes or sea sponges or even potatoes was a favourite.

    Reply
  23. Jody Jamieson says

    March 11, 2013 at 4:44 pm

    i like to take reusable weather its a party or a picnic or even a b.b.q my kids love kebabs made on rosemary sticks you can this with meatballs at my daughters party this year we made a fruit punch and cleaned out the shell of the watermelon and stored it in there it keeps flavour no mess just compost when finished and we got little pineapples and stuck wodden umbrellas in the sides with some eco friendly straws and the kids filled these up when there drinks were empty out of the water melon you may need two depending on the size of the party passion fruits are good to use as little dishes also we filled these up with a choc passion fruit custard /pudding and served these up cold from the fridge the kids loved them they where a hit we had a giligans island party theme and used as much as we cold without using plastics and plates my sister made little platters from weaving banana leaves together we were able to compost these after the kids were finished and used big ones to put food on the table it was a great party with not much put to waste or in the rubbish

    Reply
  24. kerry santillo says

    March 12, 2013 at 6:18 am

    Thankyou, just found your blog and am loving the great eco tips.
    To save on party invitations and envelopes , I email everyone!!!

    Reply
  25. Lou says

    March 12, 2013 at 1:50 pm

    Ha maybe I’m mean, but I have been known to use regular cups/dishes at parties(I HATE the throw away kind and HATE plastic – there is enough already in my house!) but turn the washing-up into a party game using a paddling pool and having a dish-washing race with prizes 😉

    Reply
    • Natural New Age Mum says

      March 12, 2013 at 2:18 pm

      GOLD!!!!

      Reply
  26. Jessie Hay says

    March 12, 2013 at 1:56 pm

    Using reusable plates and forks and preparing foods yourself rather than buying prepackaged foods with loads of plastic 🙂
    Oh, and loads of fresh food and less junk is always better 🙂

    Reply
  27. Melissa says

    March 14, 2013 at 9:48 pm

    My Eco party tip is very much recycle and reuse. I create candles in recycled glassware and try and theme my parties accordingly. Tea party requires tea cup candles, vintage theme require crystal glassware. I also try and buy all my props from the op shops and markets. No need to buy anything brand new when there is plenty out there to be creative with.

    Reply
  28. Annabelle Randles says

    March 15, 2013 at 12:52 am

    Thanks for this post. Instead of party bags I like to wrap things into kraft paper. Love the idea of seeded tags to add on.

    Reply
  29. Karly says

    March 15, 2013 at 10:23 pm

    Buy bio degradable plates and serviettes

    Reply
  30. Darya says

    March 16, 2013 at 12:39 pm

    For three years I have been taking bath together with my daughter! Saves time, money and resources, too!

    Reply
  31. Stacey Shailer says

    March 16, 2013 at 1:56 pm

    I bought a set of reusable plastic picnicware (plates, bowls and cups), enough for 20 people, in a gender-neutral colour. I can use them over and over for birthday parties (and Christmas, and BBQs!) without wasting money on disposable items 🙂

    Reply
  32. Carlie says

    March 16, 2013 at 11:18 pm

    Oops in my excitedness I forgot to leave a tip: reduce, re-use and recyle as much as you can! There are sooo many things used for a party that just get thrown away and take years to decompose, and so many of these things we can buy eco-friendly that are recycleable and just as nice/durable 🙂

    Reply
  33. Brooke says

    March 16, 2013 at 11:24 pm

    I don’t have any tips to add to the above… but.. I have saved this page and plan on using ALL of these tips at our future birthday parties! Thank you.. again for your ideas and advice- I love when mothers can work together to help our children be happier and healthier! xxxx

    Reply
    • Natural New Age Mum says

      March 18, 2013 at 5:10 pm

      thanks Brooke – I appreciate your kinds words xx

      Reply
  34. Joanne Davis says

    April 3, 2013 at 4:09 pm

    I really appreciate your effort on sharing this post to us. I got lots of idea for my kid’s birthday party.Thanks for all the tips though i don’t have tip to share. This will be my first time to create an Eco-friendly kids party and Im so excited for it. Thanks for the tips. 🙂

    Reply
    • Natural New Age Mum says

      April 3, 2013 at 6:01 pm

      thanks Joanne… keep in touch and let us know how you go!

      Reply
  35. Kim says

    September 3, 2015 at 11:16 pm

    Ahhh sonia I love you, you think of everything ♡♡

    Reply
    • Natural New Age Mum says

      September 3, 2015 at 11:47 pm

      Awww thanks Kim!! 😀

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Birthday Celebrations! Featuring Lots of Recipes!! | naughtynaturopathmum's Blog says:
    March 18, 2013 at 5:25 pm

    […] How to Host an Eco-Friendly Kid’s Party […]

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  2. My Christmas: Sonia Donaldson | Confetti Magazine says:
    December 22, 2013 at 9:01 am

    […] information on living eco-friendly and chemical free… from reducing your plastic consumption, to hosting an eco-friendly kids party, and how-to ditch those nasty store-bought liquid handsoaps and make your own….Sonia’s blog […]

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