6 winter birthday party ideas for toddlers

Planning birthday parties for toddlers can be challenging, especially in the winter months when it might be too cold for outdoor gatherings. But there are plenty of ways to celebrate your little one’s special day, all while balancing fun, safety, and a budget. With a little creativity, you can throw your kid a memorable winter birthday they’ll enjoy to the fullest. To make the party planning easier, we put together our favorite indoor birthday party ideas for kids.

Indoor birthday party venues for toddlers

Toddler gym

For toddlers with a lot of energy, a toddler gym could be the perfect venue for a birthday party.  A safe space made for young children to play, it’s a unique environment your little ones will love. From guided programs, to open play areas, to obstacle courses, to climbing structures and slides, toddler gyms were made for having fun. Plus, many provide special equipment with bright colors and different textures that support sensory development in toddlers. They also offer adult supervision and parent involvement throughout the event, so parents can feel supported while the kids have the time of their lives. A little exercise, laughter, and excitement are sure to make this birthday party a hit for everyone.

Art studio

If your toddler loves arts and crafts, renting an art studio is a fun and unique way to celebrate with ease. There are many toddler-friendly art studios that host special birthday parties for children with various offerings. A perk for parents is that the venue will often take care of most of the planning, setup, and cleanup of the event, all you have to do is tailor the activity options to your child’s interests. A family-friendly environment, art studios are relaxing and provide a fulfilling experience for everyone.

Museum

Many local museums offer educational programs for kids' birthday parties. From dinosaurs to airplanes to science, there’s tons of options that will cater to your child’s unique interests. Learning new things together provides a rewarding experience for both adults and kids, plus it requires minimal planning on your end. Bring a birthday cake or even order one for delivery for minimal effort and maximum enjoyment.    

With these simple yet thoughtful birthday ideas, your toddler’s celebration can be a fun and memorable experience without the stress or high cost. Remember to keep it simple and focus on what makes your little one happy. By doing so, you’ll create lasting memories for years to come.

Budget-friendly winter birthday party ideas

If you're looking for fun ways to celebrate your little one’s special day that won’t cost a fortune, we’ve got you covered. Here are some budget-friendly toddler birthday party ideas that are enjoyable for the whole family:

Arts and crafts birthday

A well-planned arts and crafts activity is an inexpensive way to keep a group of toddlers busy for hours. And there are so many different ways to make it special, depending on your child’s interests. Preparing a kids activity table is a great place to start. Cover the table with a roll of kraft paper for easy cleanup, and lay out cups of crayons, water color paint, paint brushes, markers, stickers, and any other art supplies you have on hand. There are several creative activities you can do with these simple materials. 

For a fun, collaborative activity, set up a large canvas for kids to decorate together, encouraging creativity and social interaction. Alternatively, provide individual canvases or paper crowns for each child to personalize and wear. To make paper crowns, simply cut long paper strips (about 4” wide), add colorful triangle cutouts, and supply glue sticks, markers, paint, or crayons. It’s an easy, budget-friendly craft, and every child leaves with a special keepsake from the party!

Fun games birthday

Planning a fun, games-filled birthday party using items you already have at home is a budget-friendly way to create lasting memories! Toddler birthday party games and activities like a classic piñata, musical chairs, treasure hunt, or freeze dance can keep your little ones entertained for hours. You can also offer small prizes for the winners to make it extra exciting for the kids. If you’re feeling ambitious, create a few fun stations for kids to do in between games like face painting or pin the tail on the donkey. Add some music, snacks, and a birthday cake and you’ve got yourself a special, low-cost celebration.

Cookie decorating birthday

A cookie decorating station is always a hit with toddlers, plus siblings can join in, too! You can bake or buy simple sugar cookies beforehand and provide icing, sprinkles, chocolate chips, edible glitter, candy, and other fun toppings. Use disposable tablecloths, plates, cups, and decorating utensils for easy clean up and less stress. For the inevitable sugar rush that will entail, we recommend setting up a little play area so the kids can run around and play afterwards. 

At Doona, we’re always trying our very best to make parenting simpler for every family. Which is also why we’ve created our innovative and revolutionary Doona Car Seat & Stroller which transforms from a car seat to a stroller in the click of a button; and Liki Trike — the most compact folding toddler trike on the market that grows alongside toddlers with five modes of use.