Everything you need to know to host a magically memorable Social Distancing Birthday Party!

With various phases of reopening continuing to roll out across the country, and restrictions slowly being lifted, live birthday parties are starting to make a comeback. That’s right, a live, socially distanced birthday party makes it possible for small groups to gather, and celebrate in person.

Zoom and videoconferencing have been helpful to get us through this difficult quarantine / lockdown, but there’s nothing quite like seeing your friends and family in person, even if at a safe distance. And with the beautiful weather we’ve been having this summer, it’s time to fire up the BBQ, hang the Piñata, and get ready to celebrate.

On this website you will learn:

  1. Social Distancing Safety Rules
  2. Party Planning Tips
  3. Fun Social Distancing Games and Activities
  4. Hiring the Right Live Entertainment for your Social Distancing Party

Social distancing, also known as physical distancing, is a measure intended to prevent the spread of contagious diseases, such as COVID-19, by maintaining physical distance between people. With your family and guest’s safety being paramount, here are a few social distancing rules to keep in mind when planning your social distancing birthday party:

Social Distancing Birthday Party Safety Rules:

  • Before making your guests list, check what your regional or provincial limit is on the number of guests allowed at a gathering.
  • Guests should remain 6 feet apart from anyone outside of their immediate family unit.
  • Wash hands frequently.
  • Avoid touching mouth, nose and eyes.
  • Finally, if anyone is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, they should not be attending a live event.

Party Planning Tips:

  1. When hosting an outdoor party, hope for the best weather, but plan for the worst. Interestingly, one of the best solutions for rain or blistering heat are tents, trees, and tarps. Shelter from the elements is key, so inspect your location ahead of time to see what your options are, and even what time of day is best for sunlight.
  2. This might sound obvious, but whether in your backyard or at a park, washrooms will need to be available. COVID-19 makes this slightly more complicated, but nothing a little pre-planning can’t solve. Make sure people know exactly where the washroom is, and that it’s visibly marked.  Paper napkins for hand drying, and a waste bin nearby, make for more sanitary and contactless conditions for your guests.
  3. It’s helpful to have hand sanitizer readily available, especially near the food and any doors that people need to use.
  4. It’s often helpful when snacks and drinks can be individually wrapped, with the names of your guests written on them to avoid confusion. Labelling chairs can also be helpful. When done in a fun way (think of an actor or director’s chair on a set), it can make your guests feel special and welcomed.
  5. Because most social gatherings are being held outside to offer more space for social distancing, remind your guests to bring sunscreen, hats, etc. and make sure to offer lots of water among other beverages. It’s been a toasty summer! 
low angle photo of a boy playing soccer

Fun Social Distancing Games and Activities:

  • Charades – Always a crowd pleaser, and requires no physical contact. If you’re not familiar, a person is selected and given a word/s to act out. It could be a person, place, or thing, get creative, the catch is they can’t speak or mouth words. They can use their hand/s to show how many words are in the answer, but then they must use their acting skills to convey to your guests what it is, while your guests need to shout out their guesses.
  • Trivia contest about the birthday child – Here is your chance to highlight the birthday child, and see who knows them best.
  • Freeze Dance – This game combines the best of two fun activities, dancing and freeze. The person playing the music will be instructed to stop sporadically. At this point everyone must freeze immediately. If anyone is caught still moving by the judge they’re out, and then join the judging panel for the next break in the music.
  • Simon Says – A classic game of careful listening. Whoever is selected to be Simon will give specific instructions such as “Simon says touch your nose”, and everyone needs to touch their nose. However, if Simon fails to say “Simon says” and just gives an instruction, those who follow it are out.
  • Scavenger Hunt – Have your guests search for a list of items in your yard or park where you’re hosting your party. They could be natural items or items you have hidden. Once completed they could even be used to make a collage.

Finally, Hiring the Right Live Entertainment for your Social Distancing Party:

The right live entertainment can make your party, and create memories that will last a lifetime. But not all forms of entertainment are right for all audiences, and not all entertainers are created equal. So we would like to offer three great entertainment options, and three great entertainers:

  1. Live Magic – The art of magic is entertaining for young and old alike, and with the right magician, your guests can be transported far away from their day to day worries, and instead be immersed in a world of wonder and laughter. When it comes to professional magicians in the Greater Toronto Area, we highly recommend The Magic of Scott Dietrich! Voted by the readers of City Parent Magazine, Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area’s “Best Children’s Entertainer” for 8 consecutive years, Scott will take a fun social distancing birthday party, and make it fun-tastic!!! Your children may have even seen him magically introducing their favorite TV shows on YTV. Scott’s social distancing magic programs are available throughout South Western Ontario, Canada. If you happen to live outside of South Western Ontario, don’t fret, he also offers amazing virtual magic programs worldwide. To book Scott click here!
  2. Live Music – Music is infectious, and the right musician can get people out of their chairs and boogie woogying. While singing and dancing their worries away, your guests will come together and share in playful memories. Our recommendation for a children’s singer for your next party is Erick Traplin. One of Ontario’s foremost children’s singers, Erick has released 9 CD’s of uplifting children’s music infused with strong family values. He even hosts his own Children’s TV Show on Rogers TV 20. Host one of Erick’s social distancing home concerts at your next birthday party and get ready to have some fun! To book Erick click here!
  3. Live Dance – If you want your guests, young and old, to get their wiggles out, than a live dance party might be what your party needs. We’re not just talking about turning your Ipod on and hoping for the best, we’re recommending having a professional children’s dance party instructor. One of the best company’s we have found is the Get Low Dance Co. Their professionally trained instructors know just how to get your party hopping! Their programs are fun for the whole family, and are available live throughout the Greater Toronto Area, and also available virtually. To book Get Low Dance Co. click here!

From all of us here at Kids Biz Report, we hope this page has been helpful, and that your social distancing birthday party is a huge success!