Birthdays have always been a special affair in our household! As we now have kids ranging from toddlerhood to their twenties, I can confidently say we’ve spent years cultivating the traditions below. They have become so special to us and make every celebration memorable.
These rituals aren’t just about marking another year; they’re about strengthening our family bonds and creating joyful memories that last a lifetime. Read on for some of the beloved birthday traditions that have become the heartbeat of our family celebrations.
Mamian Birthday Traditions
Celebrating the Big Milestones
In our family, certain birthdays hold extra significance: the 1st, 5th, 10th, and 16th. While every birthday is a celebration, these milestones mark important stages in our children’s lives. As such, we celebrate them with a little extra flair!
- 1st Birthday: A sweet introduction to birthday festivities, complete with a smash cake and plenty of photos to capture the messy fun. Truth be told, I think this celebration is just as much for the parents as it is for their little one. That first year is rough and you did it!
- 5th Birthday: This birthday marks the transition from toddler to big kid. It is typically the first year we give our kids the option of having a birthday party as they have friends from school and real likes/dislikes.
- 10th Birthday: Double digits is a big deal! We usually plan an unforgettable experience to commemorate this milestone.
- 16th Birthday: A rite of passage into young adulthood (and driving)! Admittedly, we have gone all out for our kids’ 16th birthdays and I feel very fortunate to have been in the position to do so. Loving hard on my kids during their teen years has helped us cultivate the most special relationships.
The Magical Morning Surprise
If you have followed us on Instagram for a while, you have undoubtedly seen our famous birthday celebration! Armed with balloons, streamers, and confetti poppers, we sneak into the birthday kid’s room after they’ve fallen asleep to deck out their space.
Come morning, we burst into their room playing our family’s special birthday song – yes, the same catchy tune from the same YouTube video every year! While I am sure they have come to expect it, there is nothing more special than your day starting with your family reminding you how loved you are.
This is our most cherished tradition, which goes to show that family traditions don’t have to be elaborate to be special. Lay the groundwork and keep the tradition going. You will be thankful when your 20-year-old still comes home for his birthday because he simply can’t miss it.
Here’s the silly birthday song we chose years ago and have stuck to!
Shop Birthday Must-Haves!
The Cake Flipping Game
A newer tradition that’s quickly become a family favorite is our Cake Flipping Game. After singing “Happy Birthday,” we challenge the birthday kid (and brave volunteers) to flip a small cake and catch it back on the plate.
It’s as hilarious as it sounds! We’ve had our fair share of messy mishaps, but the laughter and excitement it brings are well worth the cleanup. It’s a fun way to embrace a bit of silliness and make the day even more memorable.
Quick note… we don’t usually flip the cake we plan on eating, so we are not risking going without a birthday dessert. I ask our grocery store for cakes that are going stale and likely to be tossed.
And there is one cake we definitely never risk flipping… the Fudgy Oreo Crunch Ice Cream Cake I have made for my boys for years! Grab the recipe here.
Theme Park Adventures with Mom and Dad
When our kids are little, instead of hosting big birthday parties, we opt for a day of adventure at a theme park with just Mom and Dad. This tradition began as a cost-effective alternative to elaborate parties but quickly became a cherished family experience. The one-on-one time allows us to focus entirely on the birthday child, making them feel extra special without the overwhelm that sometimes comes with large gatherings.
As they grow older, around 8 or 10, we give them the option to bring a friend or two. This way, they can share the fun with peers while still enjoying the close-knit family tradition they’ve come to love.
You can read more about how we make Disney birthdays extra special here!
Why These Traditions Matter
These birthday customs have become more than just fun activities; they’re the threads that weave our family’s tapestry of memories. Each tradition reinforces our family’s values of love, togetherness, and joy. Our children, no matter their age, look forward to their special day knowing it will be filled with familiar rituals and new surprises.
For us as parents, these traditions are a way to pause and celebrate each child individually. It’s a reminder of how quickly time passes and how important it is to savor these moments together.
If you’re inspired to start your own birthday traditions, remember that it’s the thought and heart behind them that count. Whether it’s a special song, a quirky game, or a fun outing, the best traditions are those that reflect your family’s unique spirit. They don’t have to be elaborate or expensive—some of our simplest traditions have become the most treasured.
Here’s to celebrating birthdays in ways that bring joy, strengthen bonds, and create lasting memories for years to come!
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