Party Guide

birthday party life lessons

A birthday party may look like just a birthday party to you now, but what I see is a breeding ground for life lessons kids can learn that will carry them through their lives to help make them successful, happy and kind. Read on to check out a few teaching opportunities for your child’s next birthday party!

Visit www.kansascityzoo.org/birthdays to plan your party today!

Graciousness and Disappointment

I’m lumping these two together because they seem to go hand in hand. The birthday child gets disappointed by not getting something she really wanted or sometimes not getting anything she really wanted at all during the entire party. That’s when it’s time to step in and talk about how disappointment is okay, but that we should be gracious about it. It’s kind of like being a sore loser versus being a happy loser. Even though there is disappointment going on, you want your child to learn how to say thank you and show appreciation for the gift giver’s time and money or skills that went into the gift.

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Consideration

Yes, it’s your child’s party, but consider where everyone would have a good time when planning your party venue. If it’s at your house, think up some fun games everyone might enjoy and build in plenty of time for just playing around. Have a friend with food allergies, such as gluten or dairy? Make sure to pick up something special for that friend—cookies or their own piece of cake—it’s easier than ever these days.

Sharing

Your kid may get some pretty good stash at his birthday party, and other kids are certainly going to want to play with the new goods. Explain to your child before the party that she is going to be getting some cool new stuff and that she can put some of her favorite things up right away but that she should share some of the things and play with them with her friends and not hide them all away.

Giving Back and Donating

This year, consider having your child ask for gifts for someone else. In my town, our local food bank supplies a birthday cake and all the fixings as long as the guests bring canned goods, take the tour and help out for a bit. Also, if your child has a particular love for, say, animals … how about hosting a birthday party for or at a local animal shelter? Instead of presents ask guests to bring donations like pet food and other supplies.

Instead of lecturing, which we all know gets tuned out anyway, get your party on with some cool hidden lessons that will take your kid beyond their kid years and into a fun and full life!

Kerrie McLoughlin lives in Peculiar, MO, and puts on five chaotic birthday parties per year for her kids and lives to tell about it at TheKerrieShow.com.

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KANSAS CITY’S GUIDE TO St. Patrick’s Day

Celebrate Kansas City’s rich Irish heritage with St. Patrick’s Day fun!

KANSAS CITY’S IRISH RESTAURANTS AND MARKETS:

Browne’s Irish Market The Irish Market opened in Kansas City in 1887, and now the family’s fifth generation carries on the tradition of serving a wide variety of Irish delicacies. Enjoy handmade sandwiches, Irish potato soup, Irish stew, Dublin potato salad and more, as well as Irish souvenirs. On St. Patrick’s Day, Browne’s serves a traditional Irish breakfast starting at 7:00 and lunch specials in the afternoon. BrownsIrishMarket.com

The Dubliner The Irish-American pub offers a distinctly Irish feel and delicious pub fare. The downtown location is convenient off the streetcar. TheDublinerKC.com

Llywelyn’s Pub Known for their authentic Celtic food and friendly neighborhood atmosphere, Llywelyn’s is an unforgettable experience. LlywelynsPub.com/lees-summit

O’Dowd’s Little Dublin O’Dowd’s Little Dublin is known for “the BEST American pub eats and Irish treats in Kansas City.” Enjoy fish and chips, Irish stew, corned beef, Reubens and shepherd’s pie. O’Dowd’s Little Dublin on the Plaza boasts an authentic Irish interior with imported woodwork, creating a pharmacy, library and cigar shop steeped in amazing Irish atmosphere. ODowdsLittleDublin.com

O’Malley’s 1842 Irish Pub O’Malley’s serves authentic Irish fare in an authentic IrishAmerican pub, complete with Irish music. You can choose indoor or patio dining (where you see the famous world’s largest ball of string). The menu includes salads, sandwiches, steaks, soups and, of course, fish and chips. WestonIrish.com

A BIT OF LEPRECHAUN MAGIC AT HOME:

With a bit of creativity, you can create the magic of leprechauns at home. Follow the Rainbow: Create a trail of shamrocks or rainbows for the children to follow from their bedrooms to the breakfast table. Lead them to a breakfast of green scrambled eggs, green pancakes and green milk. A touch of food coloring will do the trick for each of these delicacies. A favorite in our family is toast with a “green message” (written with a food coloring marker available in the bakery aisle at the grocery store). At each place setting, leave a St. Patrick’s Day treat or small gift.

Leprechaun Loot: Using gold chocolate coins or gold dollar coins, host a hunt at your house to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Top off the fun with a visit to your local arcade or dollar store where the kids can redeem their loot.

You’ve Been Pinched: Perhaps you’ve played “Ding Dong Ditch”—this game is similar. Prepare a treat for a neighbor (chocolate coins, cupcakes, baked goodies) and deliver them with a note: “You’ve Been Pinched! Whether you are wearing green or not, I’m here to tell you that you are liked a lot! Enjoy this treat, and here’s hoping you may have a happy St. Patrick’s Day! Your Secret Leprechaun.” Leave the treat on the doorstep, ring the bell, then disappear, hiding where you can watch your friend claim the prize.