Hosting a DIY party is *so* fun because kids love to get creative, and when they get to be creative with their besties while getting their DIY on, it makes birthday parties that much better. Come to think of it, it sounds like a party we adults would want in on too ;) If your mini maker has a birthday coming up, throw a DIY party to celebrate. Whether they spend the whole party dreaming up DIYs or it’s more of an extra addition to their already-epic party, they’re sure to have tons of fun. Scroll down to check out DIY ideas for your kid’s next birthday celebration.
1. DIY Stuffed Balloon Animals: Nothing brings you back to childhood like a stuffed balloon animal. This DIY is the perfect way to teach little ones how to sew, and they get to make their new fave stuffed animal at the same time. (via Little Inspiration)
2. DIY Gem Sidewalk Chalk: What kid doesn’t love sidewalk chalk? Add a DIY station to the party and have the kiddos make it at the beginning of the bash since the chalk has to set for a couple of hours. After some pizza, pin the tail on the unicorn and a little cake, the kids will be ready to give your driveway some serious color. (via Oh Joy!)
3. Canvas Painting Party: When in doubt, you can’t go wrong with a canvas painting party. Set up a station for each little one and let them go cray cray with watercolor. The parents will be happy that the mess is at your house and not theirs ;) Plus, they’ll get to bring home a new masterpiece for the gallery wall. (via Jen Loves Kev)
4. DIY Foodie Friendship Necklaces: Your mini maker needs a modern friendship necklace that’s anything but boring. While this one might take a little extra supervision on your part, the finished product is so fun the kiddos will want to wear them on the reg. (via Studio DIY)
5. Space Crayons: Just like sidewalk chalk, you can’t go wrong with DIY crayons. Whether they’re making simple solid colors or a crazy rainbow pattern, your kids and their friends will have a blast creating them. (via Minieco)
6. Build-Your-Own Cupcakes: It’s not a birthday party without a few sweet treats. Opt for an edible DIY and add a cupcake station where the kids can decorate their own. Let ’em go crazy with the icing and sprinkles — it is a birthday party after all. (via Jen Loves Kev)
7. DIY Cotton Cord Bracelet: Is your munchkin a total fashionista? If so, gold leaf cotton cord bracelets are the answer to their DIY party prayers. Pick up a few cord colors and some jewelry findings so the kids can make their new favorite statement piece. (via Brit + Co)
8. DIY Pom Pom Party Hats: Make sure there are plenty of party hats for the photo booth fun. Pick up a pack of plain hats at the party store and give the kiddos pom poms and paint to kick them up a notch. (via Tell Love and Party)
9. DIY Perler Bead Emoji: If there’s one thing kids (okay, and adults!) love more than anything, it’s emoji. Use perler beads to create fun graphics with the kids and see what they can dream up. (via Brit + Co)
10. Geo Wood Magnets: This DIY is not just fun for the kids to make, it’s also super useful. Paint wood magnets with craft paint and send them home with a DIY their parents can hang on the fridge to show off the grade-A test scores. (via Tell Love and Party)
11. Tissue Paper Lanterns: How fun are these tissue paper lanterns? Set up a station with tissue paper and other supplies so that making them is a cinch. Once the get-together is over, your little guests can hang them in their rooms so the party lives on a little longer. (via Tell Love and Party)
12. DIY Dream Catchers: Every kid has to DIY at least one dream catcher during their childhood. To make these, wrap wooden embroidery hoops in washi tape and top it off with a few strands of yarn to create the dream catcher effect. (via Art Bar Blog)
13. Candy Necklaces: The best kinds of DIYs are the ones you can eat after you finish making them. Let the little ones string their favorite candies onto a colorful ribbon for an accessory they can wear *and* eat. (via Hostess With the Mostess)
14. DIY Play Dough: Play dough is one of the highlights of childhood, so the fact that you can DIY it is basically your kid’s dream come true. Follow this recipe to whip up a batch and see what they can make from it. (via Modern Parents Messy Kids)
15. DIY Watercolor Lacing Cards: These DIY lacing cards are perfect for kids that are on the younger side. Simply hole punch watercolor paper and create the lacing using mason line. Then, they can use paints to give them some extra oomph. (via Art Bar Blog)
16. Giant Lucky Charms Barrettes: The best part about these DIY Lucky Charms barrettes is that you probably already have all of the supplies in your craft closet. A ball of air dry clay, some food coloring and bobby pins are all it takes to make your little one’s squad’s new fave hair accessories. (via Handmade Charlotte)
17. DIY Pencil Pouch: Snag a few zippered canvas pouches at the craft store or online and use fabric markers to customize them. This DIY will *definitely* be put to good use, since every kid needs a pencil pouch or two. (via Mama Miss)
18. Pipe Cleaner Flowers: Pipe cleaners are a must for any DIY project with the kids. They can be used to make just about anything, but these pipe cleaner flowers are a must-make to help fancy up that kitchen table for a while. Add paper petals and beads to amp ’em up, and pop them in a milk bottle or vase to finish off the DIY. (via Art Bar Blog)
19. DIY Painted Mugs: Having a tea party? Hand over the paint pens and a plain white mug so the kiddos can draw on any pattern they want. Once they’re finished, bake the cups and saucers to cure the paint, and they’ll be ready for *all* your future tea parties. (via Small for Big)
Are you throwing your kiddo a birthday party? Head over to our Pinterest for more inspo.
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Want to feel motivated to take the next step for your business? Let Office Depot OfficeMax give you the confidence you need with a suite of business services & solutions to help you put your best foot forward. Make a good first impression with business cards & build the business pitch of your dreams with custom presentations. With Office Depot OfficeMax you'll find the tools to reach new customers with confidence.
Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.