To ask how I can give my boy a nice birthday next week?

[kikikoo]

He'll be 10 next Friday. We were originally going to a lazer place and then pizza and maybe a sleepover with his pals.

Now we're social distancing how do I make it a good day? I'll be home with him and his 3 sisters.

At least he'll be off school which he'll be pleased about! But I just don't know how to make it a special day.

Any ideas please?

Have a big dominoes feast. Do something silly like blow up 100 balloons to surprise him in the lounge when he gets up. Let him play on Xbox as long as he likes. Let him choose a really special day out when all this is over. He’ll still have fun

Online fortnite marathon with his friends, take out and a movie. Promise of a grand day out once the world looks normal?

Is my sons 18th next week

Have a ridiculous breakfast, like ice cream or hotdogs. Board games or family movie time. Play silly pranks on each other. Have a nerf gun battle. Traditional party tea or slob dinner.

Mine's 15 in a couple of weeks! I've said we mightn't be able to have the gang round now but can make it up later.

Pizza party with him and his sisters, promise for the laser party when this passes.

Pancakes for breakfast. Bake a cake. It will be different but still nice.

Excellent ideas Lady Monica! Always knew you were a good sort! (Jilly fan - must reread to cheer myself up)

I have the same issue, Daughter will be 11 on sunday, had bowling, getting her ears pierced and a shopping trip planned for Saturday then a big family meal on the Sunday with it being Mothers Day as well.

Now i will admit i have bought her slightly more to open, banners and balloons to decorate the house.

We will be buying Harry Potter 4 and 5, popcorn, party food tea.
Have allowed her to pick a three course lunch option from the food we have in. (She is having fun with this, swapping and changing her mind)

FaceTime with family. Thats all i have thought off so far.

Will follow thread with interest.

Can you do something like drive to the coast for the day? I’m social distancing but planning a trip to a fairly deserted beach next week. Agree with ordering pizzas, baking a cake, movie afternoon? Let him choose a film and have a living room picnic with pizza, popcorn etc.

Harry Potter movie Marathon in pjs under the duvet on the sofa with popcorn

My dcs birthday too in a few days...I think we will get a takeaway and a cake...can't think of much else

Get his favourite takeaway, let the kids make their own ice cream creations with various toppings, buy a movie they haven't seen, let them "camp out" in the living room for the night, let him choose his favourite breakfast, etc. I'm sure he will have a lovely day!

Put it this way @kikikoo, no matter what you do, he will certainly remember his 10th birthday.
Some great ideas, mumsnetters are such a willing, productive and creative lot. I love the silly breakfast idea from @LadyMonicaBaddingham

Paper over his bedroom door so he has to "break out" in the morning.

Create a treasure hunt with clues to follow to hunt for presents.

Nice breakfast as won't be rushing out to school.

National Trust properties (grounds, not houses) are free at the moment so could take a picnic and head to nearest one for a day out in the fresh air? Take a kite/drone/remote controlled car?

FaceTime with friends from school.

Takeaway of his choice for tea.

Wishing him a very Happy birthday!

Paper over his bedroom door so he has to "break out" in the morning

Create a treasure hunt with clues to follow to hunt for presents

Love these ideas...I'm going to do them..thanks!

It's my son's birthday next week too. Same day in fact. I'm planning on pancakes for breakfast, home school but finish early after lunch. Vintage style party games, a treasure hunt and then a party tea. He is a bit old for it but I think he'll enjoy the nostalgia! I plan on putting up as many decorations as I can find.....

@kikikoo My dd is also 10 next Friday.

Currently things she is asking for (that I can provide) include:-

Omelette for breakfast
Chinese takeaway
Going for a run first thing (dd is a sports fanatic)
Going on Zwift (see above)

My DD is 7 on Monday. Her main concern is that she will still get cake. Loving the ideas here.

Dd is 6 next week.

Cake for breakfast (fingers crossed tesco turn up with my order tomorrow) and a few crafting presents from us. That’s all really.

We had no plans as we’ve only recently moved here and she didn’t even have a school place yet so no party was in then offing anyway.

My dad bought her the lol dolls she wanted but as he lives 120 miles away and we are all self isolating she won’t be getting them for a long while. Luckily she is fine about it and she understands why.

I’ve promised myself that if we ever get through this shit show, just she and I will be spending a weekend together just the two of us at a theme park of her choice next year.

Oh and lots of ro bucks!

vintage style party games

Muscial chairs or statues

Flap the fish - requires newspapers - each person cuts out a fish then used the paper to waft bash flap the fish over the finishing line in a race

Treasure hunt

if its not raining some sort of made up obstacle course in the garden that they can all race round and wear themselves out

If you have a tent - tent picnic in the garden for tea with fairy lights and torches. Depending on how adventerous you are maybe a small campfire (even if it is just in an old bbq) with marsh mallows

Thanks everyone for your wonderful responses. Really helpful - so many lovely ideas.

I've been quite worried about it but you've put my mind at ease.

Love the idea of bursting through the wrapping paper. And pancakes and ice-cream for breakfast. Fortnite battles and unlimited Xbox would go down very well with him.

I'll plan a treasure hunt for presents, Nerf battle and a few games. Sounds great.

Will definitely get Dominoes or other takeaway, and buy a film on Sky if he wants to.

And also the promise of a day out of his choice in the future.

Love the idea of going to the coast or for a picnic but won't have use of the car during the day. Maybe at the weekend.

Will also get banners and loads of balloons.

Thanks for your support, everyone.

And very true to the poster who said it will certainly be memorable no matter what :)

All great ideas - it was my DD’s first birthday this week, my DH is away with an ill parent (been away almost a month) & pretty much rest of family / friends are self isolating.
So I kind of ignored it then when DH comes home we are going to set up FaceTiming with various family members & do presents etc.
Hopefully when this is all over we can celebrate - I was pretty miserable if I am honest but much worse things are happening all around & she will never know. The party was clearly just for me!