Children's Parties
Children’s parties
Ditch the plastic
This falls into one of our favourite categories, plastic free. A simple switch that is cost effective and planet friendly, you can pick up wooden cutlery in many high street shops now or at multiple online retailers. Better for the planet as well as being chic and stylish.
The same goes for disposable plates, and glasses, switching to paper or bamboo is a much more sustainable option than plastic. If you do buy plastic cups then opting for the hard plastic or bamboo ones and using the same cups at your children’s party each year can save you money and reduce the amount of party wastage – this can also help the children remember which cup is theres too. Perhaps opting to put name stickers on would also help.
Reuse and craft
Not only is plastic bunting bad for the planet it is often single use because of how wrinkled it gets in storage. Switch to a fabric option and you’ll find it can be used time and time again without looking anything but its best. To take this switch to the next level, try making your own, old jeans make great bunting because of the thickness of the fabric or old bed sheets can be snipped up into ribbons and attached to strings for a rustic festival feel to your child’s party.
Start as you mean to go on
Before the party has even started, think green. E-invites are the most sustainable option and don’t have to be drab with free design tools like Canva around. Or if you want a physical option for the children to take to school, use recycled paper and avoid embellishments that stop them being able to be added to the recycling bin.
Decorate mindfully
Glitter and balloons are two really bad for the planet party poopers. Look out for decorations that can be added to the recycling afterwards, reused or passed on to a friend. Balloons should be avoided unless these are biodegradable, and think if you really need helium. While it keeps them perky for a few hours, the mining of helium is incredibly bad for the planet.
If you want to go for a more natural party look, try to choose seasonal flowers, ideally grown locally to you. This will also reduce their mileage and environmental impact.
Party bags
We all know kids LOVE a party bag before they head off home all sugar fuelled, but many party bags themselves and their contents are filled with plastic. Here are some ways to reduce the party bags impact on the environment –
- Use paper bags
- Consider items with no plastic or those that are made from sustainable materials – wooden toys or useful gifts such as hair bobbles are great.
- Consider giving a small book instead, children love this and it reduces the plastic usage too
- Seeds are a great addition to your little ones party bag
- Cookie mixtures and a recipe are also a great substitute for party bags
- Why not give sweetie cones with paper packaging?