Birthday Party Support for the Sensory Sensitive Child

Birthday Party Support for the Sensory Sensitive Child

Over the years I have known many children and families for which birthday celebrations can be stressful, overwhelming experiences. For some children the loud, chaotic party (whether in their own home or at another venue) can simply be too overwhelming, leaving parents feeling stressed or embarrassed and children feeling out of control. If you care for a child that gets easily overwhelmed by busy, loud, chaotic experiences, consider these tips to make celebrating their birthday more enjoyable for everyone. 

Party Details: If possible, use dim lighting and soft background music to create a calming atmosphere. Set up a designated quiet area for your child to retreat to if needed. Keep the schedule loose to allow breaks as needed. Limit the number of guests to avoid too much stimulation. Provide snacks that aren’t too messy, and avoid strong-smelling foods. Avoid balloons that may pop, flashing lights or loud music.

Activities: Consider a calm event with structured activities, less people and shorter in duration. Consider choosing low-key activities that won’t overwhelm sensory-sensitive children, like arts and crafts or storytime.

Singing: Having a loud rendition of people collectively singing “Happy Birthday” and a room full of people cheering and clapping can easily overwhelm some children. If excess sounds and chaos can be triggers for your sensory-sensitive child, whispering the “Happy Birthday” song or having just the parents calmly sing to their child can be an easy accommodation for your guests.

Gift Opening: Open birthday gifts in a quiet, private space rather than in front of all guests, perhaps after the party is over with only a few family members. Take it slow and allow breaks between opening gifts. If your child is excited about exploring a new toy, allow them ample time to enjoy it before moving on to opening another gift, even if that means the gift-opening lasts a few days. 

When parents better understand their child’s sensory needs and advocate for their comfort, they can use some of these strategies to create a sensory-friendly environment that allows their child to enjoy their birthday celebration comfortably. Happy Birthday!