If your kids think there is nothing more fun than a day at the farm, they'll be in hog heaven when they find out what's in store for them on their birthday! That was exactly the case with Sebastian and Grace when they decided to have a joint farm birthday party. With the combined planning efforts of their parents and the helpful crew at the farm, a fun event was created that was not only exciting for Sebastian and Grace, but for guests as well... all 50 of them!
A farm party can be enriching in addition to being a barrel of fun! A plethora of entertainment and activities packaged up in a beautiful setting and a large outdoor space-- who could ask for anything more? As long your children are not afraid of animals, which are most often kept safely in their own enclosures, you should have the perfect setting for an enjoyable birthday.
For any party, having a clear theme is key to guiding your decisions about which decorative elements to include and which to leave out. The wonderful thing about a farm setting is the range of choices, so it's hard to go wrong. For starters, consider whether your kids would like to be farmers or cowboys/girls. Either one works great!
If your child decides to be the cowboy/girl, include hats for party favors and hand them out when guests arrive. Pair them up with bandanas for that authentic dude ranch look.
For decorations, use cow-patterned fabric to dress up the tables or buffet. Create centerpieces out of straw. For plates, bandana-patterned party paper sets make a great addition. They are available at any craft or party store. Simple fun foods like hot dogs and chips are always well received. Turkey dogs and veggie chips are also a great choice if you would prefer to stay "light." BBQ food is always a crowd pleaser, as long as the farm allows outside catering.
A farm party may take a lot of planning, so start early. Or better yet, share the task with another parent for a joint birthday party venture. You'll do half the work, pay half the price, and still enjoy it to the fullest!
LOCATION
Scout out your location and make sure that it's not too far away for your guests. It took most guests 45 minutes or less to make the trip out to Augusta, Missouri, for the party featured here.
GUESTS
A farm party is appropriate for children of many different ages and since the party may be practically an all-day event (considering drive time) you may wish to give the option for parents to bring siblings. If budget allows, include the siblings in your guest list. If not, let the parents know on the invitation that there is an additional admission fee. Most will be happy to pay it and grateful not to have to arrange childcare.
ACTIVITIES
Most farms have a specific activity list for party packages. Activities such as hay rides, barrel rides, craft projects, corn shooters, slides, horse riding, cow milking, and more may be part of your party package. However, you may find that some activities are not suited for your children. Talk with the farm representative about all your options. Substituting sing-alongs or hiking short nature trails can be a suitable replacement for an activity that may not be right for your child or other partygoers.
VENDORS
Farm : Aholt Farms, Augusta Missouri
Catering : Aholt Farms
Invitations : Slice of Lime Design
Balloons : Remington's Balloons
