If current restrictions carry on much longer, it's safe to say that pretty much everyone will have 'enjoyed' a lockdown birthday to some extent.
But for parents it can mean panicking to make sure your little one still has a great time on their special day.
But fear not parents - we have got you covered.
Here's our best 10 ideas for making your little one's lockdown birthday special.
Birthday drive-by
Making birthdays special since March 2020! If you know enough of their friends' parents why not get a small group of them to decorate their cars and drive by, beeping horns and singing Happy Birthday. It always makes the birthday boy or girl feel special.
Video messages
A great way of keeping in touch and if you get your child's friends and family to pre-record their messages they can keep them forever. Not that a quarantine birthday would be one to forget!
Zoom party
Not quite the same as having their friends over, but definitely the next best option. Get them together via video call and watch their wee faces light up with laughter.
You could even plan some fun virtual games for them to take part in, depending on their age, which leads us nicely on to...
Games
Party games usually happen at a party, but in the absence of having friends around, be sure to get the whole family involved. All the usual party games, pass the parcel, musical statues and pin the tail on the donkey, can all be played at home.
Alternatively if you want to get their friends involved, why not plan some Zoom-friendly games, such as truth or dare.
Home deliveries
Make use of delivery services and get some of your child's best friends and family involved to send them things through the post. Local companies have really went all out during this pandemic to tailor what services they offer. So why not get treats, like cupcakes, chocolate strawberries, balloons, gifts etc, sent straight to you door.
Birthday scavenger hunt
Depending on the weather this could be done indoors or in the garden, but either way os sure to be fun.
You could give your little one a list of things to find, from simple household or garden objects, or treats and prizes you've hidden around the house.
Virtual blowing out of the candles
Just because it's not a 'normal' birthday, doesn't mean you can't still enjoy all the usual traditions - but a little bit differently. Facetime your nearest and dearest and let them watch your little one blow out their candles on their birthday cake.
Virtual game night
The virtual quiz has become the staple of lockdown entertainment, so why should a special day like a birthday be any different?
If your child isn't a quizzer why not play a game of bingo - the winning prize could be cash or maybe virtual money for the gamers in your home.
Movie night camp out
So it's too cold to camp in the garden, but there's nothing stopping you setting up a camp-out in the livingroom where you will have all the comforts of home. Snuggle up with treats, popcorn and a movie of the birthday girl or boy's choice.
Bake their own birthday cake
So whether you usually spend a small fortune on an extravagant novelty cake, slightly less in the supermarket or prefer to bake one yourself, why not, this year, let the birthday boy or girl join in with the baking of their own cake. all the ingredients can be purchased from your supermarket and is sure to be a fun-filled activity for the whole family.
