7 DIY Party Decorations To Make Your Child's Socially Distanced Birthday Special

Birthdays and crafting are my two favourite things.

Due to social distancing, birthday parties look a little different this year...but that doesn't mean they shouldn't be special. Here are seven awesome DIY decorations to help transform your house into a family party palace.

1. Create a giant, decorative number.

Getty Images

Giant numbers are a staple of every kid's birthday party — and this DIY version makes for a great wall hanging.

Materials

– Cardboard

– Fluffy wall hangings

– Scissors

– Craft glue

– Marker

Method

1. Firstly, draw your large number onto thick cardboard and cut it out.

2. Next, cut the fluffy decorations in half and stick them onto the cardboard. Repeat this process until the whole number is covered.

3. Using wall-friendly adhesive, stick your finished number onto the wall. Alternatively, decorate the other side of your number and suspend it with fishing wire.

2. Turn your paper lanterns into ice-cream cones.

Cotton Love Studios / Style Me Pretty / Via stylemepretty.com

How adorable are these ice-cream paper lanterns?! Whether you're having a unicorn party or going for a more whimsical theme, these hangable decorations will make any space feel like wonderland.

Materials

– Paper lanterns (we recommend using white or pink ones)

– Cardboard (we recommend pink or orange)

– Paint (we recommend bright, pastel colours)

– Scissors

– Masking tape

– Craft glue

– Crepe streamers (we recommend white or pink)

Method

1. Take a paper lantern and open it up. Glue both sides together and paint different coloured lines onto them to look like sprinkles.

2. While you're waiting for them to dry, wrap your cardboard into a cone shape and stick it together using masking tape. Them paint a waffle design in white paint onto the cone. Cut off any excess from the top of your cone and glue it onto the paper lantern.

3. Taking a crepe streamer, fold it into pleats and hold them in place using masking tape. Then, putting glue onto the masking tape, wrap it around the section where the lantern meets the cone.

3. Create a rainbow backdrop.

BuzzFeed

This rainbow backdrop is the perfect way to jazz up a space for a unicorn-themed party — and to use as a backdrop for all the photos! Plus, it's super easy and quick to make.

Materials

– Crepe streamers (we recommend using red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple ones)

– Scissors

– Thin masking tape

– White crepe paper and/or balloons

Method

1. Taking a long length of the red crepe streamer, fold it into pleats and fasten it at the back using the masking tape. Repeat this process with all the different coloured crepe streamers.

2. Then, fasten the pleated red strip onto the wall in an arch, before layering the other colours over the top of it.

3. For the clouds, gently scrunch white crepe paper and adhere onto each end of the rainbow. Alternatively, blow up small white balloons and arrange them into the shape of a cloud.

4. Or — using the same colour scheme — create woolly, tassel garlands.

Getty Images

If you're going for a more refined feel, look no further than these wooly garlands. Ideal for hanging off tables or filling up blank space, these adorable decorations will last long after the party ends.

Materials

– Bundles of yarn in your chosen colour scheme (we recommend red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple)

– A4 cardboard sheet

– Rubber bands

– Sewing needle

– Thread or fishing wire

Method

1. Taking your first bundle of wool, wrap it across the length of the A4 cardboard sheet. Then, after sliding it off the board, cut across the loops at both ends, which should form a pile of woollen strands.

2. Taking one of the strands you've just cut, use it to tie a knot in the middle of the yarn pile. At this point, it should look a little like a butterfly. Holding the knot, pick up the pile so the strands dangle beneath you. Then, form a knob by securing an elastic band around the top of the tassels.

3. Repeat step 1 and 2 with all the other yarns of wool.

4. Once you've made all your tassels, thread your fishing wire or thread through the eye of a needle and sew all the knots together. Once they're on the rope, spread them out as far apart or as close together as you'd like, before hanging your garland on a wall or on a table.

5. Make your balloons sparkle.

Getty Images

Balloons are a must for every party, and a few clever tricks can really make them ~schmancy~.

Materials

– Balloons

– Glitter

– Plastic funnel

– Curling ribbon

– Helium tank (which you can hire from party places)

Method

1. For these sparkly balloons, simply put a balloon on the end of a plastic funnel and pour into it.

2. Once filled, pinch the end of the balloon and carefully inflate using a helium tank. After you've tied the ends off, wrap long lengths of curling ribbon around the knot.

If this seems like too much effort, you can also pick up this pre-made version from the Big W party store.

6. Or turn them into doughnuts.

Fancy That / Via blog.shopfancythat.com

If you're going for a quirkier theme, these hand painted balloons will definitely help set the right vibe. Plus, who doesn't love an excuse for busting out the paints?!

Materials

– White balloons

– Paint (we recommend bright colours, as well as white and black to create highlights and shadow)

– Curling ribbon

– Circular confetti

– Helium tank (available for hire from party stores)

Method

1. Firstly, inflate the balloons using a helium tank, knot the ends and attach long lengths of curling ribbon onto them.

2. Then, using different coloured paints, draw thick circles on each balloon.

3. Before they dry, sprinkle circular confetti onto the wet paint.

7. And finally, suspend a streamer wall.

My Balloon Mexico / Via instagram.com

Streamer walls can make a big impact on a small budget — as well as providing the perfect backdrop for all your party photos. In order to create your own stunning feature wall, here's what you'll need:

Materials

– A bunch of different coloured plastic table cloths (we recommend pink, red, white and gold)

– Netting

– Scissors

– Stapler and staples

– Removable hooks

Method

1. First off, unfold your tablecloths and cut them into inch-wide strips.

2. Hang your netting wherever you want your streamer wall to live. We recommend securing them in place using removable hooks.

3. Taking the cut up strips, start arranging them on the netting. Place the strips over the netting and staple them in place to secure them. We recommend beginning towards the bottom of the netting and working your way up. Also, with each new section, make sure you change the colour of the strips that you're working with.

From readymade party decorations to all your DIY needs, Big W has everything you need to make your child's birthday extra special. And thanks to their home delivery service, you can even shop online for all your birthday party needs.