For a winter birthday, plan an indoor party around one theme, a few active games and a calm finish with cake. A snow day, an indoor camp-out or a summer party in the middle of winter all work at home, and a cleared room is enough space for games that need almost no supplies.
Chung TKD in New Hyde Park teaches Tae Kwon Do to children ages 2 to 13 and hosts birthday parties. Grandmaster Howard Chung, 9th Dan, has taught Tae Kwon Do since 1970 and opened the school in 1984. This guide is by Master Chris J. Chung, 5th-degree black belt.
What are good winter birthday party themes for kids?
Pick one theme and let it carry the invitation, the decorations, one game and the cake. Each of these works in a living room or a basement.
- Snow day. Paper snowflakes on the windows, white balloons, and a snowball toss with rolled-up socks.
- Indoor camp-out. A blanket fort or a tent in the living room, flashlights, and a story read by flashlight.
- Polar animals. Penguins, polar bears and seals, with a game where the kids move like each animal.
- Pajama movie party. Guests come in pajamas with a pillow, and a short movie closes the party.
- Hot cocoa party. A cocoa table with marshmallows and toppings, and paper cups the kids decorate when they arrive.
- Summer in winter. Beach towels on the floor, sunglasses and summer songs while it is cold outside.
What indoor birthday party games need almost no supplies?
Clear the middle of the room, move anything that can break, and run one game at a time with one adult leading it. Each game below needs nothing, or only things most homes already have.
- Freeze dance. Needs music. The kids dance and freeze when the music stops.
- Snowman says. Needs nothing. It is Simon says with a winter name: the kids copy a move only when the leader says "Snowman says" first.
- Animal moves. Needs nothing. The leader calls out a polar animal, and the kids waddle like a penguin, lumber like a polar bear or slide like a seal.
- Snowball toss. Needs rolled-up socks and a laundry basket. The kids take turns tossing the socks into the basket from a few steps away.
- Penguin waddle race. Needs a balloon for each child. The kids hold a balloon between their knees and waddle to the wall and back.
- Snowflake hunt. Needs paper snowflakes. Hide them around the room before the party, and the kids find as many as they can.
How do I plan a winter birthday party at home?
Plan the party in this order, so the kids always know what comes next. It works with any theme. Before guests arrive, set a spot by the door for coats and wet boots.
- A table activity as guests arrive, like decorating a cup or cutting paper snowflakes, so early guests have something to do while coats and boots come off.
- A warm-up game the whole group can join at once, like freeze dance.
- The main activity, which carries the theme, like a snowflake hunt or a snowball toss.
- Something quieter, like a story or a craft, so the kids settle before food.
- Food and cake.
- Thank-yous and favors at the door, as coats and boots go back on.
What about a Tae Kwon Do birthday party?
A Tae Kwon Do birthday party is one more indoor option for a family that would rather not host at home. At Chung TKD, every child at a birthday party, the birthday child included, goes home with a gift certificate for a free month of lessons. Our guide to what happens at a Tae Kwon Do birthday party walks through one from start to finish, and our birthday parties page has the details.
If your child asks how a black belt breaks a board, our guide to why Tae Kwon Do students break boards explains it.
Can my child keep going with Tae Kwon Do after the party?
Yes. Chung TKD teaches three programs by age: Pee-Wee for ages 2 to 3, Children for ages 4 to 6 and Youth for ages 7 to 13. Self-defense is part of class. New families start with two free trial classes, and a parent or guardian stays for both.
Book a free class online, or see the school's camps on our parties and camps page. Chung TKD is at 1527 Jericho Turnpike, New Hyde Park, NY 11040.
Questions parents ask
What can kids do at a winter birthday party indoors?
Play games that need almost nothing, like freeze dance, a sock snowball toss or a penguin waddle race, make a craft like paper snowflakes, and finish with cake. One theme ties it all together.
What is a good theme for a winter birthday party?
A snow day, an indoor camp-out, polar animals, a pajama movie party, a hot cocoa party or a summer party in the middle of winter. Pick one and let it carry the invitation, the decorations, one game and the cake.
How do you plan an indoor birthday party for kids?
In this order: a table activity as guests arrive, a warm-up game for everyone, the main activity, something quieter, food and cake, then thank-yous and favors at the door.
Does every child at a Chung TKD birthday party get a free month?
Yes. Every child at the party, the birthday child included, goes home with a gift certificate for a free month of lessons.
How many free trial classes does Chung TKD give?
Two. A parent or guardian stays for both.