Throwing a Kids’ Birthday Party the Made in America Way

A quick guide for parents on all things party planning; supporting domestic manufacturers and local businesses along the way.

As a mom of two elementary-aged boys, birthday parties have become a pretty regular part of life around here. We celebrated one in April, and I’m already planning another one later this month. Somewhere between ordering balloons, stuffing goodie bags and cleaning frosting off the kitchen counter, I started realizing just how many fun kids’ birthday party supplies are still made right here in the USA.

I always find myself looking for the same kinds of things: Colorful decorations, nostalgic treats, creative activities and practical party favors that kids genuinely enjoy. I also try to keep parties simple, fun and manageable for us parents because not every celebration needs to be over-the-top to feel special. Over the years, I’ve found that kids are happiest with the little things anyway, especially when it comes to bright decorations, fun activities, cake (or donuts!) and goodie bags filled with items they’ll actually play with once they’re home.

It feels good knowing some of that spending also supported American makers, family businesses and small shops along the way. Here are some of my favorite finds for decorating, celebrating and filling those goodie bags:

Decorating

In my experience, bright colors and balloons do most of the heavy lifting when it comes to creating a fun atmosphere for kids.

Paper Garland & Banners:

Empty Nest Home Goods offers handmade paper garlands and banners perfect for decorating your space. The shop also carries cake toppers, confetti and tags for those party bags and place settings. Owner Tiffany Hargrave sources nearly all of the cardstock from a local, family-owned paper business in Ohio. The best part: Custom design orders are welcome.

Balloons:

Latex balloons by TUFTEX have been proudly made in Ohio since 1915. The huge range of colors makes them perfect for everything from sports-themed birthdays to princess party setups.

Plates, Bowls & Utensils:

Dixie, made by Georgia-Pacific, is available at most retailers and always makes cleanup easier after a house full of kids.

Corelle offers durable serving platters, plates and more that can be used year after year for birthdays and celebrations.

Way to Celebrate at Walmart offers affordable, colorful paper plates and napkins for just about any birthday setup.

Preserve makes durable, reusable plastic cutlery that holds up surprisingly well during parties.

Tablecloths/Runners:

Chilewich table runners instantly brighten party tables and food stations.

The Vermont Country Store carries handwoven tablecloths made in New England that can be reused for birthdays and family gatherings for years to come.

Celebrating

The actual party is always my favorite part; the moment the cake comes out, everyone sings loudly off-key, and kids crowd around the table waiting for candles to be blown out.

Cake Stands:

Mosser Glass, handcrafted in Cambridge, Ohio, creates vintage-inspired cake stands and glassware that can become part of family celebrations for years to come.

Anchor Hocking has been making practical American glassware in Lancaster, Ohio, for more than a century, including classic cake stands perfect for birthdays.

Birthday Candles:

Big Dipper Wax Works has been making beeswax candles since the 1990s. Made in Atlanta, Ga., their birthday candles come in both traditional packs and fun numbered options.

Birthday Cards & Thank You Notes:

Julu Cards is a family-owned greeting card company based in New Ulm, Minn. Their cards are Made in the USA from recycled paper and are a simple way to keep the tradition of birthday cards and thank you notes going for kids. Who doesn’t love a handwritten card?

Wrapping Paper, Tissue Paper & Kraft Gift Bags:

Nashville Wraps offers a huge variety of gift bags, tissue paper, wrapping paper, ribbon, and packaging products with plenty of Made in USA options.

Party Bags & Favors

Party favors can easily become throwaway clutter, but over the years I’ve found that simple, creative and nostalgic items are usually the biggest hit with kids. Many of these are products I’ve personally used in our own goodie bags, and they’ve become favorites for both kids and parents alike. Some goodie bag ideas include:

Mad Libs: This popular fill-in-the-blank word game is one of those party favors that ends up being both hilarious and educational for kids.

Post-it Notes: These are great for bookmarks, scavenger hunts or little surprise notes, and kids always love them. Parents of a certain generation may also get a laugh thinking about Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion and the Post-It invention story.

Wiki Stix: These colorful wax-coated yarn sticks that kids can bend, shape, twist and stick onto smooth surfaces without any mess or glue are great for creative play, fine motor skills and keeping little hands busy.

Crayola: The crayons are a classic kid favorite, and with so many fun varieties and color options available it’s hard not to find one kids get excited about. Add a character coloring sheet with these free printables available on the Crayola website.

Silly Putty: There’s a reason Silly Putty has been around for generations. Kids still love stretching it, bouncing it and sticking it to everything.

Da Bomb bath bombs and shower steamers: These colorful bath bombs were created by two sisters who started the company as kids themselves, which makes them feel especially fitting for birthday party fun.

Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty: Crazy Aaron has been making putty since 1998, and this stuff is just as cool today. Definitely a win-win for imaginative and creative play for kids who love to fidget.

Badger lip balm: This woman-owned company has it going on! They focus on clean, organic ingredients and have built a great workplace culture at its New Hampshire facility, making these flavored lip balms a great addition to kids’ party bags.

Trend Enterprises: Retro scratch-and-sniff stickers, pocket flash cards, and other educational items made in Michigan. If you grew up in the ‘80s or ‘90s, there’s a good chance scratch-and-sniff stickers instantly bring you back to elementary school, and kids still think they’re just as fun today.

Boone’s Mill Rock Candy: Made in Indiana and feels like one of those nostalgic treats kids still get really excited about. Candy always seems to be the favorite part of every goodie bag anyway, and these were too fun not to include for my boys’ rock-climbing theme this year.

The Alliance for American Manufacturing does not receive a commission from purchases made through the above links, nor was the organization or author paid for favorable coverage.

Labeling Note: This story is intended to highlight companies that support American jobs and that make great products in the United States. We rely on the companies listed to provide accurate information regarding their domestic operations and their products. Each company featured is individually responsible for labeling and advertising their products according to applicable standards, such as the Federal Trade Commission’s “Made in USA” standard or California’s “Made in USA” labeling law. We do not review individual products for compliance or claim that because a company is listed in the guide that their products comply with specific labeling or advertising standards. Our focus is on supporting companies that create American jobs.

For more on the Federal Trade Commission’s standards for “Made in USA” claims and California’s “Made in USA” labeling law, please also read this guest post by Dustin Painter and Kristi Wolff of Kelly Drye & Warren, LLP.