As a parent to two young children and a passionate advocate for low-waste celebrations, I’ve discovered five simple ways to make eco-friendly choices without adding stress to your party planning. These tips focus on reducing waste, conserving energy, and choosing sustainable materials—and might even save you time and money!

1. Swap Single-Use Tableware for Reusables

One of the quickest ways to reduce party waste is to say goodbye to disposable tableware. While paper plates and plastic cutlery are cheap and convenient, their environmental impact is significant.

Many single-use plates have plastic coatings, making them hard to recycle, and millions end up in landfills annually.

Switching to reusable tableware is a simple, eco-friendly alternative:

• Borrow extra cups and plates from a friend or neighbour, or check if your venue can provide reusables.
• Host a bring-your-own party where guests bring their own plates.
• Or hire a party kit from the Party Kit Network. Not only do party kits provide easy access to reusable tableware, but you may find your local kit offers a washing-up service, giving you the convenience of disposable tableware without the waste.

2. Choose Sustainable Decorations 

Balloons have long been a symbol of celebration, and kids love them (if I’m honest, I do too!). However, they come with environmental costs.

While many balloons are made from latex, which is a natural material, they are typically single-use. Balloon releases, in particular, should always be avoided, as balloons that end up as litter can harm wildlife and farm animals.

If you want to reduce your balloon use, there are plenty of fun and creative alternatives:

• Opt for bunting, tulle pom-poms, ribbons, or fairy lights to create a festive atmosphere without waste.
• Check if your local party kit or sharing library offers reusable decorations like bunting or banners.
• Paper garlands, fans, and streamers are widely available in supermarkets and can be carefully stored for use at multiple parties.

Balloon arches have become incredibly popular in recent years, and while some providers now offer reusable balloons, there are plenty of ways to create a stunning party backdrop without them.

Consider alternatives like fabric drapes, flower garlands, or paper rosettes. For more ideas, check out these eco-friendly alternatives to balloon arches.

Not only will you be reducing waste, but you’ll also save yourself a lot of puff!

3. Reduce Food Waste

Planning the food for a kids’ party can be tricky—balancing preferences, allergies, and quantities is no small task. Add to that the fear of  over- or under-catering, this can really add to the stress of planning a party. 

Food waste has serious consequences for the environment. In fact, if food waste were a country, it would be the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases. But with a bit of planning, we can significantly reduce food waste at our parties:

• Create a menu plan and try to be realistic about quantities needed, especially if your party isn’t at a regular mealtime. Online calculators can help you work out what you might need.
• Rethink sandwiches. Many kids skip sandwiches altogether, so consider reducing the number you make per guest or skipping them entirely.
• Plan ahead for any leftovers. Ask guests to bring food containers to take home extra food, or use old takeaway tubs to pack up any food that can still safely be eaten. Some party food can be frozen—even crisps and cake!

4. Eco-Friendly Party Games & Activities

Party games and crafts can generate a lot of waste and quickly become expensive, but there are plenty of sustainable ways to keep kids entertained.

Here are some ideas:

• One of the most memorable parties I’ve seen featured nothing but cardboard boxes. The kids had endless fun rearranging, building, and transforming the boxes however they liked. They played for ages with minimal adult involvement, letting their imaginations run wild.
• For craft activities, start by using up supplies you already have—your recycling bin can be a treasure trove! Alternatively, reach out to your local community swap group to see if anyone has unwanted craft materials you can rehome.
• Borrow items like reusable fabric pass-the-parcel bags or dressing-up costumes from local lending groups or friends.

As a general rule, avoiding the purchase of new items not only lowers the environmental impact of your party but also helps keep costs down—win-win!

5. Plan Ahead for Rubbish

Even with the best intentions, it’s hard to avoid some waste at a party. However, you can minimise its impact with a bit of planning:

• Bring a bag or box for recyclables to ensure they don’t end up in general rubbish. This makes it easy to take home and add to your household recycling or drop off at a local collection point.
• If you have access to a home compost bin or kerbside food waste collection, take a tub with a lid for any food scraps rather than putting them in with the general rubbish. 

Make Every Celebration Count

Hosting a sustainable kids’ party doesn’t mean sacrificing fun – it’s about finding joy in simple, thoughtful choices that benefit the planet. Whether it’s switching to reusable tableware, cutting down on food waste, or embracing timeless party games, each change adds up.

So, next time you’re planning a celebration, remember: small steps make a big difference. Happy partying!