Q. My daughter is going to be seven-years-old in January and I am not sure how to celebrate it. We usually have had a birthday party, but this year it doesn’t seem like a safe idea. Do you have any ideas on how to make it a fun day for her?

There are a variety of ideas for making the birthday fun and memorable, while following coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic safety guidelines.

An organized vehicle drive-by greeting by friends, family, neighbors and classmates was suggested by panelist Chad Stefanyak.

Well-wishers could drive by at a designated time and offer their congratulations from their vehicles. They could place cards and presents in a bag or box with a designated person at the meeting site. No one is to get out of a vehicle. “Guests” will each be handed a bag of goodies or prizes.

If the family wants a birthday cake to give out at the drive-by or for a small group party at an outside facility, cupcakes are a simpler and safer choice, panelist Erin Stalsitz recommended.

A number of places that provide birthday parties include the do-it-yourself ceramic place along Third Street in South Bethlehem, according to panelist Joanne Raftas. “They can book guests so that there is safe social distancing. Everyone would be expected to wear an appropriate pandemic mask.“

The Lehigh Valley Zoo, Schnecksville, was mentioned as a place to hold a small group celebration during the evening Christmas lighting display. There is ample physical space to maintain social distancing.

“Some movie theaters are open,” Raftas said. “The parents may be able to rent a small theater at a reasonable price to watch a movie.”

Panelist Pam Wallace recommended a Zoom birthday party or a Zoom sing-along. It could include the birthday child blowing out candles and the Zoomers singing “Happy Birthday” in unison, Wallace said.

Raftas suggested giving the children disposable cameras to take photos to post online, or to make up a story with the photos, with each child telling part of the story on Zoom.

Stefanyak proposed making the child’s favorite meal followed by a movie night at home, or going for a day drive somewhere, saying, “It depends on what the girl is interested in.”

Stalsitz said doing any of these suggestions would require the parents to facilitate arrangements well in advance. “It’s also a good idea to talk to the other parents to determine what they would be comfortable doing,” Stalsitz added.

This week’s panel: Pam Wallace, program coordinator, Project Child, a program of Valley Youth House; Denise Continenza, extension educator; Joanne Raftas, Northampton Community College, independent counselor, and Chad Stefanyak, school counselor.

Have a question? Email: projectchild@projectchildlv.org

The Family Project is a collaboration of the Lehigh Valley Press Focus section and Valley Youth House’s Project Child.

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