See Photos of Piper and Parker’s Birthday Parties, Plus Get Tips from Drew and Linda
This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive commission for purchases made through these links. Price at time of publish date may change.
This year marked some big milestones for Drew Scott and Linda Phan’s kids, who celebrated their birthdays with the most adorable themes, thanks to the kids’ party ideas from Mom and Dad. Parker turned 3 years old on May 4, and Piper celebrated her first birthday on May 21. Needless to say, Drew and Linda had to go all-out for their kiddos.
Drew and Linda were so excited to host friends and family for their big days. But there was a lot to do! They had to come up with cute kids’ party themes, plan the birthday party decor and cake designs, and make at-home DIY decorations.
“Linda and I love to craft and minimize buying new decor for every event, so we wanted this to be really handcrafted,” Drew says. “We used blue and green streamers to create the under the sea look for Parker’s party, and reused linens and pillows we had laying around to pull off a cozy feel outside for Piper’s.”
For Drew and Linda, they weren’t interested in the decor looking flawless down to the last balloon—they wanted the kids to help shape their celebration.
“Perfect design wasn’t the goal. It was more important that Parker and his cousins felt involved,” says Drew. “Even if it doesn’t look perfectly put-together in the end, it builds their sense of accomplishment. Parker felt so proud of himself! Plus, the decorations are handcrafted and built with heart. That personal touch means more than anything you could buy.”
In the end, they made Parker and Piper’s birthdays some truly special occasions. Here’s an inside look at everything Linda and Drew did to curate memorable, beautiful birthday parties for their kiddos—and easy tips to make your next children’s party not only look gorgeous, but be a blast for kids and parents, too.
Piper’s 1st Birthday: One Sweet Birthday Fête
Display Sweet Signage
It’s one of the easiest (and more affordable!) ways to add a signature look to your party. You can even choose a pretty decorative frame to display it in, too, for an added touch of style. Choose fonts and colors that match the theme or vibe you’re going for, or include a detail that will show up in other areas of the party. For example, Linda and Drew had a cute croissant drawing that looked like a crescent moon, with a disco ball hanging from its edge. Throughout the party, they had pastries, croissants, baguettes, and disco balls all on display.
Shop Kids’ Birthday Party Signage
Arrange a Pretty Table
Your table will most likely be a gathering place for everyone, so make it a standout! Dress the table with fabrics and linens that speak to the birthday party theme—for Piper, they decided on a ruffled edge tablecloth and striped linen napkins that pair nicely with the delicate pastel colors that are seen throughout the rest of the party. It doesn’t have to be elaborate, but thoughtful touches really help enhance the atmosphere.
Shop Birthday Table Ideas
…And Make the Kids’ Table Match!
Don’t forget about the kids’ table, too! It doesn’t have to be too matchy-matchy with the larger adult spread, but sprinkling subtle details—like the scalloped napkins and stools here—really helps tie the whole dining area together.
Create an Interactive Display
Piper’s adorable birthday party theme was inspired by French pastries, delicate pastels, and pretty florals. So what better way to embrace the vibe than with a baguette and flower station? It was a total hit (for both parents and the little ones!) and stayed on-theme while adding a unique, whimsical touch.
Shop DIY Carts and Displays
Incorporate Little Details Into Unlikely Places
April showers bring May flowers… And they were blooming on Piper’s sweet birthday cake! Her cake design was playful and dainty, and incorporated small details from her party—like the color scheme and florals—but with an artistic twist, with real flowers decorated all around. Happy first birthday, Piper!
Parker’s 3rd Birthday: Turning 3 Under the Sea
Go DIY With Cute Activities
Get creative with what you have! Drew and Linda decided to take Parker’s underwater theme to the next level and DIYed their very own “submarine” to take the kiddos on a cool ride under the sea. Their underwater submarine ride went through a tunnel of blue streamers, filled with colorful ocean creatures and bubbles, of course!
Shop DIY Decor Supplies
Get Creative With Entertainment
Parker’s sea-themed puppet show was a smash hit for everyone, including the adults! Kids and parents gathered around on cozy throw pillows and comfy chairs to watch the stuffies come to life. Something like this is easy to set up with things you have around the house already, but the payoff is huge, and it’ll create long-lasting memories for everyone.
Set Up a Sweet Themed Lounge
In another corner of the yard, Drew and Linda set up a lounge for reading and playing, with sea-themed books and toys, as well as ocean creature stuffies and lots of comfortable seating. It doesn’t take much to make a little nook feel like a cozy oasis! Even a few plush floor pillows and blankets do wonders.
Shop Cozy Corner Essentials
And Don’t Forget a Themed Birthday Cake!
What’s a birthday party without a delicious birthday cake? We love the underwater cake they had for Parker’s third birthday—complete with ocean waves, sea animals, and a sweet sailboat donning his new age. Happy birthday, Parker!
Drew and Jonathan’s Top 10 House-Cleaning Hacks for Busy Parents
It can be tricky, but it’s possible.
Read More
