In fact, we rounded up 55 pandemic birthday ideas for you. Some of them are simple, some are virtual ideas you may have never thought about (think fun birthday Zoom backgrounds to start) and others are outdoor activities and over-the-top birthday appropriate splurges you or someone who is celebrating their birthday might like. Don’t forget some birthday freebies too! So even though 2021 won’t be the birthday you imagined having, it’ll be no less memorable. Check out our 55 pandemic birthday ideas below and see which one is perfect for you! Trust us, you’ll be glad you found a way to celebrate your birthday during COVID.
55 Pandemic Birthday Ideas
Go balloon crazy It’s true: balloons and birthdays go together, no matter how old you are. That’s why you should check out a place like Balloon Saloon to help make your day even more special. They create the cutest balloon bouquets and arrangements that range from simple to outrageous that you can decorate your place with so even if you’re staying in, you’ll feel extra loved.
Go camping If you live somewhere warm or your birthday is in the summer, celebrate it outdoors! You can sleep under the stars, roast marshmallows, and get some fresh air. It’s not for everyone, but it’s a great alternative if you’re trying to come up with something interesting and cheap to do. Plus, wouldn’t it be fun to have your friends sing you happy birthday while you’re sitting around a campfire?
Have a virtual luau Since going to Hawaii isn’t an option for your birthday this year, bring Hawaii to you and your friends! How? By sending leis to all of your friends, and having them all dress in their best Hawaii apparel for your Zoom birthday party. 4. Head to the theater Celebrate with show tunes thanks to BroadwayHD! You can have a front-row seat for your birthday at one of 300 shows. So take your pick, get dressed up and enjoy your virtual trip to one of NYC’s most treasured shows.
Have a birthday scavenger hunt Being stuck in your house for your birthday might make you a little bummed, but you can make the most of it if you think outside-the-box and get creative. One way to do so is with a b-day scavenger hunt. Have your significant other or your roommate place clues around your house that lead to your gifts to make your pandemic b-day more fun.
Birthday drive-by parade While this may seem complicated, it’s really not! Just ask your friends to drive by your house with their cars decorated since they can’t physically all be at your house for a birthday party. They can use balloons, car paint and cardboard to create unforgettable birthday messages. It’ll be something you’ll never forget.
Go ice skating If your birthday falls during the winter months, there’s nothing better than going ice skating with your boyfriend/girlfriend. It’s romantic, gets you out of the house and is entertaining no matter if you’re good at skating or not. You can even get some hot chocolate afterward.
Plan a photo shoot Say cheese! Your birthday is the perfect time to channel your inner star and get all glammed up for a photo shoot. You can set your phone to self-timer or have someone take photos for you. Either way, when you’re through you’ll have something you can frame afterward.
Take a birthday cooking class If you enjoy cooking, a virtual cooking class is a great way to spend your birthday! You can hire a professional chef to teach you how to make a meal you’ve always dreamed of having via Zoom. Talk about a delicious way to spend your b-day.
Have a tea party If you’re trying to think of something you and your closest girlfriends can do for your birthday, consider having a virtual tea party! You can all pretend you are in London and have tea and biscuits while you’re all decked out in dresses and hats. Don’t forget to have birthday tea while you’re at it.
Dance your heart out Put on your favorite music, and FaceTime or Zoom a friend so you can both dance like nobody is watching. And since you’re staying home, you can stay in your pajamas for your dance party. It’ll be both fun and memorable.
Enjoy a picnic party Picnic services have been popping up all over the country since the pandemic began, so why not have one for your birthday? They’ll set it up, provide food and sometimes even wine so you can have a special and picture-perfect moment to ring in your big day.
Take a risk Instead of having a typical birthday, be fearless and do something a little scary, like skydiving or rock climbing or scuba diving. It’ll make your birthday even more special knowing you conquered something you never thought you would.
Pamper yourself Your birthday is a day that should be 100% about you! That’s why treating yourself to some R&R is mandatory. Take a bubble bath, give yourself a facial, paint your nails and enjoy a no-stress day.
Get wild Get out of your house and spend the day with some of your favorite animals at the zoo! You can even have a friend or two join you if you all agree to socially distance yourselves and wear masks.
Channel your crafty side There’s no better time to get your DIY on than your birthday. And the good news is you can sign up for a private painting class, pottery class, or cake decorating class if you promise to wear your mask. How fun does that sound? 17. Stay at a hotel Even if you just reserve a room for one night in your hometown at a hotel, you’ll be surprised how fun it can be. Just being outside of your home where you’ve been quarantining for one night on your birthday will make you feel pampered and like a queen.
Have a virtual birthday brunch If you’re a fan of brunch, host a virtual one for your birthday. Have all your best friends jump on Zoom with their favorite brunch foods and mimosas or you can all order in the same meal. Nevertheless, having a birthday brunch will be almost as good as going out.
Go to a sporting event Are you or someone you love a huge sports fan? If so, consider having a photo cutout made that can sit in your favorite team’s stadium. That way even though you can’t physically be there on game day, you can still be there…as a cutout! You can even have several friends and family get cutouts too so it’ll be like a family outing. Then, on game day make sure to look for yourselves in the stands.
Take a hike Grab your masks and hit the trails. You can do it alone or with some friends if you socially distance from one another. It may not be your typical way to celebrate, but it’ll still be fun and an adventure you can all have together. You can even plan it out so you can see the sunrise or sunset.
Ask for breakfast in bed How great would it be to start your birthday off with breakfast in bed? Whoever is at home with you can treat you to all your favorite foods and bring them to you so you can enjoy them in the comfort of your room while you’re watching your favorite Netflix show.
Host a costume party 23. Send a Piñata-gram If you know someone getting ready to have a birthday, send them a Piñatagram! For as little as $19.99, the company will ship them a cute piñata that is filled with candy. It’s something totally unexpected that they will love! A post shared by Piñatagrams™️ (@pinatagrams) View this post on Instagram
Go under the sea Don’t worry, you won’t have to get wet to enjoy a sea-venture for your birthday. How? Check out an aquarium! Just make sure to wear your mask since you’ll be inside.
Spend your birthday in an Airbnb A weekend getaway is a great way to celebrate your birthday in style! Check out Airbnb to see what listings nearby are available and then book your favorite space. You can even have a friend or two join you if you all get Covid tests before.
Go on a road trip This idea may take a little research and planning beforehand, but if you’ve always dreamed of going on a road trip, why not do it for your birthday this year? You’ll be able to see so many sights and make tons of memories while you’re at it.
Rent a car If you’re someone who loves cars but doesn’t want to spend a ton of money on your dream ride right now, consider renting one for the day! It’ll be an awesome birthday gift to yourself and all of your friends will be jealous when you send them a pic of yourself in the driver’s seat.
Take flying lessons Flying on a plane to another city might not be something you want to do right now, but taking a private flying lesson could be fun if you want to be a bit of a daredevil on your birthday. Lessons usually start at $110 and there are over 40 flight schools all over the United States that you can sign up to take one at.
Have a cocktail party You don’t need to be at the bar to have a cocktail for your birthday. Instead, celebrate with your friends by having an online cocktail party. You can even find a b-day cocktail recipe on Pinterest and send it out to your friends so you can all drink the same thing.
Spend it at a flower field Forget getting a bouquet of flowers and go to a flower field instead! From tulips to sunflowers, there are different flower fields open during the year so if you’re interested, see if there is one by you. While you’re there you can take photos and even collect a few blooms to bring home.
Go on an online shopping spree Buy yourself a gift (or two!) from the comfort of your home by shopping online. You can shop until you drop the entire day if you want without having to do your makeup, get out of your PJs or even get out of your bed. Sounds good, right?
Go skiing Hitting the snow trails is something you can still do with your friends or as a family even though your birthday is during a pandemic. So no matter if you’ve been skiing your entire life or have never gone before, consider trying it out. It’ll not only get your blood pumping, but it’ll make you feel like you’re inside a magical snow globe. 33. Take a museum tour Not all museums are open right now to the public, but a lot of them are offering virtual tours! So even if you don’t live in a huge city, you can still take advantage of an online museum tour to celebrate your birthday where you can be surrounded by some of your favorite artists.
Go fishing A relaxing day out on a boat in a lake or at sea could be an amazing way to spend your birthday. You can go alone or with a friend and spend a couple of hours doing it or make a whole day of it.
Sip on wine There’s no denying it, having your birthday at a vineyard is hard not to enjoy, so don’t let being quarantined stop you from doing that this year. You can still make a trip to wine country by having a virtual experience or you can find one that you and your friends can safely social distance yourselves at to go to.
Take a trapeze class If you live near N.Y.C., L.A. or Washington D.C., join the circus for your birthday and go to trapeze school for the day! It’s a high-flying experience that will leave you wanting to do it again and again.
Have a yoga retreat If a zen birthday is what you’re seeking, look into going on a yoga retreat. There are tons of different ones for you to choose from and they all last a different amount of days, so you’re sure to find the best one for you.
Enjoy a paint and sip class There’s no better time to sign up for a paint and sip class than on your birthday! You and your friends can all be in the same one virtually and create a masterpiece. The best part is, all the equipment will be sent to you in advance so you don’t have to worry about rounding it up beforehand. 39. Go horseback riding Giddy on into your birthday by going horseback riding. Even if you’ve never been before, you’ll have a blast and even make a new furry friend along the way.
Spend it on the green Grab some clubs and show off your putting skills while playing minigolf. Or if you’re really into golf, play all nine holes at your local golf course.
Have a low-key beach day Pack a cooler with all of your favorite drinks and snacks and head to the beach (or a lake) for some fun in the sun. You can spend the afternoon soaking in Vitamin D, reading a good book and enjoying the water.
Go kayaking Call up a friend and go kayaking to celebrate your birthday. It’s something different that will make your day extra enjoyable and provide you with lots of pretty scenery as you paddle.
Book an animal encounter Have you always dreamed of getting up close and personal with a penguin or a giraffe? If so, see if a zoo near you is offering an animal encounter that you can schedule for your birthday. Even if they don’t offer it in person right now, lots of zoos are arranging virtual animal meet and greets, so there’s a good chance your wish can still be granted.
Have a b-day roast A fun idea for a birthday that everyone will enjoy is a b-day roast! If you plan on having a small party online with longtime friends, this is a fun chance for them to share some silly memories they have with you.
Hire a fortuneteller Set up a Zoom with your closest girlfriends and invite a fortuneteller to join you! Make sure to have a list of questions prepared to ask her and get ready for a birthday like never before.
Get a makeover This birthday, treat yourself to something you’ve always wanted to try, like getting eyelash extensions, coloring your hair, getting a new ‘do or scheduling a microblade session. You’ll feel like a fresh version of yourself!
Go tree climbing If you aren’t afraid of heights or you want to conquer your fear of heights, check out a treetop adventure course! It’s a challenging and fun way to spend your birthday as you make your way across rope bridges, platforms and zip lines.
Go bowling You don’t have to be an amazing bowler to love this game, which is why it’s a great activity to do on your birthday. You can even have a little friendly competition to see who gets the most strikes.
Take a jewelry making class What’s better than getting jewelry for your birthday? Making a piece of jewelry yourself! And while it might seem hard, it’s actually not if you have the right tools. Plus, if you and your siblings or friends all make the same thing, it’ll be an amazing keepsake you can all have.
Escape in a good movie Having a virtual movie night is so 2021! Head over to Netflix Party and you and all of your closest friends can watch a synchronized movie together. There’s also a chat room where you guys can write comments while you’re watching it together, so even though you’re apart on your birthday, it’ll be as if you’re all there together.
Rent out a roller-skating rink Transport yourself back to the ’70s for your birthday by renting out a roller-skating rink this year for you and your quarantine crew to enjoy. You can even dress up in disco attire as you skate around.
Have cake Have your cake and eat it, too! No matter if you buy one at the store, order a slice from Seamless or bake up one yourself, having a birthday cake is a must. It’ll instantly make you smile and is something even the pandemic can’t take away from you having it.
Have a birthday week Just because your birthday is on one day, that doesn’t mean you can only celebrate it on that day. That’s why a birthday week is calling your name. Plan something fun to do each day that makes you happy. It can be something little or something big, anything that makes you feel special is perfect.
Have a cookout Calling all foodies, what’s better than having a BBQ to ring in your birthday? It’s something you can do at home and you can find amazing recipes online to try out.
Take a birthday trip overseas…virtually Have you always dreamed of taking a trip to another country on your birthday or is it your tradition to travel somewhere on your b-day every year? Even though we’re in a pandemic, you can still take a trip…kind of. With a little creativity, you can feel like you are somewhere else, like France. Just visit woyago.com and you can set up activities that you can do from the comfort of your home. Check out…25 Virtual Birthday Party Ideas150 Birthday Quotes135 Birthday Freebies30 Birthday Zoom Backgrounds50 40th Birthday Ideas
