How To Throw A Fun Eco-Friendly Party

We're ready for a summer of parties, are you? Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, the end of term, or just having a get-together, PLAYin CHOC will make the day more fun, and help keep your festivities planet-friendly. Here are our top ten tips for making your big day sparkle.

1. Use sustainable cutlery & decorations

Love parties, hate waste? Hire cups, plates, bowls, linen and decorations from nonprofit organisation The Party Kit Network. Their sets of colourful, planet-friendly reusables are lent by individuals, small businesses and community projects, and reduce both the carbon footprint of your party and the waste going to landfills.

2. Save energy - have an outdoor party

Not only are alfresco celebrations safer health-wise but there will also be less chance of breakages, fewer spills to clean up and less entertainment needed - plus you aren’t increasing your carbon footprint by using household appliances. Tree climbing, stone skimming and discos under the stars are all energy-saving ways of keeping everyone happy for hours.

3. Save YOUR energy - a problem shared is a problem halved

Ask friends to help; other parents, aunts or uncles are all usually happy to lend a hand to make an event go with a bang. Allocate tasks beforehand, and keep things super-simple; you might ask each person to run one game, make something to share, be in charge of music or fill up drinks.

4. Go wild and have a bushcraft-themed party

Forest schools, community centres and dedicated survival skill companies can provide bespoke experiences depending on age and experience; perhaps you might try foraging, fire-lighting, shelter-building, or roasting marshmallows. These activities promote eco-awareness with focus on fun.

5. Prepare eco-friendly games in advance

They can be super-simple – hide dried peas around your party area and give a prize - such as a plastic-free PLAYin CHOC for each one found – or create your own scavenger hunt or treasure hunt.

6. Improvise simple games on the go

Make sure you have a source of music on hand – bring a phone ready to stream music and a Bluetooth speaker – and you’re all ready for an impromptu round of musical bumps or musical statues. If everyone’s tired, play Sleepy Lions; everyone lies on the ground and remains perfectly still. If you’re spotted moving, you’re out. No need for lots of single-use accessories with these simple games.

7. Try some fun arts and crafts

Large-scale creations are perfect for parties. Make your own chalk graffiti wall, gather natural materials to make a big collage, or decorate brown paper-bag masks animal-style and hold a wild parade.

8. Weather not on your side? Embrace the rain

Make sure everyone comes dressed in waterproof clothes and splashes in puddles. End the party with a riotous mud fight (you may have to prepare your apologies to party goers’ parents). An amazing leave no trace activity for excitable children!

9. Plan ahead for allergies

Never assume that everyone is reaction-free. Have nut-, gluten- and dairy-free alternatives on hand. PLAYin CHOC chocolate is free from common allergens; one less thing to stress over! PLAYin CHOC chocolate is free from the top 14 allergens and suitable for virtually all kids; one less thing to stress over - plus they are zero waste too!

10. Give sustainable party favours

Give thoughtful party favours that will put a wide smile on your guests’ faces. Ditch the plastic bags full of single-use toys and sugary treats for PLAYin CHOC ToyChoc boxes. Each eco-friendly box combines four elements to work as an all-in-one present. The toy is fun, the chocolate outrageously delicious, the stencil encourages creativity, and there’s even an element of learning; each box contains an eye-popping facts card about endangered species, woodland animals, rabbits or dinosaurs!

Want to know more about eco-friendly party favours?

If you want a sustainable, planet-friendly gift to give to your party-goers, we’ve got a great range for you to choose from. See our party favour chocolates here.