Yoga and eco experiences the hip new party trends for kids but they don’t come cheap

Traditional birthday parties in the backyard are a thing of the past as parents search for more meaningful ways to celebrate.

Traditional birthday parties in the backyard are becoming a thing of the past for parents seeking a more “meaningful” way to celebrate their little ones big day.

And, it seems that northern beaches parents are leading the way with yoga, bushwalking and snorkelling as new favourites.

Yoga teacher Pia O’Connor, who runs Young Yogis, said parents were looking for something that was “meaningful and physical”.

The traditional sugar-fuelled birthday part is on the way out.

“With yoga, everyone is involved and we hold them outdoors in different parks,” said Mrs O’Conner, 37, from Freshwater.

“A yoga party is a healthy alternative. It helps build strength and improve balance. But we also have a lot of fun and we can still play traditional games such as musical yoga mats.”

Damien McClellan, 31, who runs Eco Treasures specialising in eco tourism on the northern beaches, began hosting bushwalking, snorkelling and paddle boarding parties for kids after requests from parents.

It’s yoga time. Flynn O'Connor, 5, and Sibilla Nelson, also 5.

“Instead of laser tag and tenpin bowling, parents are looking for something different, educational and outdoors,” he said.

“From my experience the biggest challenge for parents is getting children off their phones and iPads.

“With us they get to engage and learn about nature and they absolutely love it.”

Mr McClellan, who now lives in Queenscliff, but has lived on the northern beaches all his life, said during bushwalks he would use binoculars to help spot wildlife, point out edible plants and discuss conservation and the different eco systems.

Snorkelling parties were also popular at Cabbage Tree Bay, off Shelly Beach and paddle boarding at The Basin, was great for children who were scared, said Mr McClellan, as the water was always calm there.

A bushwalking birthday party with Eco Treasures.

Kids are having more eco birthday parties such as snorkelling, bushwalking and paddleboarding.

The cost isn’t cheap though, with a two-hour yoga party costing $150 and eco parties starting at $40 a head.

Annika Coulson, mum-of-two, who runs Northern Beaches Kids Guide, said she had noticed that parties which involved sport, such as soccer skills, were popular because they were a “healthy” option.

“I think yoga and eco birthday parties sound like a good idea. We live in such a beautiful environment it would be a pity not to make the most of it,” she said.

Birthday yoga parties are taking off on the northern beaches.

Superman does the Superman pose at a yoga birthday party.

But, she also suggested parties these days were not cheap, with most parents finding the process extremely stressful.

“Parties are too competitive,” said Mrs Coulson, who said it wasn’t just the children she had to impress, but the parents too.