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Celebrating a Golden Birthday: My Son’s 5th Birthday Construction Party

Writer's picture: Allison PowellAllison Powell

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Every parent wants to make their child’s birthday special, but when it’s a Golden Birthday—turning 5 on December 5th—it feels like an extra reason to go all out. For my son’s milestone celebration, we kept the guest list small and cozy: just his cousin, two best friends, and his two older sisters. The theme? Construction trucks, of course—a favorite in our household.


The Perfect Winter Activity

Since the party was held at home during chilly December, I wanted an indoor activity that was engaging and unique. Enter Makedo—a kids’ safe cardboard building kit with screws, hammers, and saws designed just for little hands. In the month leading up to the party, we collected cardboard boxes in all shapes and sizes, so by party day, we had a treasure trove of building materials.



The kids let their imaginations run wild in our basement, creating forts, spaceships, wings, and even cardboard armor! The Makedo tools were intuitive for the kids to use, though some parental guidance was needed for ambitious projects. It was such a joy to see their creations come to life and watch them work together.



Construction Gear and Party Favors

To fully embrace the construction theme, I found mini construction hats and vests on Amazon for the kids to wear during the party and take home as keepsakes. For party favors, I took it a step further: I ordered kid-sized Home Depot tool belts and personalized each with the child’s name. Inside each belt, I tucked a small screwdriver, a hammer, a measuring tape, a can of playdough, and some construction truck stickers. The kids loved them, and it was a practical and fun way to tie the theme together. All the items I ordered can be found on my Amazon Storefront.


The Cake: A DIY Dirt Surprise

My son requested a dirt cake, and I was thrilled to make it myself. With chocolate icing for a dirt-like look, crushed Oreo cookies as boulders, and a few mini construction trucks we already owned, the cake perfectly matched the theme. To make it extra special, I added a surprise inside the cake: a hidden layer of sprinkles and Oreo crumbles. When we cut into the cake, the colorful surprise spilled out, delighting the kids and adding an extra layer of fun to the celebration.



A Day to Remember

The party was a hit! The kids had an amazing time building and playing, and the intimate gathering allowed us to focus on what mattered most: celebrating my son’s special day. The combination of creativity, DIY touches, and a cohesive theme made the day memorable for everyone involved.


If you’re planning a Golden Birthday or any themed party, I hope this inspires you to add a touch of creativity and personalization to make it truly one-of-a-kind! Remember, spending a fortune or going overboard with decorations isn’t always necessary. If you have the means and want to, of course, go for it—but most of the time, kids don’t care too much about all the extras. They just want to have fun with their friends and feel involved in their special day. My son was included in the decisions, and that’s what made him the happiest.


For more ideas and inspiration, check out my Amazon Storefront and Benable lists. These pages are filled with thoughtfully curated recommendations to help you plan the perfect party—and your support through these links helps me continue sharing creative content!


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