Arts and crafts birthday parties growing more popular

For some kids, a birthday may be all about the cake or the games - but others just want to get creative.

At the request of their kids, more parents are including arts and crafts activities into their birthday party planning, according to an article in the Spokane, Washington newspaper the Spokesman-Review.

Some craft stores offer package deals for children who want to use clay, paper or beads to celebrate turning a year older. At certain shops, you can even choose from themes including pirates and princesses.

Meanwhile, some families prefer to buy their own materials and unleash guests to make what they want. This could involve buying some poster paints and providing smocks, or it could be as easy as setting out old magazines and glue and inviting kids to make their own collages.

Janean Jorgensen Schmidt told the newspaper her daughter Genevieve - a kindergartner - asked if she could have her birthday at her art teacher's studio, making clay tiles.

"We could just have cake and a pinata in the back yard, but I'd rather invest what small birthday budget we have into a great experience for her and her friends - something that will give them great memories," she said.

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