Birthday Countdown Calender

Celebrate your child's birthday all month long with a countdown calender that gradually turns from a plain black-and-white poster to a colorful bundle of balloons as the big day approaches.

If your child was born on one of the first days of the month, start two to four weeks ahead in the previous month. A general 15- to 30-day rule of thumb is a good starting point as well.

Supplies

Poster board
Black permanent markers
Small round cookie cutter or other round, flat object
Craft foam
Removable Glue Dots®

Directions

Step 1: In pencil, sketch out the calendar on the poster board. You will need to trace as many small circles as there are days until the child's birthday. If you don't have a small cookie cutter, use any small circular object -- I used a vitamin bottle cap.

Step 2: Write "Countdown to [Child's] Birthday!" in the area over the circles and the child's birth date at the bottom, under the circles.

Step 3: Sketch "knots" under each circle so they look like balloons (they're just tiny triangles). Draw lines for string under each balloon, bringing them together over the birth date.

Step 4: Once your sketch is finished, go over everything in black permanent pen. I used a super-fine and a fine-tipped Sharpie.

Step 5: Write numbers inside of each balloon to indicate dates until. You can put the numbers in order, or you can jumble them up. Put the final number -- the birthday -- near the top so that it's most prominent.

Step 6: Trace your circles on foam board in assorted colors. You'll need one foam circle for each corresponding circle (or balloon) on the poster. If you like, you can make the birthday circle special by using glitter foam or decorating it in another special way.

Step 7: To use the countdown poster, apply a Removable Glue Dot to the back of a foam circle each day and press it to the circle that corresponds with the day. Check out this video for a quick how-to on using Glue Dots®.

Step 8: Each day leading up to the child's birthday have him or her tack on an additional balloon. By the child's birthday, there will be a colorful bunch of balloons!

This idea was sponsored by Glue Dots®