🎉 Planning a Toddler Birthday in Paradise (with a Few Sweet Twists)

Kelly B
Jul 14
3 min read

Updated: Jul 15

This month, I got to celebrate a big milestone — my baby girl turned three. We’re living abroad in the Cayman Islands, far from our usual birthday crowd and family traditions. But I was determined to make it special — Caribbean-style.

🎈Planning Ahead from Afar

Planning a party here requires creativity. While living on an island has its perks, access to certain party supplies isn’t one of them. So, I planned ahead — and I mean way ahead. I ordered everything from Amazon (thank God for Prime!) and had my brother bring the goodies on the plane: Minnie Mouse play packs, bubbles, tattoos, straws, and party favors for both her school and her birthday party.

🧁Cupcakes & Classmates

On her birthday, I brought cupcakes and snacks to her daycare — not just for her class, but for the older classes too since they all do activities together. I stayed up the night before filling 22 goodie bags with love, stickers, and slinkies. It was simple, but watching her light up as everyone sang to her made it more than enough.

🍰My First Two-Layer Cake

Now let’s talk about the cake. Whew — I decided to bake and decorate my very first two-layer cake, and of course I went with a Minnie Mouse theme. At one point, I definitely thought I was in over my head. But it came together, one layer (and crumb coat!) at a time. It wasn’t perfect — but it was cute, tasty, and Lani absolutely loved it. That’s what mattered most. I’ll never forget her smile when she saw her “Minnie cake.”

🏖️A Pool Party to Remember

That weekend, we threw her a small pool party at our apartment — just a few toddlers, friends, snacks, and the ocean breeze. Lani was all smiles the entire time. She had her Minnie Mouse ears, her cake, and even a few surprise guests… like her Uncle B who flew in just in time. The ice cream truck on island even did me a favor and stopped by and that was the perfect ending. It was bittersweet being away from the rest of our family, but watching her have fun, knowing she felt celebrated — it made it all worth it.

She’s still talking about her “Minnie party,” and honestly, so am I.

💛 A Reflection on Mom Life Abroad

Being a mom in a new country isn’t always easy. There’s culture shock, limited resources, and times where you feel disconnected — but moments like this remind me how resilient we are. Our children don’t need extravagance. They need joy, presence, and love. And as mothers, we show up with what we have — and we turn it into magic.

🌴Tips for Celebrating Birthdays Abroad or Away from Family:

Start early. Give yourself time to source supplies or ship things ahead of time.
Ask visitors to bring key items. (Think decorations, party favors, or even cake mix!)
Keep it simple. A few friends, themed items, and something sweet to eat go a long way.
Document it. Even if it feels small — these are the moments your kids will remember.
Let go of guilt. If it’s not perfect or you’re missing loved ones, that’s okay. Your love shows up in every little thing you do.

If you’re a mom celebrating milestones far from “home,” I see you. It’s not always easy, but you’re doing an amazing job. Keep showing up, keep finding joy in the small wins — and keep making memories your little one will cherish forever.

🛍 What I Used to Pull It Off – Amazon Finds

Planning a birthday party while living abroad? These Amazon goodies saved me time, stress, and helped bring the party to life — all packed in my brother’s suitcase 😅🎉