How to celebrate children's birthday on the camino?

I'm no good with kids, and don't have any myself. It will depend on their preferences, obviously. However....

...there was an albergue somewhere (maybe Rabanal) that had stones in the courtyard painted to look like ladybirds. These were oval smooth stones 2/3 painted red with black spots and other third (the face) was black with white eyes and smiley face.

The ones in the albergue were huge, but there's no reason why you couldn't replicate it on a much smaller scale with little rounded pebbles. Your younger child might enjoy it especially. You could prepare a little purse with, say, 20 pebble ladybirds and they could leave one on each waymarker they pass on their birthday. Either prepare them before you leave home, or the kids could collect and paint them the day before. You'd just need some little tins of model paint or similar. And a brush.

Sorry, I've had a couple of beers. Just an idea.

Buen Camino!

Spaniards like having children around ( no problem at all bringing children to a restaurant , not like in some other countries ). So maybe , when in a restaurant , order a special dessert and put a candle on it. Let other customers ( or fellow pilgrims in albergues ) sing happy birthday to the kids. They are still in that age that they will not feel embarrassed... :wink:
When in a larger city you could take them to a movie?
Most importantly : the best gift will be the Camino on itself...something they will only understand a couple of years later from now.

Good luck...

In very remote New Mexico, a father in our group celebrated his son's birthday with freeze dried ice cream. Since it was strictly backpacking, he needed something light weight to carry for a week! In Spain you can get the real thing, so a song, cake, and ice cream will work anywhere you find yourself.

My experience in Spain is that they adore children.
Go for a meal and quietly let the restaurant folk know that it is a birthday and quietly order a special dessert and watch what they do!

Is common in Spain for a celebration food item like cake to have sparklers put on it rather than candles - marvellous! Your children will love it!

Or ... find out where there is an outdoor swimming pool ahead and take the day off there to swim and frolic?
Or ... Make an "it's my birthday" hat and if they wear it all day they will be greeted and cheered all the way!
Or ... take lots and lots of birthday balloons secretly with you and cover all your packs on that day so you become a procession ...
Or ... stay in a hotel that night, one that has satellite tv and tune in to their favourite cbbc programs whilst eating super-cold ice cream out of tubs ...
Or -....
Or - crikey - any parents that take their children with them on Camino for the family thing and the wonderful experience don't need any hints - you'll be fine :wink:

Buen Camino!!!!

Thetravelingfamily said:

They will be turning 7 and 9, any thoughts on how to surprise them with something special along the trip?

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It depends upon where you are at that moment. Talk to the hospitaleros or owners of the place where you will be at the moment of celebration and ask them what could be an original birthday celebration in that area. People live there and obviously arrange their childrens' "fiestas de compleaños" according to their local possibilites. What better than getting the locals involved?