Repurposing Your Former Party Lifestyle for Parenting

Nobody comes into parenting with a clean slate. We all bring our baggage — good, bad, and downright questionable. And if you, like me, spent a few too many nights shouting, “Shots!” or turning apples into makeshift pipes, you might feel like that chapter of your life is best buried in the archives.

Wrong. Your party lifestyle was basically training camp for parenthood. If you can corral drunk friends into a cab, you can wrangle a toddler into bed. If you can mix a killer cocktail, you can whip up a smoothie with hidden veggies. And if you can handle a crowd chanting “CHUG! CHUG! CHUG!” without breaking a sweat, you’re already equipped for the chaos of mealtime with little ones.

Here’s how to turn your former party tricks into parenting hacks.

In this article:

1. Cheers! (But Make It Hydrated)

2. Party Playlist, Toddler Edition

3. Drinking Games Reimagined for Kids

Toddlers (Ages 2–4): Mini Games for Mini Humans

Preschoolers (Ages 4–6): Stepping Up the Challenge

Older Kids (Ages 7–12): Bigger Kids, Bigger Fun

 1. Cheers! (But Make It Hydrated)

In New England, the unspoken rule of drinking was simple: if someone clinks their glass against yours, you drink. No excuses, no exceptions.

Best friend too busy curling her hair to pregame? Cheers! Take a sip of that White Claw.  

Buddy won’t stop rambling about his fantasy football league? Cheers! Chug that beer, bro.

It was part playful, part peer pressure, and 100% effective at getting everyone buzzed faster.

Fast forward to parenthood, and this cultural gem has found new life. Except now, instead of booze, it’s about water, milk, or juice — and our kid is the one getting in on the action.

Kid gets distracted mid-meal? Won’t touch his water because he’s too busy plotting his next crayon masterpiece? No problem. We grab our drinks, clink them together, and yell, “Cheers!” Suddenly, he’s all in, sippy cup in hand, giggling and chugging like he’s at a juice box happy hour.

He’s so obsessed with it now that he toddles over to us with his cup in hand, shouting “Cheers!” like the world’s tiniest barfly. And who are we to say no? We’re raising a hydration champion, one clink at a time.

I’m not the only parent to my past party days. A dad in the UK taught his daughter to drink water at nursery school by turning it into a game. The kids would all grab their sippy cups, someone would chant “CHUG! CHUG! CHUG!” like they were at a frat party, and the kids would put their cups on their heads when they finished. Genius.

And speaking of parenting from across the pond… Find out if, when it comes to raising kids, the American hustle vs. European ease is better with your parenting style.  

2. Party Playlist, Toddler Edition

Back in the day, a solid playlist could make or break your night. You weren’t hitting the club until your pregame bangers were on point, and you knew exactly which tracks would get everyone hyped. Fast-forward to being a parent, and the dance floor has moved from the club at 10 p.m. to your living room at 10 a.m. — and now, it’s your toddler setting the vibe.

Thank God for Spotify because yes, there are actual toddler playlists. We’re talking everything from the classics (Wheels on the Bus, anyone?) to rave-worthy remixes specifically designed for tiny humans.

Ever heard a techno remix of Baby Shark? You’re not ready. And don’t sleep on Lenny Pearce, whose beats somehow make toddler dance parties feel like a throwback to your club days — minus the overpriced vodka sodas and questionable decisions.

So now, instead of blacking out to bass drops, you’re trying not to pull your back out keeping up with your toddler. But hey, watching your kid dance while shouting, “Again! Again!” is its own kind of serotonin hit.

Pro tip: pair this with a coffee strong enough to fuel a DJ’s afterparty, and you’ll survive the chaos. Barely.

3. Drinking Games Reimagined for Kids

Turns out, some of the drinking games that fueled your party years are just as entertaining when you swap the booze for kid-friendly drinks. These games are perfect for keeping kids entertained, burning off energy, and sneaking in a little friendly competition. You’ve already mastered these from your party days; now, you’re just adjusting for a G-rated audience.

Here’s how to adapt your old favorites based on age group.

Toddlers (Ages 2–4): Mini Games for Mini Humans

• Sippy Cup Chug-Off: Line up the kiddos with their sippy cups, yell “Chug, chug, chug!” and see who finishes their water or milk the fastest. Bonus points if they slam their cup on the table after.

• Toddler Pong: Use soft foam balls and plastic cups. No drinking required — just toss and cheer. (Though if you sneak a wine glass for yourself on the side, I won’t judge.)

Preschoolers (Ages 4–6): Stepping Up the Challenge

• Juice Box Flip Cup: Yep, Flip Cup is back—but this time, try juice boxes instead of Solo cups. Flatten them a little, take a sip, and then see who can flip the box upright on the table. (Pro tip: make the table short so their tiny arms can reach.)

• Ring of Snacks: A kinder, snack-friendly twist on King’s Cup. Spread a ring of crackers, pretzels, or fruit snacks around a large plate. Each card or turn earns a snack prize. No alcohol involved, but the sugar high will feel familiar.

• Quarters/Pennies: See who can bounce their coins into a sippy cup. No mess, just fun.

Older Kids (Ages 7–12): Bigger Kids, Bigger Fun

• Mocktail Pong: Same rules as Beer Pong, but with kid-friendly mocktails. Let them mix their own juices or fizzy drinks for extra fun (and feel free to spike your own “parent version” in the kitchen).

• Backyard Pong: Break out the buckets and a soccer ball for a giant, outdoor version of Beer Pong. They aim, they score, and they burn off enough energy to sleep through the night. Win-win.

• Card Games with a Twist: Introduce them to games like Spoons or Egyptian Rat Screw. Instead of shots, the stakes could be snack prizes, extra screen time, or something ridiculous like wearing a silly hat for the rest of the game.

Obstacle Course Challenge: Turn your yard or living room into an obstacle course with stations that include games like balancing cups of water, quick trivia, or mini-challenges. Think college beer Olympics but for kids — and without the hangover.

Your party years weren’t a waste. They were your warm-up. You’ve already got the skills to handle chaos, adapt on the fly, and keep things fun under pressure. Parenting, like partying, is all about energy management, creative problem-solving, and knowing when it’s time to call it a night.

So, pour your kid that “shot” of milk, hype up their sippy cup chug, and teach them how to cheers. You’ve got this. And if you don’t? There’s always wine.

What’s your favorite way to channel your party past into parenting brilliance? Share in the comments — no judgment here. After all, the best parents are the ones who know how to party smart.