When you have young children, there’s always an excuse to celebrate. Went pee-pee in the potty? Call the relatives. Counted to twenty? Ice cream all around.

Get extra mileage out of the mother of all milestones with Half Birthday Party Kits. The packages of paper tableware (with colorful illustrations of half slices of cake and half party hats) and shiny balloons proudly announce that your little reveler has hit the midway mark.

The loot was created by a proud Arizona grandmother and her son, who on their site give ideas on how to throw a bash six months after the big day. (Our favorite tip: Sing only half of the birthday song.)

We love the silliness of it all, especially for kids with b-days in the middle of winter (sorry, stuck inside again), over summer break (shucks, no school party), or smack-dab on another holiday (“Merry Christmas, oh, and happy birthday, Timmy”).

Now everyone can live it up to the fullest.

Available online at halfbirthdayparties.com, $4-$15.

	Surprise! There are more ways to party hearty.

BLOOM
Weekly Summer Story Hour
What: Skip the library this week and listen to books read among the flowers of the W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory.
Why: Nature nuts dig the artsy activities afterward.
When: Thurs., 11 a.m.-noon.
Where: Wright Park, 316 S. G St., Tacoma (253-591-5330). Suggested donation, $5.

INSPIRE
Get Crafty Saturday
What: Mini Matisses add creative flair to make-and-take kinetic sculptures.
Why: A peek at the Michael Cooper exhibit shows everyday objects morphed into quirky works of art.
When: Sat., 1-3 p.m.
Where: Bellevue Arts Museum, 510 Bellevue Way NE (425-519-0770). Adults, $10; children, $7; under 6, free; plus material fee, $2 or free with museum admission.

FOLLOW
The Wizard of Oz
What: Watch Studio East’s young actors breeze down the yellow brick road.
Why: The local dog cast as Toto shows off his acting chops.
When: Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 2:30 & 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:30 p.m.
Where: Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave., Kirkland (425-828-0422). Tickets at 425-893-9900 or online at kpcenter.org. Adults and children, $15.

Photo: Courtesy of Half Birthday Parties