It’s no secret: children’s birthday parties can be expensive. Between the cost of food, decorations and entertainment, parents can easily spend hundreds of dollars on a single party. But it doesn’t have to be that way. There are plenty of ways to host a fun and festive kids’ birthday party without breaking the bank.
Learn how to celebrate your child’s birthday with a budget using simple tips like having a DIY photo booth, serving affordable snacks and drinks, and sending free or inexpensive invitations. With creativity and planning, you can throw a birthday party your child and friends will enjoy on a budget.
Party at home
One of the easiest ways to save money on a child’s birthday party is to host it at your home, especially if you I love your house and have space. This will eliminate room and entertainment rental fees, and you won’t have to worry about food and beverage minimums.
Be creative if you are worried about your the house is too small or not having enough activities to entertain the children. There are a lot of games and activities you can do indoors. If your child is celebrating their birthday in warm weather, have it outside, in your yard or at a park.
Avoid expensive Venuses like Skyzone trampoline parks, indoor adventure parks and water parks. Instead, consider places like churches, emergency crew buildings, and fire stations for indoor locations. They will usually allow people to use their facilities for a donation.
Choose a simple theme
Another way to save money on a child’s birthday party is to choose a simple theme. You can still enjoy all the fun of a theme party without going overboard with the decorations or activities.
For example, forgo the gourmet picnic basket and prepare a lunch from home if you are having a picnic with a teddy bear. Keeping the theme simple can to save money on decorations, food and activities.
You can try mixing activities and decoration to achieve a more profitable result. For example, you can choose a unique custom inflatable swimming pool with the design of the party theme that your child loves or a bouncy house that fits perfectly with the theme of the day. This can be a great way to get things done at once without spending extra money on renting separate items or hiring additional staff. Whichever route you decide to take, make sure you have plenty of activities and decorations that will ensure your guests have a great time.
Make the cake
If you want to save money on cake, try making it yourself. Many easy, kid-friendly cakes don’t require a lot of time or effort. And if you’re not the baking type, you can always get a cheap cake at grocery store and decorate it yourself.
Also consider baking cupcakes and, as an activity, having the children decorate their cupcakes.
Affordable snacks and drinks
When it comes to food and drinks, there are plenty of affordable options that will appeal to kids and adults alike.
I don’t party meal time. This way you can serve snacks and drinks instead of a meal.
For drinks, try serving punch or lemonade instead of soda or juice.
For snacks, popcorn, pretzels, and chips are always popular choices. You could buy small bags of pretzels and other snacks in bulk and use leftovers for lunches.
Free or Inexpensive Invitation Ideas
There are many ways to create invitations for a child’s birthday party without spending a lot of money. You can use free online invitation tools like Canva or create your invitations using construction paper, markers and glue.
You can create invitations from recycled materials like cereal boxes or toilet paper rolls if you’re creative.
Consider online invitations or a Facebook event.
Keep the guest list small
One of the best ways to save money on a child’s birthday party is to reduce the guest list.
Having a smaller guest list means you’ll need to purchase less food and drinks and won’t have to rent a larger space for the party. You can also save money on invitations by only inviting the people you want to come.
A tip is to invite your child’s number of children based on their age. So if your daughter is 5 years old, invite five children.
Dollar Store Decorations
One of the easiest ways to save money on decorations is to head to the dollar store. You can find affordable party supplies, from streamers and balloons to tablecloths and plates.
You can also find a variety of puzzles, games and toys that would be perfect for goody bags. Just be sure to shop around and compare prices before purchasing anything.
Avoid goody bags
Gift bags are a great way to thank your guests for coming, but they can also waste money. Many parents are not okay with more junkie toys clean up after the child is bored.
If you’re looking to save money, skip the goody bags and let your guests leave with their favorite piece of cake or balloon. You can also send your guests home with a fun activity or game to play.
Consider choosing an activity as the takeaway from the party. Think canvas painting, sand art, scavenger hunt prizes, or candy from a pinata.
DIY as much as possible
One of the best ways to save money on a child’s birthday party is to DIY as much as possible. From invitations to decorations, there are plenty of things you can make yourself. You can also save money on food and drinks by preparing cakes, punch or snacks.
Plan ahead
One of the best ways to save money on a child’s birthday party is to plan ahead. Starts with establish a budget and stick to it.
Then start purchasing decorations, food and drinks a few weeks in advance. This will give you time to compare prices and find the best deals.
And finally, don’t forget to send the invitations in advance!
Play simple games
You don’t need to spend a lot for entertainment for a child birthday party. Instead, try playing simple games Games which everyone can benefit from.
Games like charades, Simon Says or tag are always popular choices. And if you’re looking for something more active, you can always set up an obstacle course or organize a scavenger hunt.
Final Thoughts on Throwing Unforgettable Kids Birthday Parties on a Budget
Accommodation children’s birthday parties can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. There are plenty of ways to save money on decorations, food, and entertainment while still throwing an epic birthday party.
You can also reduce the guest list to save on costs. And don’t forget to DIY as much as possible! With creativity and planning, you can throw a birthday party that your child will enjoy.
This post was originally published on Hello Sensitive.
Sara Conklin is a Certified Financial Coach, Wife, Mom, Grammie and Founder of Frozen coins, a site she launched after a year of spending freezes. She is passionate about frugal living, budgeting, and helping others. She writes about saving money, getting out of debt, and spending intentionally. When Sara isn’t working on the business, you can find her reading, drinking coffee, and spending time with her family.
