As your kid’s birthday approaches, it’s normal to experience a mix of emotions. You might feel nostalgic, excited and stressed at the same time. The pressure to throw the perfect party can be overwhelming and you’ll need to make decisions about the venue, decorations, food, and activities —all of which can add up quickly.
But hosting a memorable birthday celebration without breaking the bank IS possible. Here are some budget-friendly kids’ birthday party tips to help you:
1. Host the Party at Home
One of the most effective ways to save money on a birthday party is to host it at home. Venues like fancy restaurants, zoos, kiddie gyms, and indoor trampoline parks can be very expensive. So keep the celebration at your house and use the money you save for other aspects of the party.
2. Keep the Guest List Small
Limit the number of guests to around 10 kids or even fewer. A smaller guest list means less money spent on food, activities, and party supplies.
3. Serve Light Snacks, Ice Cream and Cake Only
Schedule the party during a time when guests won’t expect a full meal, and serve only light snacks (like hot dogs), some ice cream and cake. Doing this can significantly cut down on food costs while still keeping everyone happy.
4. Create Your Own Fun
Save on entertainment by organizing your own games and activities. Utilize items you already have at home, and browse Pinterest for creative ideas. One popular activity is a donut eating contest. What you’ll do is hang small donuts from strings on a tree in your yard and let the kids have a blast trying to eat them without using their hands. Just make sure there are no ants in the area.
5. Skip the Goody Bags
Instead of giving out goody bags why not let the kids create something during the party to take home? For example, if you’re hosting a cupcake decorating party, the children can take home the cupcakes they decorated themselves. It’s fun, creative and inexpensive.
6. Shorten the Party
Keep the party to 90 minutes. This minimizes the need for extensive activities and helps you save money on entertainment.
7. Go for DIY Decorations
Create your own decorations and keep them simple and cute. Remember, kids care more about having fun than elaborate decor. In my case I looked for clipart signs on Google that matched the theme, printed them and glued them on poster boards which I then hung around the room.
8. Treasure Hunt Game
Utilize kids’ imaginations with a treasure hunt. Spray-paint rocks gold and hide them for a fun treasure hunt game. These “gold” rocks can double as party favors.
9. Stick to a Budget
Set a budget and stick to it. Whether it’s $100, $200 or more, choose an amount that works for your family. This helps you avoid unnecessary spending.
10. Plan Ahead
Plan the party in advance to save money and reduce stress. Buy supplies on sale and avoid expensive specialty stores. Dollar stores are great for party supplies, and you can also stock up after holidays for discounts on themed items.
11. Order Supplies Online
Shopping online can help avoid in-store impulse buys. Check out retailers like Amazon, Birthday Express, Bulk Toy Store, Dollar Tree, Papermart, Party Palooza, and Save On Crafts for good deals on party supplies.
12. Host some no-cost games
Instead of splurging on entertainment, opt for cost-free activities such as these birthday bash games. You can find the instructions for these games online.
- Keep-Up-the-Balloon
- Freeze Dance
- Three-Legged Race
- Musical Chairs
- Charades
- Hot Potato
- Red Rover
- Duck, Duck, Goose
- “Simon says”
All these tips should help you lower the cost of your child’s birthday celebration. But if you want a hassle-free birthday party, consider celebrating it in a restaurant. Golden Corral, for example, offers all-you-can-eat buffet with rates starting at $8.99 for kids.
So if you’re inviting 20 kids, it will only cost you $180 0 $200 (excluding tax) for a breakfast or lunch buffet. No more preparations or cleanups to do. Just let the kids have fun and enjoy all the food they want to eat including desserts like the chocolate fountain, cotton candy and ice cream.
The rates for adults is different from the children’s rates. You can find out Golden Corral prices here.
