Planning a party for a child can be hard, especially during the school year. There’s a lot that needs to be handled before you can have guests over, but budgeting can really put a stop to some of your plans. There’s a few ways you can silence your budget without leaving yourself in trouble afterwards though. From games to party treats, if you know how to save money on the little things then the big things won’t leave you in a financial slump. With these ten party tips your children will have the birthday party they’ve been waiting for and you won’t have to lose sleep over the cost. So, relax and let the planning begin because they’re only young for a short time and budgeting should never put a halt to your family’s happiness.
1. Plain Supplies
Kids love themes! However, going with a theme for all of your party supplies can really run your budget straight into the ground. The more guests you have, the more supplies you’re going to need so do you really want to pay double to triple the amount of money just because the item has your child’s theme on it. The worst thing is, these items are going to go in the trash can anyway. To solve the problem stick with plain supplies wherever possible. This doesn’t mean you can’t have a theme though. The best thing about plain supplies if you can buy them in just about any color, thus you can color coordinate with the theme without spending the extra cash. Another great thing about plain supplies is you can buy them in bulk whereas the plates with the superhero on them only come in a small pack. So, instead of purchasing multiple items you can get away with buy one big package of plates, napkins, cups and cutlery. You can even follow this rule when it comes to balloons, table clothes and streamers.
2. Entertainment
When it comes to kids’ parties enertainment is one of the most important aspects. If you don’t have enough activities going on your party could go sour fast, and by sour I mean sheer chaos. You don’t have to empty out your savings account to pay for entertainment though. There’s no needs for clowns, bouncy houses or anything totally unnecessary. One of the easiest ways to entertain is to dress up yourself, or have a friend or family member do so. From superheroes to princesses, this is a great way to make your child feel special. Of course, there are other ways to keep kids busy. Try basing some games outdoors if the weather allows. Water balloon fights, relay races and simple games like tag are always a hit with the kids and will help them work out some of that energy. If the weather leaves you stuck inside then try games like musical chairs, pin the tail on the donkey or set up the house for a sock war. If you’re having a smaller party then board games or games like BINGO always work out in your favor. Make sure to base the games around age group though. If all else fails, put on some music for a little dance off or let the kids sit down and watch a favored movie.
3. DIY decorations
You don’t need to go all out for decorations. In fact, making your own can be a lot of fun for the entire family. To start off, you may want to purchase poster for some Happy Birthday signs. You can place these in the yard as well as on the interior or exterior of the home. Another idea is to take a roll of paper, which you should be able to buy at a craft store, and draw on it to create a personalized table cloth. You can even have guests sign it so it becomes one large birthday card. You could also take the paper and draw a picture that pertains to the theme of the party. Once you have it all finished, tape it on the wall in the main party room for a cool look that your child will love to show off. Streamers are simple to make with tissue paper, or you could use recycled paper to create confetti. To add a really special touch try making your own party invitations, but make sure the child helps so they’re special to the guests. If you run out of ideas there’s a lot of tutorial pages online about party decor that are fun to try out.
4. Cake
For many, the cake is the most important part of the party. It gives everyone a chance to bond over the birthday boy/girl and satisfies the sweet tooth. This shouldn’t intimidate you from baking your own cake though! There’s a lot of from scratch recipes that will help you make larger batches of cake that aren’t hard to make. Of course, if you’re not up to the work then you can cheaply buy a cake mixes to help satisfy the guest list count. When the cake is made make sure to let it set before icing it. If you plan on doing a major design on the cake then try utilizing ziplocks in order to control your icing. You could also use an edible print out to suit your child’s theme. These can be purchases inexpensively at many bake stores, so make sure to call around and ask for prices. If you’re looking to save even more money on the cake then make your own icing. Its simple to do and you can use food color to make an assortment of colors. If you can’t make the cake yourself then consider buying from a bulk store, rather than a bakery or department store. These locations usually have large cakes on hand for less than $20.
5. Goody Bags
Kids love goody bags at parties, but if your budget is tight you may want to forget about them. However, if they seem to be a must have then there’s a few ways to get around the huge price tag many parents pay for them. One cheap item to add to the goody bags is a simple thank you note from your child. It will show appreciation and people will love reading them. If it is age appropriate you can always add a few balloons inside of the bag. Kids will love playing with these after the party is over. Most people attach a balloon or two to the bags which is an excellent way to get rid of some of your surplus. If you’re looking for fun things to add to the mix then try looking at a dollar store. For around $5 you should be able to find an assortment of little toys to put in the bags. You might also consider buying a bulk bag of candies for a little extra space. You don’t have to buy special bags for the treats either. Try decorating plain brown bags or wrapping the goods in wrapping paper. This is a great trick if you plan on tying a balloon to it as the ribbon will ensure the bag stays closed.
6. Food
Food can be a big part of the party, if you let it be. If you’re on a budget then you may want to stick with only serving cake. However, if you’re having a longer party or want to add food to the mix then there’s a few simple dishes you can serve. When it comes to kids you should always think small. Biscuit pizzas, finger sandwiches and chicken nuggets with fries are always a cheap and easy bet when it comes to snacking. If you’re looking for easier items to make then consider a homemade dip with fruits, veggies or chips. Remember to think simple and cheap and your meal plans will go much further.
7. Beverages
Beverages is a great place to get creative without having to worry about spending too much money. One of the best things to do is work up a batch of Coolaid. You can even choose different flavors to appease a wide variety of children. This will cost you mere cents and is pretty much kid approved automatically. If you want to add a little flair to it then consider adding some fruit to the mix. This will keep kids surprised and will fill them up more than a regular beverage. If you really want to have some fun then give your drink a name like bug juice, superhero potion or princess cocktail. Kids will love it and you can work it into the theme of the party. If you don’t know where to start then try looking up recipes online.
8. Keep it Small
When it comes to parties the smaller yours is the less you’ll have to spend. Of course, with school in session it is harder to keep parties to a minimum. Generally, it is school policy that you have to send an invite out to every child in class, but you may want to stop the invites at this level. The more classes you involve in the party, the harder it is going to be to keep it financially suitable. If you can, try to keep your child’s party private. Rather than passing out invitations at school as your child to get their friends phone numbers and mailing addresses and sent the invitations that way. This will cut down on the number of people at your party so you can plan cheaply and efficiently. If you’re worried then just keep the party within family, close friends and neighbors.
9. Stay at Home
Planning a party often mean paying deposits for locations, applying for permits and other hidden fees that can ruin the entire party budget. Rather than spending all that money on a location you should try to plan the party at home or at a relative or friend’s home. This will cut down on a whole lot of fees and will ensure the party is more controlled as you will be comfortable in your surroundings. The backyard is always a great place to decorate and plan the party, so don’t be afraid to go all out here. If you have to keep the party indoors then consider pushing the furniture out of the way to allow for more space. It might seem like more work, but you’ll be happy when the party is over and you see how much you saved.
10. Themes
Themes are a great way to give your kid a personal party that makes him/her feel special. However, they can be a bit pricey to follow. Luckily, the internet is a good source of materials that can help you make your theme come to life with only a few print outs and a little creative energy. Try looking online for wall decor, like pictures of the themed item. Put these us with a little tape and you’re ready to go. You can also find invitations, thank you cards and other party musts. One great thing to do is print out coloring pages that suit your theme as these will keep kids busy. One great idea is to print our paper dolls to use as decorations and party favors. Kids will love coloring theirs and it will make the party a real hit.
Kids love sharing their birthday with friends, so don’t pass up such a big occasion for them due to budgeting problems. There’s ways to enjoy your child’s birthday while still throwing a party that doesn’t cost you an arm and a leg. When you plan with these ten tips you may find that parties aren’t anything to be afraid of. So, enjoy the moments while they last!
