Tips to Throw a Birthday Party on a Budget

These Tips to Throw a Birthday Party on a Budget might come in handy for your next party. From number of guests to invite to activities to food to loot bags these Tips to Throw a Birthday Party on a Budget include cheap and easy birthday party ideas your kids will LOVE…

Tips to throw a birthday party on a budget

How do you choose how many kids to invite?

The whole invite-everyone-in-the-class party thing is expensive. And requires a location with lots of space (which means you probably have to rent a party place). The issue is coming up with a magic cut off number. And one the kids’ won’t dispute.

Think about this magic equation for birthday party invites:

child’s age + 1 or maybe 2 to include sibling(s) = number of guests

So if your child is turning 6 the magic equation is:

6 + 1 sister = 7 guests

That’s it. You can have 7 guests. Done.

And if you have the problem of having many siblings/cousins…then consider having a family-only party and a separate friend-only party.

Cheap and easy birthday party ideas your kids will love

Activities:

• Backyard play date: Play with the outdoor toys you already have. Think: your swing set, tents, play parachute, hula hoops, balls. You can have a general play-a-thon. Or set up something official like a DIY OLYMPICS AT HOME FOR KIDS.
• Indoor party: rotating stations in your house is a good way to make an indoor party fluid.  Put a plastic table cloth on your kitchen table and set up this DIY INITIAL CRAFT FOR KIDS (it can be taken home as part of the loot bag!). Then move downstairs to play with balloons in the rec room (related: 10 WAYS KIDS CAN PLAY WITH BALLOONS). Then, while the kids are downstairs — have someone re-set the kitchen table with a new table cloth and set up cupcakes that can be decorated with this HOW TO MAKE RAINBOW ICING DIY.
• Egg race: use leftover plastic Easter eggs and large spoons for an egg race.

Check out my Boredom Busters books (at your local library or bookstore) for more cheap and easy birthday party activity ideas.

Low cost food ideas for a birthday party

• Plan party from 2pm – 4pm. That way you only have to serve light snacks, cake & drinks.
• Host a birthday brunch (10am-12pm). Pancakes and waffles are low budget and easy to make in big batches.
• If you are serving bulk food snacks (popcorn, pretzels, trail mix) – have kids use dixie cups are scoop-ers and bowls (it’s a 2-for-1). It’s fun plus it means you don’t get little hands in all the snacks.
• Instead of buying pop — opt to give kids water — it’s better for them and quenches thirst.

Loot bags

Loot bags are a huge thing for kids. Personally, I generally give one snack to eat on the way home + a toy they can enjoy. For my son’s last birthday party loot bag (he turned 7 ) the loot bag contained: a nut-free granola bar + a Lego minifigure to put together and then play with later. Have a look at my list of LOOT BAG IDEAS for some inspiration on low budget (but high fun) loot bag ideas.

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