Tips for a Kids Birthday Party

Birthdays and parties are fun at any age, but few of them compare to the excitement of a child’s birthday party. From games to gifts, cake to candles, there is nothing like seeing the joy in a birthday girl or boy’s eyes.

That doesn’t mean that children’s parties are all fun and games — especially for the parents. The stress of planning and paying for a child’s celebration can sometimes be overwhelming— but it doesn’t have to be. Are you looking to throw the party of the year on a shoestring budget? Think it’s impossible? Think again! These tips will guide you — and your budget — in the right direction.

Decorations

Decorations can be the perfect way to set the stage for an incredible party. Your child — and all his or her guests — will feel excitement and anticipation just from the decor. However, embellishments shouldn’t break the bank. Try these decoration ideas to stay within your budget:

• String lights: Relatively inexpensive, kids love the fairy-like charm of string lights. You can wind them through trees, drape them over a patio or string them from wall to wall. String lights will set the mood, and your guests will be all aglow with oohs and ahhs.
• Use bold, basic colors: Streamers, balloons and banners (all of which can be made or bought at your local dollar store) are great, inexpensive, way to add quantity to your decor. Save your budget for a few incredible focal points. For example, for a pirate-themed party, use basic black and red colors and then accent these basic colors with centerpiece decorations like a pirate ship pinata.
• Hang paper flowers: Using tissue paper or cardstock, you can create a festive atmosphere for a kid’s party by hanging paper flowers from the ceiling or making paper flower bouquets.

Food and Drink

Birthday parties need to offer more than just the traditional cake and ice cream to feed guests. Food and drink can often take the largest chunk out of your budget. Not only will you want to make sure kids and adults have enough snacks, but also you may need to account for food allergies. It’s a good idea to ask guests to inform you about food allergies when you send out invitations. Once you know how many guests to expect and how to balance various needs, you can plan a budget:

• Finger foods: Keep it fun and simple with grab-and-go snacks perfect for pint-sized hands or even adult appetites. From pizza pinwheels to veggie shooters, you can create easy, delicious finger foods right in your own kitchen.
• Make-Your-Own: Kids love to get creative. Save yourself some work with a make-your-own station. They can decorate their own cupcakes, dip their own candied apples, add toppings to fruit or make their own pizzas.
• Grilling: Feeding a lot of guests on a budget? Grilling out can give you the best bang for your buck. Put burgers, hot dogs and some corn on the grill and set up a condiments station. Add some chips with dip and a few fresh vegetables to make a simple but well-rounded meal for a crowd.

For those parents throwing a themed party such as superheroes or princesses, you can take any one of the ideas above and give it some extra flair. For example, you can add food coloring to the finger foods to pull in superhero colors including red and yellow for Superman or red, white and blue for Captain America. For the make-your-own station, consider adding toppings that look like crowns, wands and other princess items.

Entertainment

Keeping kids entertained — no matter the age— can be a big challenge, especially on a budget. However there are many ways you can use the very things that you already have. For example if you’re throwing a rock ‘n’ roll-themed party, you can host a “battle of the bands” with your Rock Band video game. Just remember kids like to be interactive and engaging with the people and activities that are entertaining them. Some ways you can create this engagement include:

• Tap into creative powers by letting kids design and wear their own capes at a superhero-themed party.
• Bring out the bling by giving guests a chance to decorate and wear their own crowns at a princess party.
• Get kids on the hunt for buried treasure with custom treasure maps that set them off on a backyard treasure hunt.

Even if your party doesn’t have a specific theme, you can help your guests have a good time without going over budget by hosting scavenger hunts, talent shows, bookmaking workshops, backyard obstacle courses or a movie night. Entertainment-themed birthday parties are about making memories. Get creative and thoughtful with these unique ideas, and your child will have a blast at the next birthday.