2. Keep your food budget in check
When planning a kid’s birthday party on a budget, food and cake can eat up a big chunk of what you have to spend. According to one baker and blogger, the cost of a custom cake can start at $100.
Sarah Hollenbeck, who used to blog for a coupons and deals website, has some tips forkeeping food costs down when planning budget-friendly birthday parties for kids. First, set a limit on the party’s duration. This way you’re not expected to feed kids all day. Scheduling the party between regular mealtimes could also help you have a kid’s birthday party on a budget. If your party runs from 2 to 4 p.m., for example, your child’s guests (and their parents) may be satisfied with being served a snack, versus lunch or dinner.
Next, weigh the pros and cons of buying food and cake, versus making the treats yourself. Although there are ways to cater food and eat out on a budget, cooking at home is often cheaper.
“If you’re a good baker and can whip up a few cakes in no time, then purchasing boxes of cake mix at the store can save you a lot of money,” Hollenbeck says. When you compare paying $2 to $3 for a box of cake mix to $50 to $80 for a cake, it’s easy to see the savings difference. But, if you’re not the greatest chef or simply don’t have time, it might be worth it to pay for food or a cake and cut back spending in another part of your party budget.
Finally, when you’re thinking about how to plan a kid’s birthday party on a budget, consider buying food in bulk from a warehouse store. You may be able to snag party platters or kid-friendly snacks without going over budget.
3. Go with low-key fun and skip the fancy invitations
Budget-friendly birthday parties for kids can be enjoyable, even if you’re not spending hundreds of dollars to rent a bounce house or set up pony rides in the backyard. Entertainment options like letting kids swing at a pinata or having them test their limbo skills aresimple and cheap ways to incorporate fun into the day.
Holden recommends asking friends and family to pitch in and help with activities like face painting, temporary tattoos, setting up a scavenger hunt, or judging a bubble-blowing competition. Need to buy game supplies on the cheap? Check out your local dollar store’s offerings to help plan budget-friendly birthday parties for kids.
When prepping a kid’s birthday party on a budget, consider swapping out paper invitations for digital invites via email or social media, Hollenbeck says. “You’ll save money, and there’s no risk of one of the kids losing the invite before it makes its way to their parents.”
4. Decorate for less
As you’re considering how to plan a kid’s birthday party on a budget, you should note that it can get a little more complicated if your child wants a specific theme that requires buying expensive custom decorations. Holden suggests checking social media for low-budget decorating ideas. From there, you can test your bargain-hunting skills. She tries to pick the birthday party theme well in advance to give herself plenty of time to find deals.
Walker-Craft says you could try your hand at making decorations instead of buying them if you’re crafty and trying to keep your kid’s birthday party on a budget. The DIY approach can also help you save on goody bags, if you decide to offer them.
“Instead of splurging on pre-printed bags, buy plain white bags and have guests decorate their own,” she says. Then, fill them up with inexpensive favors like pencils, erasers, coloring pages, and stickers.
5. Don’t try to do it all
Planning a fun kid’s birthday party on a budget isn’t always a cakewalk. Walker-Craft says prioritizing what’s most important to your child (and friendliest to your wallet) can keep you from feeling frazzled by birthday planning.
“If money is an issue, a birthday party may have to be the gift,” she says.
If you’retrying to live frugally, consider giving your child an option—a party or gifts. You can also earmark some of your party budget for just one special gift from you. Remember, planning budget-friendly birthday parties for kids should be about maximizing fun while minimizing stress.
Want some more family-friendly finance tips? Don’t miss these four tips on banking for busy parents.
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