Creativity goes a long way to save money and plan a kid’s birthday party that will be both fun and memorable. Being flexible with the day and time often allows for a significant money savings, as with my grandson’s 6th birthday party. We wanted to rent an inflatable slide for a Saturday afternoon birthday party, but after talking with several party rental businesses, we discovered that a Sunday rental was much cheaper ($100 cheaper) and we could use the inflatable slide all day. Bear that in mind and use these ideas to help put together a fun birthday party for a child of any age and save money in the process.
Birthday Party Location
We had my grandson’s birthday party at home saves money, but there are many other locations where kids can have a birthday party for free, or for a very small fee. A local community center, the gymnasium or fellowship hall of a local church or some libraries offer private rooms for parties. An outdoor park or other public recreation area that has picnic tables and play equipment can be reserved for kids birthday party. Some local firehouses will host a birthday party for a child or at least allow the birthday honoree and guests to take a guided tour of the firehouse. Contact the locations of interest in your area to discover what is available, suitable and free (or cheap).
Choose a Party Theme
Once the location has been secured, allow the child to pick a party theme from a pre-approved parental list of options. An inexpensive birthday party can be built around almost any theme and child’s interest. Creativity will save money on the birthday party décor and so will matching the theme with the location, such as Dora The Explorer for an outdoor park location or 101 Dalmatians for a firehouse location. Birthday party games for the kids should also be in line with the theme and/or location.
Creative Birthday Party Invitations
Purchasing birthday party invitation, envelopes and stamps can take a huge bite out of the party budget. Save money by creating the invitations. Stick with the party theme and choose online birthday party invitations and email them to guests or get creative with the birthday child and hand craft the party invitations and hand deliver them.
Keep Guest List Short
It’s nice to invite the child’s entire school class, Sunday School class and ball team to the birthday party, but is that an affordable option? If not, keep the guest list short and let the birthday party budget determine how many kids can be invited. Note – allow for parents that will be remaining with their kids during the party when budgeting too.
Timing Stretches the Party Budget
If having to serve the birthday party guests a meal is more than the budget can handle, time the party to be held between meals. Mid-morning for a young child’s birthday party and mid-afternoon for an older child’s birthday party. Those times will allow for only birthday cake, ice cream and beverages to be the required birthday party fare.
Creativity and choosing a fun (and free) location and timing the party just right will set the stage for a memorable kids birthday party and save parents money in the process.
Sources:
WomansDay
Couponingtodisney
