How to Throw Birthday Party on a Budget

Birthday parties should be fun, not expensive - and not stressful. Checkout the following list of ideas, and put the "happy" back into birthday party planning. You'll be glad you did!

Idea #1: Create Your Own Invitations
Make cute hand-colored cards (ask your kids to color them) announcing your child's birthday and include a recent photo.

Idea #2: Make Simple Decorations
Print and collection of free printable birthday coloring pages. Ask your kids to color them, and then string them across the room.

Here are links to a few outstanding birthday party coloring pages:
Birthday Cake Coloring Page
Blowing Out the Candles
Birthday Presents

Idea #3: Have a Backyard Party
Host a birthday party in your backyard. The kids will have a great time running around, and you won't spend the next month finding cake crumbs and sticky spots in the funniest places.

Idea #4: Have Backyard Campout
Put the tents up, and build a campfire in your firepit. Smores and an evening of campfire songs, and creepy stories may be your child's "event of the century."

Idea #5: Have a Costume Party
Ask your guests to dress up as their favorite super hero, Disney or VeggieTales character. Offer a prize in the party invitation for the best/wackiest/silliest costume. Let the kids vote.

Idea #4: Have a Backwards Party
A) Write the invitations backwards. Ask your guests to read them in the mirror.
B) Decorate the party area with balloons that come up from the floor. Fill them with heilium and tape the strings to the floor.
C) Give each child a name tag with their name spelled backwards. Let them know that they will be called by this name throughout the party.
D) Serve the cake first.
E) Play musical chairs, and sit when the music comes on.

Idea #5: Have a Private Party
Limit the number of guests that attend your child's party. If you don't want to feed the neighborhood, don't invite them.

Idea #6: Make "Grab Bags"
Buy a set of brown sandwich bags and fill them with dollar store items or trinkets from around the house.

Idea #7: Play a Game
Play pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey, duck-duck-goose, red light/green light, musical chairs or Simon says. Kids have enjoyed these games for along time because they are fun.

Idea #8: Slumber Party
A night with just the girls, or just the boys may be just what your child wants. Provide them with a few videos, pizza, soda and some popcorn and it may just be the best party they ever had!

Idea #9: Keep it Simple
Cake, ice cream, presents and fun are all kids are really interested in. Try your best to limit things to just the essentials. If you provide the cake and ice cream that may be enough. Kids have a way of creating their own fun.

Idea #10: Have Fun!
If you have fun your kids will have fun too!

Need more ideas? Visit BoardmanWeb.com for party games and printable resources.