Kid's Birthday Party Planning for Less

Planning a kid's birthday party can cost lots of money. But it doesn't have to be that way. With a little knowledge, you can easily plan a child's birthday party with a minimal amount of money. Here are some ideas to plan a Child's birthday party without an exorbitant bill. In the following examples, I have calculated the total cost based on a party of 8.

Invitations
Invitations can be purchased with little to no cost. You can choose to send e-mail invites. Here is a link to a website with great e-mail invites. The other option is to buy postcards at your local post office pre-stamped for 23 cents a piece. By creating beautiful designs using, color crayons, markers, or a stamper, you can easily create a beautiful invitation card for a couple pennies above the price of a stamp. Better yet, you can use an invitation stamp and your child can color it in! Then, address & write party information on the other side of the card. A beautiful invitation card and your cost is the price of postage ($1.84)!

Table Settings
It is not hard to buy inexpensive table settings. Here are some ideas. First, keep your eye out for clearances on table settings & buy ahead. Check your local department stores, card shops, craft stores & party stores.
When you buy these items on clearance, you will spend lots less. Let your child pick out which kid "theme" he likes from the clearance bin. Here are some example prices for clearance party items:

Cups - 8 cups for $0.50
Plates - 8 plates for $0.50
Napkins - 8 napkins for $0.50
Party Paper Tablecloth - $1.00

Then go to your local grocery to pick up some:
Utensils - $1.00 a box
Paper Brown Bags - $2.00 (use remaining bags for kids lunches)
Cake Mix - $3.00
Frosting - $2.50
Candles - $1.50
Kool-aid & 1 c. sugar (kids love this stuff & it doesn't cost much) - $1.00

At the party, you can have the kids decorate the brown bags while they wait for the other guests to arrive. This allows you to keep the kids busy while you finish up your preparations & wait for everyone to arrive.

Lunch
If you are going to feed the kids at the party lunch, here is an inexpensive lunch idea: Grilled Cheese Sandwiches and soup

Bread (kids usually prefer white bread)- $1.00
2 cans of Campbell's soup $3.00
American Cheese Slices - $3.00
You can feed a party of 8 for $8.00!!

Cut Each Sandwich 4 or 5 times into small pieces & create a sandwich puzzle for the kids to piece together.

Party Favors
Most children do not want to have a party without party favors. Here are some suggestions for great party favors without the extra expense.
2 bags of candy $5.00
8 bottles of Bubbles 50 cents each = $4.00
Go to your local dollar store to pick out other small items to fill up the bag. Total dollar store purchases (at the rate of $2 per child) = $16.00

Games
There are many ways to have great games without spending much money. I am sure a search on-line would produce a large number of results. Here are a few ideas to get started: Hide party favors in the yard & allow each child to find their own favors, Play Musical Chairs, Play Pin the Tail on the Donkey (you can usually buy this for $1.00 or draw your own for nothing) Give the kids some time to play video games or play a board game together (Tip: Play something that allows everyone to play such as Monopoly, Scattagories, Apples to Apples or younger children can play Candy Land. Boys and Girls may enjoy taking turns on a video game system). The games don't have to be structured to be fun. In fact, it is very possible that with a little guidance and a lot less structured play, the children may have more fun!

These creative tips will set you on track to have a fabulous party all the kids will be talking about without spending excessive amounts of money!
Grand Total for a Party without Lunch: $34.18 Grand Total for a Party with Lunch: $54.34