Kids Cheap Birthday Party Recipes

Birthday parties for children are not what they used to be anymore. Most of us when we were kids we were blessed if we got 1 dollar and a "Happy Birthday!". No party.

Today's kids are spoiled. It is not their faults but it's our, the parents'. We want to make every year better and fancier when the truth is, as I have noticed with me child (4 year old), all they want is to play with and love on them. My daughter has more fun when I play with her hide and seek than when I buy her a fancy dress. She wants to have quality time with me. It is when I spend a lot of time with her just playing and being goofy that she gives me most of the kisses. I guess she feels close. She feels that I care about her and not just getting her stuff. I believe in parties for our kids but let's not make it such a big deal.

So how can we throw them a good birthday party without going bankrupt?

Here are some great ideas:

1. BACKYARD PICNIC PARTY for about $30-$40. If the weather permits, set out some blankets on the grass on a flat surface where the kids can sit down and eat. Buy a piñata which is about 20 dollars or less. Tie the piñata to a tree and at the end of the party break it open with a broom stick. You can even use your broom! For about $3-4 dollars you can buy some hotdogs and boiled them for about 2 minutes in hot water on the stove. Who said they need to be grilled? Hotdog buns are about $5 for two packs. Also one or two big bags of chips is perfect. Mustard and ketchup is enough. Kids do not want more anyway. For games the kids can play hide and seek, watch a new show you check out from the library for free, and play the piñata game. All that would last about 2 hrs. It is plenty of time for a birthday party.

2. STORY TIME PARTY. Invite all the kids you want to come over with their own favorite story book. Have 2-3 parents read the stories while kids sit on the carpet in your home. Then ask questions about the story and offer to give beautiful stickers to those that answer the most questions. Make sure at the end of the party the rest of the kids get stickers (but different ones), too. For food have cupcakes. Don't forget drinks. This is really fun for the kids!

3. DRAWING PARTY. How about asking the parents to make sure the kids come dressed with some "not-so-good" clothes because you are having a DRAWING party. Buy some copy paper (about 3 dollars) and some colors and have the kids sit at a table or two and draw whatever they want. Let them know that at the end they get to vote whose drawing was the nicest and that kid will get a prize. For a prize make sure you have a ball, a toy, a story book.

At the end of the party have the kids eat ice cream. Let them choose between vanilla or chocolate.

4. PIZZA and SHOW PARTY. Little Ceasar's! Just pick up 5-6 pizzas ( $30) and they even have the drinks there. You have a party. Kids love pizza! Believe me I know! Then bring the TV in the living room if it is not there already and let the kids watch a show. Veggietales, Mickey, Barbie,etc. Any of those work. You choose for them because if not they will argue.

So here are a few ideas. Pick one. It doesn't have to be fancy, but just fun. That is all the kids will remember not how much money you spent.