Ten Budget-Friendly Birthday Party Ideas for Girls

Our stiff economy is driving us to take some budget-friendly approaches we otherwise would never consider, like planning your little girl's birthday party for example. We know children can be somewhat demanding, and the last thing we want to do as parents is disappoint. When they request a birthday blow-out, we want to be able to deliver and satisfy without having to break our banks. Here are some cost conscious ideas for orchestrating your little girl's party, by stretching your dollar as far as possible, and still achieving successful praise.

1 - Select a cost-free venue

Whether it's your own home or a public park or beach, the location is not nearly as important as the entertainment you provide! Sure, you'll be responsible for the clean-up afterwards, but you can get creative (or malicious) and turn it into the "Who can fill up their trash bag quickest" party game and get everyone involved to ease the workload.

2 - Skip out on the invitations

Save money and trees by passing on the stock paper and postage. Collect emails instead, and opt for a modern day version of an invitation with a free e-vite.

3- Create an engaging theme

If it's at the beach, make it a luau! Provide some affordable leis when the guests arrive (or make your own) and play games like limbo, which requires the use of a simple pole. Create games with the free sources provided like building sandcastles or seashell hunting.

4 - If you can't afford the zoo, bring the zoo to you

Admission to the zoo can run you about $16.00 per adult and $12.00 for each child. Do the math and figure how much you'd spend if you treated all your guests to party with the animals. Instead, simply add BYOP onto your invitations. (As in Bring Your Own Pet) and encourage your invitees to bring any and all pets, even their brother's pet snake or spider, the more the merrier. The kids will be excited to show off their pets and interact with new animals.

5 - Design your own party décor

Think of creative inexpensive ways to make your own. If you provide an art & crafts station, the guests can create their own art work that can be displayed as the party's décor. It'll also take care of a couple of hours of entertainment. Now there's killing two birds with one cheap stone.

6 - Put away the piñata

Piñatas are pricey, and somewhat tired. Update the concept of collecting candy by providing a candy bar where the kids can pick and choose their favorites. Set up clear containers with an assortment of treats, M&M's, Skittles, Twizzlers and gummies they can scoop into small bags or boxes. The unwrapped candy will not only cost less bought in bulk, but will also create a much sweeter presentation.

7- Cancel the clowns

Or any entertainer for that matter! Let the girls be their own performers. Set up a runway using tables and table cloth. Have them model the presents given to the birthday girl down the runway in a fun fashion show. Rent or borrow a Karaoke machine and have them play their version of American Idol. They'll be more excited to put on a free show than paying someone else to do it.

8 - Blow off the Birthday Cake

Well not entirely... just the overly priced fancy bakery kind. Instead make it yourself with grocery store bought cake mix the night before with the birthday girl herself. She'll take pride in the cake she designed just to her liking.

9 - Send picture party favors
Party favors are small gestures of appreciation and a way of saying "thank you for coming to my party". As an alternative to a meaningless but costly trinket, compile the pictures taken throughout the party with your digital camera on an online slide show. Many websites like slide.com provide free slideshows in many artistic ways that can be easily emailed to others.

10 - Utilize the Good Old Fashioned Barter System

Rough times call for tough measures. Create a barter system with the parents. Offer to watch their kids for one night or to pick them up from school for a week in exchange for chips and dip, cold cuts, or anything you made need to complete your budget-friendly bash!