Kids Ain't Cheap

But They Sure Are Worth It

How to Plan an Epic Party: 10 Cheap Birthday Party Ideas You’ll Love

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How to Plan an Epic Party: 10 Cheap Birthday Party Ideas You’ll Love
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One in five parents spend more than $500 on their child’s birthday party every year. Considering how expensive hosting an event has gotten, cheap birthday party ideas can be hard to come by. To help you stick to your budget without sacrificing fun, we’ve come up with this list of affordable celebration options. From camping in the backyard to decorating baked goods with friends, here are 10 ways to make your kiddo feel special without breaking the bank. 

Top 10 Cheap Birthday Party Ideas 

1. Movie Night

Movie Night
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A movie night is one of the top cheap birthday party ideas. Thanks to streaming services, tons of movies are available right on your TV. If you want to create an extra special experience, buy a cheap projector and set up your viewing outside. You can simply use a bedsheet as a makeshift flatscreen to keep things budget-friendly. 

An advantage of being outside is not having to worry about providing enough seating for everyone. Just bring some blankets and lay out on the lawn! Don’t forget to grab some bags of popcorn, chips, and candy on sale, or ask guests to bring their favorite snack or drink to share instead of gifts. 

2. Brunch Party

Brunch Party
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An at-home brunch buffet will be a hit with both kids and adults! If you have a waffle maker, you can set up a made-to-order waffle station with a variety of toppings. With parental assistance, your child’s guests could also toast their own bagels or English muffins. Breakfast foods like scrambled eggs, pancakes, and sausage are easy to keep warm using disposable chafing dishes and sterno cans. 

Alternatively, you could stick to continental breakfast favorites like yogurt and pastries. For entertainment, garden party games such as croquet, bocce ball, and cornhole pair well with a brunch theme. 

3. At-Home Spa Day 

At-Home Spa Day
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Everyone likes to be pampered on their special day, so consider hosting an at-home spa party for your birthday girl. It’s easy to set up a DIY facial bar using common ingredients like oats, honey, yogurt, and avocado. Alternatively, you could purchase a few sheet facial masks from the drugstore. While you’re there, grab some nail polish for mani-pedis and a few hair accessories for a French braiding station. A DIY bath bomb-making kit could also be a fun addition. 

To feed your child and their friends on a budget, make finger foods like cucumber sandwiches, mini quiches, or muffins, and cut veggies with dip. Don’t forget to whip up some fruit-flavored spa water to keep everyone hydrated, which is the secret to glowing skin. 

4. Free Museum Day

Free Museum Day
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Virtually all museums have free admission days that allow the public to enjoy the exhibits at no cost. While these events might not fall exactly on your birthday, they can still be a fun and affordable way to celebrate with a small group. Some libraries also offer free day passes to local museums, but keep in mind that the number available is usually limited. 

Whether you love art, science, or seeing animals at the zoo, we know you’ll have a great time celebrating your birthday at one of your local institutions! 

5. Camping 

Camping
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Camping is another cheap birthday party idea that’s always a hit with kids. Consider setting up a tent in the backyard to give guests a taste of the outdoors without losing access to amenities like indoor plumbing. If local regulations allow, starting a bonfire can enhance the camping experience, enabling you to roast marshmallows and tell stories around the fire. Stargazing using an app like SkyView Lite is another fun party activity that children of all ages will enjoy. 

If your guests are prepared to rough it, hosting the event at a campground could be a fun adventure. You’ll be able to fully embrace the outdoors by preparing a meal over the fire and hiking local trails.

Does your child have a winter birthday? If space allows, you could set up a fort in the living room to create an indoor glamping experience. Instead of roasting marshmallows, make smores in the microwave and tell spooky stories while passing around a flashlight.

6. Backyard Sprinkler Party

Yard Sprinkler Party
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Can’t afford to take your child and their friends to the water park? Set up one at home instead! Even if you don’t have a pool or slip-and-slide, you can run the sprinklers or turn on the hose to cool everyone off. Water soakers and balloons are also fun additions to a backyard sprinkler party. Just don’t forget the sunscreen!

7. Scavenger Hunt

Treasure Hunt
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If cheap birthday party ideas are still outside of your budget, consider setting up a free scavenger hunt. You can use items from around the house (such as stuffed animals, toy figurines, and other small objects) to create a fun scavenger hunt for guests.

The venue can be your home, neighborhood, local park, or even the beach. No matter where you set up the event, creating interesting clues is key. If your child is older, they may enjoy geocaching, which involves using coordinates off of their phone to find the objects. Younger kids would love a treasure map or hand-written riddles and clues. 

8. Picnic at a Local Park

Picnic at a Local Park
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If camping isn’t your style but your family still enjoys being outdoors, consider hosting a picnic at a local park. Most parks have designated event spaces with picnic tables, grills, and pavilions, making it easy to entertain a group of any size. However, you may need a permit or reservation to take advantage of these amenities. 

To feed everyone affordably, bring along a cooler filled with sandwiches or hot dogs and burgers to cook on the grill. You won’t need to spend much on entertainment either thanks to the playground equipment. But it can’t hurt to bring some outdoor toys like bubbles, hula hoops, and frisbees. Keep the decorations simple to stay on budget—a pinata, some streamers, and a weighted balloon bouquet are enough to set the mood. 

9. Indoor or Outdoor Game Night 

Indoor or Outdoor Game Night
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Looking for cheap birthday party ideas that work in both winter and summer? An at-home game night is a great option. When the weather is cold, kids can enjoy their favorite video and board games inside the house. You can also play classic party games like musical chairs, pin the tail on the donkey, limbo, and Simon Says. 

During the summer, activities like badminton, capture the flag, freeze tag, and soccer can help kids burn off steam. You can also set up fun relay races, such as an egg toss or sack race. 

10. Baking Party 

Baking Party
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Kids of all ages love sweet treats, making a baking party a fun idea for an event. Depending on the age and skill level of your guests, you could get them involved in the baking process or simply allow them to help decorate. Cookies, cupcakes, and brownies are all good menu options. Allow guests to customize their goodies with sprinkles, colored icing, candy, edible glitter, and fondant. 

What are your favorite cheap birthday party ideas? Let us know in the comments!

8 Affordable Birthday Party Ideas That Won’t Break the Bank

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8 Affordable Birthday Party Ideas That Won’t Break the Bank
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On average, birthday parties for kids cost an average of $300 to $500, which many parents can’t afford. If you have multiple children or you’re on a budget, you’ll likely have to find ways to cut costs. Hosting the party at home, making the food and desserts yourself, and choosing budget-friendly decor can save you money. To help you plan a festive celebration that won’t break the bank, here are 8 affordable birthday party ideas. 

1. Board Game Party 

First on our list of affordable birthday party ideas is a board game night at home. Depending on the size of your guest list, you may already have enough board games on hand to keep everyone entertained. But if you need to purchase a few extra games, family favorites like Trouble, Sorry, Battleship, and Guess Who can usually be purchased for under $20 each. 

Keeping the decorations simple yet festive can help you cut costs. This fun backdrop says “Game on” and will set the tone for your child’s party perfectly. Adding these jumbo inflatable dice and game night-themed plates will round out the decor. For party favors, you can’t go wrong with gaming stickers and candy. 

2. Dinosaur Party 

Studies have shown that one in three children loves dinosaurs, so this affordable birthday party idea is sure to be a hit! Plus, the setup couldn’t be easier thanks to this dinosaur party kit. It contains everything you need for an at-home birthday bash, including cake toppers, balloons, table settings, and streamers. 

No party is complete without food. Use these dino cookie cutters to transform fruit slices and sandwiches into fun shapes. Instead of buying an expensive cake, save money by making these Betty Crocker dinosaur sprinkle cookies. For entertainment, grab this pin the tail on the dinosaur game and have a Jurassic Park movie screening. 

3. At-Home Escape Room 

Escape rooms are popular party venues, but cost anywhere from $25 to $40 per person. Luckily you can cut costs by purchasing an “escape room in a box” from Mattel. It contains everything you need to create an immersive experience at home, including over a dozen puzzles and real locks. It even connects to Alexa to enhance gameplay.

4. Medieval Knights Party

Remember how fun it was to go to Medieval Times as a kid? Tickets for the real show can cost upwards of $65 per person. But you can turn this into an affordable birthday party idea by replicating the experience at home. This fun inflatable jousting kit will make your kids and their friends feel like gladiators. 

These medieval birthday party decorations will help you transform your home into a castle. The kit includes banners, balloons, cake toppers, and more. For dinner, turkey legs (which can easily be cooked in an Instant Pot) are sure to be a hit. Finally, set the tone for the party with this medieval music playlist. 

5. Under the Sea Party

If your child loves the ocean, beach, or aquarium, an under-the-sea party is a great choice! For entertainment, watch classic movies like Finding Nemo and The Little Mermaid. Kids will also enjoy this aquatic bean bag toss game. To save money, keep the decorations simple with this ocean decor kit, which comes with balloons, tablecloths, cupcake toppers, and more. Fish sticks are an easy, crowd-pleasing lunch option. Instead of buying a cake, whip up some cupcakes with blue buttercream frosting. 

6. Spy Adventure Party 

Looking for more affordable birthday party ideas? Consider hosting a spy adventure party. Playing espionage games like Codenames and Spy Alley will make your kids and their guests feel like secret agents. You can also watch detective movies like Inspector Gadget and Spy Kids. 

For decorations, blow up these spy balloons and hang this top-secret backdrop. To complete the experience, pass out these secret agent party favors, which include mustaches, magnifying glasses, and detective ID cards. 

7. DJ Party 

Make sure your guests feel the beat of the music as they arrive for your DJ-themed party! Play this Kidz Bop soundtrack to create a fun, vibrant atmosphere. Hang up these DJ decorations to turn your home into a kid-friendly club. You could even turn down the lights, set up sound-activated party lights, and pass out glow sticks. To keep the partygoers entertained, play games like musical chairs and freeze tag. Finally, set up a snack table with treats like chips and dip, punch, and candy. 

8. Unicorn Princess Party 

Celebrate your little girl with a fabulous princess and unicorn party. Encourage guests to come dressed up as royalty to enhance the princess vibes. You can also pass out some extra accessories like crowns and faux jewels. For activities, pick up these mini bubble wands and a bracelet-making kit. Deck out your home with princess balloons and this unicorn party kit, and you’re guaranteed to have a magical day! 

You don’t have to break the bank to create special birthday memories for your child. Hopefully, these affordable birthday party ideas have given you the inspiration you need to cut costs without sacrificing family fun.

Exciting Birthday Activities: Unique Ways to Celebrate Your Child’s Birthday for Less Than $100

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fun things to do on your birthday
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Planning a memorable celebration doesn’t have to break the bank. There are many fun things to do on your birthday that will make your child feel special without overspending. With a bit of creativity, you can plan exciting activities that leave lasting memories. Here are some unique ways to throw a fantastic birthday party for less than $100.

Host a Backyard Movie Night

Transform your backyard into an outdoor theater for a night of fun. All you need is a projector, some blankets, and popcorn to set the scene. Choose your child’s favorite movie and invite a few friends for a cozy evening under the stars. This is one of the most fun things to do on your birthday, offering entertainment and a relaxed atmosphere.

Plan a DIY Pizza Party

Let the kids make their own pizzas with simple ingredients you already have at home. Provide toppings like pepperoni, veggies, and cheese for a build-your-own experience. Kids love hands-on activities, and this doubles as both an activity and the meal. Hosting a pizza party is a budget-friendly way to keep everyone entertained and well-fed.

Organize a Treasure Hunt

A treasure hunt is an exciting way to keep kids active and engaged during the party. Create simple clues leading to small prizes or candy hidden around the house or yard. This activity encourages teamwork and adds an adventurous element to the celebration. It’s one of those fun things to do on your birthday that guarantees smiles and laughter.

Take a Trip to the Park

Celebrate your child’s birthday with a fun outing at a local park. Many parks have playgrounds, open fields, and picnic areas, making them the perfect spot for games and food. Bring sandwiches, snacks, and a cake to enjoy a simple celebration outdoors. A park day is a cost-effective way to make your child’s birthday feel special without extra expenses.

Get Creative with Arts and Crafts

Set up an arts and crafts station with supplies like paint, paper, and beads. Kids can create their own masterpieces to take home as party favors. This activity encourages creativity and keeps little hands busy throughout the party. Hosting an arts and crafts party is a great way to entertain kids on a budget.

Plan a Themed Scavenger Hunt

Design a scavenger hunt with a theme based on your child’s favorite characters or activities. Create a list of objects for the kids to find around the house or neighborhood. Scavenger hunts are interactive and keep kids moving, making them one of the most fun things to do on your birthday. This activity can be planned with minimal cost and guarantees excitement.

Build a Sundae Bar

Set up a DIY sundae bar with ice cream, toppings, and cones for a sweet treat. Kids can customize their sundaes with sprinkles, chocolate chips, and syrups. This easy activity combines dessert with entertainment, keeping the kids engaged. A sundae bar is a delicious way to celebrate without overspending.

Create Memorable Moments

Celebrating a birthday doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. These fun things to do on your birthday are all about making meaningful memories without stretching your budget. Whether it’s a treasure hunt or a backyard movie night, there are endless ways to celebrate for under $100. Focus on spending time with loved ones and creating moments your child will cherish for years to come.