Frugal Birthday Parties: Entertaining Children (and Their Parents!) on the Cheap

A child's birthday party is indeed a day to remember. The quandary many parents face though, is how to throw a memorable and fun party for their child without breaking the bank. Here are some practical, easy, fun, and most of all frugal ideas to throw a birthday celebration that will leave enough money left over in your budget for a gift!

Whether you have a younger child or an older child, they may have already formed their own opinion of what kind of birthday party they want. However, that vision they have for their special day probably doesn't take cost into consideration so it is up to you to decide how much you are willing to spend. Once you have decided on what you are willing or able to spend, sit down with your child and brainstorm ideas together. When planning a party for a younger child or toddler, the most successful parties are often structured around what hobbies a child has or what they love to do for fun. The most cost effective birthday parties are ones hosted at either your home or a public place such as a local park. I am a fan of parties at home because weather isn't a consideration, and hosting a party elsewhere entails hauling all the supplies with you which can have disastrous results if the cake gets destroyed in the car or you happen to forget the balloons. Now that you have chosen the budget and location, the planning stage begins.

The easiest and most effective way of creating a birthday party to remember is to choose an overall theme. This is usually chosen based on what hobby, interest, or character your child is currently obsessed with. Does your son love pirates? Does your daughter want to be a princess when she grows up? This is where you will gain inspiration. Once you have chosen a theme you can begin to build the party around it. Keep in mind there are certain things both children and their adult companions expect at a birthday party. These things should be your priority, and you can add final touches if your budget allows for it: