Inexpensive Theme Birthday Party Ideas

Throwing an outrageous theme birthday party for your child can spell D-E-B-T. And yet you want your child to feel special on his or her special day. Don't you wish there was a way to put together a fun, exciting theme birthday bash without severely denting your budget? Well don't make reservations at that loud, expensive, overrated pizza place just yet. Check out these tried-and-true theme birthday party ideas that are long on amusement but short on expense.

Survivor Party

Create faux parchment paper invitations by dipping plain sheets of paper in tea and tearing the edges. The invites might read: "See if you can survive Jimmy's Birthday Party!" along with details of when and where. Decorate with dollar store tiki torches and yard sale- or thrift shop-found tropical objects. Divide guests into 2 teams (let them choose their tribal names) and have them tackle an obstacle course, a scavenger hunt, tug-of-war, and water balloon toss in the back yard. See which team will sample the grossest food (nothing questionable, just weird combinations - think cereal with ketchup, or spaghetti with chocolate sauce). Give points appropriately to each team for all challenges. At the end of the party provide the winning team with t-shirts saying "I Outwitted, Outplayed and Outlasted Jimmy's Birthday Party!" Buy plain t-shirts at an outlet or discount store and purchase transfer paper for your printer to create your own iron-ons. Burn plain paper lunch bags a bit around the edges, and fill with goodies. Look here for a great, easy to make island birthday cake!

Dinosaur Party

Danielle Mares, mom of four boys ages 5-16, has planned many birthday parties! A favorite of hers (and her sons) is a dinosaur themed party. Make homemade invitations on your computer (you can print some cute ones for free here). Decorate the party area with dino-footprints cut out from brown paper grocery bags, and brown and green balloons and streamers. Danielle has the boys help her cover a large balloon in paper mache and paint with spots and speckles for a homemade dinosaur egg pinata.