Planning your child's birthday party should be a lot of fun. But doing so with financial constraints often takes the fun out of it. You have two choices - don't have a party or work within your budget. Establish how much you can spend and stick to it. Here are a number of ideas to help you still have a great party.
Invitations
Make your own. Its more personal. You write the necessary info inside and let your children decorate the outside. Do the same for the thank you cards. Another option is to find free printable invitations on the web. For example on Perfect Party Ideas you will find free color invitations that you can modify and print out. What could be easier? You could also send free e-Card invitations straight to your guest's e-mail address.
The Venue
Your home is obviously the cheapest. If it isn't big enough, ask a friend or family member to use theirs. In summer go to a nearby park, especially if it has jungle gyms and swings. Give a small donation to your church and use their hall.
Decorating - Setting the Theme
The easiest theme is your child's favorite color. Get everyone to wear the color and find everything in the house to match. Try color the party foods accordingly. If you choose a different theme, get your children to paint/draw pictures for the theme to decorate the walls. Is your son Lego crazy? Let him build a center piece based on the theme. Do they have other toys that match the theme? All these can be displayed in the party room.
Get your children to making paper chains or streamers out of crepe paper. This can set the mood for the party the week before. They will love being able to help. Rope in their best friend or the neighborhood kids as well.
Balloons are inexpensive and definitely create a party mood. Make musical balloons. Place some rice, sugar, or a little water in different balloons before blowing them up. Children will love the sounds. If it is warm out, fill balloons with water and let the kids water-bomb each other. Make a game of them picking up the broken pieces afterwards so little guests don't swallow them.
Entertainment
Place blankets over a table and some chairs creating a crawling tunnel. Place three or four objects in the tunnel. Each child must crawl through and identify the objects by touch only. Much hilarity is shared when the articles are described.
Set up a treasure hunt. Divide the children into groups of two or three. Place several written or picture clues through out the house. The treasure? A sweet or small chocolate, the right to stand by the birthday boy/girl when candles are blown or to choose the next game.
Divide the guests into groups of 3-5 children each. Give each group a well known story and ask them to produce plays. This keeps them busy a long time. Have old clothes for them to dress up.
These ideas will inspire you to be even more creative and come up with some of your own. Have a magic party.
