This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

7 Ways to Save Money on a Kids Birthday Party

Tips for saving money on your child's birthday party plans without sacrificing the fun.

According to the last U.S. census, more babies are born in July and August than any other time of the year. What does that mean? Summer birthday parties! While everyone is watching their spending these days, you still want to give your kids a memorable party, right? Good news! Here are some ideas on how to spend less on a birthday party without sacrificing the fun. 

1. A Scribble is Fine. I like a beautiful invitation as much as the next person but let’s face it, it’s going into the garbage as soon as the party date has passed. For adults, a party invitation sets the mood for the event. For kids, it just tells Mom when and where to bring her child. So, why not take one of your kids drawings, write the party particulars on the bottom, make copies, and call it a day. Or save even more money and a tree by sending an evite. 

2. Stand Up for the Cake. For every one of my kids’ birthday, I just bake a chocolate cake and then put their toys on the top of the cake to decorate it. Plastic horses, fairies, Star Wars or Lego guys are all perfect to decorate a cake and make it fit the party “theme.” The kids think it is so cool to show off their favorite toys. The cake costs me $5 at most.

Find out what's happening in Palatinewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

3. More Does Not Equal Better. Limit the number of kids. Don’t feel like you need to invite every kid in your child’s class or on their sports team or who talked to your child at the playground. More does not equal better for either Mom or the birthday child. Too many kids is overwhelming for all. Only invite the number you are comfortable supervising.

4. Kill Two Birds With One Stone. Make sure one of your birthday party activities is also the take-home favor for the party guests. If you tie dye T-shirts at the party, the T-shirt is their party favor. If you decorate pirate chests, the kids take home a nice pirate chest. If you have a cookie decorating party, the kids take home a bunch of cookies. Don’t buy an extra goodie bag or plastic stuff to put in it! You’re covered already.

Find out what's happening in Palatinewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

5. Don't Make it a Meal. If you plan your party time right, you don’t have to feed the guests a full meal. Plan your party from 2 – 4 p.m. and you only need to serve cake and some munchies. Don’t spend the money on pizza or hot dogs.

6. Reuse and Recycle. Use the games, toys, and activites you already have at home to entertain the kids at the party. Have a tent? Set it up in the backyard or the dining room and they’ll play for hours. Have a Wii? Host a Wii tournament. Have a karioke machine? Throw a Diva Dance party. Have a lot of tea sets? Host a Teddy Bear tea party. Have a cool telescope? Stargazing party! Have a million loose Lego pieces? Throw a Lego Party where you just dump all of those miscellaneous pieces on a table and tell the kids to have at it. 

7. Treat Bags are for Landfills. I’m sorry but when my kids bring home one of those plastic bags filled with candy, pencils and plastic spider rings, they immediately go in the recycle bin. Moms, you don’t have to give anything – there is no rule or birthday fairy who punishes those without treat bags. Don’t waste your money. If you didn’t do an activity where the kids could take something home already (see #4) and you do want a parting gift, keep it low key. Just buy a big candy bar and tie a ribbon around it. Or go to Half Price Books, buy old comic books and hand those out. Take a photo of the guest with the birthday child and either have someone print it during the party to take home or send it to them in the thank you note. That is something that will get saved.

For more ideas on kids' birthday party themes, money saving tips, food, and gifts, check out all of the kids birthday party posts at ChocolateCakeMoments.com. 

I hope these tips have helped you keep the kids birthday party budget from spirally out of control and you feel good about celebrating your child's special day. 

What other tips do you have for saving money on kids' birthday parties?

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?