Plan a Kid's Birthday Party for Less

September 24, 2004 -- Planning a kid's birthday party can cost lots of money. But it doesn't have to be that way. With these tips, you can easily plan a child's birthday party with a minimal amount of money.
The following ideas are for a party of 8.

Invitations:
Buy postcards at your local post office pre-stamped for 21 cents a piece. Your child can color the blank side of the postcard. You can address & write party information on the other side of the card. YOUR COST: $1.68

Table settings:
Keep your eye out for clearances on table settings & buy ahead. Check your local department stores, card shops, craft stores & party stores.

When you buy these items on clearance, you will spend lots less. Let your child pick out which kid "theme" he likes from the clearance bin.

CUPS - 8 cups for $0.50 PLATES - 8 plates for $0.50 Napkins - 8 napkins for $0.50 Party Paper Tablecloth - $1.00

Then go to your local grocery to pick up some: Utensils - $1.00 a box Paper Brown Bags - $2.00 (use remaining bags for kids lunches) Cake Mix - $2.00 Frosting - $2.50 Candles - $1.50 Kool-aid & 1 c. sugar (kids love this stuff & it doesn't cost much) - $1.00

At the party, you can have the kids decorate the brown bags while they wait for the other guests to arrive. This allows you to keep the kids busy while you finish up your preparations & wait for everyone to arrive.

If you are going to feed the kids at the party lunch, here is an inexpensive lunch idea: Grilled Cheese Sandwiches and soup

Bread (kids usually prefer white bread)- $1.00 2 cans of Campbell's soup $2.00 American Cheese Slices - $3.00 Feed a party of 8 for $7.00

Cut Each Sandwich 4 or 5 times into small pieces & create a sandwich puzzle for the kids to piece together.

PARTY FAVORS - 2 bags of candy $5.00 8 bottles of Bubbles 50 cents each = $4.00 Go to your local dollar store to pick out other small items to fill up the bag. Total purchases at the dollar store = $16.00

GAMES TO PLAY -
Hide party favors in the yard & allow each child to find their own favors.

Play Musical Chairs

Play Pin the Tail on the Donkey (you can usually buy this for $1.00)

Give the kids some time to play video games or play a board game together (hint: Play something that allows everyone to play such as monopoly). Everything doesn't have to be structured to be fun.

Use your creativity. You can put on a party that all the kids will be talking about without spending lots of money.

TOTAL FOR PARTY WITHOUT LUNCH: $33.18 TOTAL FOR PARTY WITH LUNCH: $53.18



This article courtesy of http://collectaclown.com.
You may freely reprint this article on your website or in
your newsletter provided this courtesy notice and the author
name and URL remain intact.

Submit Your Article