Every parent wants their child to have everything they dream of, and then some. But often, finances can get in the way of your desire to fulfill your kids’ requests. This is especially true for birthdays, when they may expect big celebrations or pricier presents.
But there’s no denying that they deserve a magical childhood and happy memories! So what do you do when your kid wants a party that you can’t afford? Here are 6 tips to help you pull it off.
6 Tips for Hosting a Budget-Friendly Kids’ Party
1. Choose a Free Venue
Save on your budget by hosting at home or in the backyard, or by gathering at a public park. Choosing a free public spot is a useful tip to save on venue booking fees, as long as you pick up any food and litter before packing up the party.
2. Get Creative With Decorations
An easy way to stick to your budget is by avoiding spending heavily on conventional decorations. Instead, use your crafting skills and recruit your children or family members to make DIY decor:
Use colorful paper and string to create bunting. These could have “Happy Birthday” on them or even spell your child’s name.
Pick a color scheme for balloons and stick them to windows, banisters, and walls with double-sided tape.
Create DIY party hats by cutting colorful paper into circles and fashioning them into cones. Attach ribbons on either side to tie and secure the hat under the chin.
Get creative with this and use whatever supplies you have at home, or hit your local craft store. This is also an opportunity to spend time with your kid and get them involved if they’re interested.
3. Host in Between Meal Times
This is a neat trick to skirt the obligation of serving a full meal, which is often more expensive. Hosting in the evening or mid-afternoon is a great option, as you can just serve light snacks and sandwiches, or heat up items from the frozen foods section.
4. Rent or Borrow Party Supplies
If you’re looking to surprise your kid with entertainment like a bouncy house, it’s better to get inflatable rentals from a trusted company instead of buying one. Since most companies handle setting up your bounce house, including delivery and pick-up, this is one less thing on your list to worry about.
Borrowing board games from a neighbour or asking a trusted relative to lend you their appliances are also smart ways to be judicious about your funds.
5. Plan Activities Instead of Hiring Entertainment
Unless your kid really wants you to hire a magician or some kind of kids’ entertainer, you can save on this expense by putting together a few activities to ensure your child and their friends can have fun.
Here are a few ideas you can consider:
- Host a Twister Tournament
- Organize coloring books and crayons
- Get a piñata for a screen-free moment of joy
- Put together a movie screening with a projector and popcorn
- Play a round of musical chairs
- Set up a cupcake-decorating station — then everyone can eat their creations!
6. Homebaked Over Store-Bought
Store-bought cakes can be expensive. So try baking the birthday cake (or cupcakes) at home instead. This offers plenty of room for customization since you have complete control over the flavors, the frosting, and the size!
Why Communicating Matters
For some families, it can be helpful to communicate financial limits to your child (in a way that’s appropriate for their age), as this can help them understand your circumstances.
It sets clear expectations on both sides and prevents resentment in your relationship. Better yet, this conversation can be the first step to them learning the value of money.
Since this can be a prickly topic, here are a few tips for your conversation:
Explain to them that just because Mom and Dad aren’t able to make X happen, it doesn’t mean they don’t love you.
Remember to reassure them with creative, budget-friendly alternatives instead of shooting down their ideas. They need to feel seen and heard, more than anything.
When suggesting alternatives, ask them to help with planning, as this can restore some agency and prevent them from feeling slighted.
Another useful tip is to give them the option between a fancy present and a big party. You’re basically giving them a choice between two reasonable options.
Talking is important because you might discover they don’t want an expensive present and just want their closest friends around on their special day. It’s also possible they’ve had their eye on something they know is a little pricey and have been saving the request for a special occasion.
Either way, communicating expectations goes both ways and can reduce friction around finances if you’re planning a party for your kid on a budget.
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