How to throw an amazing kid’s party on a tight budget
Every kid (big and small) loves a birthday party, but with the escalating cost of living, throwing an amazing kids' party in 2024 is not without its challenges. But don't worry! With creativity and careful planning, organising a fantastic and memorable party without exceeding your budget is possible. Here are our top tips to help you throw a fun-filled and budget-friendly party.
Start with your budget
Determine how much you can afford to spend on the party and stick to it. Creating a budget will help you prioritise expenses and avoid overspending. It will also help you determine how many of little Johhny's friends you can invite to the party. A strict budget can also spark your creativity and motivate you to come up with fun ideas that won't break the bank!
Choose a theme
Not every party needs a theme, but if you choose one your child is excited about, they will likely enjoy the party even more. A theme can help you plan the decorations, activities, and menu more effectively. You can create inexpensive homemade decorations using craft supplies, recycled materials, and items you already have at home. Country Living has some great ideas for cheap decorations (we love the confetti-filled balloons and disco ball pinata).
Decide on the venue
When selecting a venue for a party, nothing can beat a free location. This often means hosting the party at your home, a nearby beach or a local park. Your backyard is an ideal place to keep things simple, easy to manage, and most importantly, inexpensive. While your kids may be begging you to spend money on movies or theme parks, that's a sure way to bust your budget.
DIY goody bags
Kids love it when they take home a little goody bag full of fun surprises, and just because you're throwing the party on a budget doesn't mean they need to miss out on this tradition. Head down to your local discount shop, where you'll find a treasure trove of items, including affordable party bags, colouring pencils, toys, and novelties.
Free activities
No matter what age your child is or what activities they love to play, you can create a whole afternoon of fun for the little ones without spending a bean (or not many of them, anyway). Think DIY craft stations, scavenger hunts, ring-toss games, party limbo, three-legged races or even a painting competition.
Affordable food and drinks
Consider simple, kid-friendly food options like supermarket pizza, party pies, sandwiches, and affordable finger foods. Best Recipes can provide you with some excellent ideas. Rather than purchasing an expensive birthday cake, try making a delicious Malteser cake that the kids will adore. Buy two chocolate mud cakes from the supermarket, which should cost around $6 each. Split each cake in half so you have four layers; add Nutella between the layers and over the top and sides. Then place Maltesers, Smarties, or your preferred chocolate on top. Voila! You now have an instant and inexpensive birthday cake with the wow factor. For drinks, offer water or homemade punch instead of pricey juices. For a simple but delicious drink, the kids will love - chop up a large (seedless) watermelon, blend it with 250 ml of fresh lemon juice and 100g of caster sugar, and stir in a one-litre bottle of soda water. Serve with ice, some slices of lime, and sprigs of mint.
Go potluck
If adults are coming to the party, you could ask them to contribute by bringing food, potluck style. This will help keep costs down and provide a variety of food options.
Regift and reuse
We all receive gifts from time to time that we don't want, and kids are no exception. If your kids have received gifts they haven't used, you can repurpose them as prizes or giveaways at the party.
Create a fun party without spending too much
Remember, creating a fun and memorable experience for the children is the most important aspect of a kid's party. With some planning and creativity, you can achieve this without overspending.
However, if you want to go all out this year and need financial assistance to make it happen, we can help. Check out our cash loans of up to $5,000 to learn how quick and easy it is to get some extra funds. Once your loan is approved, the cash is usually in your bank account within a few hours. So you can start organising the best kid's party ever!