It’s a parental dilemma faced each year, perhaps even multiple times throughout the year – what are we going to do for little Susie or Johnny on their birthday? Some type of celebration is in order for the special day your child was born, but traditional kid’s birthday party venues and options can be pricey and out-of-the-question for large families. On the other hand you don’t have to settle for a simple cake and ice cream affair on such a memorable day either. Consider some of these kid’s birthday party ideas that are cheap, easy and fun.
Dress Up Tea Party
Here’s one for the girls, and it can be modified to include a few brothers at the party too. Browse local flea markets, yard sales and thrift stores for cheap prom dresses and bridesmaids gowns and purchase one for each girl who will attend the ‘tea party’ celebrating your daughter’s birthday. Look for a few cheap sports coats for boys who will be in attendance, then modify the clothing with a few clips of the scissors (use double-sided hemming tape and Velcro if needed) to create one-size-fits-all young girl’s party attire. Purchase a variety of cheap costume jewelry and hats also to add to the party fun and ambiance.
Purchase a shirt-sized gift box for each child who will be at the birthday party. Place a tea party outfit, complete with jewelry and hat, in each box. Label the boxes with the child’s name and give them their party-wear filled box when they arrive. Let them change into their tea party clothes and then start the celebration. Let each child keep their party attire as a party favor.
Pirates Day
Shiver me timbers! Pirates on a backyard treasure hunt finding bounty. Bury a variety of treasures in your backyard for the kids to discover and wear during the birthday party. Bury pirates hats, eye patches and the like so the kids can transform in pirates who will ultimately find a treasure chest filled with gold and jewelry (gold wrapped candy and costume jewelry). Give your birthday child a map where X marks the spot of the treasure chest so he can lead his motley crew on the excavation. Give each child a small hand-held garden trowel when it’s time to dig for buried treasure. You read clues to the kids that will send them digging across your backyard and finding treasure. Prepare bags of pirate bounty as party favors.
Bubble Blowout
Pour a couple gallons of bubble solution in a small child’s wading pool for a fun birthday bubble blowout party. Fashion bubble wands out of coat hangers so the kids can dip them into the pool and make giant bubbles. A separate water attraction, like another small child’s wading pool filled with water, will help to wash away the soapy bubble solution.
Make your own cheap bubble solution for the birthday party by combining 2 cups of Joy dish detergent, ¾ cup of light corn syrup and 6 cups of water. Let mix sit overnight before using for best results.
