Let’s face it: Kids’ parties can be expensive. While it’s ok to splurge on a special occasion, there are plenty of creative ways you can stay within your budget while still throwing an unforgettable kid’s party.
From an underwater-themed adventure to a pizza-making party, I’m here to let you in on the best fun kid party ideas on a dime. That’s right, these party themes and activities are all incredibly affordable and sure to leave your guests excited and entertained.
So if you’re looking for some great kid party ideas that won’t break the bank, look no further. Here I’ll provide tips on how best to plan frugal parties that are interactive and full of fun — but still within your budget. Let’s get started!
Kid Party Theme Ideas: Pirates, Princesses and More
Want to throw a fun and memorable kid party, but on a budget? Look no further! The most important part of any kid’s party is the theme, and we know just how to help find one that will make your little guest of honor feel like royalty.
Here are some quick-and-easy ideas for great themes for your next kid party:
- Pirates: Oh, arrrr! Get your guests in the swashbuckling spirit with decorations for a pirate-themed party. From eye patches to treasure maps and “X marks the spot”, there are plenty of ways to bring in this classic theme.
- Princesses: Whether it’s Sleeping Beauty or Cinderella, your little princess will feel adored with a gorgeous princess-themed celebration. Think sparkles, tiaras and ballroom decorations—all fit for a royal bash.
- Superheroes: Nothing says heroic fun like having a superhero-themed kid party! Cover the room in flags of justice or comic book pages and let your little heroes don their favorite capes and masks.
Let imagination be your guide when it comes to finding great themes for fun kid parties without breaking the bank!
Arts and Crafts Activities: Painting, Drawing and Collages, Oh My!
If you’re looking to get the kids busy at your next party, why not have an arts and crafts activity? Painting, drawing and collages can be fun for everyone. Kids can use their imagination to bring something unique to the table. You can even ask them to come up with a theme in order to make it more exciting!
Painting is a great way to inspire creativity. Not only will your kids have a blast painting and creating their own masterpieces, but they’ll also be able to take home their artwork as a souvenir of the party.
Collages are another great way to get your kids involved. Have them collect items of different shapes and sizes (such as leaves, flowers, glitter, buttons, and other small objects) that are relevant to the theme you chose and let them go wild! Have all of their supplies laid out on their own table so that every child has access to what they need.
Drawing is a classic activity for any age group. Set up tables with blank paper or coloring books, crayons, colored pencils, markers or even glitter pens for extra sparkle! Before you know it your children will have created beautiful drawings they can frame or keep as gorgeous memories of the fun day they had at your party.
Fun Games and Activities to Keep Kids Entertained
Looking for fun games to keep the kids entertained? Whether your kid is into creative arts and crafts, active games, or just wants some quiet time with friends, there are plenty of activities you can do that won’t break the bank. Here are some ideas:
Fun With Crafts
You don’t need to be Martha Stewart to put together a memorable art session for the kiddos. All you need is some paper, crayons and markers, glue sticks and googly eyes! Let little imaginations run wild with easy crafts like building paper cities or making family trees with branches for each guest.
Active Games
Set up classic games such as dodgeball or tag in your backyard. If you don’t have a yard (or if it’s too cold outside), get creative with indoor activities like freeze dance, charades and musical chairs. For an extra challenge, why not create an obstacle course in your living room?
Relaxing Time
Sometimes all kids need is some down time to talk and relax. Get out board games like Monopoly or plenty of stuffed animals for a “pet adoption day”—complete with a pet adoption center made up of blankets, collars and other accessories (made out of paper). You can also rent movies or provide coloring books as options for kids who want to keep things low key.
kid party games outdoor
When it comes to party games for kids outdoors, there is no shortage of options. Here are a few ideas you may want to consider for your next outdoor kid’s party:
Water Games
Water games are a great way to beat the heat and keep your guests cool. They’re also easy to do and inexpensive – just set up some buckets or plastic pools, fill them with water, and let the fun begin! Popular water game ideas include water balloon fights, giant bubbles and squirt gun games.
Tag Games
Tag games are always popular among kids and can provide hours of fun. Whether it’s traditional tag or something more elaborate like freeze tag, these games will have your partygoers running around in circles before it’s time to go home! Get creative and come up with some of your own rules for tag variations like flashlight tag or glow stick tag. You can also create scavenger hunts or obstacle courses for even more active fun.
Ball Games
You can never go wrong with ball games at an outdoor kid’s party. Think classics like kickball, dodgeball or four-square – all you need is a ball and some chalk to mark the court! For smaller children, try bubble ball races where children blow large bubbles around in a circle or race against each other by blowing bubbles from one end of the yard to the other.
Making sure everyone has a fun and safe time is paramount when throwing an outdoor party for kids, so make sure someone is always keeping watch over all of the activities – that way they can intervene if things start to get out of hand!
kid group games indoor
If you’re looking to organize an indoor party, then you’re going to want some group games that all the kids can play together. Here are some great activities you can do with a group of kids and not break the bank.
Limbo:
This classic game is perfect for indoor parties. All you need is a broomstick and some upbeat music and your partygoers can take turns limbo-ing under the broomstick while music plays. The last person standing wins!
Bean Bag Toss:
Bean bag toss is a fun game that both boys and girls enjoy. It’s also super simple to make yourself—just grab some bags of beans or rice, put them in sacks, and use paper plates or pieces of fabric to make targets that are easy for the kids to throw at. This game also helps improve motor skills and dexterity!
Animal Charades:
Animal charades is a classic game that everyone knows how to play—it’s perfect for getting kids laughing and having fun together. You don’t even need supplies—break into teams, pick animals and have the kids act them out until someone guesses correctly!
Edible Creations: Cupcakes, Cookies and Cake Pops
You don’t have to be every kid’s favorite aunt to know that cupcakes, cookies and cake pops are all guaranteed winners when it comes to great kid party ideas. Not only are they a tasty treat, but they can also easily be decorated to match your party theme—think bright colors and themed sprinkles. And if you don’t have the skill or patience to make these yummy treats yourself, you can always get store-brought and decorate them instead.
When it comes to decorating the treats, why not let your young guests join in too? Let them experiment with different colors, shapes and designs or give each one a small pre-prepared decorating kit so they can make their own edible creations.
If you’re feeling playful, you can always let the kids make their own cupcake creations with a build-your-own cupcake activity – just supply different topping and decorations such as frosting, sprinkles and marshmallows! This is sure to keep your little guests busy for hours and fill them with creative energy.
So just remember that when throwing a kid’s party on a budget: edible creations are an easy way to add color, fun and of course lots of deliciousness!
Party Favors Kids Will Love Without Breaking the Bank
When it comes to party favors, you want something meaningful for kids, but there’s no need to break the bank. Here are a few ideas you can use:
DIY Crafts
DIY crafts are always a hit with kids and they don’t have to be super complicated. For example, you can do decorative picture frames with foam art supplies or create homemade slime—it’s so much fun for kids!
Edible Treats
Think about filling small bags with popcorn, candy or pretzels for an easy way to satisfy their sweet tooth. Luau-themed parties might call for pineapples cut into individual servings, while superhero parties might require premade superhero cookies.
Party Favors
Stickers, erasers and pencils decorated with unique prints featuring the theme of your party make great favors that will last for days. You can also check out the dollar store for surprises like jack-in-the-boxes or small stuffed animals.
The key is to get creative when it comes to party favors—you don’t need to spend a lot of money! With these kid-friendly ideas, you can be sure that every child in attendance will leave your party happy and fulfilled.
Keeping Costs Low: Budget-Friendly Tips for Throwing a Kid’s Party
Let’s face it — parties are expensive. But that doesn’t mean you have to break the bank to have an awesome time with your kids and their friends. There are plenty of ways to throw a great kid’s party without spending a fortune. Here are some of our favorite tips for keeping costs low:
Shop Around for Supplies
Spend some time researching deals online and in stores to find the best prices on decorations, party favors, supplies and more. Stores like Walmart, Target and Dollar Tree often offer good deals on party supplies and decorations.
Take Advantage of Coupons
Search online for coupons that you can redeem at stores where you purchase party supplies. You can also check out warehouse stores like Costco and Sam’s Club, where bulk items are usually offered at better prices than smaller retail outlets. Just make sure to take into account shipping costs if ordering online.
Think Outside the Box
Instead of buying all new items for your party, consider reusing or repurposing items you already have in your home. For example, you can use an old sheet as a tablecloth and jars or containers found around your house as décor elements. This is a great way to save money and reduce waste!
DIY Projects
If you’re feeling crafty, why not create some DIY decorations or activities? Many websites offer free printable decorations that you can use to decorate the room and even make a unique banner for your child’s special day! You can also put together fun games with items found around the house – just get creative!
Conclusion
There you have it — awesome party ideas that are fun, creative, and affordable. Throw in some decorations, snacks, and activities and you have yourself a great party that won’t break the bank.
Whether you’re looking for a classic theme like Pirates or something more creative like Star Wars, there are plenty of party ideas to choose from that will make your child’s birthday celebration a smashing success. So, make the most of your budget, choose the perfect theme, and get ready for a fantastic kid’s party!