There is certainly no need to spend a considerable amount of money planning a kid’s entertainment party of a one-year-old since they wouldn’t remember it.
However, at the age of three, most children have already been invited to numerous birthday celebrations. Once it’s time for your child to throw a party, you can’t create a small guest list. It won’t compare to some of the more elaborate birthday extravaganzas they have attended.
Parents these days throw their children expensive and over-the-top birthdays. For the rest of us, it can be challenging to keep up. We have seen them rent a bouncy castle, and some cotton candy machine, where they even had an amusement park built in their backyard.
From drafting the menu to writing the guest list, creating the perfect planned kids’ entertainment party while spending less is not an easy challenge. Maybe you were thinking, “How do I make this special event happen without spending too much?”
If you think that a significant and activity-packed kid’s party will not fit your budget, don’t worry! You can still throw a fun and exciting party for your little munchkin without spending a fortune. This article will show you how to throw 10 incredibly easy ways to plan the best party ever while spending less in your own home. It would be magical not only for the kids but for you as well!
Quick tips to streamline entertainment party costs:
- Don’t hire entertainment! Create DIY games, activities, games, and crafts.
- Ditch a morning or noontime party. Plan it in the afternoon to offer snacks and not lunch meals.
- Say no to themed decorations, buy solid-colored paper goods instead.
- Determine the guest list by answering these questions, “Do I need to invite the whole class?”, “Should I invite those who invited my kid?”
1. Using digital invites (Cost = $0)
The world has gone digital, which means the way to invite people to parties has changed. Ask for the parent’s email addresses and send them the invites from there. You’ll save money on paper invitations.
Websites like Canva and Paperless Post will allow you to design free online birthday invitations. If you want, you could also create your own from scratch in Photoshop.
The best way to DIY party invites is to find a free template that you like and then just change the colors to match the theme of the party.
2. Avoid renting spaces, centers, and kiddie gyms (Cost = $0)
Sometimes it’s tough to say no when discounts and promos are being promoted right in front of you. Availing specific packages for different kid entertainment parties is what you really need to spend on if your space is on the small side.
Pizza parlors usually offer packages where the food is included, ice cream shops generally offer create-your-own bars and entertainment centers that provide not only food but various activities as well.
In an art and craft center, there are paintings and potteries that range per attendee.
Aquariums and zoos are some of the best, but they would really cost you a lot.
One of the best ways to save money on your child’s party is to host it yourself. You will definitely be able to save more than the usual costs. Of course, the only downside is you have to plan and do it all on your own. This includes the setting up, cleaning up, preparation of food, the entertainment. But don’t do it all alone. Friends and relatives can help you out. Think of it as a quality time slash fun experience for all.
3. Provide your own party entertainment (Cost = $10 to $50)
You’ll be able to save a tremendous amount of money with DIY entertainment. Take advantage of the weather during the spring and summertime. Plan fun relay races, set up some fun games like scavenger or treasure hunts, and even allow the guests to bring swimwear for a fun water balloon battle. You can spend $10 for a nice prize then you’re done.
When stuck indoors, gather the kids in the living room and put on a popular movie for them to watch. A talent show is also fun where the kids can show off their talents and entertain themselves. The judges could be all the adult guests.
Party games can get tricky for little ones, so in its place, try activity stations. You can have anything from a craft stall and cookie decorating to playdough. Children continuously have a lot of fun brewing and showing off their handiworks.
Pinterest is going to be your best friend. You’ll be able to find some incredible party ideas and games there.
If you have a friend who does entertainment acts like a clown or a band, don’t be shy about calling in a favor.
4. At-home party food (Cost = $50 to $80)
Instead of throwing your party at lunchtime, do it in the afternoon so they will expect that you wouldn’t be serving lunch or dinner meals.
Children are very picky, generally. Some even have a food allergy. Feeding a room full of kids is exceptionally challenging.
So instead of ordering food, make them instead. Buy ingredients in bulk and research some of the easiest and cheapest food options you can serve at the party. We’re talking about mini pizzas you made in your oven, homemade mac and cheese, sliced fruits, bite-sized sandwiches or brownies and so much more. You can prepare these while the kids are completing an activity or a game.
Don’t forget to purchase drinks such as juices and party staples such as pretzels, cookies, and chips.
Buy store-bought cake mixed with a few cans of frosting to create the cake at home. You can pull it off for less than $20, which can be over 75% in savings. Think of all the other fun stuff you can do for the party with the money you will be saving.
5. DIY Food Bar (Cost = $5 to $20)
A DIY food bar for any kid’s party is a fun way to serve and eat. They can create anything they want, plus, it’s cheap.
You could do a pasta bar, build your own pizza bar, a soup bar, or even a taco bar.
You can make it from scratch and will surely save you a lot of cash.
6. Skipping the equipment rentals (Cost = $0)
Bouncy castles, tents, and food makers are popular at every kid’s entertainment party. They really are. They provide hours of fun for the young ones. However, if you rent them, you’ll be spending $20 to $1000 per hour.
And maybe you won’t really need it. You just need an immediate backup plan for when it rains.
Also, food concessions look pleasant to the eyes. But if you rent them, you will also be hiring people to the stations. So instead of doing so, just prepare a bowl of melted chocolate, some tissues, sticks, and plates for an easy chocolate fondue. A few bags of a fresh batch of microwave popcorns could also make your guests happy.
There’s also no need for you to rent a photo booth – you can create your own with a homemade backdrop.
7. No overstuffed bags (Cost = $0 to $2 per party favor)
It’s a common practice to send each guest home with a party bag filled with whatever cute, random, or sweet things are inside. We’re not really fans of cheap trinkets.
But it wouldn’t be a party if they don’t get a parting gift. So instead of filling bags with candies, make the birthday craft become the party favor. They can take home their creations to display and show off to everyone they see.
If the party will not involve any arts and crafts, what you can do is purchase jellybeans (or any candy) in bulk and package it in an inventive and colorful way.
You can also bake butter cookies in fun and colorful shapes using leftover mixes from the cake/cupcake.
8. Entertainment party music (Cost = $0)
Most children love the latest hits. They could dance around and sing along to the songs. It’s easy to organize, plus, they could even put in their own song requests.
Spotify and Youtube will allow you to play whatever music you want. Play it from your computer then blast it off the speakers then you have fun beats.
You can also create a game from this = freeze dance. The kids stop dancing when the music stops as well.
9. The only basic decors to a kids’ party (Cost = $10 to $40)
If you are renting spaces, decorations may not be a problem. But if you’re going to be doing it in your backyard, you might need to do some brainstorming and decorating to make the space look party-ready.
Decorations are cute, but the guests will only remember the fun time they had with their friends, laughing at the silly games they played and at blowing the candles than the fancy settings. Instead of going overboard by purchasing customized party banners, create some with plain, colored papers yourself.
You can also cut out paper shapes to create confetti for the table.
It’s helpful to stick to the basics with party streamers and balloons. Skip the character-themed tableware and instead, purchase necessary utensils, plates, and plastic cups for less.
10. Use what you already have at home (Cost = $0)
Check your stockroom and use what you already have at home to help you save during the party planning. You can even use decorations that you already have in your house and then put them up in a unique way.
If you have some extra snacks lying around your house that your child doesn’t like, you can put them out on the food table so other kids would appreciate it.
An inexpensive party is going to require you more power, time, and labor than paying for somebody else to take care of everything, the amount you will be saving is surprisingly large Ultimately, any party you throw, no matter the cost or the extent, is something your child will be grateful for his entire life.
How do you organize a kids’ entertainment party while spending less? Share them with us in the comments.
Need help planning the best kid’s entertainment party for your little one? RJ’s Amazing Entertainment can make it easier for you!
Contact us at (970) 377-0093 (or email us at teamrjevents@gmail.com). We serve the areas of Loveland, Fort Collins, Windsor, and the nearby areas in Colorado.