Thrifty Party Ideas for Your Child's Birthday

In today's economy, parents are trying to cut back on spending left and right. While you may be able to give up many luxuries, but sometimes you really can't avoid spending a little extra cash to celebrate your child's birthday. For those who want to save money too, however, here are some great, money saving kids birthday party ideas that will satisfy your sense of thrift and your kid's sense of fun.

Invitations

Instead of purchasing expensive invitations for your child's birthday party, you can be resourceful and make them with your child. If you have a printer with enough toner and paper, you can create the birthday cards on Microsoft Word or Paint and print them out. You can even help your child make a template on the paper, make copies of the invitation electronically, and enter the necessary information.

Activities

For their child's birthday parties, many parents decide to rent a bounce house. If you've ever rented a bounce house, then you know that it can cost hundreds of dollars. Instead of getting something so expensive, you can choose cheaper (or even free) activities that will be just as fun for the birthday girl or boy.

If you have sprinklers in your backyard, you can throw a sprinkler party. Just ask your guests to bring their bathing suits and towels and inform them that it is a sprinkler party on the invitation. Chances are, you don't want to get wet though. If that's the case, your child can play freeze tag or board games with the guests.

Multi player video games, such as Mario Kart and Just Dance for the Wii console, are other great party activities. It's recommended that you have other activities planned for the kids as well though, because they may end up playing video games for the entire party.

Food

If you're overwhelmed with the party cooking, you can ask guests to bring food. You supply the cake, refreshments, and some snacks and your guests are allowed to bring whatever they want, potluck style. If you're having a large party with many guests, this is a great way to save money on food.

To save more money on food, you can make the cake and other snacks yourself. A cake mix makes the job easier, and is still a very cheap option.

As you can see, there are plenty of birthday party ideas that will allow your child and the guests to have a great time while keeping your spending in check.