The Frugal Family: Money Savings Kids Birthday Party Ideas

Kids' birthday parties aren't always cheap, but they can be if you put your mind to it. I just threw my son's fourth birthday party and it went off without a hitch. I've learned a bit over the past couple of years, and I feel satisfied that I was able to provide a fun party for a reasonable amount of money this time around.

In the past I've bought invitations from Target. I've found it difficult to track RSVPs with paper invitations, though, and there is the cost of postage to consider, so this year I decided to use the Evite. The response rate was much higher and the invitations didn't cost me a dime!

When it comes to decorations, I find that balloons and a banner do the trick. It's amazing how long balloons can entertain small children! There is no need for party games when they can kick balloons or throw them up in the air like confetti. In the last minute rush this year, I accidentally purchased a pack of water balloons. They were more difficult to blow up, but there were a lot more in the package so we will get several years out of that purchase. In addition, the kids adored the smaller sized balloons. Along with our collection of post-Halloween sale and hand-me-down costumes, there was plenty of entertainment.

Favors for young children are a breeze and add to the fun. I purchased Transformers treat bags that my son picked out; however, if you have the time paper bags that are stamped or decorated with stickers would also work well and cost even less. Our favor bags were filled with temporary tattoos, fruit snacks, stickers, bubbles, and washable markers. The bubbles came in packs of 24 at Target, and the markers were purchased in packs of 16 that were divided evenly among the group of kids. Simple, easy, and cheap!

Cake is not all that difficult. Whether it's from a box or from scratch, you can get away with spending little on cake. I like to make cupcakes for children because I don't have to buy as many disposable utensils and plates (or wash dishes). I've gone one step further by investing in silicone baking cups to eliminate the need to continuously purchase paper cups.

I must admit that party food can be tricky with youngsters and this is where I tend to spend the most. Last year I made a slough of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for our guests. This year I downsized a bit more by starting the party after lunch and buying a mixture of finger foods: veggies and dip, cheese crackers, ham and cheese rolls, miniature dill pickles, and juice boxes.

All in all, the party cost our family less than $100. Clean up was pretty easy and I came away much less stressed than in previous years. That in itself is priceless!

What tips do you have for doing a kid's birthday on a budget? Share them in the comments!

Crystal Ritchie lives and blogs in San Francisco with her preschooler son Jack and her partner in crime/fiance David. She loves to share stories, tips, and tricks related to the parenting gig on her personal blog, Ewokmama.com.