Let's Celebrate 04-Sep-2011
We all want our children to have an enjoyable and memorable party; however when you are focusing on the family budget, it is important to make every dollar stretch as far as possible. Kids on the Coast asked our readers to share their ideas for creating a great kids party without blowing your budget and were overwhelmed with the clever and creative responses.
Jenna We had a Star Wars party for my 4yr old son. I made ‘Pod racers’ out of nappy boxes covered in tin foil. The kids had races in them around an obstacle course in the back yard. I also got them all a blow up light saber each off eBay, really cheaply. We filled our spare room with balloons and blacked out the window with black plastic sheet then let them all have a turn finding the glow in the dark toys I had hid in some of the balloons. I did plan for probably about a month but wouldn’t have spent much at all, and every one had a great time. We also made a great space ship cake thanks to the Woman’s Day cake book.
Supattra Plan ahead and it depends if the party is for boy or girl.... My boys are not much into the decorations only action so last year I had a 5th birthday party at Swim Fit Cotton Tree swimming pool, hiring an inflatable and that included 15 kids free, and I prepared my own snacks and ordered pizza, my own cake and it was a perfect day!
Sarah Just sit down and think about what is actually needed. So far I have done my boys birthday parties the same way my Mum did ours, homemade cake and food. With the good old party games that don’t cost a lot of money, pass the parcel, pin the tail on the donkey, musical chairs, eating a donut from the clothes line, pop the balloon, dare etc. Children make their own fun. For my son’s birthday coming up we’re having a family lunch and then inviting a few friends over for a few hours in the afternoon.
Andrew Rather than buying plastic “lolly/ loot” bags, we have been using brown tuckshop bags, putting them out as part of the activities to be decorated by the kids during the party, named and then filled with a few treats before they go home.
Vanessa Plan in advance so you can buy things in advance as you see them. Use as many things that you already have at home, when you start looking around you usually find you’ve got plenty to use already without having to go and buy additional things.
Gill I have had crafty parties for the last few years, using different kids craft books and the internet to get ideas. At my 5 year old son’s party we all made snakes by stuffing old socks and stockings with paper, gluing on eyes and drawing on them with pens. The kids loved taking something a little bit different home.
Angela A spectacular cake wowed all the party goers and kids at a super duper simple play at the park for my 3 year old and her friends..... mixed up with play at park, face painting and a fishing for ducks game
Sarah I did not hire anything and the kids loved my little girls Olivia the pig Party. We played some party games, pass the parcel, Piñata, pin the ribbon on Olivia’s ears. I made all the decorations and looked on the internet for cheaper alternatives, made all the foods etc too.
Maree My sister recently did a kids master chef style party the kids made all the food and decorated the birthday cake. It was a huge hit.
Melissa Kids love crafts - go shopping at a discount warehouse for anything from canvases, paint, stickers, feathers, beads for kids to create their own masterpiece. For girls they can thread beads to make a bracelet then glue jewels etc onto little boxes for a jewellery box
Donagh Keep it simple - Kids like simple - and they make their own fun lots of times anyway - pass the parcel, cross over, red rover, and all the old games
For more ideas and to join in our interesting discussions, visit us on Facebook.com/kidsonthecoast or start a conversation in the comments below.
There are a huge range of interesting kids craft resource books, one to check out is Little Things for Busy Hands by Katie Evans (RRP $24.95) which has 16 simply crafty projects or visit www.quickcraft.com.au for CDs filled with printable craft activities (from $29.95), perfect for parties.
