Budget birthday venue suggestions?

[pocomom]

We struggle with birthday parties all the time since we moved. We used to always be able to have them in our big backyard. Here it could snow on the kids b-days, plus the backyard isn't as big or nice! Your child may be too young for this, but for my daughters, I started offering taking 3-4 friends to the movies, instead of a big party and they have taken me up on it several times. Once my younger daughter had about 8 friends and we just went to the ice cream place in town, I called ahead of time but we didn't have a "party" booked or anything. I just paid for the kids ice cream and gave them some tokens for the game room. They even let me bring in a cake from home, although in hindsight probably wasn't even needed. Everyone had a great time and it was very easy and under $100. Other things we have done were a pool party at the Y (pretty cheap), stayed at Great Wolf Lodge for one night and just invited best friend (not cheap but very special) And we went to a local laser tag place. Does your son have any special interests?

 

[Ginny Favers]

I know that craft chain stores like Michael's and Jo-Ann Fabrics have parties where the kids can do crafts.

Also, local bakeries will do parties where they show how they bake treats, and everyone gets to decorate their own cup cake.

The local ice cream shop also does that, showing how they make ice cream, with make-your-own sundaes.

Our local bookstore offers parties, themed to a certain book, and the "goody bag" is actually a free book from the store.

I would not hesitate to ask local nearby businesses if they have availability to host a party, especially if your son shows interest in whatever it is they do... you never know.

 

[stsomewhere]

We live in 900 sf. House. My daughter is allowed to invite 3 friends for party. They like to play Wii. That way everyone can play at the same time.

 

[irishsharon]

I know some hotels offer pool partys,not sure how much that would cost. I had ds's party at saf-t-swim and on special it was $225 but you could have 25 kids.All the kids had fun swimming while it was snowing outside

 

[gracie1]

How about an aquarium? Do you have one near you?

 

[cinmouse]

Of course rates vary place by place but we had done the following:
Bounce House
Hotel Swim Party - pay to use the pool, room for snacks & cake
Can also call your local Y or Boys & Girls club..they hold these too
Lego Party - can do @ Lego store, but we did it @ home, they sell the package @ the stores..thus no need for goody bags since everyone makes there take home gift
roller skating
Ice skating (this is the cheapest...munical rink, small party room)

 

[DisneyMarathon]

There are some non-profit animal shelters (eg. humane society) also offer birthday parties. The kids will have a blast - they get to visit with the dogs and cats, tour, lessons about animal care, responsibility, etc. I highly recommend it if your place has such facilities!

 

[englishteacha]

What about a children's museum? The one nearest us does parties, and sometimes they even have a Groupon. Our local college gym does parties really affordably, too. They do games and swimming, and you get a "party master" who plans all the games, etc. You provide your own cake, etc. at both places.

My favorite birthday parties when I was little were when I had 3-5 of my friends come over. We'd do food, maybe a movie (OK, so it was in the days when we had to rent a VCR, so it was really special to watch a movie), and some basic party games. We lived in a TINY house, so a big party just wasn't doable, and we couldn't afford to rent a place. When I was 9 I got to take 3 friends roller skating for my birthday. We had food and cake at home, then we all went to the roller rink.

My husband didn't have "Friend parties" very often. Usually his mother would take him and a friend someplace special. Maybe instead of a party, you could do something special with the birthday boy and a friend?

 

[Mom_Rides]

Does your community room have a TV that you could connect your Wii to? This giving you the space for the kids as well as the same concept your DH was suggesting?

 

[littlelulu33]

Last year we did California Pizza Kitchen it was only $10 per kid, they got a tour of the kitchen and then got to make their own pizza all the topping they wanted. and then they had ice cream with hot fudge sprinkles etc I went and bought aprons with the 50% off Joann fabric coupons and fabric markers and the kids decorated them

 

[Carol97]

My dd is about to turn 6 too on March 17 which will also be 1 week after we return from Disney spending lots of $$$$$. I've had a party for her every year but like you don't want to spend a fortune this year since we are just returning from Disney. We were thinking of just doing something special with her at Disney and not having any sort of party but she want's something with her friends. We are thinking of some of the same things but haven't come to a decision yet! It's so hard trying to reason what she would like the best versus what's most practical and affordable!!

 

[jwwi]

I love the Home Depot, Fire Department and California Pizza Kitchen ideas. Isn't it great how there are so many different ideas. Some of these would work for boy scouts/girl scouts too!

 

[Sparkly]

I had a bowling party for my 10th birthday, and enjoyed it greatly. I think we had one game, had our food and cake, opened presents and then hung in the arcade until the end. Can't remember how much it cost, but looking on the site it really wasn't much at all.

But my favourite childhood parties were when we rented a small hall!