Kid's birthday parties Grrrr related

[luckey-lasvegas]

I was just lookin at familyfun and they have ideas for a backyard campout party that sounds like it would be fun for 9 - 10 year old boys. I remember doing this with my girl scout friends when I was a kid and we had a blast !

 

[luckey-lasvegas]

Bumping

 

[msdznyduck]

I'm trying to fight the trend of bigger is better, but dh was born on the fourth of July, so he grew up thinking everyone was celebrating his birthday (and I wish I was kidding!).

My DH also was born on the 4th of July.......he always thought the fireworks were for him, and used to tease his younger sister mercilessly (born in Oct) that SHE never got fireworks.

For DD's 6 or 7th birthday, we had it at a ceramics place. They all painted a piece (which was their take home 'goody' thing) Pizza and cake after cleanup. Took a total of about 3 hours. I took a picture of each girl with their creation, as well as some candid shots, and DD sent the pictures with thank you cards to each girl. That was fun.....probably about $10 a girl (this was 10 years ago)

For her 10th birthday, we did a roller skating party. Was, again, about $10 a girl, minimum 10 or 12. The only thing was 2 girls broke their arm after falling. Make sure if you do this the parents are reachable. The first girl broke hers the first time skating around the place. We didn't realize it was broken, just sore. The other one broke hers the last skate around. I got calls from both of the moms the next day, saying how their DDs had broken arms from their falls. Thankfully, they realized that accidents happen. ANd both breaks were not serious.

When she was about 13, we had a backyard campout sleepover. We set up a tent and they painted toes and fingers all night long. The next day they looked a little vampire-like with all the smeared mascara. We have a deck with sliding glass doors, which we kept open since one bathroom is downstairs off the family room. I slept (or tried to) down on the couch, to keep an eye on things. They knew they were not allowed to roam the neighborhood, and they needed to stay either in the tent, or come into the family room to watch movies if they wanted.The only thing, there are also a few teenage boys in the same neighborhood, which kept coming over trying to scare them in the middle of the night. Just when we didn't hear much outside, the boys would come and slap the sides of the tent and the girls would scream, giggling, etc.

 

[scraptoons]

Our most recent party was simply having cake at the neighborhood park gazebo. It was a hit.

I planned it 6:30 until 9ish when it got dark. The sun was low and the temps were only in the lower 90's. It was also a Monday night in the summer, when no one had school, and the only ones having to get up early are the parents that work. Not having it on a Saturday helped because no one felt rushed or pressured to be somewhere else and prioritize.

I made a cake, using decorating ideas I googled on the internet. It was two round layers side by side. Iced over with white icing. Crumbled up chocolate cookies on top in a figure 8 for a race track. Green sprinkles for grass, and white icing piped around the track for a road effect. We put a Lighting McQueen car on the track. Voila!

We had a cooler full of capri suns, water bottles, and sodas. Everyone just grabbed what they desired to drink with their cake.
Plain colored plates are a buck a package. Had that with a matching 98 cent plastic disposable table cloth, and same price for napkins.

Quite a few families showed up. We just sat there and visited and laughed while the kids played and played.

It was like an old fashioned gathering. Luckily we had a breeze, so it actually felt not hot.

Everyone loved it so much, and non of us wanted to leave. It was low key and low expectations. But it was wonderful.
Plus I didn't have to clean house and plan games and become Hostesszilla!

The party favor bags were just for the children that were the same age as the birthday child. The older ones understood.
That cut down on costs, especially when I found most items in multi packs at Dollar General. (chalk, cowboy and indian figures (like the green army men), playdoh, etc) The only "candy" item was Cars gummy fruit snacks. A box of ten is about a couple of dollars at Walmart (at the most).

 

[Becky2005]

I'm trying to fight the trend of bigger is better, but dh was born on the fourth of July, so he grew up thinking everyone was celebrating his birthday (and I wish I was kidding!). At least I have until November to figure out what we're doing this year.

That's funny as my brother's birthday is June 30. He told me later after we were grown that when he was little he always thought the fireworks were to celebrate his birthday! I know it's not in July but it was close enough.

Thankfully, he never gave us a hard time about it but mine is May 31 and I usually got Memorial day before they always made it a Monday. So, sometimes they would give us school off just because it was my birthday and have a parade (I *never* once thought those things were for my birthday though as opposed to my brother with the fireworks).

My sister got Thanksgiving.

 

[stephbillalec]

:
Thankfully, he never gave us a hard time about it but mine is May 31 and I usually got Memorial day before they always made it a Monday. So, sometimes they would give us school off just because it was my birthday and have a parade (I *never* once thought those things were for my birthday though as opposed to my brother with the fireworks).

My birthday is May 31 as well. I'm a teacher so I'm thrilled when Memorial Day falls on the 31st. I always tell my students that I'm giving them a day off in honor of my birthday, lol.

 

[mjbaby]

My birthday is May 31 as well. I'm a teacher so I'm thrilled when Memorial Day falls on the 31st. I always tell my students that I'm giving them a day off in honor of my birthday, lol.

My birthday is December 31 and I was embarrassingly old before I realized that the fact of my birth was *not* the reason there's always something interesting and fun to do that day!

 

[fan_of_small_world]

Sorry if this was already posted, but I got great ideas from http://www.birthdaypartyideas.com/. For DD4 I did a Candy Land party, and for DS (who will be 8) I'm planning on an at-home Mad Scientist party. If you go the science route, check out http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/. They have tons of stuff, some of which can be used for the "experiments" and some which could be put into "treat bags." Depending on what you do, you can spend far less than the going rate at a party place. (Of course, you could be like me and end up spending more!! )

 

[disneynewbee]

After a sleepover disaster (bickering fighting girls) I started offering my dd cash instead of a big party. I let her have one friend spend the night and we go to the movies and eat and then I give her a lump sum to spend. I have my immediate family over for cake and icecream on another day. This has worked out for both of us but still can get costly. Luckily my younger dd loves Mc Donalds so we do her parties there and they are super cheap.

 

[rumrunnergirl]

I freak out just buying the party supplies, LOL! And I'm pretty frugal with that too. My oldest just turned 7, and at-home parties work for me. Once when she was little I got a pavilion at a local park (free), there was a playground there and small swimming area & the kids had fun.

Now I limit the parties to 2 hours after lunch - socializing, swimming (in our 12' x 3' pool, LOL), craft, open presents, cake/ice cream - and it works out perfect. I leave the expensive parties to the other parents, LOL. Afternoon parties keep food costs down - I stock up on juice & snacks on sales before the party, get a few "themed" supplies and color-coordinate the rest with supplies on hand, search online for party ideas, make my own centerpiece, etc.

I buy one pack of invites and that's all the kids my kids can invite. We did the same thing with the pinata this year as previously posted - the candy they caught was their goody bag, along with their craft - and why do they need goodies bags anyway? Isn't the "goody" being invited to the party? And we kept the pinata for later use.

Also, I tell the parents to go home & take a nap or go run errands. I don't stay when I drop my kids off either - I run errands or whatever - childless - yeehaw! LOL

 

[autumnsmommy]

I always have a dilemma...large family, small house, and March birthday for DD. We've had it at church social hall and at a local ice cream parlor/ bbq place that has a party room for free if you order food for the party. got the food & ice cream, brought in a cake and a few cheese pizzas for the little kids. Everybody happy, not too much work for me. Now what to do for next year.....hmmm.

 

[summerrluvv]

I was browsing through my photobucket account today and found some pics from DS's cooking party that I thought I would share:

Wilton cupcake pan

The paper goods and silverware were actually .25 per pack in the dollar bin clearance at Target. The balloons were really cheap too for regular latex at the party store

The apron was a 3.00 at Joanns. I had each kid sign it. The hats were the most expensive part of the party. I got the idea from the Epcot cookie baking event where they gave DS a hat. They were 1.00 each.

The Pinata was pretty cheap too...7.99 I think at Party City.

Pin the tail on the donkey was a dollar and the kids had so much fun playing that one!

 

[daughterminnie]

for my daughter's 9th last year we had a "survivor" party. guests were divided into tribes, we had colored bandanas (purchased at A.C. Moore for a buck each) and face paints for each tribe. kids were given challenges and awarded points for each challenge won. winning 'tribe' got to surprise the other tribe with silly string. one tribe had to eat birthday cake without forks or hands!! "goodybag" consisted of the colored bandana, a personalized sports water bottle (purchased at the dollar store and personalized by us with a paint pen), and the candy found during a scavenger hunt (one of the challenges). Cost for supplies was around $50. Add some paper plates, pizza, drinks, and a cake and you've got a fun party for cheap!

I don't want to bore anyone so if anyone wants some of the "challenge" ideas we used, just PM me and I'll give them to you.

The kids had a blast and they still talk about how 'unique' the party was and how much fun it was. We timed it for 2 1/2 hours but we needed a little extra time to get in all the activities. I'd def do this one again - maybe next time for my son.

 

[Pigeon]

I've had great parties for my kids at home, and we don't have a pool. It is way, way, way more work, however, and I'm now at a point where I'd rather spend $200. You do need to come up with a whole bunch of games for the kids to play, but they can have a very good time at home.

 

[hockeymomoftwo]

I agree the cost of parties is outright maddening. Then you have to figure in the cost of the cake, goodie bags, invites, thankyous matching plates and it is absolutely ridiculous.

Just finished doing ds age 5 party. He wanted bowling and we paid 6/kid. Wasn't too bad probably was the cheapest party out what we were looking at.

We have a park and some great kiddie rides that cost a quarter but we have done that for so many birthdays that I really didn't want to do it again even though it is pretty cheap. I usually buy some good food and all the adults eat and I don't feel like it costs me an arm and a leg.

I am getting ready to plan older sons party also. We are doing his at the ice rink. It is really poorly managed and they don't offer a party package so it is pretty cheap. It will probably cost between 2-3/kid depending if they need a rental or not. They don't have any concessions so I can buy my own pizza and drinks and bring them in which is always cheaper. We'll probably be inviting 40 kids. I'm hoping about 20-25 show up. This will probably be the last big party for him. Looking to switch to sleepovers with a few friends next year.

 

[bettyann29]

I agree that parties are getting out of hand.. a few years ago DD14 decided to do her party at home and there were teenagers everywhere.. This year I was thinking on letting her invite one friend to spend the day with us and perhaps go eat and out to a movie and then rather than spend all that money on stuff for a party give that money to her to spend at the outlet mall.. in addition to a birthday gift.. The money isnt always a big deal, but I get so stressed over their birthday parties.. My DD8 is wanting her party at Putt Putt this year so I figured maybe 5 or 6 friends and thats it..

 

[sameyeyam]

If you have a local community swimming pool opt for that. They usually have "birthday packages" that include cake, private pool time, etc... but those are expensive.

We just go during Public Swim time, about $2.00 for each kid. ( I usually call to alert them that a large party will be coming in) and make sure to arrive plenty early so they don't fill up! Also, ask what the adult/child ratio in the water should be & make sure you have enough adult swimmers if necessary.

When we are done we take our homemade cake, cupcakes & big pitchers of Koolaid to the park next door. I bring along frisbees, lawn games, etc... from home.

Total cost for about 20 kids, $50!

P.S. We also sometimes do a "used gift exchange" on their birthdays. Instead of a new gift, everyone brings something used from their toybox that they don't play with anymore. If nothing used is available then just a coloring book & crayons will do. Then I tell parents to wrap it up in any old gift wrap -- baby shower, christmas, newspaper, etc... When we play games the winner gets to go pick a gift, until everyone has a new "used" toy to take home. Kids & parents both loved this idea instead of gifts.

 

[sbaldasare]

Wanted to share an idea that I haven't seen mentioned....
Last year for my son's fall birthday, we went to a local greenhouse. The greenhouse had a straw maze with a zip line (tarzan type swing thing), a dark straw maze (gave them flashlights), a hay ride, animal petting area, and they each got to pick a small pumkpin and decorate it. This was very inexpensive and the boys had a blast.

My 2 boys are allowed to have a party outsite of the house every other year and the "big" parties of 4-5 kids plus family stop at 10, then just 1 or 2 friends. This has worked out well. I don't get too stressed out with planning and saves on the budget.

 

[3DisneyBuggs]

Wow lots of replies! I decided to go with the regular package at Chucke Cheese.I'm only having 8 kids total so it shouldn;t be too bad. I like the mini golf idea but when I called the place near us, they only offered hot dogs with the party. I'd rather have pizza but they wanted a ridiculous amount to change to pizza. I'm sure the kids will have fun at Chuckecheese. Thanks for all the input!

 

[summerrluvv]

Wow lots of replies! I decided to go with the regular package at Chucke Cheese.I'm only having 8 kids total so it shouldn;t be too bad. I like the mini golf idea but when I called the place near us, they only offered hot dogs with the party. I'd rather have pizza but they wanted a ridiculous amount to change to pizza. I'm sure the kids will have fun at Chuckecheese. Thanks for all the input!

Just a heads up, Dollar Tree has CEC puzzles for 1.00 and each comes with a coupon for 5 free tokens.