Top 11 tips for an inexpensive kid's birthday party

It's no secret that children and babies, as cute as they are, are not cheap. Birthday parties can have huge price tags, and they do come annually. No, you don't have to order catering, have a limo, or hire a clown to give your child a special and memorable birthday party. Here's our 11 top tips on fun and frugal children's birthday parties. After all, it's not supposed to cost as much as wedding...  

1. Location, location, location- A lot of venues that host children's parties are very pricey, for the small amount of time you get to stay there. Avoid these places and keep fast-food playgrounds, public parks, and your own home in mind. The only disadvantage is cleaning up.
2. Keep the guest count low- Be selective about how many people will be attending, as many places charge by guest. This also cuts down on clean-up and stress.
3. Keep the time in mind- By hosting the party in between mealtimes, you will not be obligated to feed the crowd. Go frugal with just the cake, and some punch or soda.
4. Minimal decor- Children don't mind, or pay attention to any extravagant decorations. There is nothing wrong with keeping it simple. A few streamers should be fine.
5. Don't blow it away on party favors- The dollar store has plenty of cheap toys and candy that will fill up the loot bags on a dime. You could also use a pinata, and have children fill up their own party bags.
6. Combined parties- Have a friend with a similar birthday? Have a joint party, and split the cost.
7. All in the family- Very young children can't comprehend or appreciate the concept of a birthday party yet, so save money by having a special gathering with friends and family. An extravagant party for a child's 1st or 2nd birthday could just confuse the child.
8. Saving money on the cake- Bake it at home, ordering it from a discount store like Sam's club or Costco.
9. ...Or make the cake one of the activities- Bake cupcakes from a cake mix and have each child decorate one.
10. By simple party supplies- The colored supplies are generally cheaper than ones with designs and licensed characters.
11. Frugal & Fun party activities- Keep 'em busy and entertained, no limo service or Barney character needed!
    • Arts and crafts time (make sure its age appropriate)
    • A candy filled pinata
    • Freeze dance
    • Head outside for a game of soccer or football
    • Relay races
    • Musical chairs
    • Traditional games such as "Pin the tail on the donkey"
    • Board games