Kids’ Birthday Party Ideas, Tips & Tricks
Pop the confetti! We love a birthday party at Hey Bestie.
These precious moments are big, exciting milestones for the kids in our lives—so big that many kiddos count down the days, eager to round up their friends for an extra-special celebration that’s one for the books.
Birthdays happen only once per year, after all! Annnnd… there’s cake!
For many parents, though, kids’ birthday parties can be a little stressful. From sending invites to post-party cleanup, there’s a whole checklist of to-dos before, during, and after the event. Ever watch a dozen kids run around your house? We’ve been there!
So, let’s take a step back and keep things simple! Here are Emma & Camila’s tips for an easy, stress-free kids’ birthday party.
How to Organize a Kids Birthday Party
1. Plan early
Set calendar reminders in your phone so the special day doesn’t sneak up on you. This can not only save you stress but also money as you can think more clearly and weigh all your options with a little extra time.
Planning a birthday party with ample time also means that you can choose the right venue. Some kids birthday party places—like indoor playgrounds, movie theaters, and other fun spots—fill up months in advance!
2. Set a budget
You don’t need to spend an arm and a leg to make your kiddo smile.
Choose a total budget for the big day, then split that amount between the venue, the food, the activities, the decorations, and the goodie bags. Be realistic. It’s a good idea to research how much everything will cost ahead of time, so there are no surprises!
Scroll down for tips on how to have a budget birthday party!
3. Host the party at a venue
If you can swing it, host the kids’ party at a park or a venue. That way, there’s hardly any mess to clean up! Hosting somewhere outside of the home will save you from deep cleaning before the party and tidying up afterwards. And if the party venue has food, you don’t need to cook, either!
4. Limit the guest list
Small gatherings bring big fun! Count how many people can fit comfortably in your home or in the space where you are hosting. Then, set a hard cap. With a shorter guest list, you’ll have less food to prep, fewer kiddos to watch, and less mess to clean up.
While it may be tempting to invite the whole class, ask your kiddo who they’d like to see most. Who do they play with every day? Which family members would they like to see? Think quality, not quantity!
If there’s anyone left out who wants to celebrate, plan for something separate, like a quick visit to grandma’s—or by bringing a cake to the class, so long as the school allows it.
5. Delegate tasks
Feeling overwhelmed? If anyone offers to help with your kiddo’s birthday party, take them up on it. And don’t be shy to reach out!
Delegate things like carpooling, decorating, bringing extra chairs, or making a couple phone calls to trusted friends and family. You might be surprised how much people want to help!
How to Save Money on a Birthday Party
You’d do anything for your little one, but splurging isn’t always the answer. Check out our tips and tricks for an amazing and affordable kids’ birthday party!
- Host at home and do your own decorating. Don’t overthink it! Some of the best birthdays happen in the comfort of one’s home. Decorate with streamers, balloons, and cute tableware from the dollar store to set the scene. Then, plan for games and treats that you can have at home.
- Celebrate at a park. Grab a picnic table—or bring a folding table of your own—and decorate it with a festive tablecloth. Tape on some balloons, serve a few snacks, maybe turn on a bubble machine, and voila—a birthday bash any kiddo would love. Bring on the outdoor play!
- Host the party between 2 and 5pm. Short n’ sweet is the name of the game, here! You can avoid the cost of a full meal by hosting in the afternoon. Serve snacks instead. For a personal touch, prep homemade cookies ahead of time. Just freeze the dough balls when you have time and bake them the morning of!
- Bake the birthday cake yourself. There’s no need to dish out a bunch of cash for a cake that’ll disappear in no time. Keep things simple with a classic recipe or spruce up a boxed mix with special sprinkles! You can even think outside the box with a giant cookie, a brownie, a pyramid of donuts, or a bunch of little cake pops!
- Plan for a simple activity. Little kids will have a blast with just the littlest bit of effort. Organize free party games, such as a coloring table, a sprinkler, a set of cushions to build a fort, or musical chairs. Or a scavenger hunt you can play in the yard!
- Choose a simple party theme. There’s no need to go all out every year! If your kiddo loves a theme, choose something easy and common, so you’ll have plenty of options to choose from when shopping for gifts and decorations.
Birthday Party Ideas for Kids that are Budget-Friendly
Jazz up your kid’s birthday party without breaking the bank! Here are some easy, affordable birthday party ideas to try.
🍰 Build a backyard waterpark with a sprinkler and a slip n’ slide
(Don’t have a backyard? Head to your local greenspace!)
📷 Play dress-up with a homemade photobooth
🧩 Create a craft circle, where everyone makes the same craft
🌸 Play mermaids with sequined tops and flowery leis
🍿 Have an outdoor movie night with pillows galore
🎵 Sing karaoke and have a dance party with musical chairs
🧦 Throw a pajama party and get comfy!
🎭 Have a costume party—everyone must come in a costume!
The Best Birthday Dolls
Hey Bestie fashion dolls are the perfect gift for girls and boys ages 3 years and up. Each doll costs are little as $8 each—perfect for kids’ goodie bags! Add a little candy, silly putty, or stickers and you’ve got a memorable gift for all your little guests.
Make your next birthday bash a piece of cake! Our best slice of advice for you is to focus on what really matters: having fun with the birthday boy or girl. With the right people and the right vibe, a simple birthday on any budget will rock your socks off. However you plan it, we know you’re doing a great job and putting your little one first.
See you next time!
