Kids" Parties: Planning an Affordable, Stress-Free Birthday
Five ways you can minimise stress and expense
When it comes to planning affordable kids' birthday parties, it can be all too easy to feel the pressure of expectation, be it from from your birthday boy or girl, their friends and those friends' parents. Sometimes there can be a very real sense of stressful competition, politics and one-upsmanship. Other times, it's purely self-inflicted pressure. Either way, this can lead to excess spending and a lot of stress.
With a little creative thinking, however, you can create an affordable, stress-free kids' birthday party without compromising on fun.
1. Don't feel obliged to invite the entire class
Spend some time with your child to discuss who he or she would most like to invite to the birthday party. Ask why, and encourage some important thought on what makes each guest a good friend. Not only will it go towards a stress-free birthday party; it also encourages appreciation of friendship!
2. Have a small family or group outing
With immediate family and a few close friends, take a special trip to the movies, a theme park, a zoo, a water park, or any other novelty area. Your child will value the party as a huge, indulgent "event" while keeping it an affordable party, without the need for huge numbers or time-consuming DIY planning.
3. Involve the birthday girl or boy in shopping
Allocate a birthday budget and go shopping with your child. Let them pick what they need, offering complete freedom within those limitations. That creative flexibility is a great gift to give.
4. Involve them in decoration.
While there is something to be said for a surprise, there is value in letting your child help or plan the party. Again, the sense of "temporary power" is a great gift to give. This can take the form of a polite, friendly collaboration, or by making the grown-ups servants, ready to obey every command! Either way, it's a tremendous novelty that will also help your child appreciate the effort and planning that goes into every children's party.
4. Keep your party games simple
As far as your young guests are concerned, backyard limbo games with the right music, pirate themed treasure hunts and swimming pool party games like Marco Polo can be just as fun as hired entertainment. Provide the right tools, costume theme or guidelines, and your environment and the guests' imaginations will fill in the blanks!
When it comes to planning affordable kids' birthday parties, it can be all too easy to feel the pressure of expectation, be it from from your birthday boy or girl, their friends and those friends' parents. Sometimes there can be a very real sense of stressful competition, politics and one-upsmanship. Other times, it's purely self-inflicted pressure. Either way, this can lead to excess spending and a lot of stress.
With a little creative thinking, however, you can create an affordable, stress-free kids' birthday party without compromising on fun.
1. Don't feel obliged to invite the entire class
Spend some time with your child to discuss who he or she would most like to invite to the birthday party. Ask why, and encourage some important thought on what makes each guest a good friend. Not only will it go towards a stress-free birthday party; it also encourages appreciation of friendship!
2. Have a small family or group outing
With immediate family and a few close friends, take a special trip to the movies, a theme park, a zoo, a water park, or any other novelty area. Your child will value the party as a huge, indulgent "event" while keeping it an affordable party, without the need for huge numbers or time-consuming DIY planning.
3. Involve the birthday girl or boy in shopping
Allocate a birthday budget and go shopping with your child. Let them pick what they need, offering complete freedom within those limitations. That creative flexibility is a great gift to give.
4. Involve them in decoration.
While there is something to be said for a surprise, there is value in letting your child help or plan the party. Again, the sense of "temporary power" is a great gift to give. This can take the form of a polite, friendly collaboration, or by making the grown-ups servants, ready to obey every command! Either way, it's a tremendous novelty that will also help your child appreciate the effort and planning that goes into every children's party.
4. Keep your party games simple
As far as your young guests are concerned, backyard limbo games with the right music, pirate themed treasure hunts and swimming pool party games like Marco Polo can be just as fun as hired entertainment. Provide the right tools, costume theme or guidelines, and your environment and the guests' imaginations will fill in the blanks!