Free or Crazy-Cheap Children's Birthday Party Activities: Ways to Save Money on Party Games, Crafts, Food, Decorations

I love party planning, especially children's parties. But I don't love spending money. Not because I'm a cheapskate--I just see no reason to support corporate greed overpaying for birthday party supplies when I can make my own better ones. Here's a DIY party planner guide for free or cheap kids' party activities, games, crafts, food and decorations based on  KISS (Keep it simple, sweetie).

* DIY kids' birthday. Birthday parties for children should be fun for parents, not just kids. But they won't be if you're stressed out. If mama and papa ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. And you can keep yourselves and your kids happy if you keep it simple. Contrary to popular belief, kids are very easy to please. Most (regardless of age) would rather just play with friends at birthday parties than have a bunch of fancy trappings.

* DIY party decorations. Run screaming from overpriced décorations at Party City, etc. For birthday parties for children. DIY it. Use free printable party supplies. Check this blog for printables on just about any theme. Put the money you save toward presents. Your kids will enjoy gifts more than throw-away decorations and so will the earth.

* DIY birthday parties for children at a park, beach or playground. Some kid party venues charge $15 per guest. Parks are free and often have bathrooms and trash cans for easy cleanup. Park parties mean less wear and tear on your backyard, too. You can run over-rambunctious guests and circumvent potential behavior problems. Choose one close to home with a pavillion, in case of emergencies or bad weather.

* KISS--Limit guest list at kids' parties. My kids party planning rule of thumb is one guest for every year the child is old, including siblings and the birthday child. I don't recommend making kids invite their whole class to parties. It's awkward and hurtful as guests who are invited only because parents force it often feel left out. And please, speaking as a teacher, don't let kids distribute party invitations at school. That's a recipe for disaster.

* Award everyone (or no one) a prize for party games. Competitive games don't work for several reasons. It's sometimes difficult to determine who won. It encourages greed and ruthlessness. Avoid prizes and also keep little take-home goody bags simple. If you do prize bags, give useful stuff like school supplies. Pick those up SUPER cheap at back-to-school sales and squirrel away for parties.  Make-it-take-it crafts do double duty as party activities and treat bags. If you're giving out goody bags at the end, skip prizes.

* DIY kids' party food. Picnic foods are great for a kids party-- hamburgers or hot dogs (precooked and stored in foil-covered, disposable pans). Make huge sub sandwiches and cut into single servings. Or let guests make their own pizzas--Dollar Tree has mini pizzas 2/$1. Provide water bottles or juice boxes. Serve individually-packaged ice cream novelties. Make cupcakes instead of a cake. Let kids decorate their own. Pop in candles before serving so you can sing to the birthday child.


These party planning tips make for win-win kids parties

Free printable Epiphany worksheets, Three Kings Day activities for Twelfth Night party

Jan. 6 is Epiphany, also called Three Kings Day, Dia de Reyes and Twelfth Night. On Epiphany, Catholic and Orthodox Christians celebrate the visit of the Magi (Three Kings, Wisemen) to Baby Jesus in Bethlehem. Orthodox Christian churches observe the Baptism of Jesus, called Theophany "vision of God") on Epiphany as well. Twelfth Night, not Christmas, is the major gift-giving holiday in many countries. Here are free printable Epiphany lesson plans, Three Kings Day crafts and Twelfth Night activities. In French, Latin and New Orleans traditions, Epiphany kicks off Carnivale which counts down to Mardi Gras. King Cake is eaten  Free printable Epiphany worksheets, Three Kings Day activities for Twelfth Night | Examiner.com

Free Printable Disney Frozen Coloring Pages and Crafts

Disney Frozen is the most popular Disney movie in ages. Anna and Elsa are tow of the best-loved Disney princesses. Here are free printable Disney Frozen coloring pages, crafts and party games. I've linked to other free printable Disney character crafts too. Perfect for a little girl's Frozen themed birthday party! Free Printable Disney Frozen Coloring Pages and Crafts

Free Printable Bachelorette Party and Wedding Shower Games

Bridal showers are a blast to the throw, but party planning can get expensive. Why not save money with free printable wedding shower games? Print bride and groom quizzes, bingo, trivia, memory, puzzles, advice and word games. Hosting a bachelorette party for the bride? We've got you covered with free printable party games, too.

  Party Game Ideas has printable games for wedding showers. Some require only instructions and others need game templates that you can print. Note: some are free and others require purchase. Use these instructions to create your own personalized to the bride and groom for whom you're hosting a shower.


  Love to Know has free printable bridal shower games including Famous Couples, What's in the Bride's Purse, wedding word scrambles and crossword puzzles. Scroll down for links to a Mad-Lib type bride and groom fill-in-the-blank, wedding cake words and trivia games.


  Abbee has four lists of bridal shower games including many free printable game templates. There are bingo cards, matching games, wedding dress games, price guessing, herbs and spices, memory, bride trivia and more. There are also directions to play the toilet paper wedding dress game.


  Martha Stewart has an entire wedding section on her website. The bridal shower area has loads of printable games, decorations, crafts, shower invitations, recipes and thank-you notes. I've linked you to the bridal shower theme page. Pick your theme and click on links to activities. If a template is needed, you can print it. You can also choose shower theme by color: pink, purple, white, blue. Select the color and find crafts, patterns, recipes and printables to match.


  Party Game Ideas has bachelorette party games with instructions, details, cocktail recipes and variations. Party Supplies Hut has several printable games women's stag parties or girls' night out. Creative Bridal Shower Ideas has free printable bachelorette word searches and bingo games


Note: these games are adult and use many PG-13 to rated R references. There are drinking games as well. They should not be played at any party where minors are present. Learn from my experience--I was invited to a relative's party and was assured I could bring my 16-year-old daughter as there would be nothing inappropriate. Big mistake--lots of sexual games, "decorations" and crude stuff--you get the picture. We left early and went to lunch together. Also, at the risk of sounding like your grandmother, be careful with drinking games. Drink safely and socialize responsibly.


 

School Memorial Day Pageant and Party, Educational, Patriotic, Nostaglic

Memorial Day, the last Monday in May goes by several names: Remembrance Day and Decoration Day. It falls on May 26, 2014, this year. We honor fallen military and our loved ones who have passed. Teachers and homeschool families, here's an educational Memorial Day pageant planner with U.S. history tie-ins, American patriotic themes and a vintage flavor. Educational, Vintage Memorial Day Student Pageant and Party

Free Printable Spider-Man Coloring Pages and Party Crafts

Calling all Spiderman fans--the Amazing Spider-Man 2 opened last week. Planning a Spider-Man themed birthday party? Then you need these free printable Spider-Man coloring pages. Use them for invitations, greeting cards, decorations, crafts, placemats, even games. You could even color and fold and staple to make party loot bags. Or wrap presents in coloring pages. There's a fun child-minder activity to keep siblings occupied during party preparations! Free Printable Spider-Man Coloring Pages

Easy, Edible, Eco-Friendly Easter Bunny Crafts

Spring is in the air! Time for Easter crafts-baskets, candy, baby animals and best of all, bunnies! Looking for cute Easter bunny-themed crafts to make? Here are three easy, ultra-cute projects for ages 2 to 102 (don't forget seniors--they love crafts too). Perfect for a secular Easter party. Easy, Edible and Eco-Friendly Easter Bunny-Themed Crafts

Easy Winter Olympics, Snow Games Party for Kids

Raise your hand if you've had it with winter. You parents and teachers must be especially tired of dealing with bored kids stuck inside. How about an end-of-winter blowout? A winter blues buster: throw a snowtastic party. Celebrate the closing of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics and extend the fun with your own game variations. Here are safe, easy snow activities requiring no fancy equipment. Extend Winter Olympics: Easy Snow Games and Sports for Kids 

Host a Jack and Jill Guys and Gals Bridal Shower

I just wrote about the bridal shower we threw for our oldest daughter. And a friend asked if it was "Jack and Jill?" Meaning unisex, where both genders were invited. It was and I've actually written articles on hosting a shower where men and women were invited. I'd never heard it called "Jack and Jill" and I like that term better than others, like genderless shower. Read on. Host a Jack and Jill Genderless Bridal Shower

Celebrate Chinese New Year 2014 Year of the Horse Party

Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival, begins late January or early February on the western calendar. CNY 2014 starts January 31. It's Year of the Horse. Here are easy, inexpensive ideas to throw a CNY festival in class or at home. I've included horse-themed activities. Celebrate the 2014 Chinese New Year With Kids

2014 Chinese New Year of the Horse Crafts for Parties

Chinese New Year begins early this 2014. January 31 starts new year and the Lantern Festival ends it about two weeks later. This year, we celebrate the Year of the Horse. CNY is also called the Spring Festival. I'd love to visit China--all that festivity! The theme is Good Fortune and the expression is written how westerners would say it "Gong Hay Fat Choy!" a wish expressing luck for the coming year. Here are free printables for a Year of the Horse party.  2014 Chinese New Year of the Horse Crafts for Kids  2014 Chinese New Year of the Horse Crafts for Kids 

Host a Harvest Apple Party! Crafts, Activities, Recipes, Printables

Looking for a non-scary Halloween party theme? How about apples? Apples are the perfect party theme for fall harvest frolics. Here's an interactive apple activity planner with crafts, recipes, art, creative writing, math and more. I've added free printable apple-themed crafts and worksheets for activity extenders.  Preschool Apple Unit, Cross-Curricular Hands-on Crafts, Activities, Recipes 

Paranormal Prose Flash Fiction Slam and Party for Halloween

On another site I wrote for, we used to have an annual Halloween flash fiction contest. Several years in a row, I "hosted" a fiction share thread on our forum. We'd share our submissions, read each others' and have good spookable fun. I added submissions to my blog. Now I'm inviting and challenging you to a paranormal prose flash fiction share
online. Oh and how about a Halloween party following your haunted slam? Check out the Halloween link for oodles of party tips. Paranormal Prose Flash Fiction Slam for Halloween 

Family Glue Recipes: Organize DIY Events, Festivals

We've been married 26 years and raised four kids. From first-hand experience, I can say, the disconnected family falls apart, but the family does things together stays together. I've been writing a day Relationship Glue Recipe and Family Glue Recipe with bonding activities to keep families close.

A favorite is hosting my own events and festivals. I got the idea from the old Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Carnival. You could buy a kit and host your own backyard carnival. I never did but wanted to as a kid, so I reprised it as an adult (this article contains links to get one of those old kits!) Read on for tips Family Glue Recipes: Organize, Host Your Own Events, Festivals 

Double Duty Bridal Shower Decorations, Prizes, Wedding Gifts

I've said before that I'm a party gal. I love planning festivities with a low-cost, repurposed, recycled, homemade Here are cheap, double-duty party prizes and bridal shower prizes and wedding party gifts for receptions or showers. Reuse decorations as game prizes, bridal gifts and thank-you presents. Here are suggestions. Double Duty Bridal Shower Decorations, Prizes, Wedding Gifts 

Host a Coed Bridal Shower; Gender Neutral Party for Guys and Gals

I'm a party girl! I've organized kids' parties, receptions, open houses, theme parties and showers. Currently, I'm hosting a different kind of event: a coed shower. No, you don't bathe together; it's a gender-neutral bridal shower with men and women guests. Here's how to throw one everyone male and female will love! Coed Bridal Shower, Unisex Wedding Party Ideas

Cheap, parent-friendly kids' birthday party tips

As a mom to four kids, ages 24 to 14, I've planned a plethora of kids' parties. I'm also a teacher and I've hosted numerous classroom events. I've had some great successes and colossal fails. From those experiences, I've put together a list of tips for parents on planning kids' parties. These activities work for both gender parties. I did a lot of parties as a "single mom" as my husband worked a lot and couldn't help. I've written these tips with single adults in mind. Being a frugalista, these hints focus on cheap, homemade party ideas.  I've included some free printable party games and crafts, too. Cheap, parent-friendly kids' birthday party tips 

Easy, cheap kids fall birthday party tips

Got a child with a fall birthday? Autumn is a great time for an outdoor birthday party. Sometimes, fall outdoor parties are easier to manage because it's cooler. Here's an easy, cheap kids' birthday bash, suitable for preschool to elementary age children. I've included tips for food, crafts, games, activities and cleanup.  Easy, cheap kids' fall birthday party tips

Anti Halloween Alternative Party, Family Activities to Trick or Treat, Celebrate Halloween at Home

Halloween is one of the top three events (with birthday and Christmas) most children look forward to each year. Some kids plan their trick or treat costumes months in advance. So what happens, if, when the big day rolls around, the child is too ill to trick or treat? Here are activities you can do at home. These tips will work for parents who don't like door-to-door trick or treating, or who are religiously opposed to Halloween, too. Use these ideas for church harvest party Halloween alternative events, too. Anti-Halloween alternative games, crafts, candy and treat ideas.  Family Activities to Trick or Treat, Celebrate Halloween with a Sick Child

Back to School Party, Labor Day Social Studies Lesson Plans

Labor Day makes us think of picnics, parades and the last vacation before school starts. It's important to remember why we have a Labor Day and what it's all about. Labor Day is a day set aside to honor the work that people perform to care for loved ones and keep our country functioning. We honor too those who have lost their lives on the job, in accidents, strikes, lockouts or in the labor organizing process. Here's a classroom party planner for Labor Day Social Studies Lesson Planner. There are career day ideas, a preschool occupations unit and activities to explore the holiday.