How to Throw a Low Priced Summer Kids Birthday Party

Having a party in the park is a lost art. Over the summer it is great to get outside and enjoy the warm days and sunshine. Kids love to run and play on a summer day, and there is no better time than a birthday celebration. Get outside and play!

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Picnic blankets and towels
• Folding chairs
• cake mix, frosting and candles
• Frisbee, basketballs, water guns and baloons, silly string, and punch balloons
• Paper plates, forks, knife, paper towels
• A cake container
• Sunscreen and bug spray
• First aid kit
• Hot dogs, buns, ketchup, charcoal, foil and lighter fluid
• Pinata with candy
• Streamers, balloons, tape, tablecloths
• Cooler with ice

1. Generally it is best to schedule an outside party earlier in the day before the heat of the day has a chance to spawn storms. Know your local weather and general forecast for summer before planning an outside party.
2. Invite about 5 kids. This is usually enough to make it feel like a party. Just get your child’s best friends if possible and parents you can count on. They will have a blast.
3. Call the parents at least a week before the party to be sure they are coming and know where it is. Offer to pick the kids up if necessary.
4. Get a picnic table with a covering and decorate with some streamers and balloons. Also put up a happy birthday sign. Cover with a tablecloth and bring tape in case of wind. Tacks may be necessary as well. These items can be saved from year to year.
5. Have the party at a park. Just rent a couple of picnic tables. The kids will only be sitting for a few minutes anyway. Sometimes you can get the tables for free. Try to find tables close to a pavilion in case of rain.
6. Look for a park with a swing sets, basketball and tennis courts or volley ball courts.
7. Do not worry about too many organized activities. Kids will mostly just run and play.
8. Scope out the parks activities and bring necessary items like basketballs, tennis racquets and balls, Frisbees, water guns, or other activities you think may be fun.
9. Bring blankets and folding chairs to sit in the grass comfortably. Bring towels for when the kids get wet.
10. Bring a video camera and disposable cameras for the kids to take pictures.
11. Bring some punch balloons, enough for the kids and adults.
12. Bring some silly string. It is always fun. Just do not spray over the cake while it is lit. It is flammable.
13. Bring water balloons, and make sure you tell the kids parents to bring them in bathing suits and a change of clothes.
14. Bring paper plates, forks, paper towels, and a barbecue fork for turning the hotdogs. Bring a knife to cut the cake.
15. Buy a piñata and fill with candy.
16. Bring a small first aid kit with band aids and bacterial cream. Also have sunscreen and bug spray.
17. Try to get one of your friends or family members to help you decorate and arrange things before the kids and birthday child get there. Surprises are the most fun.
18. Make the cake and decorate it yourself. People love a homemade cake.
19. Try to get a table near a barbecue. Bring charcoal, lighter fluid, foil and hotdogs, buns, ketchup, and chips. This will usually keep kids happy.
20. You can bring Kool-Aid in large containers and keep a cooler with ice, or fill it up with kid sized drinks.
21. Have kids open presents at the party. It is all part of the experience, and it makes it more fun for all the kids to “see what they got”.
22. First you do the barbecue while the kids play, then you do the piñata, then they play water balloons, and finally they do the cake and presents. By this time at least 2-3 hours will pass.
23. Let them pop all the balloons at the end of the party. Sometimes this is where they have the most fun. Just make sure everyone gets one.
24. If planned well, it is an inexpensive and fun day to be had by all!

Tips & Warnings

• Blow up balloons at home an bring to party. Tape to streamers for a festive effect
• Put tablecloth on table and tape balloons all the way around
• Fill piñata before going to party
• Do not forget to bring a bat, mask or bandana to cover eyes, and a rope to hang the piñata. You need a tree with a low hanging sturdy branch.
• Prepare as much as possible at home before bringing to the party.
• Always have people stand way back when someone is swinging at the piñata
• Do not play with silly string around flames
• Have adult supervision around a barbecue pit
• Have adult supervision around a pool or lake or other water