Inexpensive Venues for Holding Kids' Birthday Parties

Throwing their child a memorable birthday party is often very important for most parents. However, with rising costs, it is reasonable to expect that you won't want to spend a lot of money for the celebrations. While most people choose to hold the party in their homes in an effort to save money, there is no reason why you cannot do it at another location, while keeping expenses in check. This will also allow your children and other guests to have more fun at the party.

If you have decided to hold the party at a location other than your home, it is important to ensure that your child is made a part of the decision-making process. In case the child is young, it is a good idea to bring them to the location beforehand so that they get comfortable in the environment and are able to participate more freely. Since most kids look forward to opening the presents they will get, it is also a good idea to have a special area where guests can place the presents they bring.

Here is a look at some options you can consider, if you are looking for inexpensive locations to hold a birthday party for your child.

Fast-food restaurant

Many fast-food chains, like McDonald's, offer supplies for kids' parties which includes everything from special food and cake to a hostess, at very reasonable rates. Since most of these restaurants have playpens and play-ball pits, kids will be able to have fun while adults relax and have a chat.

Museum

If you have a slightly larger budget, you could consider holding the party at your local science or children's museum. Some museums provide a hostess and limited supplies. However, there might be restrictions regarding the items you can bring. If your child is interested in science, art, etc., it could be a rewarding experience. Make sure that your local museum allows such events before planning one.

Movie Theater

Many theaters allow you to rent out the entire hall for a reasonable fee, or provide a big group discount. You may also be able to get great discounts on snacks and other products. Some establishments also allow you to bring your own items. Talk to the manager of the movie theater to find out what can be done.

Fire Department

Sometimes, local fire departments provide rooms which residents of the area can use either for free or at a nominal fee. They might even be willing to give the children in a private birthday party a special tour of the department and take photos wearing some of the gear. These pictures could be a cherished memory.

These are just some locations where you can hold kids birthday parties for an inexpensive fee. Other options include the local park, club house, etc. Whichever option you choose, make sure that it is an area that your kid enjoys. Otherwise, the birthday party may not be as much fun as you want it to be.

Party Planning Checklist: How To Find The Best Themes And Fun Places For Kids' Birthdays

If your child's birthday is approaching, you're probably in full party planning mode. Parties are fun, but planning them can certainly be stressful, which is why many parents choose to turn to a checklist for assistance. If you're not sure how to start the planning process, use this checklist to help ensure that your party goes off without a hitch.

Let Your Children Help With Party Themes

Themes are the latest things to hit birthday parties, but how do you choose one? Parents of young children can choose their own theme without any input from their child, but if yours is older, ask for some help. Themes can vary from cartoon characters, sports, trains or anything else your child was into throughout the year. Consider adding balloons, tablecloths, invitations and other items to help carry the theme throughout the entire party and venue.

Finding Fun Places For Kids' Birthdays

Once you have a theme chosen, you'll need to find fun places for kids' birthdays. Some parents choose to have their parties in their own home, but this can be difficult and stressful, since you'll need to worry about every single aspect, including preparing your home and cleaning up afterwards. Instead, look for other fun places for kids' birthdays. These can include sports complexes, bounce houses, restaurants or even a park. Realize that if you choose an outdoor location, you'll be dependent on the weather and may be forced to cancel if an unexpected cold snap or storm comes through.

How Many Are You Going To Invite?

Next, consider how many people you're going to invite. Whether you choose offsite fun places for kids' birthdays or your own home, you're likely going to be limited by space constraints so keep that in mind when you're going through your guest list. Some venues will only charge per child guest, while others will count everyone -- even adults. If your child is school aged, you also need to look into any school rules regarding inviting classmates at school. Many require that everyone in the class be invited when you hand out invitations on school grounds. If you don't have the space for everyone, make sure to mail invitations so your child doesn't get into trouble.

Are You Going To Give Out Favors?

Lastly, decide if you're going to give out favors. Many parents feel pressure to hand out a bag of trinkets because it seems like every other parent is doing it. However, if you poll most parents, you'd likely find that they all hate bags full of cheap favors. You may want to forget about the favors entirely, but if you do feel as if you have to hand something out, consider something edible. A decorated cookie to take home will be consumed and won't leave the other parents with a bag of junk to throw away.

If you go about it the right way, there's no reason why party planning has to be stressful. Use this checklist to help plan and your child will be sure to have a fun party that they'll remember all year long.