This document provides tips for planning a birthday party on a budget. It recommends deciding on a theme and affordable location like a park or backyard. Suggested activities include classic games like pin the tail on the donkey and musical chairs. Food options to consider are homemade cake, hot dogs, pasta salad and snacks. Decorations can be made inexpensively from items already owned or discounted supplies. Invitations and goodie bags complete the low-cost party.

1. How to plan a birthday party on a budget

2. How to get started Decide what you can afford to spend on the party. Stick to it. Pick out a theme for your boy or girl party.

3. Things you will need: Games Invitations Food Cake Goodie bags Drinks

4. Location of kids----they’re free, and there’s plenty oick an inexpensive location. Parks and backyards are perfect for large groups room to have fun. Location Parks and backyards are perfect for large groups of kids Lots of room for children to play

5. Games Decide what games, if any, you’ll invite kids to play. Bring out the old favorites, like pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey, duck-duck-goose, red light/green light, musical chairs, and Simon says.

6. List of games Bean Bag Toss Relay Races Make an obstacle course Hot potato Balloon stomp game Spoon and egg race Scavenger hunt

7. Make a Pinata If you have time. While store bought pinatas can be expensive, making one yourself doesn’t cost much, as long as you fill with inexpensive treats. Plus, it’s a fun activity for you and the kids to do together in advance.

8. Here is a website on how to make your own pinata http://www.ehow.com/how_2032262_make-pinata.html

9. Food Decide what food you will serve. Try to make the most of the food yourself, including the cake. Enlist the aid of the guest of honor, as well as siblings.

10. Premade Food Purchase any premade food in bulk, and remember kids are usually happy with inexpensive foods like hot dogs and pasta salad. Have plenty of snacks-such as goldfish crackers and pretzels on hand, too. For vegetables, go for baby carrots and celery sticks.

11. Cake You can make your own or even make cupcakes, or pre-order through a bakery. Decorate with the theme of your party. Make sure have a flavor everyone will enjoy.

12. How to make your birthday cake Ingredients: 1 (18.25-ounce) box chocolate cake mix 1/3 cup vegetable oil 2 eggs 2 1/2 teaspoons almond extract , divided 1/2 cup white cranberry juice Directions 2 old fashioned glass soda bottles, 1 cola, 1 lemon - lime Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly spray 2 (8-inch round baking pans with baking spray; set aside. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, oil, eggs , 1 1/2 teaspoons extract and white cranberry juice. Use an electric mixer to beat cake batter on low speed for 30 seconds. Scrape down sides of bowl and beat for 2 minutes on medium speed. Divide batter evenly into prepared pans. Bake in preheated oven for 32 1 (16-ounce) can white frosting or 1 (16-ounce) can chocolate frosting 35 minutes, or until tester comes away clean. Let cakes cool completely. Use a cookie cutter or water glass to cut out a circle to fit the soda bottle - it will nest into cake. Add remaining 1 teaspoon extract to frosting and stir thoroughly. Frost entire cake. Sprinkle with colorful jimmies. Insert soda bottle into hole and serve.

13. Drinks Serve juice, punch, or soda from individual containers instead of large bottles because kids tend to spill things and will be easy clean up.

14. Make out your guest list If the party is during the school year, invite your friends from school. If you attend church, invite church friends. Also include family members. Also include neighbors.

15. Invitations Write and give out invitations. Handwritten or computer-generate invitations work well and add a personal touch to the party. If you like, you can even give them out by hand and save a few dollars on stamps .

16. Examples of Invitations You can find computer paper with different designs on them to make your own.

17. Decorations Buy decorations, game prizes, paper goods and candy from close-out or discount stores. Or ask friends if they have any paper goods left over from parties they have thrown

18. What kind of decorations you need Balloons Streamers Party Hats Candles Plates Balloons Table centerpieces

19. Extra Tips Try incorporating some items you already have on hand as part of the decorations. For example, if your child is a fan of trains, set up her toy train set around the perimeter of one of the tables

20. Goodie Bags Use paper lunch bags as goodie bags. As a fun activity, have the guests decorate them at the party. Fill them with candy bought in bulk, and think about buying some low-cost gifts in quantity as well - stickers, inexpensive yo-yos, and so forth .