Is your kiddo’s birthday right around the corner, along with a party? Let's chat about the best way to throw a simple birthday party for your child that will be a blast.
Getting everything ready for a birthday party can be a bit stressful, and if you are anything like me you like to have it planned out. As a mom of 4 kids, I am giving you everything I do to plan a simple birthday party that I know my kids will love.
You are going to find out how to keep it simple, what food would be good to serve, games everyone can play, and more.
After hearing about all these essentials, you are going to be able to put together a simple birthday party for your kiddo with ease.
Let's jump into the best way to throw a simple birthday party for your kiddo.
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Best Simple Birthday Party
Hey guys, I love simple birthday parties! They are easy to put together and clean up after.
Whether it is with our family or it is a friend party for my kiddo, they always have fun. The kids just want to have a party.
I am not sure how birthday parties for kids got so blown out of proportion, even for the younger kiddos. Even though kids get a kick out of attending the big and elaborate parties these days, where does it stop?
If kids are shown that the bigger and better birthday parties are “the norm” that is what they are going to expect year after year. And to be honest, my wallet can’t handle that with 4 kids.
How To Keep It Simple
There are 6 key factors to consider if you want to keep your kiddo's birthday party simple. I will go into more detail with some of these below.
1. Pick a location that is easy and inexpensive.
2. Skip all the crazy, but fun, decorations.
If you have your heart set on having some decorations, stick to balloons and streamers. They are cheap but still look festive.
3. Save yourself time and money and do not give out party favors.
4. Only have an afternoon dessert party.
5. Put a time range on your invite. For example, The party is from 2 – 4 p.m.
6. Make up games for the party.
A Simple Birthday Party Location
The first couple of options I will share with you are the cheapest because they are free- yeah! The last 2 options usually have a small fee.
1. Your House
The easiest place to have a birthday party for your kiddo is at your house. You don’t have to go anywhere so it will be easy to decorate and clean up.
Believe me, when I say, I know your place will feel stuffed to the gills if you do this. It is only for a short time, you can do it!
When we have a family birthday party and everyone shows up, there are 37 people here. Our house is bursting when it is just the 6 of us.
2. A Park
Having your party at a nearby park is amazing! Even better when there is a playset for the kids. It provides space for all of the kids to run and play. It should be free to use!
You could just do an afternoon party with this and just have dessert. Easy set up and clean up with this! There is no time wasted cleaning your house before the party, and then cleaning after the party is over.
3. Local School Gym
You may have to spend a little money to rent out your local school gym but it is worth it. This is especially great if it is a friend party for your child and some of the guests have a lot of energy.
It saves on your house looking like a bomb went off!
At our school gym, you have access to a few tables and all of the gym equipment. The kids get to run and play like crazy.
Every party that we have had here, or that my kids have attended here, everyone ends up having a great time!
4. Swimming Pool
The last location that is great for a simple birthday party is a swimming pool. You will probably have to pay a rental fee for it. But set up and clean up are a breeze.
We have done this one a few times also. Our pool has a dome during the winter. It makes a great place to burn some birthday energy!
It has multiple lifeguards on duty for birthday parties. The pool is roped off to keep the kids where they know how to swim.
Food For A Simple Birthday Party
1. Supplies
Some kind of food is a must if you are going to invite guests over.
Stock up on paper plates, napkins, utensils, and glasses.
Don't forget the birthday candles.
These kinds of candles are so much fun!
They open, play music and spin. Your kiddo will be amazed.
2. Food
You can keep it simple and just have dessert, or you can go for a full meal with dessert.
I always go for option 2 and do the full meal.
For my child’s friend party, I keep it pretty simple. Here is an example of my menu for that – pizza, chips, water, juice boxes, and dessert. Buy more than you think you will need. Some kids can eat so much food!
I know I should throw a healthy option in there but these kids are only with me for this one meal so I don’t feel too bad about it.
For a family birthday party for my child, most of our family shows up, whew!
Like I said above it is at least 30 people to feed, including us. Since they drive for at least an hour I like to treat them to a meal. This meal has more food, lots more food!
And to keep things extremely easy for me, I have 1 big family birthday party for all 4 of my kids.
We do something special with just the 6 of us for our kids’ actual birthday.
I use my local grocery store deli to help prepare most of the food. They have so many great options at great prices. It saves me so much time!
You can mix and match the following main, sides, drinks, and dessert ideas to your liking!
Main Food Options
Sandwiches
Tacos
Burgers and Hot Dogs
Pizza
Pulled Pork, Hot Beer, or Shredded Chicken Sandwiches
Side Options
Pasta Salad
Baked Beans
Fruit or Vegetable Tray
Meat and Cheese Tray with Crackers
Chips
Drink Options
Water
Soda
Coffee
Juice Boxes
Gatorade
Dessert Options
Cake
Cupcakes
Cookies
Bars
Pie
Ice Cream Treats
Games and Activities
If you are feeling like you should have some games and activities for your birthday party guests, the following are some great options.
They can all be done at your house. Some are better suited for the outdoors though.
These are all simple to set up and for the most part, you will have these materials on hand.
1. Obstacle Course
Create an obstacle course. Everyone seems to love a challenge to conquer an obstacle course.
You can create them inside or outside. There can be certain activities that need to be completed, like do the hula hoop or do the sidewalk chalk hopscotch.
Have teams or see who can be the sole winner.
2. Hula Hoop Contest
Grab a couple of hula hoops and have a contest to see who can go the longest.
There can also be a challenge of using different body parts, like around the arm.
We like to rock the music on our portable speaker.
It does a better job than just playing it off our phone.
To be honest, we use this speaker all the time!!!
3. Musical Chairs
Pick some great songs, set up chairs or pillows, and see who can make it all the way through.
I like using pillows, just in case the race to a pillow gets a little crazy. People are less likely to get hurt.
Use the portable speaker from above to have music for this game.
4. Pin the Tail on the Donkey
An oldie but a goodie.
You can use this pin the tail on the donkey game.
It comes with everything you need to play, including a mask.
5. Pinata
It is a great time-consuming activity that all of your guests will want to try or watch.
This one can get a little bit pricey due to the cost of the piñata and the cost of the treats inside.
This piñata is so festive and takes some power to knock a hole into it. I like to fill it with candy like this.
6. Photo Booth
Your guests will have so much fun taking pictures with the birthday kiddo in the photo booth.
A cheap background idea is to use these streamers.
Using your child’s favorite colors, twist them, and tape down the top and the bottom.
Bam, photo area background complete!
Set out a bin of photo props.
Your guests will have way more fun, and you will get a ton more pictures.
7. Face Painting
Kids love getting their faces painted.
If you feel like you need an activity that will take some time, this is it.
Try this face paint.
I love using it because it will wash off easily at the end of the day.
Look on Pinterest or Google for ideas the kids can choose from. I have seen so many cute painted faces!
8. Scavenger Hunt
Create a scavenger hunt of some kind. You can have the kids find clues or objects. Have a fun small prize for everyone at the end.
An example of a prize could be a small bag of goodies or crackers with a juice box.
A scavenger hunt we tried was hiding all the Easter eggs that we had and set the kids wild to find them.
All 100 of them.
Once they did, I gave them a clue to find a package of cookies and a juice box.
Happy Birthday to your Kiddo!!!!
Enjoy celebrating with them.
No matter what you do to celebrate your kiddo's birthday, they will love that you took the time to celebrate them.
This post is all about the best way to throw a simple birthday party for kids.
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Leave a comment below about how you celebrated your kiddo's birthday. Even though I like keeping parties simple, I am always looking for new ideas.
I look forward to hearing from you and thanks for stopping by.
Thanks for the tip that scavenger hunts are a good way to keep kids entertained during kids’ birthday parties. I’m interested in looking for ways to make my son’s birthday as memorable as possible. As such, it would be best to look for professional services that will help me prepare it in a timely fashion.
My kids go crazy over scavenger hunts. I hope your son has the best time at his birthday party!