How to throw a kids' birthday party on a budget

Your child's birthday party will always be a big event, but it doesn't have to cost loads of money. Here are some really easy ways to throw a brilliant party without spending a fortune.

Your little one might be the most popular kid in class, but inviting everyone isn't always affordable. Plus, handling 30 children at once is a mammoth task.

Keeping the guest list to just a bunch of good friends and family is an easy way to keep costs down. A smaller party also means you and your child can spend quality time with the guests.

We know how quickly news can spread, especially with the help of mum WhatsApp groups. Someone might ask you why their child wasn't invited, or if their son can bring a friend, and before you know it, you end up with double the amount of guests you planned for!

Try not to let anyone force an invite out of you if it's not what your child wants.

Nowadays, you can buy cheap invite templates from a party shop, or be more eco-friendly (and money-savvy) by sending invites via email, WhatsApp or text message.

Don't forget to give plenty of notice before the date – we recommend at least three weeks.

Sure, buying party invites is easier and quicker, but it's another cost you don't necessarily need.

Make the invitations yourself and it'll give your child's party a more personal touch, too.

Just remember to include your child's name, the date of the event, the location, a contact number for RSVP and any other key details like a theme.

To save you spending a fortune on a venue and dealing with sometimes difficult party organisers, cut out the cost by having the party at home.

You'll know where everything is, how much space you'll have, and can even run to your bedroom for a two-minute breather while someone else keeps an eye on things.

Understandably, the thought of that many kids in your house and the immense clean-up mission after they've left could put you off having the party in your house.

Why not consider hosting it at a local church or village hall? They're often reasonably priced to hire for an hour or two and can more than withstand a bunch of kids on a sugar high.

If the children are a bit older, you could think about having a sleepover party. They'll love staying over at their friends' house and staying up later than normal.

You might still be hearing some giggles at midnight, but it'll be a night to remember for your kids and the only cost will be the food. Plan an easy-to-prepare breakfast like toast, fruit, pancakes or cereal.

Are your kids mega Marvel fans? Or die-hard Disney lovers?

Ask the guests what their favourite films are and watch them back to back. A Netflix or Amazon Prime account would be handy, but any DVDs you already have will also do the job just fine.

If their concentration is running low, you could play a quiz during or after each film about the plot, characters and the best bits.

If the weather looks good, let the kids roam free outside in the garden or a park. You can pack lunches and take blankets to sit on, plus outdoor games to play. 'What's the time Mr Wolf' is always a winner.

The kids' sticky fingers are out of the house, away from your sofa and the little ones getting some fresh air and the chance to burn off the sugar, too.

This is a great idea if you've got sports equipment and outdoor games to hand. Organising a sack race, an egg and spoon race and a relay requires minimal equipment but can offer tonnes of fun.

Plastic medals can be bought in the pound shop, or the prizes could be sweet treats. We've got a bunch of genius outdoor games ideas you can try. Take a look here!

Think back to your own parties as a child ... you were probably so excited about blowing out the candles and playing with all your friends that you didn't notice the flavour of your cake or the design on the napkins.

There's no need to overthink details that aren't important. Instead, just focus on them having a good time.

You don't have to spend a fortune to make your party venue look pretty and fun. Simple balloons and streamers will do the trick – they're enough to impress eager kids, anyway.

This set has everything you need to decorate your party venue, from balloons to a 'Happy birthday' banner.

If you want to add a bit of extra style and a personal touch, why not cut triangles from pretty paper or fabric to make your own bunting?

You'll just need to invest in some nice paper and ribbon to tie it all together, but other than that, your low-key, low-cost decorations will definitely get everyone in the party mood.

Feeling a bit more adventurous? These eye-catching tissue paper pom poms are super simple to make once you get the hang of it.

Get 10 sheets of tissue paper and lay them flat, then fold all the paper in an accordion style. Fold that in half to find the centre.

Then, wrap a wire around the middle to secure it and hold everything in place. Grab some scissors and round the edges of both ends to make 'petals'.

Pull apart the layers of tissue paper, fluff them up to get a good ball shape, and viola! Hang your creations for all to admire.

Avoid the price of an entertainer by organising some party games. Kids are so used to being in front of screen that more traditional games will be a different experience for them.

All the old favourites still work really well, like musical statues and pass the parcel. Check out our top party game ideas to give you some inspiration.

You can even buy ready-made game kits to save you time, such as this one for pin the tail on the donkey.

Usually, the kids are having so much fun they don't want to sit down to eat, so there's no need to go overboard with food.

A good money-saving tip is to buy cardboard meal boxes and fill one for each child. That way, you know there'll be enough for everyone and nothing will go to waste.

You can buy party boxes here in a wide choice of colours.

Snacky, small things are the best bet for a kids party. Pineapple and cheese sticks were great in the '80s and they're still great now!

Finger sandwiches, mini sausages, cucumber sticks, cut up grapes and popcorn are all easy and cheap options that everyone loves.

We've got some more ideas and recipes for party food here.

The best thing about the cake (and what your little one will remember the most) is the magical moment it's brought into the room, with everyone singing and candles gleaming.

You don't need to spend a fortune on an elaborate cake. A simple, colourful one will be perfect for small tummies and usually cake is loved by even the fussiest of eaters.

Or ... why not have a go at making your child's cake yourself?

It's a classic that everyone loves! The plain vanilla sponge will be lovely with some sweet buttercream and jam. You could even try substituting the jam for a chocolate spread or marshmallow fluff.

Try our simple Victoria sponge recipe here.

Your child's probably been reminding everyone how old they are all day anyway, so they'll love a cake in the shape of their age. Plus, you can decorate it however you want. This is easier than it looks, we promise.

Try our easy number cake recipe here.

This colourful kids' birthday cake will bring the wow-factor to the table. It requires some patience, but the end result makes it all worth it.

Try our impressive rainbow cake recipe here.

A cake in the shape of any animal is bound to be a hit with the kids (and, let's be honest, the adults!)

These owls are super cute and work out to be fairly cheap to create.

Try our adorable owl cake recipe here.

This fantastic cake could easily be made to fit any TV show or film theme by adding the toys on top. Kids will love to see all that chocolate coming their way, and the creation is much easier to put together than it might look.

Try our cool KitKat cake recipe here.

This is a cake idea that looks way more demanding than it actually is. Plus, it won't break the bank. All you have to do is make a traybake in whatever flavour sponge you like and decorate with fruit, biscuits, chocolate etc.

A traybake is a good go-to when you need a large quantity of an easy-to-bake cake.

Try our cool KitKat cake recipe here.

Party bags are a traditional way to end a party, but it doesn't mean they're a must! You've hosted the event, don't feel obliged to send the guests away with gifts if you're worried about cost.

If you've had an activity party, such as decorating cakes or a sports day, the things they made or won can be a substitute for a goody bag.

Another way to keep costs down is by filling cellophane with small treats and tying the tops with ribbon.

It's not hard to find little bits and bobs to put in a party bag, like chocolates, sweets and mini games. You could even set up a pick and mix station, where the kids help themselves to sweets to take home – maybe with some parental supervision, though!

That way, you'll have less waste and the kids won't take what they don't want.

You can bulk buy sweets on Amazon, which can help to keep costs down.

The most important part of the day is that everyone is having a good time, including you!

Planning as much as possible in advance will help you feel more relaxed on the day, so you can actually join in on the activities and watch the little ones enjoy everything you've organised.

We've got even more help and tips for kids' party ideas. Check out our dedicated party section.

Let the fun (and prep) begin!