Birthday

Ok, I need some help! My son's birthday, he is turning 9 is Feb 2. The problem is I always go overboard on parties. This year our finances just will not allow us to do anything like we have done in the past. Any suggestions on what I might could do but be able to include his friends in on the fun. Hope someone can help me. I am desprate to try and still have a good time for him.

I've never thrown a party for a child yet. But here are some thoughts I have, I hope they help.

Invitations: Have your son make his own, maybe in the form of a flyer. Or make them together on the computer and print them out.

If you throw a party at home or at the local park, there are a lot of low cost activities that can be fun too! You could plan a mini olympics, with activities they have to compete in. Egg toss, water balloon toss, three legged race, wheelbarrel, race around the backyard, etc... maybe have some sort of small something they win?

Maybe a talent contest, charades, scavenger hunt. One party I went to had maps and the children were sent off on a treasure hunt and ended up having to "dig" up their reward in a sandbox. Of course they were three, and your son is nine, so may not work as well!

As far as food, pizza is always good and not too expensive to feed a lot of people!

I'm just babbing! I can't wait to throw a birthday party of my own.

Whatever you decide to do, I am sure that your son will know that his parents love him and are excited about his birthday!

Mara

You could have him choose a couple of friends like 2 or 3 and take them to bowling? That doesn't cost too much. Or you could have a sleepover with 2 or 3 friends. My 8 year old loves to play games so an arcade would be cool with a few close friends. You can even have him help make a cake or cupcakes. My son loves to have a few friends sleepover and play video games so that would be fun and cool. Ummmm you could also take a few to Chuck E cheese we tend to like smaller crowds just a couple of close friends so they aren't overwelmed. Hope some of this helps.

Thanks Mara and Dorothy!! I knew I could get some really cool ideas.

Let us know hwat you decide to do!!!!!! Remember it only has to please your son and not everyone else!!!

We have gone overboard on parties too-especially that first birthday and he doesn't even remember it. Since it's in February, that might rule out any outside play, but I think the whole invite a few friends over is a good idea. They can rent some boy movies and eat pizza and play Nintendo (?) games or something fun that boys like to do. Even set up a tent in the living room and let them pretend to camp out.
This may sound stupid, but it's something I've done to kill time in the past. I've taken one of those large plastic swimming pools and put it in the garage and filled it (very slowly) with warm bath water and added lots of bubbles and let the kids swim in the garage. We have a small portable heater in there that helps and they don't stay in long so it works. I dont' know if that's dumb or not, he may be too old for that.
Another one to try is: have a few of his friends come over and dress up as their favorite character:Hulk, Ninja Turtle, Power Ranger, etc and take them to a Cici's pizza. I think it's like 2.99 per person, so it could be cheaper than other places. Or tell them to all bring their skates and they can skate outside on the driveway for a while if it's not too cold.
One more is: take them to the Omni in Fort Worth. They always have really cool shows that feel like a roller coaster and boys will appreciate that. Or even just a good old movie could replace that.
Hope maybe you can get some ideas...my boys aren't near 9 yet, and their birthdays are in the summer, so it's easier so far, but I thought maybe these ideas could help start some of your own. :balloons

What about Nickelrama? It is $2 to get in per person and the games are really cheap. Also you have Sali's pizza next door. Good food and fun. I just took 60 6th graders there today for a field trip, and boy did they love it! Good luck

There's Celebration Station in Mesquite too. My son Garrison has been wanting a party there but he's been too young. We told him when he's 8 he'll be old enough to go. OH MY!! that's in October!! Gosh, time flies.

I'm in the same boat w/ my son's bday. It's in January, so always when the Christmas bills are coming in.

Here are some good sites for ideas and "stuff" for bdays. The first site has invite templates.

http://www.dltk-kids.com/
http://www.oriental.com/

I usually pick a theme and then plan around that, mine is going to be two, so this year it's a train them. Then plan age appropriate activities. I do a search (my favorite is www.hotbot.com) to find ideas for my theme.

The dollar tree has great party supplies, inexpensive and the kids can decorate their goody bags.

a homemade cake is the best. You could have the kids make their own sundae's and do a small cupcake with that.

Have fun.

Oh my gosh, I am such a cheap-o when it comes to my kids parties.

I don't do themes or anything like that. In fact, I have begun having them on a weekday evening and they last 1 1/2 hrs tops. Just enough time for playing a game or 2, eat hotdogs or pizza, open gifts then have cake.

The kids all love it, and it really saves us money.

Our guest list consists of family who live in town, and a few buddies they enjoy playing with. About 20 people total, that includes kids, moms/dads.

We have been to many fancy, expensive bday parties. And while they may be fun and different, I believe it's a waste of $ for something that only lasts an hour or two.

I am sure as my kids get older they will want the bigger parties. But for now, just doing this every year works real well.

Okay, I do have a wonderful and fun suggestion.

When my son turned 4, we went to the fire station. They let the kids try on the gear, they got to go in the fire trucks, even got a complete tour of the fire station. It was a HUGE hit with the kids and the grown-ups. And best of all, it was completely FREE! Now they won't let you have the complete party there, but still. What a memorable party. Call your local fire station for info, or to book an appt.

Yikes, this cheap-o mommy has written a book! LOL

Well what I mean by a theme is tying in the games, the invites and the cake......all of which are homemade. I do not spend money on plates, balloons, centerpieces etc......all that is from the dollar store and generic. The goody bags are lunch bags that the kids can decorate with the theme from free downloaded photos. This is not expensive.

Oh, and I forgot this link.....they have everything from cheap to extravagant. I like to see what other people do and it helps spark ideas that work within my budget.

http://www.birthdaypartyideas.com/

That's a cool link!

I'm looking forward to her first birthday party! I'm making cakes/cupcakes for each month birthday, although thats more for me; to eat the cake and a picture opportunity!

I thought it would be nice to look back and see how much she has grown from the pictures each day on her birthday!

Tuesday is her three month one (although she will be 13 weeks)

/babble off

Mara

That's a sweet idea Mara! :love

We went waaay overboard for Lauren's first birthday party........it was silly, but John and I and our fifty guests had a wonderful time (John's family is 35 people alone). Ian is not as sociable is Lauren so we had his two cousins, the godparents and some cupcakes, very low key, but equally fun. I just love to watch them shove cake into their little mouths and smile with that frosted grin.:balloons

I enjoy the whole planning process:)

:cheer You guys are so awsome. I have so many cool ideas I just don't know what I want to go with. I think I am going to tell my son all of the cool ideas that you have given me and let him decide. I know he is going to invite 3 friends and his cousin to spend the night I just need him to decide what we are going to do at the party. I like all of the ideas so I will leave it up to my son to decide. I think he is leaning more to the fire station and then maybe to bowl-a-rama in Rowlett. My mom is also awsome with cool ideas she said to go to a hotel that has a indoor pool. She has all these coupons for hotels and she is willing to give money to help with the cost of the hotel for his present. So I will let you guys know what we decide. Thanks for all of you awsome women.