Birthday Parties for children are getting more elaborate and original everyday. Sometimes a kids birthday party with a simple theme just isn’t enough. If you are one of those people who like to create kids birthday parties that are special and unique, parties that your guests and children will remember forever, then these ideas should help get you on your way to a most unforgettable birthday party.

Nowadays, however, it seems that parents will overextend their budget and go into debt just to throw their children a birthday party. Most children are happy just being with friends and being able to drink as much soda and eat as much cake as their little stomachs can handle; however, there seems to be a competitive trend amongst parents to throw the biggest and best birthday bash of the year. If you do not want to fall into this trend of parents struggling to one-up each other, and, more importantly, your budget is tight, then here are some tips on throwing a children’s birthday party on a budget.

With birthday parties even bigger and more expensive today than ever before, a frugal mom may feel defeated before she even puts her guest list together. However, the real focus of your child’s party should be spending time and having fun with friends and family, which doesn’t have to cost a lot.

Here are some suggestions to keep the budget down, while turning up the fun.

1. Decide what you can afford to spend on the party. Stick to it.
2. Pick an inexpensive location. Parks and backyards are perfect for large groups of kids – they’re free, and there’s plenty of room to have fun.
3. 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 or Simon says. Or get more ideas by talking to other parents, checking a party games book out of the library, or searching the Web.
4. Make a pinata, if you have. While store-bought pinatas can be expensive, making one yourself doesn’t cost much, as long as you fill it with inexpensive treats. Plus, it’s a fun activity for you and the kids to do together in advance.

5. Decide what food you will serve. Try to make most of the food yourself, including the cake. Enlist the aid of the guest of honor, as well as any siblings.
6. Purchase any premade foods in bulk, and remember that 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.
7. Serve juice, punch or soda from large bottles, rather than offering individual containers.
8. Write and give out invitations. Handwritten or computer-generated 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. Or, if your child’s friends all have e-mail addresses, consider using an online service such as Evite.com.

9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.