How to Plan a Pinterest-Worthy Birthday Party on a Budget

Birthdays are meant to be joyful and memorable, but they don’t have to come with a hefty price tag. If you’ve ever found yourself stressing over party costs, you’re not alone! The good news? You can throw a beautiful, fun-filled celebration without overspending. With a little creativity and planning, you can create a special day that feels just as magical without breaking the bank. I’ve compiled some of the things I’ve learned over the last three birthday parties I’ve planned to help you host an amazing birthday party while sticking to a budget!

1. Set a Budget & Prioritize the Must-Haves

Before diving into party planning, decide how much you want to spend. Setting a budget early on helps you determine where to allocate funds and what’s truly necessary.

Make a list of must-haves (cake, decor, activities, etc.).
Identify where to splurge and where to save. For example, if a beautifully decorated cake is a priority, consider cutting back on store-bought decorations.
Stick to your budget! It’s easy to go overboard, but keeping an eye on your spending will help it all come together at the right price.

2. DIY Decor That Looks Expensive (But Isn’t!)

Decor sets the tone for a party, but it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Get creative with DIY projects and budget-friendly finds.

Balloon garlands are a stunning and affordable option—grab a kit online and assemble it yourself. I’ve done this for all my kids’ parties, and it gives it such a fun & festive vibe without being expensive. Most of their balloon arches have been $18 or less on Amazon!!
Printable banners & signs: Use Canva to design cute party signs, invitations, and banners for free! This is how I create all of my kids’ customized party décor. I personally love taking whatever my kid is interested in and creatively turning into a birthday party theme. Canva lets you bring any theme to life for your kiddo! Leo is obsessed with The Price is Right, but there isn’t much for Drew Carey or Cliffhangers party decorations available for sale. 😉 Canva allows you to make exactly what you want, for free!
Repurpose home decor: Use blankets, baskets, fairy lights, and other decorations you already own to create a cozy, festive vibe.
Thrifted & dollar store finds: Places like Dollar Tree, Dollar General, Walmart and Target’s dollar section have hidden gems for party supplies! Some plastic tablecloths in the colors that fit your party theme can really elevate your space for 97 cents!

3. Budget-Friendly Food & Snacks

Feeding guests can be one of the priciest parts of a party, but there are ways to cut costs without sacrificing quality.

Make it yourself: Store-bought cakes and catering add up fast. Consider baking cupcakes or a sheet cake at home. (No hate to all the wonderful bakers out there, this blog post is just sharing ways we’ve made birthday parties more affordable for our family!!) Personally, I bake all the cupcakes & smash cakes myself. These cupcake liners from Walmart give a bakery-style feel, but for a fraction of the price! Three of these cake tins from Walmart makes a perfect single tier cake for your party!
Keep it simple: Instead of a full meal, opt for easy snacks like a popcorn bar, fruit platters, or simply cake and ice cream.
Shop in Bulk: We’re Costco people, so we get things like water bottles & snack items in bulk at wholesale cost this way!

4. Fun & Affordable Party Activities

You don’t need anything expensive to keep guests engaged! Here are a few budget-friendly activity ideas:

DIY craft stations: Set up a table with simple crafts that match your party theme. For Gretta’s party, I got a 96-pack of temporary tattoos for the kiddos to put on for $7.99, and they had so much fun! You can also print out your own coloring pages & snag packs of crayons at the dollar tree to pair with them.
Board Games: We set out games & cards we already owned on every table at Gretta’s party, and it kept parents & kiddos entertained!
Classic backyard games: Think sack races, water balloon tosses, or piñatas. For Leo’s party we blew up a pool for the kiddos to play in, turned on a sprinkler for them to run through, and set out outdoor toys we already owned. A friend of mine also let us borrow her bounce house, as well! So fun & affordable utilizing things we already owned or borrowed from friends!
Dollar store fun: Grab bubbles, or simple DIY game supplies for a low-cost, high-fun activity!

5. Smart Ways to Save on Party Favors

Party favors can be a sweet touch, but they don’t need to be pricey to be meaningful.

DIY favors: Homemade treats, like cookies or small crafts, are thoughtful and budget-friendly.
Buy in bulk: If you’re giving small toys or goodies, buying in bulk saves money.
Skip favors altogether: Instead of handing out trinkets, consider a fun experience (like a group photo station) as a parting memory!

6. Choosing the Perfect Budget-Friendly Venue

The venue can be one of the most expensive aspects of a party—but it doesn’t have to be!

Host at home: Indoor or backyard parties save on rental fees.
Use a park: Many public parks offer picnic shelters for free or a small fee.
Borrow a space: Community centers, church halls, or even a family member’s backyard can be great alternatives.

7. Final Tips & Money-Saving Hacks

A few extra ways to cut costs without cutting the fun:

Shop early: Watch for sales and clearance deals on party supplies in advance.
Use what you have: Get creative with decor, dishes, and serving items you already own.
Borrow instead of buy: Need extra tables, chairs, or decorations? Check with family and friends before purchasing! (Thanks, framily, for always supplying us with tables & chairs!)
Check secondhand: Facebook Marketplace or thrift stores often have party supplies at a fraction of the cost.
Make things Yourself: Create your own decorations using Canva to bring your party to life without spending anything other than the cost of printing things out!

Conclusion:

A beautiful, joyful birthday celebration doesn’t have to cost a fortune. With a little planning, creativity, and resourcefulness, you can create a party filled with special moments—without overspending. At the end of the day, it’s about celebrating your sweet little ones & creating memories, not how much you spend! Below I’m sharing a few photos from Gretta Faye’s bear-y first birthday! She is obsessed with this rainbow tie dye bear. Again, not much out there for this as a party theme 😉, so off to Canva I went to make it come to life!!

Do you have any go-to budget-friendly party tips? Share them in the comments—I’d love to hear how you celebrate on a budget! 🎉✨

Warmly, Lauren