These days it seems like birthday celebrations are getting bigger and better every year – ice cream cake in the McDonald’s playroom or a small celebration at home just doesn’t cut it anymore.
Still, creating the party of your dreams for you or your family doesn’t mean you have to break the bank. With a few simple cost-saving tips and tricks, these cheap birthday party ideas can help create an event your guests will remember. Keep reading to find out our cheap party ideas in Melbourne.
Cheap Birthday Party Ideas
1. Swap paper & stamps for evites
3. Serve snacks instead of a meal
5. Host the party in the backyard
9. DIY Decorations & Simple Themes
10. Cost-Effective Party Favours
11. Add a Scavenger Hunt Activity
1. Swap Paper For E-vites
Fancy paper invitations and postage can get pricey, particularly if you’ve got a big guest list. Instead of packaging and sending out everyone’s invitations a couple of months earlier, save money by sending out your e-vites through email or via social media apps. This way you can save on invitations and postage, while ensuring they remember to save the date.
2. Recycle Party Essentials
For cheap kids’ birthday party ideas, consider using decorations that you’ve already got stored away. Banners, bunting, tablecloths, and trays are definitely able to be reused… and no one is going to notice! They’re also easy to clean and store for next year. Plus, not only are these great and cheap birthday party ideas, cutting down on plastic party wastage is much better for the environment.
Consider selectively customising just one or two elements of your party, like a birthday T-shirt, cake topper, personalised party invitations, or treat bags, while keeping other items generic. This will help maintain a special touch without overspending or generating excess waste.
3. Serve Snacks Instead Of A Meal
One of the great things about birthday parties is that guests usually prefer simple tastes. Don’t worry about cooking up a big meal. Instead, save yourself time, money, and effort by serving a selection of snacks. Chips, lollies, and of course the Australian birthday essential, party pies, are always affordable (and cheap) hors d’oeuvres to satisfy your guests’ cravings.
4. Book Your Venue Early
Some venues can charge more for last-minute bookings. If you’re looking for cheap birthday party ideas but want to secure one of the best birthday party venues for kids in Melbourne, make sure you get your party booked early. It’s best to try and book at least 8 weeks ahead.
This means you’ll have plenty of time to ensure the party’s details and other costs are all sorted out before the big day. Don’t forget to tell your venue what kind of music you’d like played to set the right mood for your celebration.
5. Host The Party In The Backyard
There’s nothing quite like celebrating in your own backyard with an inviting barbecue lunch and homemade cake. Here, you have full control over your party, and you can save a tonne of money since you don’t need to rent out a function room or hire a caterer.
If you’re celebrating a milestone and looking for cheap 30th birthday party ideas, for example, this is a great, low-key affair that still feels celebratory. Set up some board games, play traditional parlour games or host a karaoke or dance-off. Get crafty with some homemade decorations for the party, or even hire a cheap marquee for something a little extra fancy.
6. Go With A Smaller Group
If you or your family have something specific (but more expensive) you want to do for your birthday party, a budget-friendly option is doing the activity with a couple of close friends, rather than a huge group. If your child has lots of friends and is concerned about offending or excluding some, why not go with a sibling or cousin instead? An escape room can be a great option for kids’ birthday parties with a small handful of people, particularly for tweens and teens.
7. Go To An Escape Room
Planning activities to last all day, or hiring out a space for a number of hours can dramatically rack up those costs. But what if you could have an experience that lasts an hour, yet packs all the adrenaline, excitement, and fun into it for an entire day?
Our escape rooms in Melbourne are well worth their time as the main event for your birthday party. Though all our rooms are suitable for a minimum of two, save more per person with some able to fit up to six (meaning more people to celebrate with too!)
8. Utilise Public Parks
Public parks are a great option for a budget-friendly birthday party, especially if you have a larger group. Melbourne has numerous parks that are perfect for celebrating birthdays with family and friends. Parks like the Royal Botanic Gardens, Fitzroy Gardens, and Albert Park offer beautiful scenery, playgrounds, and open spaces for activities. With picnic areas and BBQ facilities available, this is a great way to keep costs down while giving kids plenty of room to run around.
9. DIY Decorations & Simple Themes
Get creative and make your own decorations! DIY decorations are not only cheaper but add a personal touch to your event. For example, you can make a photo backdrop using old sheets, fairy lights, and paper garlands. Simple themes like a picnic, beach day, or even a colour-themed party are inexpensive and easy to execute.
10. Cost-Effective Party Favours
Party favors don’t have to be elaborate to be meaningful. You can put together budget-friendly party bags with small toys, stickers, or homemade cookies. For a more personalized touch, consider craft activities where kids make something to take home – like painting a pot or decorating a picture frame. This way, your guests get a memorable and creative keepsake without spending too much.
11. Add a Scavenger Hunt Activity
Adding a scavenger hunt can bring a lot of fun to a birthday party without breaking the bank. Scavenger hunts work well in both indoor and outdoor settings, and they’re perfect for keeping kids engaged. Make a list of items or clues for the guests to find, and scatter them around the backyard, house, or public park. A well-planned scavenger hunt can be an entertaining, inexpensive way to foster interaction and excitement during the party.
Plan Ahead for Sales and Discounts
Planning ahead for sales is one of the easiest ways to save money on birthday party essentials. Take advantage of sales, clearances, and seasonal discounts to buy decorations, supplies, and even gifts in advance. Shopping early can help you get high-quality items at discounted prices, saving you from last-minute splurges.
The Final Word
If you’re worried about spending too much money on a birthday party in Melbourne, then don’t be. As you can see, there are lots of cheap, quick and easy ideas that will allow you to save money without losing the fun that comes with throwing a party.
If you’re ready to book an escape room today, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team. Or, if you’d like more information, they’ll be happy to help answer any questions and make sure you throw the best (and affordable) party for your birthday.
Interested in other party-throwing guides and activity ideas? Consider these options:
How To Host An Office Christmas Party Everyone Will Love
Top 10 Best Melbourne School Holiday Activities
