Hi everyone. My son is turning 6 soon. I want to throw him a frugal birthday party but don't want to have it at my house for various reasons. He doesn't want to do a local park, so that idea is out. I do have an idea in mind. A farm in the area, which is 40 minutes away, is having a open farm day with a bounce house, petting zoo, and pony rides. Admission is very cheap, only $2 per kid. We expect his Grandmother to come and possibly another friend with kids. But I don't expect kids from his class to travel that distance.
We are planning to pay their admission. They will have a concession stand, but not sure if we should be paying for that as well. Then it could get costly. The farm said I could bring a cake. Is this a cheesy idea for his birhday? Is it ok to just serve cake and let them buy their own food? Should I not try invite his class and just make it a family day? Or might people think it's a cool idea?
Thanks.
Thanks for all the comments. I think this might work if it were closer to my house, but someone said they wouldn't travel 40 minutes for a party, so that is really what I am keeping in mind. I think this will work just as a fun day for the kids without it being a birthday party. Thanks again for your input.
When we do parties like this I will take my van with five kids, I get my friend to take five kids in her van, and my husband can take three kids in the car. Go right after lunch, have cake (or cupcakes) there, and get everyone home in time for supper.
I think if you're expecting people to drive 40 minutes away, then they are going to have to end up eating at some point, and you should probably provide a meal. Even if it's close family & friends, I'd still pay for food.
My son also just turned 6. I went back and forth forever on his party. We did a big party last year with his whole class so this year decided to do something smaller. Anyway I tossed around some ideas of places I know he would like, such as Legoland, and was just going to do our family. But when I asked what he really wanted, he said a birthday party with his friends.
I also really didn't want a party at my house, but decided to do it for him. He got to invite five boys, and we set it up as a dropoff party so the parents didn't have to hang around. We did relay races, pin the smile on the skeleton, pumpkin toss, and I set up a treasure hunt for clues inside and outside that lead to a treasure chest-shaped pinata. They decorated their own cupcakes that I had baked. I spent very little and the boys had an absolute blast.
I think it's a great idea for a party. I wouldn't invite any classmates that you are not prepared to transport. (I would not want to drive 40 minutes to take my kid to a party. But I also would not want my kid to travel 40 minutes with someone else's family to go to a b-day party.)
I think you son and his friends and grandmother will have a blast. It is fine to just do cupcakes and juiceboxes or water bottles as long as it is after lunch time and well before dinner time. You might want to bring some snacks too just in case. You're getting a lot of bang for your buck with this party!
I think this is a fun idea! (good job, momma). I typically plan our birthday parties at 1 or 2 in the afternoon. This way, the kids will have had lunch with their families before the party. Therefore, you only need to provide cake, juice, and a goody-bag (if you so wish). This works out well. For my daughter's 7th birthday, we had ladies come out to the cul-de-sac with two huge horses and 2 Shetland ponies for two hours of guided riding and the kids LOVED it! They all got cupcakes, punch and goody bags and everyone was completely happy.
Again, I think your idea is fun and many kids will be talking about this for years (my dd's friends still talk about the pony/horse rides and she's 9 yrs. old now).
Have fun!
It's a great idea to have it there, but you need to pay for all of the expenses associated with the party. If you don't want to have to pay for food from the concession stand, plan the party at a time when you don't need a meal, such as 2 - 4 p.m. Then you can get away with just bringing a cake and buying drinks (or bringing your own if they let you).
If you have room in your car, maybe he could invite 1-2 best friends to ride with you and join you for the day.
You definitely have to pay for whatever the expenses are at the party. I know I would be frustrated as a party guest if I had to buy my own food.
If you wanted to take a couple of really good friends along, that would be a nice idea.... you don't have to invite the entire class to a birthday party.
You are in Florida like me. Until she was old enough to choose a place we always had it at a state or county park. Rented a pavilion, cooked hotdogs and hamburgers. Got a cake. or if renting a pavilion is to much just grab one ahead of time in the morning. . Get one near the playground. They will have a blast running around the playground. If you want more rent them one of the bounce house slides. They love those. We got a pinata for the end. They loved it and we always had a ton of kids for it.But if you really cant talk him into it then rent one of those bounce house places they got now a days. They serve pzza and you bring a cake
Try to make it for a non-lunch time, like 2 in the afternoon, then cake should be enough for anyone.
I think it would be fun. My son loves that type of stuff. Would you be paying admission for people? It's generally assumed that you would, I think. If you invite friends from school and don't plan on playing, I would write that the cost is $2.00 per person on the invitation. Some people don't carry cash.
You can invite whoever your son wants. You don't have to invite class friends, if you don't want to deal with that,
