What Kinds of Partie$ Did You Have for Your Kids?

[tractor]

We have avoided having most of them. Our 10 year old wanted to have a few friends over for his birthday so we did that and probably spent $30 on pizza, pop and a cake. I always get annoyed at my wife's family who insists on having a party everytime the kid has a bowel movement and were expected to bring a present. We just stopped going in the hopes that they would stop sending us invitations.

[Deleted]

We have one huge family get together/bbq/birthday party for my older son and one of his cousins that was born a few days later every July. We clean out the garage, haul in dozens of picnic tables, provide all the meat for the grill and drinks and the rest is pot luck. We have lots of land and animals for the kids to play with and they usually have a bonfire and shoot of fireworks in the evening. Lots of fun and probably spend about $150 or so.

That's it for parties. Second son was supposed to be born about the same time so it could be his party too, but the little bugger showed up a month early. Not sure what we'll do now.

[sheilaincali]

We used to do HUGE parties (huge being a relative term) for DS. Renting bounce houses, hiring magicians, cotton candy machines, etc. 60 plus people in attendance. We found out that DS hated those parties. He got so overwhelmed and didn't enjoy them at all.

We wised up and for his 8th Birthday we took him to Universal Studios (moved to CA 2 weeks before his b-day) cost of admission and lunch at the park. For 9th had a sleepover at my parents vacation house (30 minutes from my house) with DS and one friend for the weekend. Took them to see the Spider-man movie on the Imax -cost $40 for imax tickets and $25 for his cake. 10th Birthday Took DS and two friends to a water park for for the day cost $120 for admission. 11th Birthday took DS and a couple of friends to John's Incredible Pizza (Chuckie Cheese for the tween crowd) - $100 for pizza, cake, and token. 12th- had a sleepover at the house $60 for cake and pizza.

He will be 13 in two weeks. Wants to take a couple of buddies to play paint ball or maybe go bowling. Estimating $150 for activity and cake depending on if they bowl or play paint ball.

[thyme4change]

We did the bouncy place thing - I think that was $250 - $300 for everything. That was great! Everything else was swimming at our house. Cheaper, but takes time and energy - cleaning and planning, etc.

This year I'm taking my daughter and a couple friends for mani's and pedi's. The shop is going to do a short version for each of them (just a soak, some lotion and paint.) My son wants to go the baseball game. We will probably take a couple friends. So, both of those are going to be a little pricey - depending on how many kids we invite along.

[lulubean]

My spoiled DD gets a party every year, some at home some at chuckies, some at a restaurant.

[Wisconsin Beth]

For 1st b-day, invite all family - 75 people or so; we provided dinner, cake and coffee/soda/beer.
For 2nd b-day, immediate family - still 30+ people; cake and coffee/soda/beer
For 3rd b-day, immediate family on the closest Saturday - holding at around 30 people; will be cake and coffee/soda/beer again. I'm going to make some min-cupcakes for DD to take to dcp on her actually b-day.

Same for DS, except he's only had 1 b-day so far.

[thyme4change]

I think our friends spent a thousand dollars on their kid's 2nd birthday party. It was really just like a frat party with a birthday cake. Jello shots and stuff. When there are people passed out and puking don't you think "Is this really a birthday party for a toddler??"

I'm guessing that will tone down as the kid gets old enough to have memories.

[kimber45]

We only had one child and he was deprived LOL. Birthdays were just family, usually the IL's and cake at home.

The year he turned 4, we were moving and completely forgot his birthday that year.

[Mrs. Dinero]

We rented out a bowling alley last year for DS ($200), Jewelry making parties for DD ($150) and have had bouncers in back yard for both of them($150). This year DS had 3 friends over. We took them to a Japanese Steak house and movie ($200).

I grew up having a homemade birthday cake and friends over. Loved it!

[bean29]

We have done the bowling parties, gymnastics and roller skating. We have also had kids over to the house. If we also do a family party it is seperate from the kids friends.

DD went to a party for a 14 year old friend last weekend. It was 9 girls including her 13 year old sister and 2 of her friends. They started at the house then went to the bowling alley about 10 pm. They went back to the house for a "bonfire" in the fireplace and a sleepover.

DD has been to parties at Libby Lou, and the like too. Both kids have been invited to the movies. DD once went to a B-day party at the rock climbing place and one or two at a hotel - one at a waterpark.

[oreo]

For my son's first birthday we went to WDW (ok, we were going there anyway!) For his 2nd birthday, we just had immediate family over for a small party (7 total people) and I made a "cake"out of doughnuts (which is what he wanted). I just made stuffed shells, garlic bread, and veggies.

We went to one of his friend's 2nd birthday party at one of those inside play gym places. Probably cost around $200 plus catering of food from another place probably another $50. A lot of the people there I don't think even knew the birthday girl (only knew the parents)--I think my son was the only other kid her age there. She was completely overwhelmed and didn't want to have cake or open presents or anything. We've had many play dates with her (before and since) and I've never seen her cry as much as at that party. It was WAY more than she wanted.

[alabamagal]

We have done them all, mostly the under $100 versions. When they were little (under 5), just really had a few friends over for cake. We don't have any family in the area, so it was very small.

I always felt kind of bad for my middle son who's birthday was in mid-July. It made it harder to invite school friends.

[reader79]

I'll add my nieces parties since I paid for most of them, LOL.

Year 1, home party with Dora cake, balloons, food, awesome craft activity for the older kids and adults (we decorated wooden ladybugs from Michael's for her room,) cost was under $100. Year 2, home party now with Abbey Cadabby (?) cake and decorations, same as before. Year 3, McDonald's party because BIL worked there and could have it just for the cost of the happy meals, ~$40. I still paid for this, and gave the staff member a $20 tip. Year 4, Chuck E Cheese party that my sister paid for with her tax refund, $500+ - she won't tell me more than that.

The issue I had with the last two was that her guests didn't understand the concept that we had a set time at the other venues. The majority of them showed up after the official end of the party. At McDonald's it wasn't an issue, because they didn't have a following party. But at Chuck's, they made you vacate the area. The host started pulling the tablecloth from the end while people were still eating. My sister had to grab other tables outside the party area. It was crazy.

Niece #2, has only had one. It was during the block party at my sister's street in Brooklyn. Lovely day until the shooting started.

[zibazinski]

Great ones!! Made up for me never having any as a child. I gave my kids what I always wanted and never got.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Don't know how much DD's first birthday will cost. We are doing immeadiate family in my SIL's backyard. That's more than enough people because DH's immediate family alone is HUGE.

[busymom]

We've done different types of parties. It's always depended on what kind of year we were having financially. We've had to home parties, taken kids to the movies, bowling alley party, restaurant, & no matter which type we had, or how much we spent, the kids seemed to have the same amount of fun!

[giramomma]

When we lived in an apartment, we did birthday parties at venues, and had between 6 and 10 kids max. Now that we have a house, we have home parties. We do a separate "friend" birthday party and "family" birthday party.

We just had the venue discussion. I can't bring myself to spend $300 on one birthday party for my kid.

[Deleted]

50$ for the pool... 40$ for lifeguards about 150$ for cake, pizza, chips, drinks, favors... That was daughter's last...

[tloonya]

Skimmed on parties all together until she turned 6.
Gave her a party with 2 ponies. About $500 including food for all. Parents and children.
I preffer to have parents to look after their kids so I am not held responsible for anything.

Next one was at the sport spectrum. 20 kids with parents went to the BDay party and Disney on Ice.
About $1K. But we had gotten complimentary tickets for all for another ice show. Food was lame so I kind of 'squeezed it' out of the spectrum management.

Spa party. Hair and nails/toes for all. Lunch after. About $300.

Later DJ at the house party. About $300.

Sweet 16...a few thousand dollars of first dimonds for our jewel. Simple and useless.
She would be happier to have a simple 200 friends party! Well...you know kids...

[Apple]

Most years for DS it's just been family, we try to meet at the mexican or chinese restaurant around lunch-time to get the specials. I usually bake the cake, takes a lot of time because I try to make it special (one year was a castle with a knight and dragon on top, the towers were stacks of ding dongs held together by a straw with a paper flag on the top), but saves money. Two years he's had a b-day party with friends/classmates. One year we just did it at the house and had a chocolate fountain (a gift from my brother) with grilled burgers and hotdogs so that was cheap (a couple kids said it was the best b-day party they'd been to, I think it's because I didn't try to schedule every minute, I just let them play all over the house). Another year we went to the indoor pool at the health club. That was about $60.

[Deleted]

For DS' 2nd birthday we had a Gymboree party. Cost about $200. Worth it to not have 20-50 people in my house and have to clean. DS is a winter baby so barbecues and parks aren't an option. My mom's religion encourages giving on birthdays - you have to feed a certain amount of people. So the local food banks get a few hundred dollars on his birthday.

[telephus44]

My DS is 4, we've always done backyard parties. There aren't a whole lot of other kids his age in our group. I still spend about $150 on beer, hot dogs, hamburgers, ice cream, chips, etc. I do splurge and get helium balloons, but skip goodie bags and anything themed.

Maybe when he gets older, we'll have a Gymboree party or something. Depends on what he wants to do.

[kgb18]

Growing up we pretty much had family parties. We were allowed to have "friend" parties on a couple of birthdays, and it was always at our house. Back then kids just didn't have parties at play places and stuff like that.

DD is only 1, but we had a party for her and my nephew (His birthday is a week after DD's) at my mom's house. It was just our family. My mom has a house that's perfect for entertaining, so we had the party there, but I took care of all of the food, drinks, set up and clean up, etc. I suspect we'll stick with that plan for the next few years.

[robbase]

toga

[Sum Dum Gai]

We do all kinds of stuff, ice skating, roller skating, bowling, movies, Chuck E Cheese, mini golf, arcades, the beach, pretty much whatever the kids want to do. However, it's just the immediate family (the kids, my wife and I, one aunt, and one set of grandparents that live close by). We refuse to do the invite 30 kids over, hire a magician, get the whole thing catered insanity that seem to be popular right now. When the kids are older we'll probably do cake and presents at home, then let them go hang out with their close friends to celebrate, but for young kids time with mom and dad doing whatever activity they've picked out seems like plenty. We do food, cake, and presents too.

[Plain Old Petunia]

I've done a wide range of parties, depending on the circumstances that year.

When my dd turned 5, money was very tight. I checked out library books on party games and had a half dozen games lined up. We had that one at home, I made the cake. The whole party cost me about $30, including craft supplies, a pinata, and candy. The kids all had a ball.

Another year, when dd turned 9, we had a fun HUGE party at a community park. We did a BBQ, and the wading pool and splash fountain were open. (DD's birthday is 9/4, so hot weather).

When dd turned 16, her choice was to go sky-diving. Ex-h went too, and we got the whole thing on dvd.

There were years we did Funworks (putt putt golf, 2 story indoor play structure, arcade games, etc.) and years we did slumber parties. One year we went to the zoo.

Ds has done movie theatre parties, bowling alley parties, a bouncy house party, an indoor swim party (at the local scuba diving class place), and Laser Tag parties. Last year (15) he had a sleepover and we went to a local pizza parlor for pizza and games, but IT WAS NOT A PARTY, because birthday parties are for little kids, lol.