How much does a kids birthday party really cost?

Every family is different, but when you actually sit down and add things up, most kids birthday party budget plans fall into a few rough ranges (for about 8–12 kids):

• Budget at-home party: around $100–$200
• Comfortable mid-range party: around $200–$350
• Venue / soft play / “all out” party: $350+

What really moves that number up or down?

• Guest list – every extra child means more food, more drinks, more party bags
• Location – at home is usually cheapest, venues and soft play come with a fixed price
• Entertainment – DIY games vs. entertainers, inflatables, face painters, etc.

Step 1 – Decide your total budget first

Before you book anything, choose one clear number:

“For this party, we’re comfortable spending $_____ in total.”

Write it down. Say it out loud with your partner. This becomes your anchor.

From there, you’re simply dividing that total between your main cost buckets: guests & venue, food & drinks, cake, decorations, entertainment and party favors.

Step 2 – Break your party costs into simple categories

Almost every expense you’ll have fits into one of these six areas:

1. Guests & venue
2. Food & drinks
3. Cake & desserts
4. Decorations
5. Entertainment & activities
6. Party favors / party bags

Thinking in categories stops that “death by little extras” feeling where you keep tossing things into the trolley without a plan.

Guests & venue: small guest list, big savings

Your guest list is the quiet, sneaky budget driver. Ten children vs. twenty children is double the food, drinks and party bags.

Ways to keep this under control:

• Invite one group (just school friends, or just cousins, or just close family friends)
• Keep the party to 2 hours, not an entire afternoon
• Choose at-home, a garden, or a free park space instead of an expensive venue

If you have a smaller kids birthday party budget this year, start by trimming the guest list rather than feeling like you have to cut every little detail.

Food & drinks: simple is more than enough

Food is often where we overspend, simply because we feel we need “a bit of everything”. Most kids are happy with a very simple menu.

Easy food formula

Aim for:

• One main: pizza, hot dogs, chicken nuggets, or sandwiches
• Two or three sides: crisps, popcorn, fruit, veggie sticks
• Water + one other drink: juice, lemonade, or diluted squash

Money-saving tricks:

• Host the party between 2–4 pm, so snacks feel appropriate and no-one expects a full meal.
• Make homemade pizzas, sliders or sandwiches rather than ordering everything in.
• Serve drinks from jugs or large bottles, not individual cans for every child.

Cake & desserts: big moment, flexible price

The birthday cake is often the emotional centre of the party – but the price tag can be flexible.

Your choices might be:

• Homemade cake – flour, sugar, sprinkles and love
• Supermarket cake – customise it with a topper or extra sweets
• Small custom cake – go fancy on design, but keep size modest
• Cupcakes instead of cake – easier to serve and decorate

How to decide where to spend:

• If your child lives for fancy cakes, you might splurge here and save in other categories.
• If they just want to blow out some candles, keep it simple and cheerful.

Decorations: high impact, low cost

You don’t need to transform your whole house. Focus on the areas that will actually show in real life and in photos.

Budget-friendly decoration plan

• Balloons + birthday banner = instant party atmosphere
• Tablecloth + themed plates/cups = pulls the theme together and looks great in pictures
• Simple DIY photo corner – a wall with streamers, a few balloons, maybe a handmade sign

Everything else is optional. Kids rarely notice whether you decorated the bookshelf or the hallway; they notice colour, balloons and a spot that feels “special”.

Entertainment & activities: fun doesn’t have to be expensive

Most kids mainly want to run around, laugh and be a bit wild with their friends. You can absolutely deliver that without spending a fortune.

Budget entertainment ideas

• Classic games: musical statues, musical chairs, pass the parcel
• Outdoor obstacle course using chalk paths and simple challenges
• Simple craft or colouring table for calmer kids
• Group games from your favourite party game collections, adapted to age

If your budget allows, you can add:

• A bouncy castle or inflatable
• A magician, character visit or face painter

This is where the calculator helps: tick a bouncy castle or entertainer and you’ll clearly see how much of your kids birthday party budget disappears into that one choice.

Party favors: they’re optional, I promise

There’s a lot of social pressure around party bags, but here’s the truth: you don’t have to send children home with a bag full of plastic and sugar.

If you enjoy doing party bags:

• Set a per-child limit (e.g., $3 each)
• Choose one small toy + a few treats instead of ten tiny bits
• Consider a book, sticker pad or mini craft kit instead of lots of trinkets

If you don’t enjoy them:

• Let kids take home a craft they made at the party
• Hand out a cupcake to go instead of a bag
• Skip them entirely and spend that money on something kids will enjoy at the party itself

Example kids birthday party budgets for 10 children

Here are three realistic scenarios you can recreate and adjust with your own prices.

1. Budget at-home party

• At home
• One main food (pizza or hot dogs), plus a couple of simple snacks
• Supermarket or homemade cake
• Balloons + banner + simple tableware
• DIY games, music and outdoor play if weather allows
• No party bags or very simple treats

This kind of party often stays in the $100–$150 range depending on local prices.

2. Comfortable mid-range party

• At home or inexpensive community hall
• Main food, snacks and drinks
• Nicer cake + one extra dessert (cookies or cupcakes)
• Balloons, banner, themed plates/cups, maybe a small photo wall
• Mix of group games and a simple craft or activity
• Simple party bags with one toy and a few sweets

This style usually lands around $200–$280.

3. Premium or venue party

• Soft play centre or hired venue
• Full food spread or catering
• Custom cake and extra dessert options
• Themed decorations, photo backdrop or balloon arch
• Bouncy castle or entertainer
• Deluxe party bags

These parties can easily reach $350+ and go up from there.

Simple kids birthday party budget checklist

Use this like a quick roadmap while you plan:

• Set your total budget
• Decide guest list and venue
• Choose a theme or colour scheme
• Plan a simple menu (one main + 2–3 sides + drinks)
• Decide on cake style (homemade, supermarket, custom)
• Pick 2–3 key decorations that give the biggest impact
• List 3–4 games or activities (including one calmer activity)
• Decide whether you’re doing party bags or an alternative
• Use my FREE kids’ birthday party budget calculator to sanity-check your totals
• Adjust until the numbers and the plan both feel good for your family

With a clear kids birthday party budget, a few smart choices, and a little help from the calculator, you can plan a celebration that feels special for your child – without feeling like you just funded a wedding. 🎉