Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Atlanta, GA

Phew! My youngest son just turned four and the last few days have been a whirlwind of activity.  I feel a bit bad for him because he's never had a birthday party before.  We just always felt he was too young. And, to be perfectly honest, his birthday is so close to the holiday season, money is always tight and a birthday party is the last expense we need!

But now he's four.  He's being invited to parties and he wanted one for his birthday.  So, we decided to throw a party, but did not want to spend a lot of money. 

I'm a bit believer is Birthday's without Pressure.  I don't feel the need to compete with other parties, to reciprocate invites or to invite everyone in my kids' classes.  I set a limit on the number of invites (usually their age +1), then ask them who they want to invite.  Helps not only keep the chaos minimal, but it also keeps the cost down.

So, what can you do to make sure your kids have a fun party without going over the limit? 

• Make sure you have a budget and do your best to stick to it.  It's much easier not to over spend if you keep track of what you're spending.
• Explore your options.  It's fun and exciting to go to an indoor play and party specialty places.  But they can be very expensive.  I know some people are willing to pay extra so they don't have anything to worry about.  Unfortunately, I don't have that luxury! Look around and be creative.  If you can't have the party at your own home, try local parks and playgrounds or your local community center.  Or, instead of paying for the full party, pay for a small group of friends to go to a play place, then back to your house to finish up the party with cake and ice cream.  Or consider off-peak times.  Some play places offer considerable discounts for weekday parties.
• Don't feel the need to feed the kids a meal.  Or, if you want to, pick something quick and easy. Our local pizza place has $5 cheese or pepperoni pizza's available all the time.  It was quick and easy and the kids loved it.  If you don't want the added expense, then have the party between meal times and just have a few snack-type treats.
• Keep it simple!  There is no need to spend money for the kids to be entertained.  Print up some coloring pages, throw down blocks, Lego's, cars, doll's or whatever your child likes to play with.  I had our box of Legos and some puzzles and the kids had a great time.  Throw kids together with some toys and they will entertain themselves!
• Make the cake yourself.  If you're keeping it simple and small, making a cake is a breeze.  Not only do you keep the cost down, you also cut down on left overs!  And to decorate it?  Look at your child's favorite toys, clean them up and use them on the cake -- Pokemon figures, Thomas trains, Polly Pockets, Dinosaurs... whatever you have, use it.
• Finally, use your resources and use what you already have.  Can't bake? Perhaps you have a friend that can.  Ask her and this can be the birthday present. Do you know people that own any businesses that may give you discounts on party supplies or bounce houses for your yard?  I looked at what I had on hand when it came to the goody bags (which are optional).  I had been given lots of Kung Fu Panda activity CD's and had lots of left over Halloween candy. 

With a little planning and creativity, it is possible to throw a fun, exciting party for your kids for under $100.  The final cost for our birthday party was $75, and $25 of that was the clubhouse rental.  All together there were 20 people -- 12 kids and 8 adults.  Every one had a great time and no one missed any bouncy castles or people dressed up as a big mouse.

It's not about being "cheap" or "thrifty" -- it's about being "resourceful" with your budget and making the dollars stretch!

Mimi Jenkins blogs about educational and enriching things to do in her city daily at Being Savvy Atlanta.  She is also a stay at home mom to two boys who keep her on her toes.  She also has a personal blog where she blogs about life with the boys at The Things We Do.