Children’s birthday parties don’t always come cheap, but there are some ways that we can make it more affordable…
How Expensive Are They?
According to a 2024 survey by Oxygen Activeplay, 89% of parents polled said that hosting children’s birthday parties has become extremely competitive.
The study found that the average child’s birthday party costs £524, and that 57% of parents say their children prefer to do an activity like wall climbing, trampolining, laser quest, go karting and theme parks, rather than traditional party games.
45% of parents polled said that trying to organise a birthday party was one of the most stressful things.
This study is backed up by research from Sainsbury’s Nectar Prices in 2023, who found that the average parent was spending £278.70 when throwing a birthday party for their child, before buying any presents.
Sainsbury’s found that 72% of parents confessed to finding planning their child’s birthday party stressful. They also discovered that the biggest contributor to this stress was worrying about money, with 56% of parents finding trying to stay in budget the most stressful thing about planning a child’s birthday.
What Are the Costs Involved?
Costs associated with children’s birthday parties include:
- Party food, including a birthday cake
- Decorations, such as balloons, party bags, banners, and more
- Entertainment or activities – this is where the costs can really rack up, whether it’s hiring a magician, renting a bouncy castle, or paying for a bunch of children to go on day out, these things can cost a lot of money
Don’t Let it Get Out of Hand
Although we all want our children to experience the very best, it’s important not to lose sight of what’s really important.
According to research from Go.Compare in 2023, 26% of respondents said they would be paying for their child’s birthday party with a credit card. This is an alarming insight into the financial strain that some parents are putting themselves in for the sake of a birthday party.
You should set a budget and stick to it when planning your child’s party, as it’s more important for them to grow up in a financially secure environment than for them to have an enormous party that gets you into money trouble.
Ways of Reducing the Costs
Children can have a lot of fun without a lot of money being spent! To reduce the cost of your child’s birthday party you could try:
- Reducing the guest list
- Making some of your own decorations – this could even be a fun activity to do with your child before the party!
- Be strategic – compare the costs of different entertainers, venues, decorations, and so on. Also, consider bulk buying or buying in advance to try to cut down the costs, and opt of generic brands for any party supplies
- Host at home rather than renting out a paid venue
- DIY entertainment – organise your own party games and activities rather than hiring professional entertainers
- Make your own birthday cake or buy a pre-made one from a supermarket if you’re struggling to cover the cost of getting one custom made
- Above all else, set a budget and stick to it!