8 awesome alternatives to throwing an extravagant birthday party for your child

Every child should have at least a few big birthdays. But celebrating a child’s birthday in a big way every year – especially if you have more than one kid – can become a rather expensive and stressful affair.

If you are in this position right now and are wondering what the alternative to throwing an over-the-top party is, but where you child can still enjoy his day, then you’ve come to the right place.

This gallery contains plenty of ideas for alternatives to extravagant children’s birthday parties. Be prepared to be inspired!

1. Throw a BFF Day

Have your child’s BFF over and treat them to a special day out together.

This could include treating them to a really fun activity such as paintballing or a kid-friendly mani-pedi session or even a movie.

Throw in a yummy meal for good measure and turn this day into the best day ever for your child and his or her BFF!

You can be sure they’ll have a fabulous time and things can be easily kept within budget too.

2. Have an “all about me” day

It’s your child’s special day so make it all about him or her.

No need for lavish parties but take them out to their favourite park, dessert spot or restaurant. There’s just one rule – your child gets your full attention on this day!

3. Throw a baking, painting or arts and crafts party

Again, let your child invite their closest friends home and get them to pick an activity they love doing, for example, baking, painting or arts and crafts.

Provide the needed supplies and equipment (and of course, supervision!) and watch the kids have the time of their life!

4. Birthday presents for a cause

This is a great idea for a first birthday party, where your child isn’t old enough to want presents, or the birthday of an older child, who is beyond the present-receiving stage.

Just ask the guests to donate gifts or cash to a charity of your choice. If you’re doing this for an older child, let him or her choose the charity.

5. Do a picnic day

Pack a picnic full of your child’s favourite foods, take along his or her scooter or bicycle, head to your favourite park and there you have it – an awesome, memorable day out with the family on your child’s birthday!

6. Have a few good friends over for a “spend the day” party

No need to invite your child’s whole classroom over for his/her birthday. Instead, ask him or her to invite a few really good friends over to hang out together, or even stay for a sleepover (with their parents’ permission of course).

Make sure you stock up on cake and pizza and of course a movie that they would all love to watch!

7. Throw a “toy-exchange” party

You know how quickly kids tire of new toys. This idea is a great solution to this problem and also for parents struggling with finding the room to store more and more toys.

Just ask each little guest to bring two or three toys they no longer play with and then exchange these with what someone else brings. Everyone goes home happy and with new toys.

8. Take your child on a staycation

Okay so this might be a slightly pricier idea than the other options presented in this gallery, but it still may be cheaper than throwing a party for 50 guests!

Most kids love the idea of staying in a hotel, so what better day to do this than on his/her birthday?

Order room service or go out to your child’s favourite restaurant, let him/her stay up and watch a movie and maybe you can even sneak in a pillow-fight!

Whatever you do, you can be guaranteed your little one will have a ball.

Check out this theAsianparent article for 10 awesome kid-friendly staycation ideas.

Please do share you own ideas with us in a comment below.