Any advice on ideas for an affordable 1st bday party?

I have a few questions and am open to any suggestions!

We are doing it at a park...I am getting heroes and salads, cake and soda.

I don't think we're doing beer...money is tight like always, and not sure if we need it?

Any loot bag ideas for the kids? We're having about 8 kids around 2-3 years old...

Are heroes and salads enough? Do you think I should do baked ziti as well or something else hot?

Sorry about sounding so out of it, but I am exhausted and had not much time to plan.

TIA!

Re: Any advice on ideas for an affordable 1st bday party?

We are not doing beer or any alcohol...soda/juice/water, that's it. We are going to make a tray of ziti and something else (maybe chicken francaise) and then some chicken fingers for the kiddies. We are doing coldcut platters instead of a pre-made hero. So...pretty similar to what you are already thinking!

Re: Any advice on ideas for an affordable 1st bday party?

To save money...you could make all the food yourself. Baked ziti, salads...even hamburgers and hot dogs are good as well.
I don't think you'll need beer, it's a kid's birthday party.

As for kids...go to the dollar store, they have tons of kiddie stuff.

Re: Any advice on ideas for an affordable 1st bday party?

Pizza is pretty cheap, and feeds a lot, especially if you cut the 8 slices in half (most parties I've been to with DS lately do that).

I wouldn't serve alcohol. I never do at any party I host (for kids), and I've been to about 6 parties for 3-4 year olds recently, and no alcohol. I'd be afraid of the kids picking up abandoned glasses of beer lying around.

Kids that age love stickers, and things that make noise. Stickers are cheap, and you can usually find plastic maracas and things at party stores. We put some of those in pinatas for the kids.

Re: Any advice on ideas for an affordable 1st bday party?

I agree with the PP - - Dollar Tree has some great things for loot bags!! I do think you should give them all a little something, but it wont add up to much if you go to the Dollar Tree...and they have a large selection!

You dont need any alcohol-its a kids party! However, you only mentioned soda - Id have some waters or juice available too since a lot of the young kids wont drink soda.

Maybe one or 2 hot trays to go with the hero would be good - but you can make 1 or 2 at home and it will be inexpensive. Like you mentioned, baked ziti is easy and it doesnt cost a lot to make!

good luck and have fun!

Re: Any advice on ideas for an affordable 1st bday party?

Thanks to everyone for the ideas! I appreciate it. I will definitely have juice available as well and will order pizza for the kids.

I could make baked ziti as well...its always so hard for me because I have to travel to NY for the party and never have my own kitchen to work in!

Re: Any advice on ideas for an affordable 1st bday party?

pizza is a great idea!

Message edited 8/21/2007 1:04:12 PM.

Re: Any advice on ideas for an affordable 1st bday party?

My thoughts- you need a COVERED area in case it rains. Make sure you have a rain-plan.

I think a GREAT cheap thing to do is to buy the 10-pack of plain gift bags from Walmart (like $4) and some markers and those foam stickers. Let the kids make their own goodie bags. Then you take them and put in $1store coloring book, crayons, fruit snacks (for toddlers), maybe a fun outdoor ball or something you find. That also keeps them busy for a while. And again, it is pretty cheap.

I think if it is very hot heros and salads get funky real quickly. Baked ziti needs to be heated. You can easily get pizza and just have a big Costco fruit and veggie platter, plus some chips and dip. It is inexpensive and easy clean up as well. I have been to a few parties that have gotten pizza. If you want you can get one of the big Costco sandwhich platters but I don't think you need it.
Water, soda and juice are fine for a mid-afternoon 1st birthday party. Then have cake. Fun and simple party.