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mrandmrs12
LIF Adult
Member since 1/07 1687 total posts
Name:
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CHEAP 6 year old birthday party?
ANy ideas for a CHEAP birthday party for DS? He is turning 6 at the end of march.
All the kids in his class have been having parties. Some invite the whole class, some invite just the boys. Either way, it's a lot of money to have it at a place! And I'm not too interested in having lots of kids here at my house.
DS of course wants a party since he has been seeing all of his friends have parties. (He has never had a "friend" party before).
We have a huge family - so we have always just had a family party - it is about 40 ppl.
DH wants to do it in our yard. Since I am not a fan, I am trying to find an extremely cheap place to have a party. Any ideas in southern Suffoilk (Sayville ish area or near by?).
Is it weird to have it at a playground with food?  Anyone have a bolwing party? a party at MIchaels? Home Depot?
Any ideas would be sooo helpful. TIA!!!
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Posted 1/15/14 9:21 PM  |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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CHEAP 6 year old birthday party?
Home Depot would be great! I just posted about that in another thread yesterday. I've read that some stores do a free party! Michael's is cheap, bowling is not so cheap. A park with food though is JUST fine if you ask me!
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| Posted 1/15/14 9:24 PM |
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Re: CHEAP 6 year old birthday party?
I would like to know suggestions too.
We have a tiny house and DS bday is in the winter.
It costs a small fortune to have them at a place, especially if kids don't show which has happened to me 2 years in a row, plus you feel obligated to feed the adults which is another couple hundred.
I'm thinking maybe just having it at the local pizzeria wouldn't be that bad.....have one of the guys let them make a pie......
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| Posted 1/16/14 5:35 AM |
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PrincessP
Big sister!!!!!!!!!!
Member since 12/05 17450 total posts
Name:
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Re: CHEAP 6 year old birthday party?
2 cheapest places
Bowling
California pizza kitchen
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| Posted 1/16/14 6:49 AM |
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stinger
LIF Adult
Member since 11/11 4971 total posts
Name:
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Re: CHEAP 6 year old birthday party?
Posted by PrincessP
2 cheapest places
Bowling
California pizza kitchen
CPK was a hit for my 8 yo. We had the place to ourselves with a hostess. The only downside is that the party was from 10-11:30 am before the place opens to the public.
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| Posted 1/16/14 2:44 PM |
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HillandRon
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 2922 total posts
Name:
Hillary
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Re: CHEAP 6 year old birthday party?
CPK by far the cheapest..... 10.95 per kid.....
I also ad gotten gift cards at Costco that were $80 for $100... We had a coupon for 20% of, and we belong to the rewards club and had $40 off from that...
For 25 kids and a couple of stuff for apps for adults the party was u set $300....
You annot go wrong plus it is cute party. The one I. Hi ringtones. Only does parties on Sunday at 10:15...
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| Posted 1/16/14 2:45 PM |
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adeline27
LIF Adult
Member since 5/06 3121 total posts
Name:
Angela
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Re: CHEAP 6 year old birthday party?
My son at this age would love a McDonalds birthday party. I would invite the whole class or just the boys and find a McDonald's with a play area. Buy all the kids a happy meal which is what $5?? I think, they get to see each other, play have cake and call it a day with smiles :).
If not McDonalds go to Friendlys for an ice cream sundae or even a lunch meal that includes a sundae I think it's about $7 a lunch.
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| Posted 1/16/14 7:04 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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CHEAP 6 year old birthday party?
A Friendly's party is a nice idea also. I know the Stony Brook one has a large back room. I would bet others have a space also. Kid's Meals for all, and a craft or something would be nice. I do like the park idea though, I think that's your best bet. I wish we had warm weather birthdays!
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| Posted 1/16/14 8:53 PM |
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Re: CHEAP 6 year old birthday party?
Posted by adeline27
My son at this age would love a McDonalds birthday party. I would invite the whole class or just the boys and find a McDonald's with a play area. Buy all the kids a happy meal which is what $5?? I think, they get to see each other, play have cake and call it a day with smiles :).
If not McDonalds go to Friendlys for an ice cream sundae or even a lunch meal that includes a sundae I think it's about $7 a lunch.
The McDonald's by me has a huge sign up that they don't do parties. I am sure you could just plan something yourself, but I am guessing that would really be frowned upon. Ladies?
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| Posted 1/17/14 5:22 AM |
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Re: CHEAP 6 year old birthday party?
Posted by BargainMama
A Friendly's party is a nice idea also. I know the Stony Brook one has a large back room. I would bet others have a space also. Kid's Meals for all, and a craft or something would be nice. I do like the park idea though, I think that's your best bet. I wish we had warm weather birthdays!
That's a cute idea too. And we have Friendly's up the road.
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| Posted 1/17/14 5:23 AM |
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Irishgrl13
Fingers Crossed...
Member since 6/09 1301 total posts
Name:
Colleen
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Re: CHEAP 6 year old birthday party?
We did my son's 3rd bday at the movies and it was AWESOME!!! We used the Elwood movie theater (not sure where you live) but it is $300 for 30 kids (includes popcorn and drinks.... (I believe it was a little cheaper if it was during the week...we had to do a weekend b/c of our work schedules)
The only thing is its $300 regardless of how many children come....so it could be $10/kid or more if you have less kids...
Parents are free
You get your own private theater
A private party hostess that refills all the popcorn and soda
They make goody bags ($2 a pop and they were cute....better then I could do for $2)...
I highly recommend it.... the only down fall is that the theater is a little old but I would definitely host another bday there in the future!
Good Luck!
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| Posted 1/17/14 2:37 PM |
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mrandmrs12
LIF Adult
Member since 1/07 1687 total posts
Name:
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Re: CHEAP 6 year old birthday party?
Thanks so much to everyone for all the responses.
It seems that AC Moore or Michael's would be the cheapest.
It is soo discouraging to hear that $300 is considered cheap and reasonable for a child's birthday party. There is NO WAY we can spend that much for a party. frustrating.
THanks for your help!!!
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| Posted 1/19/14 12:21 AM |
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LizD
LIF Adolescent
Member since 4/06 763 total posts
Name:
Liz
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Re: CHEAP 6 year old birthday party?
when my DD was that age one of her friends had a movie party as well. It was a bit earlier in the morning, bout 10 am and they served bagels, juice and cream cheese (much cheaper than getting pizzas), especially on the weekends when you get a dozen plus 1/2 dozen free. Get cream cheese and butter at supermarket when on sale. They also got the popcorn and soda with the movies. Her mom told me the parents were included as well. I would check a few of those places out. Also, my DD does not like bakery cakes, so we always make cupcakes, also much cheaper than getting a cake. Honestly, for that age, if it is a warm weather party, I think the park and food is a nice idea. The only thing that would make me nervous is keeping an eye on all the kids, especially if not all the parents stay.
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| Posted 1/19/14 4:56 AM |
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Re: CHEAP 6 year old birthday party?
Posted by mrandmrs12
Thanks so much to everyone for all the responses.
It seems that AC Moore or Michael's would be the cheapest.
It is soo discouraging to hear that $300 is considered cheap and reasonable for a child's birthday party. There is NO WAY we can spend that much for a party. frustrating.
THanks for your help!!!
Honestly, it's really not IMO.
I have a friend who is a SAHM and has 3 kids. She has stopped all of the big parties and has been honest with her kids that they just cannot afford it.
She has started letting them go to pick out one toy at Toys R Us on their birthday that is within a certain price range and they seem happy with that choice.
$300 is grocery money for a month for many people here on LI.
I also am leaning towards cutting out the expensive parties starting next year.
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| Posted 1/19/14 7:52 AM |
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Re: CHEAP 6 year old birthday party?
IMO $300 IS a lot for a kid's party. Regardless, I had a home party for DD last year and probably spent that much on decorations, pizza, favors, etc. I am glad she will be 8 next year which seems to be when the smaller sleepover parties begin. 
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| Posted 1/19/14 8:45 AM |
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itsbabytime
LIF Adult
Member since 11/05 9644 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: CHEAP 6 year old birthday party?
Sadly, $300 is cheap for a kids party these days - in my area - VERY cheap. I think at michaels they just charge you for the craft so that might be your best bet - and just invite the boys. I will say though - that might be a tough party for 6 yr old boys. My DS is 6 and all the parties are at more active places...pump it up, active kidz, bowling, sports places, etc. I would keep it a smaller group at Michaels.
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| Posted 1/19/14 12:14 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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CHEAP 6 year old birthday party?
Another idea is rent a room at The Residence Inn and invite a few kids to swim for a couple hours. Order pizza and bring a cake. Weekend rooms are not very expensive.
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| Posted 1/19/14 12:55 PM |
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Marybeth222
My Girls!
Member since 5/05 2688 total posts
Name:
Marybeth
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Re: CHEAP 6 year old birthday party?
Karate party or movie party allow you a lot of kids at an affordable prize.
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| Posted 1/19/14 3:28 PM |
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Re: CHEAP 6 year old birthday party?
Posted by BargainMama
Another idea is rent a room at The Residence Inn and invite a few kids to swim for a couple hours. Order pizza and bring a cake. Weekend rooms are not very expensive.
That sounds fun too. May be a good idea for a winter bday as well that would give the kids something different to look forward to that time of year.
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| Posted 1/19/14 7:12 PM |
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busymomonli
Resident Insomniac
Member since 4/13 2050 total posts
Name:
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CHEAP 6 year old birthday party?
Holtsville Ecology Center will let you have a party at their park. If you have more than 25 people you just have to apply for a permit, but it costs like $50. It's first come first serve as far as tables, but I would think in March you would be okay. They have a gazebo with table underneath thats way large enough for 40 people.
I'm not sure how they would handle the parking fee now, because when I went you didn't have to pay to park. We went early, got our spot, ordered pizzas for everyone delivered right to the park. And the kids got to visit the animals and play on the playground. It was great.
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| Posted 1/20/14 10:24 AM |
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Kelly9904
Mommy to 2 amazing little boys
Member since 5/05 9306 total posts
Name:
Kelly
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Re: CHEAP 6 year old birthday party?
I dont remember the cost but I think Safe T Swim was pretty reasonable.
I was talking to someone who stopped doing big parties, now their kids get a more $$ gift, and they are allowed to invite 3-5 close friends to an activity. Movies, sleepover, someone said they took kids to riverhead raceway, etc...
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| Posted 1/20/14 9:23 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: CHEAP 6 year old birthday party?
Posted by Kelly9904
I dont remember the cost but I think Safe T Swim was pretty reasonable.
I was talking to someone who stopped doing big parties, now their kids get a more $$ gift, and they are allowed to invite 3-5 close friends to an activity. Movies, sleepover, someone said they took kids to riverhead raceway, etc...
It's not cheap by any means. It's $400 for a 2 hour party, and $500 for a 3 hour party. Yes, it includes 24 kids, but that is still pricey. My son had a party there several years ago and it was like $275.
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| Posted 1/20/14 9:34 PM |
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Kelly9904
Mommy to 2 amazing little boys
Member since 5/05 9306 total posts
Name:
Kelly
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Re: CHEAP 6 year old birthday party?
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by Kelly9904
I dont remember the cost but I think Safe T Swim was pretty reasonable.
I was talking to someone who stopped doing big parties, now their kids get a more $$ gift, and they are allowed to invite 3-5 close friends to an activity. Movies, sleepover, someone said they took kids to riverhead raceway, etc...
It's not cheap by any means. It's $400 for a 2 hour party, and $500 for a 3 hour party. Yes, it includes 24 kids, but that is still pricey. My son had a party there several years ago and it was like $275.
OMG! Thats nuts. I remember 2 of my friends (both had parties in 2013) and they both said the party was under $300. if its gone up that much thats NUTS!!
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| Posted 1/21/14 10:22 AM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: CHEAP 6 year old birthday party?
Posted by Kelly9904
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by Kelly9904
I dont remember the cost but I think Safe T Swim was pretty reasonable.
I was talking to someone who stopped doing big parties, now their kids get a more $$ gift, and they are allowed to invite 3-5 close friends to an activity. Movies, sleepover, someone said they took kids to riverhead raceway, etc...
It's not cheap by any means. It's $400 for a 2 hour party, and $500 for a 3 hour party. Yes, it includes 24 kids, but that is still pricey. My son had a party there several years ago and it was like $275.
OMG! Thats nuts. I remember 2 of my friends (both had parties in 2013) and they both said the party was under $300. if its gone up that much thats NUTS!!
It must be cheaper if you swim there, because at both locations I called, they asked if we take lessons (we don't).
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| Posted 1/21/14 10:44 AM |
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MrsT809
LIF Adult
Member since 9/09 12167 total posts
Name:
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Re: CHEAP 6 year old birthday party?
Posted by busymomonli
Holtsville Ecology Center will let you have a party at their park. If you have more than 25 people you just have to apply for a permit, but it costs like $50. It's first come first serve as far as tables, but I would think in March you would be okay. They have a gazebo with table underneath thats way large enough for 40 people.
I'm not sure how they would handle the parking fee now, because when I went you didn't have to pay to park. We went early, got our spot, ordered pizzas for everyone delivered right to the park. And the kids got to visit the animals and play on the playground. It was great.
I think the parking sticker is only required between memorial day and labor day. Otherwise, parking is free for everyone.
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| Posted 1/21/14 11:10 AM |
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