To be shocked at kids party prices

4babiesforever · 2026-01-10T14:17:57+00:00

almost 4 year old has been getting invited to birthdays parties at nursery and from a club he goes to over the past year and a bit and has now asked for a birthday party of his own this this year. AIBU to be shocked how much it seems to plan a birthday party for kids or should I have expected this?! - will be inviting up to 30 kids (nursery class, some pals from club, and lots of cousins lol). cant fit that in our house and I thought th cheapest option would be to hire a community hall as DS would like a bouncy castle. he would like a theme and I’m thinking I could make a lot of the decorations from cardboard, a friend has offered to dress up lol, but even so adding up the cost of hall hire, bouncy castle, and food it all adds up. I’ve been trying to think of an activity that could double up as party favour to take home for example painting themed plaster cast models (I’ve seen kits that have several peices), and making themed cookies to take home (or price of the cake) or books from works etc but still adds up (and I’m planning in a way do I don’t even have to spend on an actual ‘gift bag’) I will provide food for adults as my family would have to travel. everyone I try and cost everything up it comes up to £300/400 - is this normal? or does anyone have any good tips? AIBU to be so clueless about this all or to ask for advice please oh ps - theme is ocean animals Tia x

Original poster

4babiesforever · 04/02/2026 09:56

idontgetitdoyou · 04/02/2026 09:46

Sounds absolutely fine OP.

I have twins and have spent varying amounts over the years - the church hall parties were always the cheapest but more work.

Just make sure the plushies or whatever are ok for babies / under 3's if you're planning to give them out to all. So many little toys are marked as 3+!

Oh yes 🙌 I will make sure of that - good shout
if not I will get them soemthifn separately:)

OP posts:

Original poster

4babiesforever · 04/02/2026 09:55

I think next year will be soft play or trampoline park at certain time will be good. (We went to a trampoilne party last year and it was a slot for babies and younger children only)
however LO wants his cousins and some of then are too old for that - hence the hall and bouncy castle!
I believe we have got a good price for both - it’s a shame it is unlikely good weather as the we could have a garden party and bouncy castle is actually 24 hour hire!
but inside the house is too small , maybe one year we can postpone until summer lol.
The hall is just one fee for the party and that includes as much time as we want before or after so we will keep the castle for extras LO can okay with cousins while we tidy up etc.
after much advice and finding out how many kids in LO class will not be inviting the whole class. I think there are 7 who LO definitely plays with cousins and other friends that makes 20 I think that is plenty. There are potentially up to 4 babies who will be welcome to come along (and I have enough plushies for them 🙃)
i have a friend who has offered to dress up (already has suit) and help with some games all asks for in return is a price of cake 🎂
all the games will be made from things I already have and cardboard, as I love being creative lol. (Feeding whale mouth with bean bags, pin fin on shark etc) with prizes of stickers
I have brought things for a craft table and all I have spent extra to that is an ocean animal table cloth they can colour in (I already have pencils and pens etc and will cut out shapes)
will set up a quite bit with themed teddies and few books that we already have for the babies lol
so far I have spent £190 and all that’s left is to pay is food and balloons so I think that’s ok?
(plus will include extra party bags supplies etc for next year!)

OP posts:

idontgetitdoyou · 04/02/2026 09:46

Sounds absolutely fine OP.

I have twins and have spent varying amounts over the years - the church hall parties were always the cheapest but more work.

Just make sure the plushies or whatever are ok for babies / under 3's if you're planning to give them out to all. So many little toys are marked as 3+!

Meadowfinch · 04/02/2026 00:18

Our village hall charges £25 an hour which includes use of a toddlers bouncy castle suitable for dcs up to age 5.

Food for 30 dcs at £2 each plus a good size cake £15 homemade, Plus food for a few adults - maybe £20 on bread, cheese & pickles.

Most parties we run for littlees come in about the £200 mark. Dcs go home with a slice of cake and a helium balloon.

Sohelpmegod25 · 04/02/2026 00:04

I’ve always found going to a venue like a soft play where they do party, food, party bag package for like £12.99’per child is always a cheaper option than hiring halls, plus you don’t have to clean it, parents buy their own coffees etc..
but as it’s nursery I’d be scaling that list right down it’s not necessary at that age there not speak and play with ALL those people it’s too much.

Original poster

4babiesforever · 03/02/2026 23:51

I meant to say do you think this sounds ok for party bags?
I will probably just get plain paper bags and I like print making so could a relief print of a whale or shark ok each one

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Original poster

4babiesforever · 03/02/2026 23:49

Jellyslothbridge · 03/02/2026 23:39

Party bags could be cheap paper bags that either you or you child decorate in advance or you make it an activity. Plastic seams wrong given the issue with plastic in the ocean! Baker ross are likely to have themed ones. Don't forget a play list of music - just not baby shark on repeat!

Thank you -
i got packs of anima seek and find cards & mini ocean animal plushies - don’t think this sounds ok for the party bags? I will add an ocean jelly sweet.
I also have ocean animal masks I will leave at the table.
also haha LO dos live baby shark, but also Danny go, fat boy slim and the beatles and maybe I can ask a favourite song of the kids with every yes reply I get?

OP posts:

Jellyslothbridge · 03/02/2026 23:39

Party bags could be cheap paper bags that either you or you child decorate in advance or you make it an activity. Plastic seams wrong given the issue with plastic in the ocean! Baker ross are likely to have themed ones. Don't forget a play list of music - just not baby shark on repeat!

Original poster

4babiesforever · 01/02/2026 09:42

Ok so an update - the Hall hire is only £40 for a 2 hour party - I say only because that includes as much time we need before and after for setting up etc and the bouncy castle is £100 for the day - so we have booked it for 4 hours so travelling family can stay extra after and LO and cousins can still play while tidying up
etc
so I think this actually seems pretty good value considering!
I learned that there are 36 kids all together in the nursery class!!! They don’t all go every day but LO goes 4 days so will see them alll at some point as 1.5 days is the minimum sessions to attended our nursery.
but with cousins and other friends being included I will not be inviting the whole class lol or that will just get crazy with party bags and food etc plus I got a deal on some favours that came in a pack of 30 so that will be my limit lol. So they will get a pack of ocean seek and find cards, a mini ocean animal plushie , and and ocean jelly sweet and I think this is plenty because I also got a pack of ocean animal felt masks for £10 that they can wear at the party.
its ok because I know there are some kids LO plays with more and some not really (for example the older ones that are moving on soon anyway so I won’t have to feel bad not inviting everyone - well I know the ones that LO talks about and I will ask the nursery for other names in case I’ve missed (and also ones that have already invited LO) plus don’t want it too overwhelming and crazy.
i have not bothered with making the plates and napkins over matching as long as they are ocean theme (got them in different sales, so whole plates and shark napkins and the cups are just blue. )
we have enough cardboard for recycling that I will use to make some party games - ie pin the teeth ok the shark, octopus arm toss, feed the whale and maybe a few signs.
I have diy bunting that I have used since LO was born that I painting happy birthday on and can paint it ocean theme on the other side.
I will still get some balloons and just food to think about next and what to put the party favours in.

I do have a shark cookie cutter which will be good for sandwich’s and fruit :)
I will get mini sausages or sausage rolls - easy to have vegan and not vegan versions too which if you get frozen are not too much and the hall has oven /microwave and urns fo hot drinks. and breadstick/humous too an veg sticks and shark cookies. That adults can eat too I will mostly make a bunch of sandwiches- shark shaped for the kids. I may just get a platter for adults.
I am pretty ahead of schedule so will get the rest next pay day but it is working out ok 👌
I think I was just clueless.
oh btw there area few families with babies which is fine because the plushies came in a bigger pack so can have soemthing for the babies too. The hall is big so can have a quiet space set up for them - LO has big ocean teddy’s and big ocean fallacy blankets etc so babies are very welcome :)
I already have enough pens and pencils for a craft table - I saw an ocean table cover that could be fun so will put that down plus you can get chap either wooden or foam ocean shapes to colour if they wanted to create soothing to take home. I’m undecided if the games will be for a prize or just to play - but stickers are cheap so they could be good prizes :)
ph and I won’t over do the sandwiches - one shark each for the kids which is basically half a full one, plus a few extras just in case.

thanks for all the responses - I realise I was naive I was going into it all but think I’m getting pretty good value and have started early enough I don’t have to pay it all in one go :)
Any other ideas welcome :)

OP posts:

Needmorelego · 16/01/2026 08:45

arcticfoxx · 16/01/2026 07:37

I have to budget through the year. My daughters is midsummer and I start paying around now then when hers is over I start thinking about my sons in December.

But have you honestly never been to a party at a village hall with a bouncy castle or a soft play type place?

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Yes I've been to them.
Personally I thought the parents were nuts for spending so much. 50% of the kids didn't seem to be having a good time.
They were just loud and chaotic.
In my personal opinion they were horrible.

Waitingfordoggo · 16/01/2026 08:41

Oh I’m not ‘pushing’ any sort of party @arcticfoxx, just talking about the sort of parties we did because I think for some parents it might be nice to hear that they actually don’t have to spend £££ or invite the whole class to provide a nice party for their child. Even when my children were little (which as you point out was a while ago), home parties were becoming somewhat unusual; many children were having parties at soft plays, leisure centres etc. We were probably seen as old-fashioned or stingy or whatever by some parents, but our children and their friends had fun so it doesn’t matter what other adults thought about it.

arcticfoxx · 16/01/2026 07:37

Needmorelego · 16/01/2026 06:37

It's only on Mumsnet that I hear of people spending £100s on birthday parties.
I am amazed people can afford it.

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I have to budget through the year. My daughters is midsummer and I start paying around now then when hers is over I start thinking about my sons in December.

But have you honestly never been to a party at a village hall with a bouncy castle or a soft play type place?

redskydelight · 16/01/2026 07:19

whatcanthematterbe81 · 16/01/2026 06:22

I think no activity is better than stickers on a bag, sorry

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I agree that sticking things (not just "stickers") on a bag sounds like a really dull craft - but I've run it with probably dozens of children (previous leader of children's group) over the years and the vast majority will sit and put a lot of effort into producing their masterpiece. And at 4, particularly if they don't get to to this sort of thing at home, they will lap it up. Unless they really don't like crafts, but then no craft activity will suffice.

These are pretty young children, if you want a craft activity you are limited to some variation of colouring, cutting and sticking

Needmorelego · 16/01/2026 06:37

arcticfoxx · 16/01/2026 06:15

If she’s 17 I’m kind of guessing it’s been a while since she’s had a party with her friends.

People can do whatever they like obviously, but it’s only on here I’ve seen home parties pushed.

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It's only on Mumsnet that I hear of people spending £100s on birthday parties.
I am amazed people can afford it.

whatcanthematterbe81 · 16/01/2026 06:22

redskydelight · 10/01/2026 14:25

Cheapest take home craft is to buy small paper bags (party bag sized) and provide stickers, foam shapes etc for them to stick on. (you can get these from Poundland, The Works etc and relatively inexpensive).

Buy rich tea biscuits, make up icing and provide a selection of small sweets for them to decorate.

Put them on a paper plate that they have decorated round the edge using felt tips.

I'd personally avoid doing crafts if you have a bouncy castle though. Particularly for that number of children.

Traditional party games will be fine at this age and again pretty cheap.

So your main cost is food and hall hire.

I think no activity is better than stickers on a bag, sorry

arcticfoxx · 16/01/2026 06:15

Needmorelego · 15/01/2026 17:41

My girl is 17 and we did the "at home" parties.
Under 5s managed just fine with Pass the Parcel, Musical Statues and Pin the Tail on the Donkey (they especially thought that was hilarious).
So what if some kids aren't into crafts. Some absolutely hate bouncy castles, an "entertainer", face painting and loud music 🤷
No party will be what every child enjoys.

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If she’s 17 I’m kind of guessing it’s been a while since she’s had a party with her friends.

People can do whatever they like obviously, but it’s only on here I’ve seen home parties pushed.

MyTrivia · 16/01/2026 05:51

Btw we got our party bags and fillers from Curious caterpillar - they were very reasonably priced and also eco friendly and the quality is great. I was making them up last night and my mum was impressed with them.

MyTrivia · 16/01/2026 05:49

Yes, children’s parties are indeed expensive. Because everything has gone up. My dd is having her 6th birthday party this weekend and it has cost her dad and me over £700. She has a small class size and we’ve got 14 attending. We hired a hall, bouncy castle, music system, face painter and candy floss stall. We also are including party bags. And our daughter wanted a rainbow sponge cake.

I have grown up children who say that they have really fond memories of their childhood birthday parties so I think it is worth it but, really my dd is unlikely to have a whole class party again. Maybe one more next year? But as they get older, the parties get smaller.

Original poster

4babiesforever · 15/01/2026 18:53

CraftyMintHedgehog · 15/01/2026 17:51

I bought white mugs then some porcelain pens/ceramic markers, and let the kids decorate their own mugs to take home. Needs grown up assistance for writing names on them neatly, but it's generally a calming activity.

Mugs less than £1 each and a pack of 10 ceramic markers for £5 - I got a couple of packs.

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Oh that’s a cool idea but I did just give a couple of kids a child size mug as part of their birthday gifts lol but think I’ll keep the might idea for future :)

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CraftyMintHedgehog · 15/01/2026 17:51

4babiesforever · 11/01/2026 10:43

Oh I won’t be doing party bags but I am trying to think of something to give them as a thank you but haven’t figured out what yet -but rather than spending the money on the bag and contents spending on one thing that might get used more if that make sense

I bought white mugs then some porcelain pens/ceramic markers, and let the kids decorate their own mugs to take home. Needs grown up assistance for writing names on them neatly, but it's generally a calming activity.

Mugs less than £1 each and a pack of 10 ceramic markers for £5 - I got a couple of packs.

Needmorelego · 15/01/2026 17:41

arcticfoxx · 15/01/2026 17:13

Well yes, that’s what I mean times have changed and your children are quite a bit older.

Party games often don’t work brilliantly with under fives and some kids just aren’t into crafts.

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My girl is 17 and we did the "at home" parties.
Under 5s managed just fine with Pass the Parcel, Musical Statues and Pin the Tail on the Donkey (they especially thought that was hilarious).
So what if some kids aren't into crafts. Some absolutely hate bouncy castles, an "entertainer", face painting and loud music 🤷
No party will be what every child enjoys.

arcticfoxx · 15/01/2026 17:13

Waitingfordoggo · 15/01/2026 17:07

@arcticfoxxMy kids are 20 and 17. They both had lots of home birthday parties when they were little and we never had any issues at all. We didn’t have toys out for general use because we had party games and/or structured activities like art and craft. The party went on for about two hours so just enough time for games plus tea and then they all went home.

Well yes, that’s what I mean times have changed and your children are quite a bit older.

Party games often don’t work brilliantly with under fives and some kids just aren’t into crafts.

Waitingfordoggo · 15/01/2026 17:07

@arcticfoxxMy kids are 20 and 17. They both had lots of home birthday parties when they were little and we never had any issues at all. We didn’t have toys out for general use because we had party games and/or structured activities like art and craft. The party went on for about two hours so just enough time for games plus tea and then they all went home.

Chiaseedling · 14/01/2026 21:52

£300-£400 was about the norm 15 years ago for hall hire and an entertainer or a package at soft play or the like. We often shared with another child whose bday was close and split the cost.

arcticfoxx · 14/01/2026 21:49

Waitingfordoggo · 14/01/2026 21:40

At that age, we just invited a group of their friends to our home and had sandwiches, crisps, cake and party games. They all enjoyed themselves.

How old are your children?

Because definitely when I was at school this was the typical party; you went to your friends house for tea and games. McDonald’s if someone was really pushing the boat out. Now - I’ve only been invited to one party at someone’s house which was a fucking nightmare. A load of kids piled into the conservatory which doubled up as a playroom and the next day we all got an irate WhatsApp from the host with a photo of broken toys. It was six of one half a dozen of really because as much as I think a lot of parents weren’t supervising very well (I was, because I know my own ds is very careless with toys and belongings - we’re working on it) the host should really have anticipated a certain amount of destruction!