Aibu - to ask your cheap birthday party hacks (for a 5 year old ds)

[milkyman]

It's in a hall with a bouncy castle. I need to save money on food, craft activity and party bags - any inspiration? Was thinking of doing dinosaur lunch boxes rather than a buffet of food to save on waste and time?

Foodwise, jelly goes down well and is super cheap. Buy a pack, make it up, and pour into paper cups until it sets; then give out one to each child.

For "main course" I'd do cocktail sausages and sausage rolls (assume no special dietary requirements).

Party bag - just give everyone a piece of cake in a napkin. If you want to add more, Lidl do bags of fun-size bars that are good value.