How to Plan a LEGO Birthday Party on the Cheap
I shared a couple of weeks ago that I held a LEGO Birthday Party for my boys who both have August birthdays. About once a year I get the itch to throw a themed birthday party and this year was no different. After discussing our options with my 5 (now 6!) year old, we decided that LEGO was the way to go this year.
We sure had FUN.
And honestly, I think this may be the easiest theme I’ve worked with yet! It also turned out to be one of the most frugal parties that I’ve thrown for a number of reasons. So I thought, “Why not share some ideas with my readers about how to plan a frugal birthday party?” Many of these tips can be used no matter what your theme is…or even if you don’t have one!
Six Tips for a LEGO Birthday Party on the Cheap:
1. Purchase table decorations and place settings from the Dollar Store. I chose to use a primary colors theme and was able to find plates, cups, plasticware, table cloths and serving dishes all for a dollar! (And of course, I learned this from the Dollar Store Diva herself!)
2. Find a simple way to add a little themed fun to your food. Because honestly, what’s a LEGO party without LEGO watermelon and crackers?! (I found the idea for the watermelon here.)
3. Use what you have. The balloon weights? LEGO’s thrown in a canning jar. The plasticware holder? Created by my son with his LEGO’s. The picture? Created with a free LEGO Photo App on my iPod.
4. Find one ‘splurge’ to add to the fun. These LEGO ice cubes were my Piece de Resistance. I spent around $11 on the mold for them, but it was worth it for me because it was such a fun little addition. (You can also use this mold to create chocolates or gummies, but my goal was to keep things simple this year.)
5. Decide what you will spend money on, and what you will not. I originally purchased a pinata for $10, but when I brought it home I realized that I could just as easily make one. My son Griffin helped me put it together. Is it perfect? No. Will my son remember his role in helping create his birthday pinata? You bet. (Besides, I have a hard time dishing out cash on an object that gets so quickly destroyed!)
6. Make your own cake. This has to be one of the best ways to save money on a birthday party. Have you checked out the prices on birthday cakes lately? Unbelievable. I scored the cake mix and frosting almost free after coupons, so that was a huge chunk of savings. And yes–as usual, there was a cake crisis the morning of the party, but the birthday boys approved and that’s all that matters to me! (I found the idea for the cake here.)
How about you? What are your best tips for planning birthday parties on the cheap?
Also – if you want to get the coolest LEGO gift ever for your little fan, click through to check out my post below:
Did the cardboard box break apart properly when the kids were hitting it? Was it easier or harder to break apart than a paper mache pinata?
You know – it’s been a few years now since I wrote this, Tara, and I’m having a hard time remembering how easy or hard it was to break. However, I don’t remember it being difficult, so I think I can say it was similar to a regular pinata. Sorry I can’t be more more of a help!
Kaley, oh my word…
I was on pinterest looking up ideas for my son’s birthday (he is turning 5), and I happened upon your blog. I am a mother of two little boys and guess their names? Lincoln and Griffin! I couldn’t believe I found someone with kids of the same name AND spelling. My youngest is 2 1/2 and my oldest will be 5 on Friday! I was so excited I showed my husband – I’m dying to know which of yours is older and how far apart in age they are. By the way, I love your post and hoping to incorporate some of our ideas! Thanks for this – what fun! 🙂
That is too funny, Jenny! I must say – you have very good taste in names. 🙂 Griffin is older (9) and Lincoln is 6. Thanks for sharing!
what a cool idea. how did you get the picture of your boys to look like that? love the theme idea. hope they had a lovely birthday xxxxxx
Where did you get the lego font cant find one with the yellow border thanks
I just found an app on my iphone called Photobricks which does the same thing, great effect.
I can’t seem to find that app! I searched and searched…can you help???
I think it was just called LEGO Photo, Laura. It was an app for the iPhone. If you can’t find it, I’ll be there are websites that will do it for you. I just did a quick search and found the site Brickify.com. I don’t know much about it, but it seems like it would do the same thing. Hope that helps!
Where can I find those square trays where u have the watermelon?
I found mine at the Dollar Store, Ana.
How did u make the Pinata? I have seen a few sights but i LOVE how u used the solo cups in yours! MUCH easier…..but what kind of paper? did u use mod podge? Watered down elmers glue? Tissue paper what kind of box? Sorry for all the q’s I have to pull this together in a2 weeks… (the 28th of Jan)
Hi, Melissa!
I actually just used packing tape to stick the cups to the box. There very well may be a better way to do it, but that’s what I had on hand. Then I wrapped the streamers around the box.
The box wasn’t anything special…just something I had on hand as well.
Hope that helps!
Oh my word how cute was that theme?
You hit the nail right on when you said your son will remember helping to make the pinata and in his eyes it WAS perfect.
The boys look like they had the best birthday ever.
Kudos to you for making memories while teaching the
importance of what really matters in life!
Thanks, Cath! It was definitely a special day. 🙂