5 Eco-Friendly Kids Birthday Party Tips On a Budget

1. Invites: Go Green or Go Home

One of the most impactful ways to embrace green living while spending less on organising your party is by opting for digital invites. It's time to say goodbye to fancy, glossy paper invitations that contribute to deforestation and opt for e-invites that won't murder trees just for the sake of your celebration! Plus, digital e-cards come with lots of amazing benefits, from effortless customisation to easy delivery (have we mentioned the savings, too?).

Trust us, your guests will quickly get over the shock of getting an e-invite (and might even be enamoured by them!), while you'll get to save some trees and dollars. That's a simple yet striking win for all involved!

2. Decor: Something Old and Nothing New

Don’t have all the gear or anyone to borrow from? Then the next place to head is straight to your local toy library who often has affordable party kits and furniture for hire.

Who says a budget-friendly bash can't look like a million bucks? Ditch the disposable decorations that clog up landfills faster than bin chickens can handle. 

Get your thrifty hat on and get creative with what you have lying around the house! Mason jars become chic candle holders, and old bed sheets transform into ethereal drapes with a few strategic knots and a sprinkle of fairy lights. It's like Pinterest met your grandmother's attic, and they decided to throw a hipster party together.

If you have that DIY bug, head to Pinterest for some inspo and try your hand at making your own buntings and decorations. From recycled magazines to preloved toys that are currently collecting dust in the garage, anything goes! And the kids can help, too - a top-notch boredom buster activity sans the risk of ruining something new, shiny and expensive.

3. Tableware: The Real Dish on Dishware

While we're on a (rather long) disposable disaster train, let's talk about the elephant in the room– or should we say, cutlery in the landfill? While many attractive "biodegradable" and "compostable" options are on shelves these days, largely thanks to single-use plastics bans and increasing awareness about sustainable living practices, unfortunately, these are still not the goat. They aren't really going to break down properly in home-scale compost bins, and most of them can't be recycled either. Oops.

If your budget can stretch, businesses like Party Kit Network help make parties more sustainable through their hire service for items such as tableware, linen and decorations. But if you want to save more moolah and can handle some extra dishwashing (besides, bonding over scrubbing off cake crumbs can actually be fun!), it may be best to stick with the good old utensils. Pro-tip: bamboo stuff is lightweight and, in addition to being eco-friendly, boasts a special kind of rustic charm. 

4. Gifts: Unwrap the Sustainable Revolution

When it comes to gifts, there are two matters to address, the first one being…well, packaging. From plastic bags to endless new rolls of shiny paper purchased for every imaginable occasion, it's easy to see how simple gift wrapping can amount to an environmental emergency.

There's no need to kill the joy, however! Why not consider repurposing old newspapers or fabric scraps to wrap your presents? With even the big brands jumping on the "don't throw me away and use me as pretty packaging" trend, it's never been easier to combine creativity and green living. 

As for what's under the wraps, encourage your guests to skip the generic, plastic-wrapped presents that scream "last-minute panic buy" and opt for sustainable, eco-friendly gifts. And no, Karen, it doesn't mean gifting kids potted plants and beeswax tissues (unless it's something they asked for, of course). Instead, it's about thinking creatively– such as embracing the wonders of the circular economy and toy exchange to find "that thing" without buying new. You’ll be amazed how many people offload unwanted brand new or lightly used gifts and toys, it can be done!

Pssst: there's a mobile app for that, too!

5. Entertainment: Mother Nature's Got Talent

"Saving money" and "throwing a party" may seem like mutually exclusive concepts when it comes to entertainment, but they really don't have to be! 

Who needs expensive magicians or clowns when Mother Nature herself is ready to steal the show? Plan some outdoor games like sack races, scavenger hunts, or tug-of-war that'll have your guests laughing so hard they forget about those expensive entertainment options.

And speaking of special talents, don't forget what you and your friends are capable of! If any of you are feeling extra ambitious, why not host a mini DIY workshop where guests can create their own eco-friendly crafts? And hey, that takes care of goodie bags, too! 

Otherwise if you want a bit more pizazz, again, head back to your toy library to find outdoor play equipment and toys (think ball pits, slides and see-saws yay!) ready to hire for a small charge.

In the end, throwing an eco-friendly birthday bash on a budget isn't about sacrificing fun; it's about embracing creativity, sustainable living, and the joy of celebrating without breaking the bank– or the planet, for that matter.

So arm yourself with reusable cutlery and a recycled confetti cannon, and let the budget-friendly, planet-loving party begin! Cheers to celebrating another year older, wiser, and greener!