Who Needs Pony Rides?

By Kristen Kemp

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Ever feel like the princess party you’re throwing for your 5-year-old is the dress rehearsal for a Super Sweet Sixteen extravaganza a few years down the road? Should you put a down payment on the Lexus now, or start dialing back on the birthday hoopla? Unless money’s no issue, the latter seems like the better bet -- for you, and for your child.

“Some parents think they have to throw an expensive party to be good parents,” explains Mike Artell, author and illustrator of Parties Kids Love (Good Year Books 1996). “They don’t. Sometimes they’re just trying to keep up with each other, and that’s not the point either.” So what is the point? “Just to make your child feel special on his special day,” says Artell. Luckily, that’s not something that has to cost a lot.

Park it Renting out a teahouse, paint ball facility or even bowling alley costs hundreds of dollars. Your local park is free and equally entertaining. Little kids live for the playground; older ones will love playing soccer, baseball or tug-of-war. Throw a cooler full of sandwiches, drinks and chips in the car -- along with a couple of picnic blankets and a boom box -- and you’re set.

Feel the burn Turn your home into a little gym instead of paying to use the real one. Put out yoga mats for tumbling, turn on a workout DVD and hold a jumping jacks competition. Better yet, see if you can get one of the neighborhood kids to lead a warm-up session in exchange for pizza and ice-cream cake.

Find free (or almost free) talent Alma Schneider of Montclair, N.J., hired an 11-year-old magician to entertain kids at her 5-year-old’s birthday party in her backyard. “He was a kid around the middle school who was smart and interested in magic. I paid him $5, and everyone loved it.” How about your friend the guitar player or your uncle the juggler? They’d probably do it for nothing.

Pick a theme Skip the licensed characters, and go for a best-friends party. “Have three-legged races, make friendship bracelets and outline each other’s hands for a craft,” suggests Artell. Or throw a birthday fair with three booths: a floating rubber-duck pond, a beanbag toss and a fishing station (with paper fish attached to paper clips, and a magnet for a fishing pole).

Put on your oven mitts Invite a small group of kids over for a baking bash. One half can bake cookies, the other half cupcakes. (Have the ingredients premeasured and ready for mixing). When the goods are done, line up a big bowl of frosting and colorful toppings and have the kids decorate and eat their cupcakes. Put the cookies and a recipe card in goodie bags to take home.

Have an off-season bash What about a Christmas party in summer? Get out the decorations, sing carols and watch holiday DVDs. Or have a Halloween costume party in April. Decorate pumpkin cutouts, bob for apples and read scary stories for a spooky springtime festival at your house.

Take a tour The firehouse is a thrill for younger kids, and local firefighters will usually conduct a tour for nothing but smiles. Call to schedule a small group visit and head to a cheap pizza place afterward. The local bakery, pet store or animal shelter might also welcome your group.

Join the big leagues What could be more exciting to a young child than to watch an older sibling’s game? Invite a handful of kids to the field, break out the popcorn and soda, and cheer on the home team.

Skip the party (and go somewhere special) Often, your child wants special attention from you more than from anyone else. Take yours to her very favorite place -- just the two of you. Then invite her three closest friends for a special dinner made just for her.

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