When planning a party with kids, it’s a good idea to have something to entertain them. They are more likely to have fun, it can help keep them out of trouble, and the adults can better enjoy the company of the other guests. Below is a list of 12 inexpensive ways that you can entertain kids when you’re hosting a party.
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Chalk
How much more simple can it get than chalk?! If you’ve got a sidewalk, slab of concrete, chalkboards, or even a simple wooden fence, you can let the kids imaginations go crazy without having to worry about a giant mess to clean (Thank you rain!).
One of the best parts is that you can buy chalk for next to nothing!
If you like to DIY and really want to save money, you can easily make your own chalk with egg shells!
Amazon has some decent priced boxes of chalk in bulk if you want a lot of chalk for your party.
Crayons
Another super simple way to inexpensively entertain kids at a party is with crayons. Whether you have a large piece of butcher paper taped to the table or print party themed activity sheets, pretty much all kids love to be creative with crayons!
This brings us to our next idea…
These packs of crayons would be so easy to use as party favors!
Printables
There are so many different kind of printables out there that will easily keep kids entertained. From BINGO, to coloring pages, to crafts. Perusing Pinterest might land you with some free options, but if you can’t find something specific on there, check out Etsy! There are so many amazing printable shops that sell printable kids games, pages, and crafts at cheap prices!
This BINGO game is a free option provided by Crazy Little Projects.
Bubbles
What kid doesn’t love bubbles?! You can give each kid individual bubble wands as party favors or set up a bubble station where they can refill their containers.
To simplify it even more (or if you have a lot of tots running around that’ll just dump the bubbles instead of blowing them) then opt for a bubble machine instead. These might be a little more expensive, but if you have one already laying around then it’ll definitely be a cheap option for entertaining the kids!
Here is an awesome bubble solution that makes 5 gallons of bubbles which would provide hours of fun for a great price!
These mini star wands would be easy to incorporate into a kids party!
Bean Bag/Ball Toss
If you have a cardboard box and something to cut out holes with, you can make a fun bean bag/ball toss game to match your party theme! You can paint a character on it or just turn it into a simple bullseye target.
Really, you can use anything you have laying around that kids can throw bags or balls into/ through. Cans, cups, baskets… Get creative and have fun!
If you don’t want to make your own game, here is a bean bag/ring toss kit that is ready to use!
Balloons
I can’t tell you how many hours of fun balloons have provided for my kids. They’ve played “Keepy Uppy”, popped them with their butts, tossed them in baskets and boxes, and even decorated them with stickers and markers.
Balloons are definitely an inexpensive way to entertain kids and the best part is that you can easily double them for party decor!
Needing balloons? I’ve found an awesome bulk bundle of those for you too! I’ve used these for my parties in the past and all the kids had a lot of fun with them!
Obstacle Course
Obstacle courses are also easy to make with items you have around the house!
Tape can be put on the floor in different patterns for kids to walk on, jump over, etc. Boxes can be used as tunnels. Wood can be made into balance beams. String can be taped to walls for kids to climb through.
Just see what is available in your home and you’ll be able to entertain kids at your party practically for free!
Pretty Real shows a perfect example of how you can use many different objects to make an obstacle course.
If you need a little help getting started, here is a game kit that you can use for your obstacle course. I think the medals would be an awesome addition to help motivate the kids!
Tic-Tac-Toe
A childhood favorite: Tic-tac-toe! You can take a piece of wood and paint some stones to make a quick, but fun tic-tac-toe game. If you want something easier, paint some beans and make a tic-tac-toe board on a square of cardboard. You could also use cereal, noodles, or stones. Whatever you have around the house can work!
This is an easy game to personalize and send home with your guests as party favors!
Bowling
This is another game that is easy to reuse items around the house! Tin cans, water/soda bottles, plastic cups.. Anything you can stand up and then knock down with balls.
Here’s an example from Trish Sutton!
Scavenger Hunt
Scavenger hunts are easy to do when you have a themed party! You can make a fun printable page with pictures for each of the kids and send them around the party site to find those party themed items!
Canva is my go-to for making simple pages like this. Just find graphics that match your theme that the kids can find (or upload your pics if you took special pics for the hunt) and then put them on your paper wherever you’d like them. The kids can circle or mark through the items as they find them.
If you have older kids, make it more challenging by having them use a phone or camera to take a picture of each item they find.
First person to find them all wins!
Craftaholics Anonymus has a fun photo scavenger hunt!
Sand Fun
If you have access to a sand box (or can make one), these are easy kid entertainment centers. Trucks, dinosaurs, blocks, animals… so many items can be played with in a sandbox! Bonus points if you can match it to your party theme!
Sugar Spice & Glitter made a blog post about different sand options and many can be used for themed parties!
Water Fun
Water table, water buckets, water guns, water balloons, sponges… If your guests are fine with kids getting wet then you can incorporate many different kinds of water play into your Summer parties to keep kids busy (and work all of the sugar out of their bodies!)
Here is a fun blog by Mama Cheaps that shows many options that can be used for your birthday parties!
Let me know if I’ve inspired you in some way! I’d love to hear what cheap ideas you’ve used to entertain kids at your own parties!
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