UBCNews - Business - Parents Talk Party Planning Tips On A Budget: What To Serve, Best Kids' Games

Episode Date: November 17, 2025

Welcome back, everyone! Today we're tackling something every parent faces at some point - planning a kids' birthday party without breaking the bank. Have you ever wondered why throwing a simple party for your child can feel so overwhelming? I'm here with a party planning expert to help us figure this out. Westside Pizza - Colfax, WA City: Colfax Address: 208 1/2 N Main Street Website: https://westsidepizza.com/locations/colfax/

Welcome back, everyone. Today we're tackling something every parent faces at some point, planning a kid's birthday party without breaking the bank. Have you ever wondered why throwing a simple party for your child can feel so overwhelming? I'm here with a party planning expert to help us figure this out. Thanks for having me. You know, planning a kid's party hits three major stress points all at once, the venue, the food, and keeping everyone entertained. Parents often feel like they need to create this perfect Pinterest-worthy event, but honestly, kids just want to have fun and maybe get a little sugar rush, which, let's face it, is going to happen anyway. Right, and I think the pressure to make everything perfect is what really gets to us.

So where should parents start when they're feeling overwhelmed? The absolute first step is setting a budget. I can't stress this enough. Once you know what you can spend, everything else falls into place. You'd be surprised how much fun you can create with a modest budget if you're strategic about it. Really, budget planning is the foundation of stress-free party planning. That makes total sense. Now, let's talk about the entertainment side. Kids get bored quickly, right?

How do you keep them engaged? Exactly. Variety is absolutely key here. You want to mix active games with calmer activities. Classic games like hide-and-seek, musical chairs, and tag are combined. completely free and require almost no equipment. Then you can add in something like balloons. They're cheap but incredibly versatile.

Kids can play Keep the Balloon Up, or you can even do a glow-in-the-dark balloon-stomp game. Oh, I love that. What about some other creative options that won't cost a fortune? Well, there's the toilet paper mummy game, hilarious, and you just need toilet paper. Or set up an indoor treasure hunt with clues and small prizes. You could also try a saran-wrap ball game where kids

Kids unwrap layers to find little gifts inside. An obstacle course using items you already have around the house is always popular, too. The key is balancing high-energy activities with quieter ones so you're not dealing with complete chaos. Mm-hmm. That balance sounds crucial. So we've established that entertainment doesn't have to be expensive, but what about the food? That's often where costs can really spiral. That point about keeping costs manageable sets up our next piece, Affordable Party Party Party

food. But first, a quick word from our sponsor, Westside Pizza. When you're planning your next kids party, consider pizza as your go-to solution. It's convenient, affordable, and customizable to fit any dietary needs. You can order ahead, have it delivered hot, and kids absolutely love it. Plus, you can accommodate food allergies and preferences with different toppings. Find great options for your party at the link in the description. Picking up on keeping costs manageable, How do you handle the menu planning without stressing about pleasing everyone? As we just heard, pizza is honestly a real lifesaver for parties. It's convenient, kids love it, and you can customize it for different dietary restrictions.

But there are other affordable options, too. Think simple sandwiches cut into fun shapes, or for older kids, maybe a taco bar or slider bar. Keep portions small and make everything grab and go. Fruit kebabs on drinking. stirers, apple slices with peanut butter, even trail mix and individual cups work great. I see. Makes sense. What about planning ahead to avoid last-minute stress? Oh, definitely have a backup plan, whether it can ruin outdoor parties or kids might get through your activities faster than expected. I always tell parents to prepare some extra indoor games

just in case, and here's a personal tip. I once had a party where it started pouring rain, so we quickly switch to building blanket forts and projecting a movie on a white sheet. The kids thought it was the coolest thing ever. That sounds like it turned out even better than the original plan. Any final thoughts on reducing the overall party stress? What should parents prioritize?

Communicate with parents beforehand about dietary restrictions and don't be afraid to ask for help. Having a friend or family member assist can make a huge difference. You can even delegate simple tasks to older kids, they love feeling responsible. And remember, it doesn't have to be perfect.

Kids care more about having fun together than whether everything looks magazine-ready. The foundation really comes back to that budget planning we talked about. When you start there, everything becomes more manageable. Such practical advice. So to everyone listening, start with your budget, mix up the activities,

keep the food simple and kid-friendly, and don't forget to have fun yourself. The goal is creating how to make fun. memories, not achieving perfection. For more information, check out West Side Pizza at the link in the description. Thanks for joining us today.