Easy DIY Birthday Party

We celebrated my girl’s birthday while camping last weekend and it was low-key, while still being everything she wanted! Kid’s birthday parties can get expensive really fast – especially if your child requests a character theme – but they absolutely don’t HAVE to be expensive. I was able to give her a Gabby’s Dollhouse Birthday Party using supplies from the Dollar Tree and craft stores, without breaking the bank.

All of the decorations were DIY – banners that I designed, printed, and cut, and lots of yarn tassels and balloons. We did paper products in the color scheme, but not printed with any characters, which also saved a lot of money. The kids made their own pizzas with solar ovens, and designed Kitty Cat Surprise Boxes using simple art supplies.

My favorite detail was the cake. I’ve always made her cake, with mixed results – this year we ordered the cake and added a handmade paper topper which really added some personalization. Here are some close up photos:

I’ve definitely learned that kids don’t need, or even want, instagram-worthy birthday parties. They want to spend time with their friends and families, and they get just as excited about DIY decorations because it’s all for them! This party let me enjoy the process, while still feeling like my daughter got exactly what she wanted. That’s what it should be all about!