When you’re part of a big family, resourceful is your middle name. It was the birthday following the hurricane destruction and we had no money for a birthday party. But when your daughter who rarely asks for anything wants a sleepover, you make it happen!
With a budget of $50, we succeeded in throwing a sleepover my daughter and her friends haven’t forgotten. It wasn’t that we did anything wild and crazy but good fun doesn’t have to be expensive to be memorable.
Party Decor
Before we ever shop at the store, we shop our house first. You’d be amazed at what easily transforms into party decor. A quick trip to my craft closet turned up plenty of ribbon scraps and scrapbook paper for a birthday sign hanging on the mantle. The birthday girl wanted pink so we snagged a few pink flower arrangements from their room as centerpieces.
Food
This was a party I didn’t want to cook for so we sprung for pizzas and dessert. We picked up all the ingredients necessary for birthday banana splits–Oreos, sprinkles, chocolate sauce, ice cream and of course bananas.
We definitely overdid it on the sweets because after dinner and games, we devoured cookies, milk, and popcorn for a movie. The Dollar store has awesome mini plastic cups that we dipped in white chocolate and then sprinkles. So. Much. Sugar.
I made an exception to our no-sugar rule for one night. 😉
Games and activities
My daughter asked for pedicures and a balloon game which I’ve forgotten the name of. But you just tie a balloon to each girls ankle, let ’em loose, and see who’s the last girl standing with an unpopped balloon left hanging from her leg. I laughed hysterically watching them–they were ruthless!
The pedicures were simple and I solicited my mother-in-law to help me pamper each of the girls. We soaked their feet in extra plastic tubs we use to organize the kids toys. Then we massaged their ticklish feet before painting them pretty. They loved it!
They sprawled across our living room floor with sleeping bags and air mattresses everywhere before settling in for a movie. Despite the sugar rush, most of the girls (except mine) fell asleep quickly. Success!
The Next Morning
We wrapped up the sleepover with confetti pancakes and whipped cream before sending them out to the cow pasture to play while they waited for parents to pick them up.
Sleepover success!
The girls loved the sleepover and this mama loved how inexpensive it was to throw together. Altogether, we spent $25 on pizza and drinks (including paper products), $15 on snacks (always shop BOGO!), and $10 on favors from the Dollar Tree.
With so many kids, we are always looking to celebrate in unique ways. If you have an awesome birthday idea, I’d love to hear it!
