1 1 Facebook PinterestTara DonneGarlands GaloreA homemade banner can pack a big decorative punch. Check out these designs that can be reused year after year.Have Fun with Streamers You can twist, wind, braid, and curl crepe paper. Get a lot of bang for your buck with this affordable and versatile party material.Cool Dot-Com DecorStylish and affordable party supplies from our favorite stores. Fancy TableMake your table shine by using the snacks as creative decor. Check out the next slide to see our fun decorating tips. 2 Birthday Party Ideas: Daisy Balloons 2 Facebook PinterestWin Baby Gear! 3 3 Facebook PinterestTara Donne Garland: Baby FaceA photo of your little one is just the thing for an intimate family celebration.4 4 Facebook PinterestTara Donne Garland: Stick AroundSpell a message by adhering string to cardboard circles with letter stickers.5 5 Facebook PinterestTara Donne Garland: Tie the KnotLoop your scraps around a long ribbon to make a quick decoration.6 6 Facebook PinterestTara Donne Garland: Wall FlowersAll you need is decorative paper and a punch to make this colorful garland.

7 7 Facebook PinterestTara Donne Garland: Ding-Dong!Paper cups form sweet bell-shaped ornaments to string up at the party.8 8 Facebook PinterestTara Donne Yay for StreamersA-door-able! Stripe a doorway with a few different colors. home decorating ideas budget blogUse painter's tape to adhere the fringed curtain to the wall.best and cheapest exterior paintOr try these other cool ideas: Birthday Throne: Wrap your child's chair at the dinner table as a fancy birthday treat.home decorating tips paint colorsCurb Appeal: Proudly announce the birthday to the neighborhood by decorating the fence, front yard, or porch. best christmas decorated houses in nyc

Puff Piece: Gather 25 8-inch strips of crepe paper in the center with a rubber band. Using scissors, carefully curl the ends to make a cute pom-pom.9 9 Facebook PinterestTara Donne Dot-Com Decor: Fun FringeSpice up a table with some colorful fringe. cheap wedding cake decorations ukBirthday Party Ideas: Daisy Balloons Facebook PinterestWin Baby Gear! christmas lights sales per yearFacebook PinterestTara Donne Dot-Com Decor: Raise the FlagThis adorable paper pennant fits perfectly in card or cake. Facebook PinterestTara Donne Dot-Com Decor: Dino TouchIf your tot loves dinosaurs, dress up some cupcakes with these cute toppers. Facebook PinterestTara Donne Dot-Com Decor: Fruity SipKids will love to sip their punch through these fancy fruit straws. Facebook PinterestTara Donne Fancy Table: Edible LandscapeMake your snack table come alive with a few simple steps (and delicious treats)!

Cover a table with butcher paper and paint it into the cutest buffet ever. Plan out your masterpiece according to your bowls and platters. Pizzas make great wheels, and silicone cupcake liners work perfectly as caterpillar cookie stands.Facebook PinterestTara Donne Get More Party Ideas!Originally published in the May 2009 issue of Parents magazine.Check out these two slideshows for more birthday party fun!Creative Birthday Party InvitationsEasy Birthday CakesWin Baby Gear! 20 Gifts Kids Can Make Get creative with these handmade ideas that are fun (and inexpensive!)... more Begin SlideshowGiant NumberNumber OneNumber DiyNumber IdeasTable NumberBday PartiesBday PartyBirthday CelebrationUno PartyForwardWorked great! It lasted just long enough for every kid to get a few good whacks, and the birthday boy to crack it open! Photo By: Laura Fenton Photo By: Paper Crush A clever theme lets party guests escape to another world. For a kid's birthday, try recreating their favorite movie.

Or, consider something more outside of the box, like a gumball party, cotton candy party or circus party. Vibrant party decor and a cheery table setting are key elements to a standout birthday party. But there's no need to go all out with elaborate, expensive decorations. Even simple, plastic plates and utensils in bold, solid colors can create a festive setting. Whether you're inviting every kid in your child's class or just a few friends, it always helps to have a guest list where you can keep track of RSVPs. We also recommend verifying the party date will work for your child's best friend before mailing out invitations. Keep everything on track with our birthday party timeline. After you've chosen the perfect theme and narrowed down your guest list, it's time to pick out a venue. If you're having a small party, your house may be the ideal option. But a larger party might work better at a local park, restaurant or event space. If you plan on hosting a party somewhere other than your home, be sure not to wait too late to book a venue.

Handmade invitations can add a personal touch to your party, and they are surprisingly simple to make! For these cute baseball party invitations, you'll only need white cardstock, a printer, a red marker and scissors. But if you'd rather print an adorable invite, we have 16 (free!) printable options you'll love. If your guests don't already know where you live or aren't familiar with the party venue, a homemade sign with colorful balloons is a great way to direct them to the party. A few days before the party, it's a good idea to decide how you will handle presents. For young children, it may be better to reserve opening presents until after the party guests leave. However, if your child will be opening presents at the party, a quick refresher on sharing and saying, "Thank you," is always a good idea. Every good party needs music, and a child's birthday party is no exception. Whether you set up a karaoke machine, supply kid-sized instruments or simply stream a kid-friendly music station, the right music will set the scene for a super fun day.

What's a birthday party without cake? The more sprinkles, icing and candy the better! To save money on this party staple, we recommend dressing up a store-bought or homemade cake with colorful candy. See how blogger Kim Stoegbauer created an impressive DIY cake using rock candy! When it comes to party treats, we recommend planning a little something extra beyond the traditional birthday cake. Ice cream and fruit served out of colorful sundae cups is a healthier option that is still fun for kids. If your party is lasting longer than a couple of hours, a menu that includes some heartier options will keep the kids energized and in good spirits. Try these mini cheeseburgers for an instant crowd pleaser. Keep the kids entertained with little games throughout the party. Even something as simple as, "Guess how many gumballs are in the jar," can add an extra element of fun. For an exciting activity everyone can enjoy, a classic piñata is a great way to bring all the kids together to cheer on their friends.