When my eldest DS had a party we took a few friends to the park and had a picnic and game of cricket ( his birthday is in July), youngest DS birthday January, sometimes we managed to get away with taking a few friends to the panto. DDs , if they had parties at home, kids went home with a balloon and piece of cake. Went to DGs 7th party yesterday, the theme was " Strictly Come Dancing" all the little girls ( no boys! ) came dressed up in their bling party dresses, we had a disco lights ball from Maplins, a borrowed sound / karaoke system, the adults who stayed were roped in as judges and not allowed to stand around with drinks, my DD did face painting, I manned a quiet corner for kids in kitchen to make party hats, games consisted of teaching kids a few steps of the jive or waltz, then letting them all jump about etc. it was terrific fun, didn't cost much, cooked a few frozen pizzas, cake etc. you don't have to spend a mint to have a fun kids party