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We never dreamed this post would go viral,
but it’s been a pleasure sharing our special memories and popular water balloon pinatas with so many of you.
Thanks for stopping in!
You may also like our simple Minecraft birthday party ideas, too!
When our first son turned we five,
we invited several families to a local park for a low-key treasure hunt party and it was a great time had by all.
So for our second son’s big #5,
the pressure was on to host another spectacular party.
And by “spectacular”, I don’t mean hiring out a professional act and catering.
No, I mean carve aside $50 and get creative!
Seriously, this wildly fun birthday bash cost all of $50…
while hosting 10 children and their moms on a shoestring budget.
But the memories are priceless.
Knowing July would be really hot,
we decided a WATER party in our own backyard was the perfect way to save money AND stay cool.
And that we did.
The kids had so much fun.
They didn’t even complain about the heat and actually begged to stay longer.
Although, I do think the mamas were getting a little hot as the temps neared 100 that day!
Maybe we need squirt bottles next time for the moms to keep cool.
Thank goodness for a shade tree where adults congregated in comfy chairs while the kids ran around like crazy people.
Here are details from the party with some convenient affiliate links below.
Hope this helps you have a blast in your own backyard, too!
Fun Backyard Water Party!
Here are some cute water party invitations to kick off the festivities.
Then to start the party…
all the children got a pair of goggles with their names in Sharpie…good for the next thing.
The shaving cream pool!
I bought 4 cans for 8 kids, but we could have used a couple more.
The kids absolutely loved this and covered themselves over and over.
There was bubble-blowing.
And finger-painting on a roll of art paper attached to a fence.
We also filled water balloons…
for a water balloon toss game and water balloon fight.
Allergy-Friendly Finger Foods
Watermelon wedges, finger PBJ’s, and Lay’s chips were served for snacks.
Perhaps use sunflower seed butter if there are peanut allergies to consider.
And remember to clean watermelon before cutting.
Colored kool-aid ice cubes in Sprite totally impressed the kids.
Milk-free and egg-free cupcake cones
decorated as light blue water with gummy Lifesaver “floaties” were also a huge hit.
Kids always love cake in a cone, and we didn’t need one single utensil for this party!
Thoughtful gifts from family and friends were opened outside.
We broke the colorful pinatas as the grand finale, and of course the kids loved this!
Since the pinatas weren’t actually filled with candy,
we handed out allergy-friendly Swedish Fish as the little guests left.
They also got to take their goggles home.
Undoubtedly, it was a day we won’t forget!
A big thank-you to
for featuring our fun, inexpensive outdoor activities.
We appreciate the shares!
If you are looking to plan something similar,
our party supplies are affiliate linked below for you as well.
Have so much fun!
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Original Post 7/19/12
RachelD says
What a fun party! Happy Birthday, Graham!
Theresa says
FUN IDEAS!! It makes me wish we had a summer bday. Maybe we need to throw a 1/2 bday party just to have some summer fun!
Happy Bday Graham!
Abby M says
This is fabulous! I hadn't seen this post until right now but we've been planning a similar party for my son's 4th birthday this Saturday. I'm totally going to do the water balloon pinatas, that's so smart!! You threw a great looking party!
Anonymous says
What goodies are in the pinatas?
Jamie Kaufmann says
Anonymous…the pinatas were filled with water. 🙂
Jamie Rowe says
Saw the water balloon pinatas on Pinterest. So cute!!! Both my little ones have summer birthdays so i am definitely using this idea.
blogging says
Thanks, Jamie! Aw, have happy birthdays this summer. 🙂
Jen P says
Great ideas, thanks!!
Unknown says
What is ballon toss pls?
blogging says
Balloon toss is where the kids pair up and pass a balloon back and forth. Whomever it breaks on is out. Then the winners are pair up again and again whomever the balloon breaks on while tossing back and forth, those kids are out. Until one pair is left and one winner is left. Sometimes we start really close and move the kiddos apart with each pass. 🙂 Hope that helps.
Lynda says
Thank you so much your article was the first and only one I looked at and there's no need to look at others you gave me all the ideas I needed for an end of the school year/Birthday party. Awesome,Awesome,Awesome
blogging says
You are very welcome, Lynda! 🙂
Iris Marquis says
This is so great! My daughter has her 4th birthday coming up in August. Thank you for all the great ideas!
blogging says
Iris, you are very welcome. Happy summer birthday!
Anonymous says
thank you I love this so much, I am just going to have a nothing party
with my 8 grandkids, and have some fun.
Jamie Kaufmann says
Well you are the best grandma ever! Have fun!!!
Lacey says
Curious how the cake in a cone desserts were made? I’m not the most accomplished chef but I’d like to give them a shot this summer
Jamie Kaufmann says
Hi Lacey! I’ve so been meaning to do a post on this. Thanks for asking! Just fill cake cones up half way with the batter before baking. They will raise! And I like to stabilize the cones in a muffin tin, as best as I can…for baking. Then bake like normal in the cones until a toothpick comes out cleana. I hope that helps!
Sam says
Where did you find affordable goggles?
Jamie Kaufmann says
Sam, they were 2-packs for $5 at one of the bargain stores. Possibly Five Below or Dollar General or Family Dollar.
L says
What were the goggles used for I didn’t see them on the kids in the pictures?
Jamie Kaufmann says
Hi L, the goggles were for the shaving cream pool. And just running around in the water. 🙂
yvonne says
Did you use regular balloons for the pinata or water balloons?
Jamie Kaufmann says
Hi Yvonne, regular balloons. 🙂 Hope that helps!
Jessica says
Awesome idea. Think I’m copying. Was wondering what you did for invitations?
Jamie Kaufmann says
Hi Jessica,
I don’t think we did anything real crazy, probably just something generic from Target. 😉
Vicki Piper says
I don’t understand what the shaving cream was for. Do kids like rolling around in it?
Jamie Kaufmann says
Vicki, yes, they just love playing in it. Ha ha!