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Welcome to Milk Allergy Mom! 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!
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 All You Magazine, Buzz Feed, Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons, and Quirky Mama 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 fun!
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Original Post 7/19/12
What a fun party! Happy Birthday, Graham!
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!
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!
What goodies are in the pinatas?
Anonymous…the pinatas were filled with water. 🙂
Saw the water balloon pinatas on Pinterest. So cute!!! Both my little ones have summer birthdays so i am definitely using this idea.
Thanks, Jamie! Aw, have happy birthdays this summer. 🙂
Great ideas, thanks!!
What is ballon toss pls?
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.
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
You are very welcome, Lynda! 🙂
This is so great! My daughter has her 4th birthday coming up in August. Thank you for all the great ideas!
Iris, you are very welcome. Happy summer birthday!
thank you I love this so much, I am just going to have a nothing party
with my 8 grandkids, and have some fun.
Well you are the best grandma ever! Have fun!!!
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
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!
Where did you find affordable goggles?
Sam, they were 2-packs for $5 at one of the bargain stores. Possibly Five Below or Dollar General or Family Dollar.
What were the goggles used for I didn’t see them on the kids in the pictures?
Hi L, the goggles were for the shaving cream pool. And just running around in the water. 🙂
Did you use regular balloons for the pinata or water balloons?
Hi Yvonne, regular balloons. 🙂 Hope that helps!
Awesome idea. Think I’m copying. Was wondering what you did for invitations?
Hi Jessica,
I don’t think we did anything real crazy, probably just something generic from Target. 😉
I don’t understand what the shaving cream was for. Do kids like rolling around in it?
Vicki, yes, they just love playing in it. Ha ha!