Great Cheap kids' birthday parties Hunt

This year turning 4 we are doing a fancy dress party, again at home and hopefully in the garden.

-Hook a duck. I bought a bag of 5 ducks from poundland and some hooks for 60p from my local hardware which I have srewed into the top. A garden cane cut in half and painted with a larger hook in for fishing out.
- Pin the tail on the donkey. I have drawn and painted this myself but you can always make use of clipart if youre not arty.
- Musical statues/bumps.

For prizes I am filling a box with sheddings and wrapping up small items to hide inside (lucky dip style) glittler pots 10 from 99p store, and funky animal pencils with animal eraser ends 6 for 20p tesco sale.

Buffet food again.

Party bags- fake moustash 6 from poundland, glow in dark fangs 7p each from tesco (this was at halloween, Im always on the look out for bagins so stashed these away as it was such a bargin!!) and a spy ID card each wich Ive made up myself with the childs photo on. Harribo 10p bag of sweets again and paper candy stripped bag 2p from ebay.

Have done various things over the years as my 2 girls like to try different parties to their friends. At home we have done various crafting parties, the best probably being a deco patch one. Ordered each girl a black animal, chopped up the paper into colours beforehand. Cheaper than the kts and no need for party bag beyond cake. They were about 8 yrs then. 10 yr old had a treasure trail party. Bought guide from website for walk around town here then used vouchers for pizza express. Did a murder mystery one and was considered to be very cool much to my surprise. 12 yr old had cup cake decorating party at home with 6 cakes each. Went well.
Another thing I've found is that kids will happily eat a proper meal if timing is right and eat more than if just party rubbish. Have done roast chicken dinner and lasagne meal. Lucky for me my kitchen able can squeeze 10 round it. Also more traditionally hot dogs work well.
Also hate party bag plastic tat so have done books, proper chocolate bar etc. We have also played a type of pass the parcel prize game. Buy a gift for each child but one must be terrible. Wrap them all and put in centre of circle. Each person takes it in turns to throw a dice. If it is even no then take a parcel until everyone has one.nif that means you could get 2 then you must just swap with one in middle. When everyone has one you get to unwrap it with an even no or swap it with an odd no. When all unwrapped set a secret timer. Continue to go round throwing dice. You choose what nos mean must swap pressie. When buzzer sounds that's it. You need a terrible one to keep them swapping and for fun of it. This alo works well with secret Santa gifts at Xmas do.

We have found that Saturday morning pictures makes a great party and at only about £2 per child excellent value for money. We have also followed with Pizza Express (can use Tesco vouchers) or pizza hut is also a good option.