Insider Tips for Throwing a Great Kid’s Birthday Party on a Budget

Host an outdoor party

If your child was born in a month with good weather, having a party outdoors is one of the best ways to save money. Sometimes this means all you have to do is get to your neighborhood playground early enough to stake your claim on a nearby picnic table. For larger or more popular parks, you’ll want to get a picnic permit from Philadelphia Parks and Recreation to guarantee your spot. For smaller parties, choose a picnic site for $35, which usually includes at least 3 picnic tables and serves up to 50 people. For larger parties, or if you’re worried about rain, you can choose a covered pavilion for $140, with 4 to 6 picnic tables and serving up to 150 people. Always scope out the site beforehand since some pavilions don’t have seating, so you’ll need to rent or provide your own. Be sure to plan ahead to figure out where the nearest public restroom is located and have a back-up plan for severe weather. See our recommendations in the "Philadelphia Parks" section below.

Renting a room like this reduces cost and lets you decorate to make it perfect for your kid. Photo courtesy of The Discovery Center

Rent a community center or other local space

While play places, arcades, and fun centers are popular for kids’ parties, they aren’t usually the cheapest option. If you’re okay with a little D.I.Y.ing, your best bet for an inexpensive party is renting a local community center or other no-frills venue space. You’ll need to bring your own decorations, activities, and food, but you can choose budget-conscious options in those categories instead of being forced to spring for expensive party venue packages or food and beverage minimums. If you have a relationship with a nearby church, rec center, or school, those can also be great spots for low-cost venues. See our list of Philadelphia-area venues in the "Community Rentals" section below.

Choose an off-peak time or day

While weekends are the most convenient time to host a party, if you venture away from the typical party days and times, you may be able to save some money. Scheduling an after-school weekday party can be a great way to score deals on a venue that’s otherwise outside of your price range, since many places offer discounts to fill less popular time slots. For example, if you book a party Sunday-Friday at Philly Play Pact in South Philly, you can choose a basic no-frills party option at a rate of ~$10 per kid. Even if a place doesn’t explicitly offer off-peak discounts, they may be able to work with you if you reach out directly.

Keep an eye out for last-minute deals

No one likes waiting until the last minute to plan a birthday party, but if that ends up being your situation, there is a silver lining. Often party rental locations will offer deals on upcoming party dates they haven’t been able to fill yet. For instance, Beehive at Bok in South Philadelphia may normally be out of your birthday party budget, but they have offered discounts as high as 50% off when booking a party for unused party slots in the near future. To score these deals, make sure to sign up for a venue’s newsletter or email list (and make sure you’re the kind of person who’s okay with a little uncertainty and last-minute planning!). 

Limit your guest list

A smaller party allows you to prioritize quality over quantity. Many activity-based venues (e.g. arcades, trampoline parks, rock gyms) set their rates per child instead of charging an hourly fee, so you can have an affordable party at a cool location if you’re able to trim your guest list. You can use the guideline of inviting the number of kids equal to the age your child is turning. Alternatively, some people find the child’s age + 1 to be a good rule of thumb. Certain locations that charge by the child may have a minimum number of guests, so keep that in mind when choosing a spot.

Look for membership discounts

If you’re a member at a play space or other kid-friendly location, you may be able to score a great deal on hosting a kids party there. You might also use this as an opportunity to join a membership at a space you’ve already been eyeing, saving you money not just for the party but all year long. For instance, a party slot at Lilypad Playspace on East Passyunk is $255 for non-members but only $150 for members, and that difference is effectively the cost of a membership itself. So if you decide to throw a party there, becoming a member first would basically pay for itself and then you can enjoy the facility not just for the party but for a full year.

Cut down on other party costs

When the venue rental is a large portion of your party budget, you can try to trim your spending on other party costs to keep the overall amount lower. Consider scheduling the party during non-meal times so that you can serve light snacks and cake instead of having to cater a full meal. And this is your permission to skip the goodie bags full of random junk that will probably end up in the trash. If you’d still like to give a favor, try baking homemade cookies, letting little ones take a balloon as a favor (make your decorations do double duty), or handing out bubbles at your playground party (where the favor is also a party activity).

Reserving a park pavilion is inexpensive and offers lots of space for fun like playgrounds, hiking trails, and sports fields. Photo via canva.com

Best Philadelphia Parks to Reserve for Affordable Birthday Parties

FDR Park – South Philadelphia

Choose a picnic site permit near the Anna C. Verna Playground, a state-of-the-art nature playground with climbing structures and the largest swing set in North America. Or get a permit for the Boathouse Pavilion if you’re nervous about rain and want to make sure you’re covered (literally). 

Fairmount Park – Fairmount

With lots of green space and easy access to attractions like the Please Touch Museum and the Philadelphia Zoo, Fairmount is a great picnic spot to enjoy food and outdoor games. Try South Georges Hill, a pavilion that includes tables and seating, or the picnic sites at Lemon Hill, where you’ll also find a playground and sports fields nearby.

Bartram’s Garden – Southwest Philadelphia

A beautiful garden oasis tucked away on the Schuylkill River, Bartram’s Garden offers sheltered picnic areas where you can host a party with beautiful views of the Philly skyline, a meadow full of wildflowers, and access to playground equipment.

Pennypack Park – Northeast Philadelphia

This 165-acre park on the Delaware River boasts both picnic sites and a pavilion, as well as a playground, sports fields, and opportunities for fishing and hiking.

Penn Treaty Park – Fishtown

Enjoy a picnic site with great views of the Delaware River and a shaded playground on the premises.

Lower-Cost Indoor and Outdoor Community Rentals for Parties in Philadelphia

Liberty Lands – Northern Liberties

This community-run park is perfect for both indoor and outdoor parties. There are three designated outdoor party areas, depending on whether you’d like to be close to the stage, the swings, or the toddler playground. For indoor parties, the Northern Liberties Community Center is available to rent as well. 

The Dandelion Project has rooms equipped for different interests like arts & crafts, games, and more. Photo courtesy of the venue

Dandelion Project – East Passyunk

The Dandelion Project is an “unschooling” community center which offers use of their space for parties on weekends and weeknights. They offer rates on a sliding scale so reach out to them directly to discuss your unique needs. The best part? The space is already set up for kids, whether that’s the play area (filled with toys, books, and a maker space) for younger kids, or the rec room (with air hockey, ping pong, and more) for the older ones.

Old Pine Community Center – Society Hill

This centrally located community center offers flexible options for different party sizes. The party hall has adjustable walls to create space for 20 to 70 guests, allowing you to only rent as much space as you actually need.

Philadelphia Ethical Society – Rittenhouse

Right off of Rittenhouse Square, the Ethical Society building offers a variety of rental room options depending on your needs. The carpeted Community Room is one of the cheapest options, and it’s perfect for parties that have lots of movement-based children’s activities. 

The Discovery Center – Fairmount

When you want access to nature for your party but still want an indoor space for gathering and eating, The Discovery Center is a great option. They offer discounted rates for their neighbors, so you can score a great deal if you live in the 19121 and 19132 zip codes. 

North Light Community Center – Manayunk

This community center is a great choice for indoor or outdoor party options. Host a party inside in one of the classroom spaces, or rent the playground or sprayground for spring or summer parties.

Smith Playground – Fairmount

While not as inexpensive as a community center rental, party rentals at Smith Playground are surprisingly reasonably-priced considering they give you access to one of the coolest playgrounds in Philly. For roughly $100/hr including set-up and clean-up time, you can rent the cozy Playhouse Party Nook while enjoying Smith Playground’s giant slide and other attractions. You also get a free t-shirt for the birthday kid and the knowledge that your party rental helps Smith Playground maintain a safe and fun park that is free for all to visit. 

Frequently asked questions about Cheap Party Rentals in Philly

How do I reserve a spot at Philadelphia parks?

To reserve a picnic site or pavilion in one of Philly’s many amazing parks, you’ll want to apply for a picnic permit from the City of Philadelphia. Fill out the application form as well as the fee ($35 for picnic sites and $140 for pavilions), and mail it or bring it in person to the Special Events Office at 2130 Winter Street. While there is no longer an online system available for permit application, Parks and Rec is working on re-establishing that option as well.

What about parks in the suburbs?

If you’re looking outside of the city, we have a great list of party-friendly parks in Montgomery, Delaware, Bucks, and Chester County. 

What if I plan an outdoor party but it rains?

Make a back-up plan for possible inclement weather. You can choose a rain date to postpone the party, or have a secondary indoor location if you want to keep the same date. 

What party locations are best for babies and toddlers in Philadelphia?

Baby play spaces are perfect for the younger ones. Or rent space at a cheaper community center, and bring your own activity, like making your own ball pit with an inexpensive inflatable kiddie pool. Check out our list of toddler-friendly party spots in Philly. 

What birthday party locations are best for elementary-aged children in Philadelphia?

For high energy school-age children, try a bowling alley, skating rink, or an extreme sports center. Whether you’re looking for an indoor activity or some outdoor fun, Philly has a lot of great options for this age range. 

What birthday party locations are best for tweens and teens in Philadelphia?

Tweens and teens will enjoy exciting party options like escape rooms and warrior gyms. Be sure to read our list of the coolest teen birthday party spots.

Where can I find cheap rentals for equipment and bounce houses in Philly?

Bounce House Philly is the most affordable bounce house rental we’ve found, and includes free set-up and delivery and no clean-up fee. They also offer other party services, like pony rides, facepainting, and an ice cream truck. 

Where can I find affordable party entertainers in Philadelphia?

Check out our directory of party entertainers in Philly.

What are some other ways to save money on Birthday Parties?

In addition to our insider tips above, another idea is to share costs with another family if they also have a child with a birthday close to yours. If the children are in the same class, then the invite list will likely already have a lot of overlap anyway. Even if you don’t want to collaborate on the party, sharing party decorations with other families in a similar age bracket can help reduce costs.