As average cost for kid's birthday party can top $300, parents ask 'How much is too much?'

The cost of a child's birthday party is still high – and the price tag for parents likely escalates as their kids gets older, a new survey suggests.

Parents spend, on average, $314 on a child's birthday party, according to a survey of 404 women, age 18 to 44, who were pregnant or had at least one child up to age 5, conducted by pregnancy and parenting site What to Expect.

A factor driving pricey parties is a party theme based on their child's latest obsession be it "Bluey" or "Paw Patrol" or some other theme, Robin Hilmantel, senior director of editorial strategy and growth at What to Expect, told USA TODAY in a statement.

"We’ve noticed a clear trend toward birthday parties for children becoming bigger and more elaborate," Hilmantel said. "This is driven largely by social media, which has inspired parents to throw parties with tons of on-theme decorations, foods, and party favors."

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The younger the child, typically the less costly the celebration, with 1-year-old and 2-year-old birthday parties costing an average of $279. Spending on birthday parties for kids 6 to 9 rose, on average, to $344, the survey found.

Moms in the What to Expect Community reported spending as little as $10 for "a small DIY family affair" to $7,000 for "a lavish event with catering, entertainment and a professional photographer," according to the report.

Millennial moms (age 28 to 43) typically spend more, about $329, while Gen Z moms (age 27 and younger) spend about $276, the survey found.

Overall, 20% of parents said they spent more than $500 on kids' birthday parties. There's no problem with that when it's done by choice rather than because it's expected, What to Expect's associate shopping director Leah Rocketto said in the report.

"If you want to throw a big blowout, by all means do it," Rocketto said, "so long as it's something you want to do and not something you think you have to do."

How to save money on your child's birthday party

Feeling overwhelmed about an upcoming birthday party or just looking to save a few bucks? A good number of survey respondents (14%) spent less than $100. Here's some tips on keeping party costs in check:

• Invites: As kids get older and attend preschool and kindergarten, there's pressure to send out more invites. You need not succumb to that pressure, Rocketto said. On average, nine kids attended parties – one-third of parties had fewer than five kids. Only 14% of those surveyed invited more than 16 kids. Inviting an entire class has a benefit in that it "teaches your child inclusion," Rocketto says. But if that's not part of your plan, it's better to invite kids your child spends time with outside of school and send invitations electronically. With a bigger party, she said, "don't invite the whole class minus one or two kids."
• Essentials: Keep decorations simple and focus on the essentials: food, activity and dessert. "You don't have to go to extreme lengths for any of these," Rocketto said. "The food can be a low-lift snack table. The activity can be as simple as setting up your child's toys for others to play with, and the dessert can be store-bought cupcakes." And skip the goodie bags. "Ultimately, the party is a chance for family and friends to see and celebrate your child," she said.
• Expectations: As your child begins attending birthday parties, use the experience as a way to prepare them for the size of party you plan for them in the future. "Remind yourself that one family's birthday style may not work for your family," Rocketto said. "Set reasonable birthday party expectations for your child early [and] prioritize experiences over parties."

Follow Mike Snider on X and Threads: @mikesnider & mikegsnider.

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