$10 Budget | Frugal Birthday Gifts for Kids

If we’re honest, birthday parties for toddlers are a great excuse for the moms to get together and chat, and except for photos, the kiddo just isn’t going to remember much.

But as children enter the school-age years, invitations start to flood your mailbox (virtual or postal), and because no one wants to be racked with guilt, we overinvite, overspend and overindulge on birthday parties and gifts.

Here are 25 birthday gift ideas for kids, on a $10 budget.

1. A bag of microwave popcorn, tucked inside a new tumbler from the dollar store, with a couple of candy or granola bars, and five Redbox movie codes.
2. Makeup kit
3. Two or three nice hardcover children’s books from Half Price Books and a cuddly throw
4. Kids’ apron & chef hat – decorate using fabric paint!
5. Gift cards for an experience, like a local ice cream shop, a bounce house or arcade, miniature golf, or a game of bowling.
6. Hula hoop or Skipper ankle jumping thingy
7. Craft kit from Michaels, JoAnn’s, or Five Below (where you could get two!)
8. Two Melissa and Doug sticker books
9. A hand-made “coupon” book (examples to include: an overnight at your house, a bike ride together, painting each other’s nails, friend’s choice of games to play for one month, etc.)
10. Oversized floor puzzles
11. Kids’ Bible
12. Webkinz stuffed animal
13. Loom bands kit plus charms
14. Dress-up costume, purchased new after Halloween on clearance or check local consignment/thrift stores
15. Trip to a park for geocaching (learn more here or find a location here)
16. Over-the-door basketball hoop
17. Markers or crayons and new oversized coloring/activity book
18. Colored pencils, new erasers and blank sketch pad
19. Magazine subscription (check here, sort by price low-high and use code CHAOSISBLISS for 20% off making a few $10.39).
20. Personalized, or monogrammed notecards
21. Doodle books
22. Build-a-bear clothes/accessories, or gift card
23. Basketball, Nerf football, or soccer ball
24. Slip-n-slide ($10.14 at publishing time)
25. Backyard Safari Mini-Lantern, Critter Shack or other camping and outdoor exploring gear from Backyard Safari

What would you add to the list? What are some other out-of-this-world frugal birthday gifts for kids that you’ve heard about?

Before you check out, check these that also might interest you:

• Free National Park admission
• Fake Camping with Kids
• Latest deals for kids

Copyright: all32 / 123RF Stock Photo