We want to give our kids the world on their birthday — but the world is expensive! With help from Hey Salt Lake readers and local mom Shireen Ghorbani, here are some favorite cheap and creative ideas to celebrate Salt Lake kids on their birthday.
At $150 for two hours and up to 12 kids, this isn’t the cheapest option to start. But, Jump Around will decorate with balloons and tablecloths, and provide plates, napkins, and utensils, and you can bring in anything you want. Grab some Costco pizza nearby, pack a cooler with drinks, and call it a (birth)day.
Park Pavilion Party
There are hundreds of parks across Salt Lake County, and many have shaded pavilion areas you can reserve for free, or for a small fee ($35-$55). Put together really simple games, like an egg toss, jump rope, or keeping a balloon in the air. You can rent a tug-a-war rope from Salt Lake County for $6. Or, check out a free nature kit or telescope from the Salt Lake County library and make it a bug hunt 🪲or star gaze 🔭
Party from 2-5 p.m. and don’t provide a meal — save yourself money and the headache of negotiating dietary restrictions. Pack a cooler, snacks, and cupcakes. At the end of the day, most kids just want to run around together.
Salt Lake County Rec Centers
Salt Lake County is home to over 20 recreation and ice centers, and entry fees range from $2-$4 for kids ages 3-17. Swim at the Northwest Rec Center, which has a slide, ice skate at Cottonwood Heights, or rock climb at Dimple Dell (which also has an indoor pool and a party room), just to name a few options. BYO food. — This suggestion came from readers Jacqueline L. and Kat R.
✨ Bonus Tips from SLC mom Shireen Ghorbani
- Include an end time with the invite, for family scheduling.
- Let parents know if they should plan to stay, or can drop and go (drop-offs are a blessing).
- Skip the gifts, and skip the party favors — nobody needs more stuff.
- Don’t go too hard on a theme. Pick a fun activity, and then add one element that embraces a current obsession (i.e. shark napkins, a space cake).
- Plan something nearby. Odds are your kid’s classmates are also your neighbors.
- Share the party and the lift. If your kid’s friend is also an *insert astrological sign here,* celebrate them together!
