Do-It-Yourself Activity

Do you dream of having your child's birthday party for very little money? Want to let your kid to have some unstructured play and have fun yourself? Unfortunately in New York City, it's not as easy as that. Space is expensive. Parties often require careful planning and arranging. Buying party favors, gift bags, invitations, thank you notes, paper plates and table cloths seems to be the norm. Most party spaces are packaged with activities and entertainment is included. Small groups, like large groups, are not easy to plan for within the NYC party venues world. Want to step away from all the hassles? Here's a quick idea for a cheap and easy summer party.

For a kid's birthday party, you can paint faces yourself for fun – whether just a small flower or spider web on the cheek or a full face tiger mask. Older kids can also use face paint themselves or try paint pencils on each other. Always use water-based paints which clean off easily with mild soap and water. Get paints that display an FDA approval for cosmetics. According to the FDA's website, the law says that color additives have to be approved by FDA for use in cosmetics, including color additives in face paints and theatrical makeup. If an ingredient is in question, look up the color on the FDA's website. Lots of kids have sensitive skin so try your best to get non-toxic product and apply them gently.

Making stickers is a great party activity, combining art with minimum of mess. As Jill Jolton writes at Parenthood.com, this do-it-yourself art project is fun for kids — and inexpensive for adults. But if you won't have time for sticker making, you (or the guest of honor) can create the stickers prior to the party and include the results in the guests' goody bags.