Between the location, the cake, the entertainment and the party favors, some moms and dads are forking out a fortune to celebrate their little ones and new research reveals just how much they’re spending.
A survey of 404 women who were pregnant or have at least one child age five or younger reveals:
- Parents spend an average of $314 on their kid’s birthday party.
- While the party typically costs less for younger kids, that price tag goes up as the kids get older.
- Birthday parties for one- to two-year-olds cost an average of $279, but those for kids between six and nine average $344.
- While some parents spend a lot less, as little as $10 for a “small DIY family affair,” others go all out.
- Overall, 20% of parents say they spend over $500 on kids’ parties.
- And one parent in the survey spent $7-thousand on their child’s party, which included catering, entertainment and a professional photographer.
- Millennial moms (between the ages of 28 and 43) tend to spend more, around $329, while Gen Z moms (those 27 and younger) spend about $276, according to the survey.
"We’ve noticed a clear trend toward birthday parties for children becoming bigger and more elaborate," explains Robin Hilmantel, senior director of editorial strategy at parenting site What to Expect. "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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