Tag: birthday party

  • Extra Income for Stay-at-Home Parents: Creating Birthday Party Itineraries

    Extra Income for Stay-at-Home Parents: Creating Birthday Party Itineraries

    Remember the last birthday party you threw for your little one? All those hours scrolling Pinterest, the late nights cutting out decorations, and the frantic day-of preparations? What if I told you that expertise could actually bring in some extra cash?

    Your Party Planning Superpower

    As parents, we’ve all been there – juggling crying toddlers while trying to stuff goodie bags the night before a party. The truth is, you’ve already mastered skills that other parents desperately need! Your experience navigating the chaos of children’s birthday parties is incredibly valuable.

    Think about it – you know which games actually keep kids engaged (and which ones lead to meltdowns). You’ve figured out which snacks get eaten and which end up squished into the carpet. These hard-earned insights can become your ticket to earning extra income from home.

    Selling Sanity: Birthday Party Itineraries

    Start by creating detailed party plans that save other parents from reinventing the wheel. Include:

    • A realistic timeline that accounts for kid attention spans
    • Games that don’t require a PhD to explain
    • Food that won’t result in sugar-crash tantrums
    • Decoration ideas that won’t break the bank

    Your itineraries should feel like getting advice from a friend who’s been there, done that, and knows all the shortcuts. Parents will pay for your wisdom because you’re not just selling a schedule – you’re selling peace of mind.

    From Digital to Physical: Crafts and Goodies

    Remember the last-minute panic of “Wait, what are we sending home with the kids?!” This is where you can really expand your business.

    Create craft kits that:

    • Keep little hands busy during that awkward party lull
    • Result in something parents won’t immediately throw away
    • Actually match the skill level of the age group

    Then add gift bags that:

    • Contain things kids will genuinely enjoy
    • Won’t have parents secretly cursing you for the noise-making toys
    • Feel special without costing a fortune

    Getting This Party Started

    1. Start by documenting your own child’s next party – take notes on timing, what worked, what flopped
    2. Create one amazing themed itinerary and test it on friends
    3. Take cute photos of the results for social media
    4. Join local parent groups and casually mention your service when someone asks for party ideas
    5. Partner with other parents who might want to contribute (that friend who makes amazing cupcakes, anyone?)

    The best part? This business grows with you. Start small with digital downloads while your kids are younger, then scale up to physical products as you have more time. You’ve already done the hard work learning these skills – now let them work for you!

  • Turning Seasonal Craft Kits Into a Profitable Side Hustle

    Turning Seasonal Craft Kits Into a Profitable Side Hustle

    Let’s be honest—most parents are desperate for activities that’ll keep their kids busy without involving screens! Seasonal craft kits are a goldmine if you love making things and need extra cash. You’re basically packaging up crafty skills into grab-and-go kits that frazzled parents can use during holidays or birthday parties without the stress of hunting down supplies or figuring out instructions.

    Halloween is a perfect time to sell these kits. Start with simple pumpkin decorating packages (way less messy than carving!), ghost garlands, and spooky suncatchers that kids can make themselves. The trick is making sure they’re age-appropriate and actually turn out cute—nobody wants to spend money on a craft that looks terrible when it’s finished! You can typically charge between $8-15 for individual kits, but birthday party packages for 8-10 kids can easily go for $20-30. Parents happily pay this to have a ready-made activity that keeps a group of sugar-hyped children engaged!

    The beauty of this hustle is you don’t need to go all-in right away. Start with just one holiday and see how it goes! Many successful craft kit creators have a “seasonal rotation”—focusing on Halloween in fall, Christmas stuff in December, Valentine’s in February, and outdoor crafts when summer hits. This approach lets you reuse some basic supplies while keeping your offerings fresh and relevant.

    The best part? The marketing is super fun! Just snap some photos of finished projects (borrow friends’ kids if needed!) and post them on social media or local mom groups. Partner with a children’s boutique in your neighborhood to display seasonal kits near their register. Even better, do a few demonstrations at local events where parents can see how simple and engaging the kits are. The light bulb moment when a mom realizes she can entertain her kids without planning or cleanup? That’s when you make a sale! Plus, you can create inventory during evening Netflix time, which works perfectly around family schedules.

    Example Craft Kit: “Spooky Lantern” Halloween Kit

    Kit Contents

    Materials Included:

    Pricing Strategy

    • Cost to produce: $4.50 per kit (when materials purchased in bulk)
    • Retail price: $12.99 individual kit
    • Party package: $89.99 for 8 kits ($11.25 each) with bonus Halloween-themed tablecloth

    Marketing Points

    • Age range: Suitable for children 5-12 (younger children may need assistance)
    • Completion time: Approximately 30-40 minutes
    • Skill development: Fine motor skills, following instructions, creative expression
    • No additional tools needed: Everything included for immediate crafting
    • Reusable: LED light can be turned on nightly throughout the season

    Key Selling Features

    • Mess-free crafting: No paint, no cutting required
    • Impressive results: Looks store-bought when completed
    • Indoor activity: Perfect for rainy October days
    • Photo-worthy: Creates Instagram/social media-worthy moments
    • Educational elements: Includes fun Halloween facts on instruction card

    Display Ideas for Craft Fairs or Partner Stores

    • Completed lantern with light glowing
    • Before and after photos showing simple assembly
    • “Make and Take” workshop opportunities
    • Bundle with other Halloween-themed kits for discounted seasonal packages

    Start Small

    Starting a craft kit business doesn’t require a huge upfront investment – you can absolutely begin with just $50 and smart planning. Use those initial funds to purchase basic supplies like cardstock, tissue paper, glue sticks, and inexpensive embellishments from dollar stores or craft store sales. Focus on creating 10-15 simple kits that require minimal cutting and assembly on your part, packaging them in clear cellophane bags with printed instructions on regular paper.

    Market these starter kits through local Facebook parent groups or neighborhood apps at an attractive price point, emphasizing their screen-free entertainment value.

    As orders start coming in, set aside 30-40% of your profits specifically for equipment upgrades. After selling around 30-40 kits, you’ll likely have enough to invest in a Cricut machine ($200-300), which becomes a game-changer by dramatically reducing your production time and allowing for more intricate designs that command higher prices.

    This gradual scaling approach lets the business fund its own growth while you test market demand without financial risk, eventually enabling specialty purchases like custom packaging, higher-quality materials, and even subscription box shipping supplies that transform your kitchen table operation into a streamlined side hustle.

  • How to Start a Profitable Birthday Party Treat Bag Business from Home

    How to Start a Profitable Birthday Party Treat Bag Business from Home

    Why Parents Need Professional Party Favor Services

    Parents often scramble to assemble party favors the night before their child’s birthday celebration, turning what should be a fun detail into a last-minute stressor. This common oversight creates the perfect opportunity for your side hustle: creating custom, thoughtfully designed gift bags that save parents time while delighting young party guests.

    Starting a gift bag service requires minimal upfront investment. Begin by researching popular themes and characters, then source affordable bulk items like small toys, stickers, candy, and craft supplies from dollar stores or online wholesalers. The real value you provide comes from thoughtful curation and presentation—matching items to specific themes, age-appropriateness, and creating an eye-catching presentation that makes parents look good.

    Marketing your service is straightforward: create sample bags to photograph for social media, partner with local party venues or bakeries, and offer early-bird discounts to encourage advance booking. Consider tiered pricing options, from basic bags to premium collections with personalized items. Parents will gladly pay $5-15 per bag to cross one more task off their party planning list, especially when you deliver ready-to-distribute favors that make their child’s special day even more memorable.


    Example: Dinosaur Treat Bags

    Let’s look at some specific examples of party favor bags at different price points to help you visualize the possibilities and profit margins.

    Dinosaur Party Bag – $10 per bag

    Total Cost – $4.25 per bag

    Total Profit per bag – $5.75

    For a party of 15 children, you’d make $86.25 in profit for approximately 1-2 hours of shopping and assembly time.


    How to Start Your Birthday Party Treat Bag Business

    Getting started with a party favor business is simpler than you might think. Follow these steps to turn this opportunity into a profitable side hustle:

    1. Research Your Local Market

    Before investing in supplies, spend time researching what parents in your area want. Check local Facebook parenting groups, birthday party venues, and even ask friends with children about their pain points when it comes to party favors.

    2. Define Your Offerings

    Start with 3-5 popular themes that have broad appeal (superheroes, princesses, dinosaurs, unicorns, sports). For each theme, create:

    • Basic package ($5-8 per bag)
    • Standard package ($8-12 per bag)
    • Premium package ($12-20 per bag with personalization)

    3. Source Your Supplies

    Build relationships with suppliers for consistent quality and pricing:

    • Dollar stores for basic items
    • Amazon or Alibaba for bulk purchases
    • Craft stores for packaging materials
    • Local print shops for personalized items

    4. Create Sample Bags

    Invest in creating 1-2 sample bags for each theme and price point. These will serve as your portfolio and help set expectations with clients.

    5. Set Up Simple Systems

    Even small businesses need organization:

    • Create a basic order form for clients to fill out
    • Develop a pricing calculator spreadsheet
    • Establish a timeline (require orders 7-10 days in advance)
    • Set up a simple booking calendar

    6. Market Your Service

    Focus on where parents of young children spend their time:

    • Join local parenting Facebook groups
    • Partner with party venues and bakeries (offer commission)
    • Create an Instagram account showcasing your creations
    • Offer referral discounts to existing customers

    7. Deliver A Special Experience

    The key to growth is exceeding expectations:

    • Include a thank you note with every order
    • Add small surprise upgrades occasionally
    • Request testimonials and photos from satisfied customers
    • Follow up after parties for feedback