Kelly Kepley’s backyard is birthday party central for her children, Tommy, 8, and twins Grace and Will, 6. With a number of at-home parties already under their belts, the Kepley children know that the best parties need creativity, not credit.

Throwing a birthday party need not break the bank. And although it may require extra work, a memorable party can be designed to match almost any childhood interest without causing budgetary havoc.

“We always do backyard parties,” said Kepley, a Columbia resident.

For Tommy’s most recent birthday, Kepley held a movie night.

“It was the coldest January day we’ve had,” she said.

But Kepley wasn’t deterred. Armed with a fire pit and a projection screen her husband often uses for work, she told guests to prepare for the cold.

“I told the parents to bundle them up and they brought their sleeping bags,” she said. “We watched ‘Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs’ and grilled hot dogs.”

Party favors were popcorn boxes filled with candy and popcorn.

“It was fun,” she said. “We stayed outside the whole time.”

Beki Miller takes a similar approach for birthday celebrations for her children, Joshua, 5, and Daniel, 3, but she alternates years in which the children have a big party.

“Daniel had the big party this year and Joshua is having a family party,” Miller said.

Joshua chose the theme for his party — bugs — and Miller was happy to oblige.

“We are going to have a hot dog roast and make s’mores and trek through the woods,” she said.

The party will take place at Miller’s Columbia home and will include a homemade caterpillar cake and such snacks as ants on a log (raisins and peanut butter on celery) and butterflies (apple slices). Because he is having the smaller party this year, Joshua will only invite a few friends to join in the family celebration.

“I used to be a teacher, so if I have a theme I can go with almost anything,” she said. “It’s amazing what you can find when you type in ‘bug birthday party.’”

Miller doesn’t allow birthday parties to overshadow the lessons her family teaches the remainder of the year.

“One thing we don’t do is that we don’t give gifts to the other child,” Miller said. “This is his brother’s day and it’s about him. We are trying to keep it low key. We try very hard to steer clear of materialism.”

And with many families reaching new levels of budget consciousness, some of the old notions of annual blowout celebrations are being overhauled.

Katie Rook, manager of Be Beep, A Toy Shop, said many of her customers are opting to rein in the costs of birthday parties.

“They are inviting less children, not the whole class, but a few friends,” Rook said. “A lot of people are doing parties at home and trying to cut back.”

Party favors and goodie bags are also being revamped by budget-conscious parents, with quality replacing quantity, according to Rook. Her customers buy fewer, nicer items rather than bags filled with cheaply made toys.

Miller has made that change with her children’s parties.

“The toys were so cheap,” Miller said. “They would just fall apart within minutes.”

For the bug-themed party, Miller bought each guest a butterfly net and a bug house.

“I decided to get one or two things they can keep and that will last a little bit,” she said.

Kepley is trying to start a movement — at least among her friends —that would do away with goodie bags. While they were unheard of just a few years ago, many young guests have come to expect a sack filled with trinkets and candy.

“I really don’t do party favors,” Kepley said. “I think that’s overrated and another expense that parents need to stop doing.”

Instead, Kepley provides crafts, such as rain sticks and headdresses at her children’s Native American-themed party, or memory-making activities, such as a hayride, at a farm-themed party.

“We try to make the day special without spending a fortune,” she said. “It’s what you set their expectations to be. We’re always doing backyard parties. I kind of let them come up with some of the ideas and just go with it.”

Kepley also saves money by making birthday cakes at home. From a popcorn box cake for Tommy to the twins’ boy and girl cowboy boot cakes and football and stadium cakes (for a football player/cheerleader party), her ideas match the party’s theme. She finds cake-decorating ideas online.

Miller has turned to her cake-baking friends to provide that portion of the celebration.

“I said, ‘Will you just let that be your contribution to the birthday party instead of a gift?’” Miller said.

Though planning a party on a budget may seem overwhelming at first glance, Miller said the key is finding the right resources. She gets her best party ideas by talking with friends and searching the Internet.

“I’m not creative at all,” she said. “One of the things teachers learn to do is we see a good idea and take it for ourselves.”

Themes and ideas for birthday parties on a budget

Not sure what kind of a party your child might enjoy? Katie Rook and Beki Miller suggested some themes and ideas to discuss with your child.

• Safari
• Circus
• Cars
• Fairies
• Clowns
• Pirates
• Fire fighters
• Dress-up
• Slumber parties
• Mani-pedi parties for girls
• Movie nights for all ages

Want to learn more?

For party theme and cake ideas, visit these websites:

• www.familyfun.go.com
• www.marthstewart.com
• www.bhg.com/recipes/desserts/cakes