Celebrating a Culver City Kid's Birthday

Everybody loves a deal, and each week we’ve got five deals in Culver City made especially for families. This week, it’s all about celebrating kids’ birthdays without breaking the bank.

Location: A Culver City Park

When you’re planning a party for your kid, you need to start with a great spot to have it. While there are lots of choices, the best bargain is to have the party at one of Culver City’s 11 great parks. Kids can run around and wear themselves out and—best of all—you don’t even have to clean your house. Veteran’s Park picnic area can accommodate up to 100 people and the fee is a mere $55 for Culver City residents. All other parks rent out picnic space for $30 per 25 people in attendance. Reserve park space ahead of time by contacting the Parks and Recreation Office.

Office of Parks and Recreation, 9505 Jefferson Blvd.; (310) 253-6655

Bouncy House Rental, Balloons & Piñatas: Ceci’s Party Supplies

For kids of a certain age, a bouncy house and a group of little buddies is all they need for a great party. Plus, bouncing non-stop for several hours really wears them out and they will sleep like little angels all night long. What more could a parent want?

And you can’t very well have a party without balloons and a piñata. Ceci’s has great prices on all your party decorations. Bouncy Houses are $75 (including delivery), balloons are $7 to $8/dozen, and the piñatas range from $16 to $18. Bonus: They’re huge.

Ceci’s Party Supplies, 12131 Washington Place, Suite B; (424) 228-5770

Goodie Bag Supplies: 99-cent Depot

A swag bag is not only something that Oscar presenters can expect; these days all school children know they’ll leave their classmate’s birthday with a little goodie bag full of treats. So if you don’t want to disappoint them, but you also don’t want to spend too much, you have to head for this discount store. There are tons of toys here that will delight the children you’re buying for, and you can get them all—including the little bags themselves—for a great price. Plus there are loads of craft supplies if you want to have a fun arts and crafts station for the kids at your party.

99-cent Depot, 5711 Sawtelle Blvd.; (310) 391-4578

Lunch: Grandma Lucia’s Pizza

I know it’s a cliché, but kids love pizza, and parents will love Grandma Lucia’s pizza, because they deliver (even to parks), and they bring you two pizzas for the price of one. Two large cheese pizzas for $15.50—you gotta love that deal.

Grandma Lucia’s, 9030 Venice Blvd. (310) 838-0331 

The Cake: Costco Sheet Cake

I know what you’re thinking, but this is no ordinary grocery store sheet cake. For the low price of $17.99, Costco makes a cake that serves 48 and tastes delicious. Trust me on this, as a veteran of many, many kids’ parties. You can choose the type of cake, the fillings and frosting you like, and they’ll even personalize it for you.

Costco, 13463 Washington Blvd. (310) 754-2003

Have a happy, and affordable, birthday.

Sarah Auerswald is the blogger behind Mar Vista Mom and a co-Founder of Moms LA.