Are you looking for cheap birthday party options or free places to have a birthday party for your child in Greenville, SC? Birthdays on a budget are totally possible. Here’s a list of local birthday party venues and services that cost less than $100 (some are even free).
For even more birthday party ideas be sure to see our Ultimate Guide to Birthday Parties in Upstate, SC.
Do you feel overwhelmed by the work involved in throwing a birthday party completely by yourself at home but don’t have the budget to spend hundreds on a venue or entertainment?
No worries! Here’s our list of cheap and inexpensive birthday parties to the rescue. We have several ideas for venues and entertainers that offer budget options under $100. Some of these parties are almost free and others include a venue and entertainment for a low fee.
This article does include information about our sponsors as well as other reader-recommended businesses in Greenville. Prices and details may change without notice.
Cheap Birthday Party Ideas: Greenville, SC
Mini Golf Party Package at McPherson Park
McPherson Park has a free and beautiful mini-golf course. So gather a few friends, some putters, and balls, enjoy the park, and make party planning easy. And, for just $75 you can have the City of Greenville help out with their Mini Golf Party Package! The package includes 20 putters, 20 balls, scorecards, and pencils. You can reserve your package on the City of Greenville reservation website. There are also shelters to rent, or if your party is small, there is ample shade to spread some blankets for a birthday picnic or tea party.
Local Parks
A popular way in the warmer months to save money on a birthday party is to rent a picnic shelter near a fun playground. The price is typically dependent on the area and the size of the pavilion, so a good way to save money is to look for small shelters at the nicer parks. Some great choices are:
Runway Park – Greenville’s Downtown Airport’s Runway Park shelter is popular due to its location right beside an active runway and its airplane-themed playground. The small shelter rents for just $90 for a two-hour rental on Fridays-Sundays to $60 for a three-hour rental on Mondays-Thursdays.
This playground is very hot and has little shade though so plan an evening party if your party is in one of the hottest months of the year, otherwise, you may find it too hot to really enjoy the play equipment.
See our review of Runway Park for more information.
Kids Planet at Century Park in Greer is also a great park to have your next affordable birthday party. They rent several picnic shelters in various sizes that are budget-friendly, all of which are located beside all the playgrounds. Your kids can play around the parks and come back for pizza and drinks at the picnic table. Shelter rental prices range from $20-$30 for small or large shelters if you are a resident of Greer, and $30-$40 for nonresidents. Rentals are for 2-hour time slots and must be reserved ahead of time.
Of course, there are many, many more picnic shelters available in town. You can find a complete list of the websites for information on these shelters in our Birthday Party Guide to Greenville.
There are also several Community Centers available for not much more than $100. One reader mentioned that the Bobby Pearse Community Center was great and even came with a kitchen and easy access to a playground.
Fire Stations
Some fire stations offer birthday parties for free, though a donation is typically requested. The best way to determine if your local fire station offers this benefit is just to call and ask. Plus, what kid doesn’t love a firefighter birthday party theme? Please note that this list is subject to change, but these local fire stations have allowed birthday parties in the past, though pricing is unknown.
- Tyger River Fire Department
- Roebuck Fire District
- Powdersville Fire Department
- Croft Fire Department
- Belmont Fire Department
Pepsi Party Pack
If you have a child turning 6, don’t forget to pick up their Pepsi Party Pack. This free special package is filled with tickets to area attractions and also includes supplies for a Pepsi Party. It’s completely free but there are only specific days that you can claim it. It comes with some simple party favors like soda, pencils, tattoos, and balloons to create the perfect birthday party at home.
Climb@Blue Ridge
KAG-Reader-recommended Climb@Blue Ridge offers parties at $12 per person with a minimum of 8 people. Bring your birthday cake or ice cream and party decor and enjoy 1 hour of climbing and 30 minutes of cake and presents at your kid’s next birthday bash!
Greenville Zoo
Though the Greenville Zoo is currently restructuring its birthday party packages, a cheaper and more informal option for a birthday is to purchase Greenville Zoo tickets. You can purchase adult tickets for $12 each, and children’s tickets for $9 each online. For a small birthday party of 5 kids and 4 adults, the total would be less than $100, and the zoo activities will make for a special day.
The adjoining Cleveland Park also has several small shelters (not the large ones right beside the big playground) available to rent for as little as $60/day or $40/half day.
Craft Stores
If you have a group of craft lovers looking for a place to create, then ReCraft Creative Reuse Center may be a good option for your kid’s birthday party. The center does not have birthday party packages specifically, but for a nominal fee of $7 per crafter, your kids can create from a collection of over 100 loose parts materials. Reservations can be made for up to 10 crafters by calling ahead of time.
Find out why we LOVE ReCraft Greenville in our Kidding Around Review!
Restaurants
Several fast-food restaurants offer party packages or will allow you to reserve a table and bring in a cake if you make prior arrangements for a simple birthday celebration.
Birthday Party policies and offerings vary from location to location, but Chick-fil-A is also a popular place to host a kids’ birthday. Their Taylors, SC Wade Hampton location has an indoor playground, which would be a good option for smaller parties.
SC State Park
An interesting birthday party idea for families who love the outdoors is visiting a SC State Park! You can have a huge picnic, and in the summer months play on the sandy beach at places like Paris Mountain State Park or Table Rock State Park.
Admission varies by location, but it is typically less than $20 for a family of 4. Plus, if anyone is a SC All Parks Passport holder, you can get your carload in for free! Paris Mountain State Park is a great option! It has a sandy beach, playground, large green space, easy hiking trails for kids around Lake Placid, and even volleyball. You’ll have the perfect birthday party relaxing in the sunshine and enjoying your friends and family.
Carolina Cheer
This indoor gym offers birthday parties for a gym venue rental fee + $6/child so if you have 10 kids, the cost is less than $100. Parents can bring in anything they like and Carolina Cheer provides tables, chairs, and tablecloths. They are located in Greer. *Note: We are still waiting on pricing confirmation or changes for 2024. Please contact Carolina Cheer directly for pricing.
If you live on the Spartanburg side of the Upstate, be sure to also check out our list of Inexpensive Birthday Parties in Spartanburg.
What inexpensive birthday party packages would you recommend in Greenville?
I’d like to mention that there is usually a Groupon for the Party Junction making their $109 package only $49.
https://www.groupon.com/deals/party-junction?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=us_mb_sea_ggl_txt_ttt_sr_cbp_ch1_nbr_k*party%20junction_m*p_d*greenville-RTC-Root_g*RTC-party-junction-PHRASE_c*212881829968_ap*1t1_t*kwd-11906443988&loc_physical_ms=9010658&loc_interest_ms=&template=ETA1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwKWr4b_N1QIVEh2BCh2Jqgt4EAAYASAAEgJ0pfD_BwE&fallback=true
I can’t remember how much it was, but we had my daughter’s 2nd birthday at Amanda Henry’s Popcorn Parlor on Augusta St. It was definitely under $100 and they provided all the tablecloths. There isn’t really room for games or anything but great for younger ages to gather and eat/open presents. You can also bring in whatever you want. AND they have a parking lot for your guests.
I’m looking to have a very cheap 1st birthday party for my about to be 1 year old. I have two boys 4 & 7 that are going to want to play but haven’t found somewhere that’s baby friendly.
Piano Central Studios is your best bet for an inexpensive party for a baby. They offer baby-friendly kindermusik parties. Otherwise, consider renting a pavilion at a local park. Your baby won’t care where the party is and your boys can play on the playground.
I am looking for a cheap party for my soon to be 3 year old. She loves paw patrol. Her last parties were at home but i wanted to try something new for her. Please help this mommy out
Maybe try renting a picnic shelter as it’s rather inexpensive for many nice parks or try to snag the Piano Central Studios deal if it becomes available! Thanks.
Kidszone drop in daycare in Greenville does birthday parties on Sundays. It’s $100 for up to 25 kids and includes 2 hours of unlimited play and assistance with set up and tear down
Another option that is really cool, unique, and would surprise kids would be if you threw them a virtual reality party. It’s still so new most kids haven’t done it yet, and your children definitely know about it. They get to play in virtual reality like a lot of their favorite YouTubers and have fun doing whatever they want. The only company I know of that does it is NUEVRO, and they bring everything out to your house and guide the kids through everything. Each person I talked with was super sweet too.
http://www.nuevro.com/
Are you guys positive about the most Greenville Zoo rates? I checked recently and I was told the most basic package was more than $300 even with zoo membership.