25 Items For A Perfect Budget

Aug 23, 2023

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed collects a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

You don't have to break the bank to throw an epic party — everything on this list is less than $40.

BuzzFeed Staff

And don't forget to grab the snow cone party kit!

Promising review: "I bought this for a birthday party, and it did not disappoint. It's not perfect, but it was loved by everyone. Adults and children. Buy it!!! You won't regret it." —tabitha c. m.

Get it from Amazon for $36.98+ (available in five styles).

Promising review: "This is how it looked in our pool. Easy to inflate, easy to apply Velcro tabs that are included . The float stayed together the entire time in the pool . The water was circulating the whole time , pool was full of floats and people . Very impressed. Would definitely recommend this product." —Polly

Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (also available in a "congrats" sign and an A–Z letter set).

Promising review: "Used this for my 29th birthday party. It was a hit. Sprinkled us with water all day while we floated around in the pool. Definitely not just for kiddos. Great for adults, too. I’m 5'10 and got the large, not the jumbo. Was still huge! Came with four yellow stakes to keep it from blowing away!" —Hara Serter

Get it from Amazon for $33.99+ (available in two sizes).

Promising review: "It's hard to reserve golf rounding times these days and most of the times we end the game after sunset. These balls are very pretty and goes great distance too. I love these balls flying so far at night." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in four styles).

Promising review: "Used these yesterday at a cookout. They were intended for the kids, but the adults had way more fun with them! I could never EVER imagine using traditional water balloons again. These work exactly as promised. Hook the main part to a hose or faucet, they will fill and disconnect or after a gentle shake. Protip: use a cooler or tote filled part way with water and have these resting in the water so when they fill and drop from the stem, they don't drop and break. I will 1000% be buying these again." —Peter F.

Get the balloons from Amazon for $24.20+ (available in four color schemes).

Promising review: "Super easy to set up, charge, pair, and listen. There’s a built-in loop, so I can attach it to my bike for outdoor cycling, a hook in the bathroom for steamy tunes, or my bag for picnics and hikes. Clear sound for listening to both music and spoken word (of course I tested both). Lovely color and sleek overall look with a range of over 30 feet. I can’t wait to bring this to the beach during the NYC summer months. True to product description." —Aminah

Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in eight colors, and in 18 hours of playtime and 24 hours of playtime).

Promising review: "These roasting sticks will get the job done. They retract easily and will be perfect for light use (roasting marshmallows) with our fire pit. Not extremely sturdy but not flimsy either. The metal points are not sharp which is a good thing if kids are handling them. I like the storage pouch it comes with too." —Sheri J. O

Get a set of five from Amazon for $6.95 (available in five styles and two lengths).

It's got the chill backyard vibes of cornhole (and is also played with two teams of two) but it's much lighter and easier to transport.

Promising review: "Like Horse Shoe tossing, this game can be played by toddlers to older adults with little to no ability. Great for backyard family fun. I especially like how easy it was to put together and take apart. The travel bag is excellent for transporting this cute party starter!" —Denise

Get it from Amazon for $18.49.

Swooc Games is a small business located in California that sells several types of outdoor games.

Promising review: "I haven't used this game outside yet, so I can't say how durable it is in outside conditions, but it is lovely and well- made. The two letters are different colors to differentiate a little further and the rope grid is of a very sturdy construction. I would highly recommend them. The game even came in a little carrying case!" —Morgan M.

Get it from Swooc Games on Etsy for $39.99 (originally $53.32).

Promising review: "This is great for keeping bugs away while you are outdoors. It’s easy to use and let’s out a small amount of smoke but you cannot smell it. I noticed a huge difference using it one day. Love it!!" —12catlady

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in 10 colors and in a pack of two).

The mister will cool the surrounding area by 20 degrees, and it comes with an interchangeable flower-shaped misting head for a fun, whimsy detail.

Promising review: "Works exactly how I want it to. Provides a fine, cool mist on the patio, allowing us to enjoy the backyard until sunset without breaking a sweat. Easy to set up. It was out of the box and cooling us off within minutes." —Debra L. Kusek

Get it from Amazon for $28.53+ (available in various quantity packs).

Promising review: "These are absolutely gorgeous next to my house where there is landscaping. The colors are so fun and bright and give off excellent light with a pattern that looks so cool in the dark! Very easy to assemble and fun to arrange. The light words right away and it comes with a battery that is recharged by the sun everyday! Great price!" —Robin G.

Get a pack of 12 from Amazon for $19.99.

Open Chest Activities is a small business located in New Zealand that sells digital downloads of customizable treasure maps.

Promising reviews: "This game was so much fun! We had a big family party and made two teams — girls and boys. The age range was from 3.5-16 (the younger kids just tagged along). We used the clues as is for the girls and for the boys we reversed the order of the clues so they don’t overlap while searching and cracking the code. We hid their clues in different places. We also printed a clue sheet for each child instead of one sheet for the team (placed in an envelope labeled “girls” and “boys”) and hid in their respective hiding spots and gave pens to every kid so that they all can participate. They all had so much fun and whichever team finished first had dibs on which king size chocolate bar they’d like. They said this was so much better than any other scavenger hunt they’ve played." —Soofia Tahir

Get it from Open Chest Activities on Etsy for $6.81.

Ace Horticultural Links is a small business based in California that sells live succulents and handmade items.

Get the ones that glow in the dark from Ace Horticultural Links on Etsy for $7.87+ (also available in ones that shine in the daylight).

Reviewers note that you should remove the bulbs before stringing up the strands and then install the bulbs.

Promising review: "I am loving my new lights! Just got them up in time for hanging out on the back deck for springtime. They give a great outdoor cafe feel to my back deck. I advise purchasing extra light bulbs when purchasing these lights. It comes with one extra, but they are extremely fragile/delicate. We ended up breaking four total during the hanging process." —charlee harris

Get a strand from Amazon for $13.24+ (available in four colors, six lengths, and two-pack options).

You can use them to play huge versions of your favorite dice games or even invent your own!

Promising review: "Summer is here and when my family stops by we spend time visiting outside in the yard. The Lawn Dice Set is a huge hit with my grandsons. We’ve played Yahtzee several times and love it. The dice are sturdy and the dry erase board is an excellent way to keep score. It comes in a nice little carrying case with handle, perfect to take with you anywhere. I highly recommend this product." —Pat

Get them from Amazon for $35.08.

Promising review: "I got these balloons for a backyard party. They are good quality balloons and the lights inside last longer than I expected. They were still blinking after 24 hours." —Renee C.

Get them from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in four styles).

BGI Crafts is a small Etsy business that sells charms and other craft supplies.

Get it from BGI Crafts on Etsy for $16.35 (originally $25.15; available in eight colors).

Promising review: "This is a really fun addition to any party or backyard barbecue or just when you’re hanging out late at night by yourself drinking a glass of wine and listening to your favorite tunes and feel the need to sing along! Do it!" —KM

Get it from Amazon for $14.39+ (available in 22 colors).

Promising review: "Pleasantly surprised at how vibrant theses lights were. I didn't have high hopes because our event was outdoors (backyard), so that's why I went with two lights, but we actually got a lot of effects with just one of the lights. We connected it to our bar pointing it toward the patio where the band was playing, and it lit up the whole area, even some of the yard. Looking forward to using them for all our parties and events." —Crystal

Get them from Amazon for $15.99

Promising reviews: "Used it for party and everyone loved it. All the adults wanted to try! Lol." —Lisa H.

Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in six styles/colors).

Promising reviews: "Love this game! Perfect for date night or any social gathering with friends!" —Amazon Customer

"If you want to have a good time, get this game. Definitely better than Buzzed and Cards Against Humanity. Seriously loved this game." —Karina R. M.

Get it from Amazon for $29.99.

Promising reviews: "These ice cream cups were a hit at my daughter's 5th birthday party; kids and adults took one home! They are durable and dishwasher friendly!" —Lady JB K.

Get six from Amazon for $10.97 (also available in a 12-pack).

Promising review: "Ordered this for my daughters 13th birthday bubble bash and I was worried at first because it’s small, DONT LET THAT FOOL YOU! This bubble machine made so many bubbles and even us adults were having a blast!!!! I’ve even talked my cousin into getting one for her kids. 10/10 recommend for any bubble party needs or just for your kids to have a blast with!" —Liz A.

Get it from Amazon for $27.99 (available in two colors).

Hanna Roberts is a small business located in Atlanta, Georgia that sells self care packs, stickers, and other customizable items.

Promising review: "My second time ordering from here and was again not disappointed!! Makes the cutest gifts for any event! Will always come back to this shop for these!" —Chloe

Get it from Hanna Roberts on Etsy for $2.25+ (originally $6.99; also available with a personalized sticker. You can also purchase just the empty bag and/or just the stickers and fill them yourself).

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.