Party planner Lucy Riles shows moms how to throw a birthday party that's good for the environment ... and good for your pocketbook!

Lucy Riles: What young child doesn't love the outdoors and getting a little dirty? Here's one way to throw your child's next birthday party AND help planet Earth!

Here's what you do:

Contact your local State Park: Tell them you are throwing an eco-friendly birthday party for your child and would like to come down and plant trees. Make sure to contact the State Park 4-5 weeks prior to the party.

Eco-Friendly Invitations: Make your invitations from old newspaper, maybe from the comics section. In marker, write out the details to the party. Send the invites with your daughter or son to school to hand-deliver. If you want something sturdier, you could also cut up cardboard from your last case of pop (yes, pop! I'm from the Midwest) and write the invites on that -- tree-shaped cards would be appropriate. And if the kids are older and have e-mail addresses, you can always send an Evite. Make sure the invitation specifies what you will be doing so they can dress accordingly.

Eco-Friendly Favors: Each child receives a tree to plant in the park. As a take-home party favor, you can give each child an eco-friendly canteen and a set of gardening tools, which they will use to plant their tree. Also, send the kids home with some flower seeds to plant in their backyard.

At the Park: First, check with the park ranger to find out what area is best to plant your trees. After the tree is planted, use the water from a nearby river or lake. If there's no body of water, you can bring your own water, but only in a container ... no water bottles allowed! Once you are finished, go for a hike around the park, pointing out different types of trees, how old they might be, and maybe even leave some time for climbing a tree. If this is a larger group, be sure there are enough adult supervisors for the hike. After the hike, settle down in a grassy area for a picnic where you can sing "Happy Birthday" and eat some cupcakes. No cake for this eco-friendly party ... paper plates and plastic spoons are not allowed!

Do you have any tips for throwing an eco-friendly birthday party? Connect with Lucy in the momlogic community!

Lucy Riles is an LA-based party planner. Being the youngest of 12 children, Lucy and her mom were always coming up with new, exciting ways to throw a great party on a budget!