Party on a Budget: Craft Photo Booth Props for Under $10
Create professional-looking party entertainment with dollar store supplies that deliver hilarious photos
Photo booth rentals for parties cost $200-400 for a few hours, and even buying pre-made props online runs $30-50 for a basic set, which feels excessive for cardboard cutouts on sticks that guests will use for five minutes. The secret that party planners don't want you to know is that professional-looking photo booth props are incredibly easy to make from dollar store supplies for less than $10 total, and honestly yours will probably be more creative and personalized than anything you'd rent. Creating your own props takes about an hour and gives you 10-12 pieces that work just as well as expensive versions while costing approximately the price of a fancy coffee. The real magic happens when guests start getting silly with oversized mustaches and champagne glasses, creating candid photo moments that capture the actual fun of your party rather than stiff posed shots—and you get to keep these props forever for future celebrations instead of returning them after one use.
What You'll Need
- Poster Board: Black and gold poster board from dollar store ($2)
- Wooden Dowels: Package of craft dowels for handles ($1)
- Glitter Supplies: Glitter cardstock, glue stick, and loose glitter for embellishments ($3)
- Adhesive: Hot glue gun with glue sticks for attaching handles ($1 for sticks if you own gun)
- Accessories: Oversized sunglasses, party hats, or other fun dollar store finds ($2-3)
- Backdrop: Metallic fringe curtain or use existing string lights ($1 if purchasing)
- Tools: Scissors, pencil for tracing, markers for details
Step-by-Step Method
- Sketch your prop designs on paper first to work out sizing and shapes—speech bubbles, mustaches, lips, bow ties, champagne glasses, and numbers are classic choices
- Draw shapes directly on poster board using pencil, making props slightly oversized so they're visible in photos—mustaches should be 8-10 inches wide, speech bubbles 12-14 inches
- Cut out all shapes carefully with scissors, taking your time on curves and details because clean edges make props look professional rather than rushed
- Decorate props with glitter borders, metallic details, or messages like "Happy New Year!" and "2026" using markers or glitter glue for sparkle
- Layer glitter cardstock cutouts onto poster board bases for dimensional details—gold stars on speech bubbles, silver accents on glasses frames
- Attach wooden dowels to the back of each prop using hot glue, positioning handles off-center so props balance naturally when held up
- Create a simple backdrop by hanging a metallic fringe curtain or positioning string lights against a plain wall where lighting is good for photos
- Display finished props in a decorative container near your photo area so guests can easily grab them and get silly throughout the evening
Event photographers recommend making props double-sided when possible—put different designs on front and back using glitter cardstock glued to both sides of your poster board base. This gives guests more variety without requiring twice as many props, and it prevents that awkward moment when someone accidentally holds a prop backward showing just blank cardboard. Also, create at least two of your most popular props like mustaches and lips because multiple people always want to use these simultaneously for group photos. The key to props that actually get used is making them genuinely funny and slightly absurd rather than tasteful and subtle—guests need permission to be ridiculous, and oversized silly props provide that excuse. Store your finished props flat in a large envelope or portfolio case after the party so they're ready for next year's celebration without getting bent or damaged.