Party bags have become a staple of children’s parties, and over the years they have become more elaborate! When you’re young, it’s always exciting to be able to bring a bag of goodies home, but for parents it can be a bit of a headache coming up with good ideas!
Party bags, party favours or goody bags tend to be small bags that contain a selection of gifts for your guests to bring home.
It’s a nice touch to add to any kid’s party without breaking the bank. The problem is that assembling themcan be time-consuming (and if you’re not careful, costs can quickly escalate!)
For this reason, we’ve compiled our top tips for putting together amazing party bags that kids will love:
What to put in your party bags?
The main tip, when it comes to filling party bags, is not to overfill them. Choose 3 or 4 fun items that kids will enjoy.
1. Bubble Blowers
This is a classic party bag item but they can be messy. We recommend taking a few precautions:
- Wait until the kids are a bit older.
- Make sure you choose a brand of bubble blowers that don’t stain! In most cases, they are easy to wash but you’ll make your life easier by just checking the labels beforehand.
- Avoid getting spills in the living room by getting the kids to go outside to play with the bubbles (it’s always best to give out the party bags right at the end anyway so kids can take the mess with them!)
2. Stickers
Stickers are another staple of children’s party bags! They’re fairly easy to find and they come in all shapes and sizes which allows you to choose some that match your party theme. They are also a really cost-effective party bag item as you can buy large sheets and divide them up, or even buy bags of 3D stickers and split them up in the same way.
3. A themed item
Adding an item that matches your party theme is a great touch! For example, if you host a princess party, you can add a small tiara or a princess wand. It makes the party bags special and the kids tend to remember the items for longer.
4. Sweets
When you’re a kid, nothing beats the sugar rush of sweets (the same applies to grown-ups and chocolate…). Instead of buying additional sweets, the easiest solution is just to add those left over from the party. This also means you won’t have to hide the sweets from your highly resourceful and investigative kids!
5. Cake
If you have some leftover cake from the party, add a slice to the party bags. No one wants dry cake, so sharing will help reduce waste.
Pro tip: If the cake has icing, stick a toothpick in the top before wrapping it in a napkin. It will prevent the wrapper from sticking to the cake.
6. Costume items
If you have a themed party, why not include a costume item in the party bags? These can easily be found in stores or made at home. Keep it simple. For example, an eye patch or a bandana is perfect for a pirate party. (These could also be given out at the start of the party to wear and then taken home at the end).
7. Fun party masks
Consider adding themed masks to all the party bags. For example, superhero or animal masks. These will make for great group pictures! Look for masks that don’t cover the mouth area as kids don’t find these comfortable to wear.
8. Mini torches
This item is ideal if you’re having a sleepover party. When you’re a kid, using a torch in the dark is extremely entertaining. You can usually find some cheap ones in the local pound shop (look for keyring torches). You can also get ones that have shapes on the end, which make for fun shadows on the wall!
9. Joke or prank accessories
A whoopee cushion is an old favourite, but there are a number of other prank items that you can add to a party bag as well. Look out for them the next time you go shopping; you’ll be surprised at how many there are. Just be mindful of the age of the children you are providing pranks to!
10. Bracelet or jewellery
We favour bracelets over necklaces for obvious reasons, especially with younger children. If your guests are a bit older, a nice idea is to include the beads for a DIY bracelet. It’s always a fun activity for kids to do and you should be able to buy everything in bulk helping to keep costs down.
11. A cooking item or ingredient
A memory I have as a child is bringing home a spatula from a cooking party. Wooden ones are very cheap and they will most likely be in use for years. In my case, my parents used it much more than I ever did… but it was still “mine”. This would work really well for a baking-themed party!
12. Seeds for the garden
If you’re hosting a spring party, why not add a small pack of seeds for the kids to plant and watch grow? This is a growing trend, and is a great eco friendly party bag idea.
Pro tip: if you have a younger audience, choose seeds that grow fast and don’t require too much attention. Lentils are a classic example.
13. A group picture
For this one, you’re going to need a printer and some planning. During the event, take a group picture of all the guests, print it and add a copy to all the party bags.
Pro tip: keep in mind that printing 15 pictures can take 20 to 25 minutes. You’ll need to keep the kids busy during that time. If you have an entertainer coming, then you’re all set. If not, plan a party game for the kids that doesn’t need too much supervision. It might be helpful to assign someone who doesn;t have children at the party to help you with this task so that you know it will get done.
14. Puzzles or Jigsaws
In most shops, you should be able to find small puzzles or jigsaws. These are a great addition to any party bag. Just make sure the difficulty of the puzzle is appropriate for the kid’s age.
15. Pens, crayons and rulers
If you’re looking for presents that will be used, pens and crayons are a great option. You can find some very fancy ones in most stores. If they are very cheap, double check that they write properly! Little kids love a bit of glitter or sparkle if you can find something appropriate!
16. Yo Yo’s
Surprisingly, Yo Yo’s don’t seem to fall out of fashion. At a young age, learning how to use one is extremely entertaining. Just beware of the tangles that, as parents, you will have to undo.
17. Bouncy balls
Bouncy balls are another classic addition to any party bag. Just be warned: if they are bounced indoors “with passion” they can break things.
18. Balloons
Including some nice balloons is an easy way to add colours to the party bags. They are really cheap and fun for kids to play with after the party is over. You could also give out balloons you have used for decoration to save you from popping them all afterwards.
19. Hair slides or hair scrunchies
If your birthday guests are predominantly girls, adding hair slides or hair scrunchies will make everyone happy. This is perfect if you’re having a pamper party or a princess party.
20. Mini-games
There are plenty of simple mini-games that are perfect for party bags. Think along the lines of ‘Tic Tac Toe’ or ‘Snakes & Ladders’. You might want to check online for these as your local shops might not have any.
21. Small wallets
When you’re a kid, owning a wallet makes you feel grown up. This makes it a great gift to include in any party bag. If it’s big enough, it can even be used as the party bag itself.
22. Colouring pages
This is an easy DIY option as you can print off free colouring templates at home. It’s perfect for a younger audience and is a great way to tie in your party theme with your party bag.
23. Playdough
This is a great option for younger kids, and gives them something to ‘do when they et home and unwind from the party. Kinetic sand would be another similar idea and can often be bought in miniature pots.
24. Books
This idea was given to us by a Mum: If your child and his/her friends are avid readers, instead of getting a party bag, simply get them your kid’s favourite book.
We think this is a great idea. It won’t apply to every group, but it’s great when it does.
What NOT to put in party bags?
To assemble an amazing party bag, it’s just as important to exclude certain items.
1. Party whistles & Party recorders
You’ll thank us later…. party whistles get loud fast! Unless you want to prank the other parents, we suggest avoiding these altogether. This piece of advice is shared by most entertainers.
2. Slime
If you have (or your guests have) carpets at home, avoid these at all cost. They get everywhere and the stains aren’t fun to remove. Slime also accumulates (sticks to) dust which means it gets dirty fast. If you do want to add slime to the party bags, make sure you have some adult supervision, and make sure kids don’t open until they get home!
Things to keep in mind
Toy swords & guns
There isn’t anything inherently wrong with adding a sword, or other toy weapons to the party bags. Just make sure everyone knows the boundaries of these toys. Even foam can hurt.
Projectiles & flying toys
If you want to add items that are designed to be thrown, propelled or launched, make sure you establish a clear firing range. Some toy rockets fly surprisingly high so make sure they have a clear flight path.
Allergies
If you include food in the party bags, keep an eye out for allergies. Past a certain age, kids will know for themselves if they are allergic. For younger kids, the easiest solution is to chat with the other parents beforehand or ask for this information when they RSVP. As well as food allergies, consider allergies to latex balloons or any homemade additions like playdough.
Plan a few spare toys
If you include items that the kids are going to use during the party, plan a few spares. It’s also just a good idea to have slightly over what you need in case of any unexpected guests!!
Choose toys that are safe for the age group
It sounds obvious but makes sure the all the items are safe for the age group. For example, if you have a younger crowd, avoid small plastic items that they might swallow.
Avoid plastic bags
It isn’t always an option, but if you can, opt for paper or fabric bags instead of plastic ones. They look and feel nicer and the kids can re-use them later. For example, here at PartyWizz, we favour organza fabric bags.
Avoid the overfilled party bag “trap”
As we said at the start, don’t go overboard with the party bags. It’s better to have 2 or 3 nice items than 10 cheap items that kids don’t even play with. Keep it simple and keep it fun!
If you want some more party planning tips, check out our article on the ultimate kid’s party checklist.
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