After each kids’ party, we usually received a goodie bag containing one or more little goodies from the host. The goodies can be candies, bounce balls, bubbles, etc., to express thanks for joining the party and the time spent. Although delightful for the little ones, it can be a headache for the parents. Often, these goodie bags are filled with flimsy toys that easily break or candies. As a parent, you probably already know that goodie bags can easily go wrong. However, what can you buy with a $5 per kid budget? Here is our list of best kids’ party goodie ideas that parents and kids love!
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- 6 Pragmatic Steps to Prepare a Toddler’s Birthday Party with Timeline
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Table of Contents
Do I Need Goodie Bags?
The whole purpose of the kids’ Party goodie ideas is to thank people for coming and hope they bring some fun memory to home. You are not obligated to hand out goodie bags or party favors at your celebration, and if you have a tight budget or other concerns, escaping the goodies is normal. It is also an excellent option to make a small donation to a charity in honor of every child at the party.
Best Kids’ Party Goodie Ideas Principle
If you decide to go for the goodies, you need to control your budget for other things like decorations, food, drinks, games, activities, cake, etc.
My principle of the goodies are:
- No sugar
- Preferably pragmatic and educational
- Last for more than 1 year or can use immediately
- Able to recycle
Usually, I keep a goodie budget of less than $5 per person, either purchasing bulk and separating them or buying the raw material and made myself. There are many places where you can shop for party favors. I enjoy going into local stores and ordering online like Amazon, Aliexpress, Target, Temu, Shein, etc.
It is always good to combine the party activity and goody bag. For example, you can make a friendship bracelet during the party, dye a shirt, or make cake decorations.
15 Unique Kids’ Party Goodie Ideas Everyone Will Love
1. The Goodie Bag itself
The goodie bag itself is always tricky, and I wouldn’t say I like the plastic version and would like to keep the budget low. Therefore, allocating the budget to find a nice bag for kids is a good idea. You can choose a lunch bag or a pencil bag at a reasonable price and good quality! If you have a painting theme party, bringing back a self-design canvas bag is an even better idea.
In the kitchen
2. Ice cube maker
Who does not love the ice cube? Especially you can make different shapes as well! You can use the model to make ice or add fruit or other juice. It is a great summer gift for making ice cream as well.
In the bath
3. Bath Bombs
Bath bombs are made of baking soda, citric acid, and essential oils with dyes. It is generally safe and fun for kids in the bath time. If your kids have sensitive skin, then do not use it every day. Many products have indicated kids are safe, and with a small toy inside, it can match the birthday party theme. You can also make the bath bomb at the birthday party, which will be lots of fun!
Study
4. Organizers
Simple things can help organize kids’ tables clean and beautiful.
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5. Bookmarks
You can either buy the bookmark or design one, and I prefer to buy colorful paper and can draw the invitation cards with my design. But you can also purchase lovely bookmarks for kids.
STEM Toy
6. Rubix Cube
The Rubix cube helps train kids’ spatial ability and clear their minds while tackling puzzles. The cube is easy to carry and does not need a charger etc. It is also a perfect toy while you are waiting in the queue. Some kids are engaging with it and solving the puzzle faster and faster!
Art
7. Chalks or Markers
Chalks are one of my favorite gifts, and you can draw so many things with chalk.
Related Reading:
- Creative Things to Draw with Chalk
- Best Non-Toy Gift Ideas for Kids
- 50 Outdoor Activity Gifts for Kids in 2022
8. Mosaic stickers
Mosaic stickers are fun crafting materials for kids. It stimulates their practical abilities and develops their hand-eye coordination, interest in learning, and creative thinking. The gift is ideal for parents who want to do handicrafts with their kids.
Sports
9. Frisbee
If you have a spacious backyard, you can play during the birthday party and give them away as a gift at the party’s end.
10. Pool Noodle and beach towel
Like Frisbee, pool noodles can be great in summer for a swimming pool party, and bring it home. Like beach towels, you can also prepare according to the theme and give as a gift.
11. Personalized sports hats or headbands
Sports hats with a name or unique words are always good. Guests can easily remember the happy moments at the party.
12. Keychain
My son got his first “hockey keychain” gift from his hockey teammate, and he hung it on his sports bag like a team badge.
It mainly works for the sports team or a group of best friends. You can choose many styles, for example, pets, emojis, sports, rainbows, dancing, etc.
Food
13. Ice-cream coin
Kids will love to have a gift coin for the local ice cream shop. Make sure it is for the warm weather only!
14. Fruit
It is not boring at all! We have a local strawberry farm, and typically, I bring it to school to share with my daughter’s classmates for birthday celebrations. They were so excited about the delicious fresh strawberries!
Of course, you can mix it with nuts and dry fruit to make it a custom design for the special day.
15. Card Games
If you ask one hundred kids between 6 and 12 what their favorite birthday gift is, I can bet more than 60 kids saying it is a Pokémon card. It is so popular; they bring it to school, talk about it, play with it, and exchange it on the playground. It is almost a social currency among kids. I knew they were not cheap, but 5 Pokémon cards per kid could make them happy and put them in their collection book. However, except for the Pokémon card, there are also memory games, old maid, fish, etc., to start with a goodie bag quickly. Fun for the whole family!
Final Thoughts from Pragmatic Lifestyle
Hopefully, you are now armed with the right goodie ideas. Enjoy the birthday party and enjoy the goodies!
About Me
Hi, there. I am Lin. Together with my husband and two kids, we live in the beautiful Netherlands in Europe. I am dedicated to self-development, creating quality time for the whole family, and fully supporting kids with their potentials and possibilities with all I have learned from engineering, MBA, and 10+ years of working experience in the energy sector.
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