10 Kids Party favors that aren't junk

10 Practical and Useful Party Favors For Kids That Aren't Junk

10 Practical and Useful Party Favors For Kids That Aren't Junk

When it comes to birthday parties for kids, one of the many things on your to-do list is to plan top party favors. These little tokens of appreciation are a way to extend the joy of the birthday celebrations beyond the event itself.

Whether it's a princess party for your little girl or a construction themed bash for your son's birthday party, or to give all the kids at a wedding. A party favors bag can add to make the day special for all the young guests. From colorful goody bags to a treasure box filled with toys and trinkets, the options are endless when it comes to delighting the little ones.

Having perfect party favors for kids is not just about filling up party bags; they're about adding an extra layer of fun and excitement to the festivities. Temporary tattoos, art supplies, stickers, and small toys are popular choices, providing a fun activity for kids to enjoy long after the party ends. But have you thought about gifting keepsake party favors? Something that will last longer and have more meaning. 

party planning checklist

free party planning checklist

If you're anything like me, returning home after your little kids have been to other kids birthday party often leaves you with a goodie bag full of surplus of cheap, plastic trinkets that serve no purpose beyond cluttering up the house.

Beyond the obvious environmental impacts of the manufacture and the disposal of them in our landfills I never felt comfortable giving these out at my kids party’s.

I have compiled a list of thoughtful and practical list of the best goodie bag stuffers to celebrate your kids birthday party that are better for the environment and are more useful and practical for your guests.

Before you finish reading all these ideas also make sure you download my FREE kids party planning checklist below!

Best Party Favors For Kids: 

What to put in goody bags

scratch art pack

1.     Scratch Art Packs: These come in packs of 15 and are perfect your party bags for a creative party for creative toddlers and kids

 

 

 

2.    Road Tape Party Favors. If you are having a car, train, construction or hot wheels inspired party theme giving all the kids my road tape is a great gift that will give them many hours playing at home. My Toy Car Storage also makes a great gift for a toddler or birthday boy!

 

race car party favors
Planning a party soon? Enter your email address below to enter to win 20 rolls of road tape. Entry will be drawn on Oct 31st and the winner notified by email. 

Enter to win 20 rolls of Road Tape for your next party!

* indicates required

 

 

tic tac toe game

 3.     Mini Tic Tac Toe Games: These cute felt tic tac tow games are great for taking traveling as they come in a small pouch and come in packs of 12 or 30

 

 

personalized stickers

4.    Stickers: Personalize your own stickers like these from Sticker Mule for your own customized party favors for kids. Make a sticker of your kids face or a sheet or a larger round sticker with your child’s name and age. Temporary tattoos personalized with your kids face would also be super fun!

 

Nikki stix

 5.     Wikki Stix Packs: Comes in a pack of 20 and each pack has activity sheets, great for younger children goodie bags.

 

 

 6.    Rainbow Magic Wands: Also great for younger kids these sweet rainbow wands are a perfect handmade party favors for some magically pretend play fun and make a lovely colorful boys or girls party favors.

 

animal masks

 

7.     Animal Masks: These different animal felt masks come in packs of 24 and are great for pretend play!

 

 

watercolor paint kit
8.    Watercolor Painting Kids: Comes in packs of 20. Using the paint blocks at the side of the coloring pages fill in the pictures

 

 

 

crayon rock favors
9.    Crayons: Check out these great Rainbow Rock Crayon Mini Bags from Art 2 The Extreme. Lovely colorful crayons in gift bags that are multicolored and look like gems! Also my Crayon Roll is a perfect gift for little ones

 

 

 

kinetic sand
10. Kinetic Sand: 12 pack in a cute castle mold. This is always a favorite with my kids!

 

 

 

 

Bonus Idea: Another great birthday party favors idea for a car themed party is my Alphabet and Number Road Trace Activity books!

 

road trace activity book by So handmade

Do Kids Need Party Favors?

No! It is definitely ok to skip party favors altogether. Rather concentrate on giving a fun filled party all the guests will enjoy and remember. Although some party guests expect to receive goody bags I don't think giving these little gifts on your special day should be the priority.

As a mom myself I would much prefer my kids not to receive party bags full of candy and useless plastic trinkets. I think that a fun party is much more important. Or if you want you can give just one gift that is more thoughtful and useful is much more important.

Kindergarten party favors:

Sending birthday goodie bags for school is unnecessary but if you have a small enough class sending in cupcakes or other treats is a lovely way to celebrate the big day. Back to school party favors are also a fun idea to celebrate the start of the new school year. 

What to Pack in a Kids Party Pack?

I like to think about it in terms of a budget first. Once you have a budget and have divided this by the number of guests who will be receiving a goody bag.

 Then I like to include some of the items below as non junk party favors, here are a few ideas for kiddies party packs and birthday party favor kits:

  • 1 Creative Toy (for drawing, play doh for sculpting etc)
  • 1 Game (like tic, tac, tow etc)
  • 1 Imaginary Play Toy (for example something for dress up like a wand or a mask or a super hero cape)
  • 1 Item that has the birthday kids name on it. Like personalized stickers or a fun note that says 'Thanks for coming to my party!'
  • 1 edible party favor for kids such as a a healthy snack
  • 1 educational party favors for kids like a matching game or a small activity book

I like using plain brown Kraft bags as homemade party favors for kids to pack the party favors in. The birthday kids decorate each one with birthday party favor sayings for their friends using colored crayons and stickers. You can also make personalized party favors and add cards thanking your friends for coming to the birthday party.

***With any fun treats and consumable party favors make sure you check that no kids attending have any food allergies***

Baby Party Bag Ideas

For 1st birthday party favor ideas as the children will mostly be around the same age as the one year old I suggest one toy is plenty. Make sure the 1st birthday party bags filler is safe for that age group and easy for them to hold. For example my rainbow wand is a fun and safe toys for that age group. 

 

girl holding rainbow magic wand

My Rainbow wand is also the perfect party favors for two year olds 

What Goes in a Party Bag for 3 Year Olds?

When looking for birthday party favours ideas, it's essential to consider the ages and interests of the guests. For younger children, simple toys are ideal, while older kids may appreciate more interactive gifts or themed prizes.

Preschool birthday goodie bag ideas:

Some ideas for 3 year old party or 4th birthday party favors: temporary tattoos, stickers, pretend play toys. You can follow the theme of the party. 

Childrens gift bag ideas:

Here are some fun ideas for treat bags:  decorate with my road tape to create your own bespoke party favor packaging! For unusual party favors you can also think of some fun alternative party bag ideas like using a bucket as a container at a summer party.

party bags for race car birthday
Birthday Swag Bag Ideas

Guests Bring Items to Swap

A lovely idea for fun party favors and unique party favors is to ask guests to bring something to swap. This could be instead of bringing gifts if you wish. Each party guest brings something and gets to choose from all the other things guest bring to take home and give it a new beginning. This is a fun party activity as the kids get to choose what to swap.

For example birthday giveaway ideas for kids:

  • Cars: At a race car or construction birthday party guests can bring 5 of their hot wheels cars and bring 5 different ones home
  • Books: Have each invitee bring a book and choose a book from the collection to bring home. This is a great  give away gifts for birthdays as books are always fun and easy to swap.
  • Art: interesting diy kids party favors is to have everyone bring a painting or make one at the party and then they can bring one home 
  • These are great free party favors if you have a tight budget 

Other Birthday Party Ideas

Here are some fun party activities for kids to do at the event:
giant coloring page with kids coloring it
  • A fun party activity is to create a huge train track or road way for the kids to play with toy cars or trains on. Use my road or train tape to create an imaginary small world.

train party favors
  • You can also use this road or train tape for party decorations to decorate the table or party space. Check out this amazing construction birthday party using my road tape. This tape also makes great boys party favor ideas

  • A fun way to disperse children's party gifts is to have a treasure box full of party giveaways and prizes and create a simple scavenger hunt or a map to find it. 
  • For my son's 6th birthday party favors we used a Star Wars theme and gave everyone pool noodle light sabers which they could take home with them. 

Seasonal Celebrations

For hosts planning a summer birthday bash, consider incorporating cool party favors that tie into the season for your kids parties. For cool.party bag ideas how about a beach theme party with beach-themed treats such as ice cream cones to insects-catching kit, to pool party goody bag ideas there are plenty of options to suit the sunny weather and keep the kids entertained. A tea party is also a really cute theme to use.

Having a montessori style party? Shop our selection of montessori party favors here

TOP PARTY FAVOR TIP! 

ALWAYS make sure you add an extra couple of goody bags in case any 'extras' turn up such as unexpected siblings or for party favors for kids nearby. 

Best Tween Party Favors Ideas: 

Ideas for 8 - 10th birthday party favors for tweens

  • Squishmallows
  • Art Supplies
  • Chapstick
  • Glow Sticks
  • Keychains
  • Playing Cards
  • Yahtzee Game

These also work as good party favors for teens too!

Or go for an adventure theme and give 'explorer' party gifts such as a compass, flashlight, magnifying glass and other outdoor adventure gifts- this is a great idea for the 8 to 10 year old boy party favors. 
Favors for teenage parties: 13 year old party favors could include gifts around the party theme- for example for a teen party for teen girls you could give out bracelets for a Taylor Swift themed party.

party favors & games

Adult Party Bag Fillers: Having adult party favors at weddings or bachelorette parties can also be a fun way to celebrate your friends. Some of these party souvenir ideas such as personalized stickers could also work really well for inexpensive party favors for adults. Think of some unusual party bag fillers or high end party favors that will mark the occasion. Funny party favors for adults might include party favor t-shirts, stickers, old photos of the guests turned into keychains or on mugs!

Birthday's To Remember!

In conclusion what makes a party isn’t the party favors it’s a memorable and fun filled special day! Party favors can add a little extra creativity and excitement for the party goer.

It’s also a handy way of telling everyone that the party is over. Instead of telling the sugar filled toddler ‘it’s time to go’ and getting a meltdown as a result. Saying “Come on! Let's get your party bag on the way out!’. With any left over food you can also give out children's party food boxes filled for siblings or family members 

This worked really well for my transition hating toddler! The birthday child can even hand them out and say goodbye and thank them for coming. 

Planning the perfect celebration involves finding the right party favorites that will delight your little guests. One essential aspect is creating a memorable birthday loot bag that stands out. With so many birthday loot bag ideas to choose from, you can fill your birthday loot bags with eco-friendly toys, fun activities, and sweet treats. Whether you're crafting loot bags for a small gathering or a big bunch of kids, thoughtful and creative additions will make your party truly special.

Enjoy the party and be sure to share any photos with me on my instagram @SoHandmadeLLC

Don't forget to download our FREE KIDS PARTY PLANNING CHECKLIST

party planning checklist

Check out these exciting kid birthday party favors for all events and our top rated party favors gift ideas and we hope you have a wonderful celebration: 

kids party favors collection link, party favors & games
Shop the story

Leave a comment

Please note: comments must be approved before they are published.

View our privacy policy

Traveling With Toddlers

So handmade range of travel toys are ideal companions for your travels, dining outings, or visits to Grandma's house.

Active toddlers and preschoolers often have abundant energy to expend while waiting at restaurants, during flights, or car rides. Being on the move shouldn't hinder their enjoyment of imaginative play!

The idea is straightforward: provide children with tangible toys suitable for play anywhere, ensuring they're portable and easy to manage.

Offering handmade toys as an option empowers kids to unleash their creativity, filling in colors and sounds against the canvas of a simple roadmap.