Birthday Party for 7 Year Old

S., Hi, I agree I also hate the party bags they are always full of junk. However, the kids at that age really look forward to getting a little something at the end of the party. I recently had a party for my daughter and gave out chocolate pops, they were a hit with the kids and moms. A few moms even thanked me for not having the party bags. The pops ended up being cheaper than party bags that is why I went the pop road. I don't know where you live, I got the chocolate pops from Sweet Ashley's in Royerford. They were shaped liked balloons and only cost a $1 each. This store has different disigns to chose from. range $1 and up. I got 30 milk choc. pops for only $30 you know you couldn't even make 30 party bags for $30. Good Luck and have fun. L.

Hi,

I went to a bowling party recently instead of treat bags she found suckers that were shapped like a bowling ball pin. So each kid got 1 sucker and they were all happy with it.

In my opinion, it is perfectly fine not to give a party favor. If, however, you decide you want to give one, check out your local dollar store. Try a cheap notebook/sketch book along with a pencil and eraser or crayons. They are inexpensive and more useful than candy or the junk that a lot of parents give out.

Tell your daughter Happy Birthday from another mom with a seven year old. =)

I think it is ok not to send a favor bag home. I agree with you: I don't care for the bags of junk/candy either. However, if you do feel like you want to give the kids something to take home, here is an idea: purchase some small plastic cups (like a drinking cup but not the disposable kind - more like the tupperware like ones) from the dollar store. Add a packet of fruit snacks and/or a kid-friendly granola bar and a small juice box. Check with the bowling alley to see if they have any buy one/get one free coupon they can give you (since you are booking a party with them, most bowling alleys won't have a problem with giving you the coupons). Then cut some cardstock into 3x3 inch squares and have your daughter write "thank you for coming to my party" on them and decorate them and then put one in each cup. It makes a nice little favor and it is something that is not as bad for them as candy and the cups can be used again. If you don't want to be that involved in making a favor, then sheets of stickers are always fun. And again, you can have your daughter write "thanks for coming to my party" on the back of the sheet.

But don't feel bad if you don't send home a favor. I have been to many a party where favors have been nixed and I don't even think my kids have noticed! LOL! As long as they have fun at the party, that should be all that matters!

At this age crafts can be fun. Maybe as a time filler as the kids arrive they can make a foam picture frame or door hanger and take that home insead of a gift bag.
I do agree the gift bag thing is a pain. Who ever came up with that one? Now its obligatory. We should all rebel!

I think it is okay to not give party favors.

However, if you feel you have to or want to give favors.......I just happened to be browsing for crafts and party supplies on the Oriental Trading website the other day. They have a bowling photo frame craft that kids can make. Maybe you can send them home with the kids for them to make later (unless you are able to work making them into your party plans) and take pics of the kids during the party. If time allows, maybe a friend could take them to a 1-hour photo and have them back before the party is over. Or your daughter could take the pics to school and pass them out to be put in the frames.

Other ideas...Bubbles are usually a hit with kids. For an edible treat what about fruit snacks or Yogos? Or a gift coupon for a free desert at McDonalds, Wendy's, etc. Maybe check with the bowling alley to see if they have gift coupons you could purchase.

Some bowling alleys give free tokens to go play in there game room. Since it is your daughters b.day party. You could always make up little favor bags of hair pieces for the girls and something else for the boys. Or you could give out little metals for such a great job of bowling. Check out the dollar stores. The goodie bags don't have to be filled with candy.

Burn cd's of her favorite music!! This is a cheap way to be really entertaining. You can get like 50 cd's for around $15 and still have p[plenty left over for other things.

Hi S.,

My suggestion would be since it is starting to get nice outside to get some summer like things such as bubbles, sunglasses, side walk chalk, maybe a little bit of candy... But I agree with you on what mother wants their child sent home with a bag full of candy...Check the dollar stores out to see if you can get the items in bulk or something like 4 for a dollar.
Hope this helps and best of luck.

P.

I agree with you - I never think much of the bags either. The worst part is that the "treasures" individually are not that expensive however the cost of the entire bag adds up quickly. My son (8 years old) had to give something out so we decided on fun straws. I got a bag of them at the Dollar Store and put one on each plate for the kids to use during lunch. We also gave each child a pencil with a wacky eraser as they were leaving. My son said it worked out great!

My daughter got cool pony-tail holders as a favor from a party she went to. I thought that was a great idea!

Just an idea-

Maybe you could get everyone age appropriate books or coloring books and crayons. You would be surprised what you could find at a dollar store or craft store (Michaels or AC Moore).

The last party that my 7 year old went to, was cosmic bowling. They gave all the kids the glow in the dark necklaces and bracelets to wear. Some parties that we have been to do give out treat bags and some did not. I think if they have fun playing together, they don't mind not getting one. Or maybe instead of filling a bag with junk toys and candy, just go to the dollar store and get something there for each of the kids. By the time you spend money for the candy, toys and treat bags themselves, you could spend more than at the dollar store.

Here's a few inexpensive ideas: 1) Plastic kids cup with pencil, wacky drinking straw and maybe a few pieces of candy You can find these at Party City or the Dollar Store snd they're inepxensive. 2) If the party is all girls - I had a Mary Kay party for my daughter one year and we gave out a bottle of nail polish, flavored chap stick, nail file. They all came in packs so we broke them up 1 for each girl and it was inexpensive as well.

Hi S.. I agree with you about favors and treatbags. They are a waste of money. What I think is nice to do is to go to the dollar store and buy each of the girls a cheap piece of jewelry , and the boys a hat, or game, etc. Then tie each gift to a helium balloon that is either pink for girls and blue for boys, and hand them out when the party is over. In your case though, I wouldn't worry about a providing a favor. You've invited the whole class, and they are going to bowl.

You could always go to a craft shop and find something related to a bowling party that each child could make at home and use that as a favor.

S.,

My daughter just went to a 7 yo party and she got a bubble set. It came with bubbles and differt wands and couple other things. She really enjoyed it and you can buy it cheap either at a dollar store or party store. It beats giving candy. She went to one a couple months ago and got a small plastic bucket that had different things in it (bubbles, balls, small toys with a little of candy). Hope this helps.
C.

Craft items are fun and not too expensive. Buy the big tub of foam stickers, and enough foam door hangers for each kid (since you didn't mention the size of her class I'm not sure if that is cheap enough or not!) I usually went to the dollar store and bought packs of little notepads and pencils.
Twine or plastic lacing along with beads are always fun .. and for the boys try to find beads that are shaped like dinosaurs, fish or vehicles .. and don't call them necklaces!! lol little tubs of play doh if you want .. and then in each one a piece of candy or two. Hope this is helpful.

since it is coming into summer, maybe you could send them hom with some bubbles and ball or something like that. i got some really cool balls for outside from the dollar store. inexpensive and very useful! I hope you have a great party!