Goody Bags

Hey Laura, I just went to a b-day party where the kids made their own favors. they made these really cool doorknob hangers with a couple different boy and girl themes to select from. The mom told me that she got the stuff at walmart and the dollar store. It's this foam material that was already pre-cut and then they decorated the hangers with puff stickers from the same material. They turned out really cool. I would imagine that you could do all sorts of things with that stuff if you looked around and it gives them something to do.

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Hey Laura,
Is your son into any sports yet? When my oldest son was about 6, he was playing soccer and I bought brand new soccer socks and made goody bags with those. It was a big hit with all the kids and the parents as well. I didn't just use the one sock, though, I actually put the other sock in one, so they actually got a pair.

B. S

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I like to fill a big basket or bucket/tub with a bunch of different toys... big balls, jump ropes, bubbles, race cars, stuffed animals, etc. (depending on age and gender of kids) and just let the kids pick whatever toy they want when they leave. The parents seem to appreciate not getting a bag of candy and junky little trinkets that just end up in the trash or on the floor to be picked up and the kids like being able to pick what they like and what they will play with.

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Love the book exchange idea!
We always have the kids "make" their goodies as part of the party. Keeps them busy and I don't have to stuff bags!
Buy a package of white undershirts/t-shirts and have the kids decorate them for themselves.
We had kids make their own pennants with the pre-cut foam pieces (in a sports theme). The pre-cut pennants and tub of shapes are available at Michael's.
One year we bought wood treasure boxes and gold glitter paint. The kids painted them and as they dried we had a treasure hunt for items we buried in a wheelbarrow of sand. The box becomes their "goody bag" full of treasure to take home.

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Goody bags seem to be a new trend. I don't feel they are a requirement. Be brave and be the first to buck this trend!

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I would say go with the sports bottle idea. We just got one at a party and it had 100 calorie snacks inside. It was great and we have already used the water bottle several times since the party on Saturday.

For my daughters birthday I made a coloring book to give out and went to the dollar store and bought crayons to go with it. Her party was a watermelon picnic, so there were facts and coloring pages to do with watermelon. You could find clip art to do with the four food groups, exercise, etc. The cover had a picture of her and said, "Thank you for coming to my party!" Not sure if they got thrown away a few days later, but I know we still color and "read" ours. One hint...Do not put color on any of the pages, as that drove the cost up! I took them to Staples and they spiral bound it. Just some thoughts!

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Can't tell you how tired I am of those goody bags filled with candy and toy trinkets/junk that nobody needs! :)

I really like useful goody bags. Some of my favorites have been play-doh with a cookie cutter, sidewalk chalk, crayons/markers/colored pencils, watercolor paints, bucket and shovel. A sports water bottle might fit with your "theme", tied with a ribbon and a lollipop - maybe even personalized ones that you can pass out filled for the kids to drink at the gym.

Maybe not the most unique ideas, but at least they will be used and parents will appreciate it! Good Luck!

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When our 8 yo turned 6, him and I put together balloons filled with confetti that we made out of paper punch holes that we saved. We squeezed a lollipop, a pencil and a bouncy ball inside. Tied it all up with curling ribbon and another sweet treat on the outside (I think we used starbursts ~ his fave at the time).
The children then had to pop the balloon to release the contents inside having the confetti spill out over and around them and end up chasing after a bouncy ball....very fun for that age.

A lot of work for us 2 but we had so much fun and he still talks about it.

NOTE: We warned his teacher to make sure that the children went home with the balloons as opposed to popping them in her class to avoid the mess.

have fun & and have a great time whatever you decide!
~D.

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if your party is going to be soon, a cute idea is to buy small clay pots, paint each kid's name on a pot, add a pack of seeds and a baggie full of potting soil.....kids love to watch their seeds grow.....

i've also given pencil boxes filled with crayons, colored pencils, stickers, etc......you can often buy these on sale....large packages can be divided....the bonus is that all the items are useful.....

another cute idea is to give each child an inexpensive photo frame....during the party, take a picture of each child with the b-day child.....get prints made and send them along with the thank you notes....

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