How Much to Spend on Party Favors for 3-Year-old Party

Absolutely NOTHING! Planning a party for young children need not be more elaborate then a few games, some snacks, cake, ice cream....open gifts...thanks for coming ...good bye. Children's parties have gotten way out of hand...it's really time to scale it back.

My 2 cents as a mom of a 2 yr old: the ball will be great by itself. Kids come home from parties now with bags full of choking hazards that I have to throw away. If parents are going to give away party favors, I think one big non-choking hazard fun toy would be awesome vs a party bag full of little stuff. Plus, kids of all ages love balls! Have fun with the party!

Honestly, anything you get for a 3 year old party is just going to end up as a piece of trash being thrown out - unless it's something like sidewalk chalk, which you can get at a dollar store VERY cheaply. I don't honestly get spending a lot on favors. Where did this come from? I don't remember getting anything when I went to friends birthday parties as a kid (gasp) 40 years ago.

For a 3 year old's party, I'd do what you mention here and no more. When your child gets older, it gets harder and more expensive. Enjoy the lower cost while it lasts!

Dawn

I would spend nothing personally, but I think a realistic budget is $3/per kid

In all honesty, I don't know ANYONE who expects or even likes getting party favors. If they are so cheap they'll break within days (usually in our home the toys are broken before we even get home).

I'd save the $16 and put it towards food or your child's gift.

I think a beach ball and lollypop is great. I don't see why they need anything more.

We always do a pool party. We have given beach balls and pool noodles as favors. I don't see why you should spend more to send home a back of cheap plastic toys and candy. I think you are fine with the frog beach balls.

Zero. Kids don't need a present for coming to a birthday party. I really dislike this new fad.

I think a ball is great ! I would not add anything else.

I would just give the lollipop. I really don't think the beach ball is necessary. (I just spent $7 for my daughter's party favor but the favors were given as part of an activity/game we had and I had a lot less kids)

I have never spent a penny on gift bags and think the whole thing is ridiculous. Its one mom trying to up the others on who can spend the most and give the best. You stressing over it is proof of that.

I think the balls and lolly's will be fine. My guy was 3 last year and it was mostly family kids, so party favors were my small Easter baskets to them (the day before Easter.) I bought candy, my sister bought candy, and it was more cathartic than anything because our Dad had just passed and he always made a big deal out of the Easter egg hunt for the little ones. We wanted to carry on his tradition, I have no idea how much each basket cost.

For my guy's 4th birthday I'm making pirate "spyglasses" out of paper towel holders covered with scrapbook paper ($.25 a sheet) and a 3D skull sticker, tied in two places with twine, all for less than $10. I'm baking a treasure chest cake, and the "treasures" (ring pops, candy necklaces, gold covered chocolate coins, etc.) inside are doing double duty and will go in the small burlap goodie bags, too. (I know, candy is bad.) I may add something "useful" but not sure, thinking of bandannas if I find them on sale.

The ball is perfect! If you wanted to, you could get a package of bubbles to add to it. Kids LOVE bubbles! Other than that, keep it very simple!

Last year we spent a little more, in part b/c they took the game home. Each kid got a dinosaur skeleton that they dug out of a sand pit, and an inflatable dinosaur. Oh, and whatever they got out of the pinata. I don't know the exact cost, but somewhere around $5 per kid.

Today DD went to a party where she got to take home a poster that she decorated with glitter and jewels and a dragon mask the family printed and glued to heavy paper. Simple and the kids loved them. It does not need to be expensive.

Sounds good. Oriental Trading has good cheap stuff. Have you ever seen those frog jumpers? You know, you press down on the back and it pops up.

I am okay with candy as giveaways because usually they send one home with me, the momma as well. lol

My daughter is 18 now but I always tried to find party favors that could be used vs a bag of candy and junk

I like the ball idea!!

I've done art sets with coloring books
Sidewalk chalk
Bubbles and accessories
Gift cards
Etc

I typically spent about $10/ favor unless I found a deal.

Have fun!!