Ideas for ONE Goody-bag Gift for 5-Year-old Party?

My son and I just happened to be at Jewel / Osco by our home and they had these REALLY cool, around 4 or 5 inch, rubber balls (maybe the size of a large orange). They resemble a large super ball. Inside they are clear but they have a glitter-substance that floats or if you shake it up - the whole ball becomes enveloped with this sparkly glitter - like a glistening "crystal ball" when you shake it. The glitter was a solid color and there were several colors to choose from - gold, purple, blue, silver, etc.... I think they were around $2.00. Fascinating!

Otherwise, big decorated bakery cookie that fits the party theme or a movie-size box of candy for $1 at Walgreens. Or something seasonal - fun bubble wands/paddles, chalk, seasonal crafts.

Have fun!

What about coloring books or play-doh? All kids like this. My son was at a bday party when he was younger and they gave everyone a small soccer ball. He loved it, but I don't think too many girls would like this. I hope this helps.
A.
www.opportunityofyourlife.net

Hi,

I, too, try to do something big and useful instead of giving a bunch of trinkets kids forget about the morning after the party.

Try Sidewalk chalk, hula hoops, balls (many sizes available at walmart for $1), jump ropes or even a board game if you can find some on sale in the price range you are looking. Or you could do a toothbrush/mini toothpaste kit - available at target (i think in their travel size toiletries section) or bubble bath or other bath stuff (like bath colors etc) Throw in some teddy grahams or annie's bunny crackers or bug bites! There are lots of jigsaw puzzles available at the dollar store. Last year for my daughters birthday I found adorable straw purses at the dollar store - I bought one for each girl and went to walmart and bought a big pack of hair stuff (ponys and hairbands) and divided them up in the straw bags. The boys got a pail/shovel filled with a ball and a kite - all available at the dollar store. I added bubbles in each bag/bucket Each party favor was under $4! And everyone loved them.

Good luck,
A..

Sidewalk chalk. You can get it at Dollar Tree for $1 and it's a big container.

M.

Hi E.,
I too am all for one party favor item instead of a whole bunch of junk. We just went to two parties and my kids got more of the typical stuff like...candy(they don't need anymore... they still have Valentine's Day and Easter Candy), rubber balls, playing cards, coloring books, plastic rings, etc...I don't mean to sound ungrateful, but even my kids are not excited about the stuff.... maybe it's because they have been getting similar stuff for the last 4 or 5 yr.s from parties.

I would guess a lot of kids already have water bottles, so how about buying each child a snack container. (Maybe even personalize it will some fancy writing by using markers that stay on plastic.) I am trying to be more "green" lately and I have to admit ... I can't stand to see all the unnecessary waste with the baggies that kids use for snacks and lunch at school each day. My kids use happy face plasic containers that they use for snack and lunch. (Half of the lid lifts up for them to put their fingers in.)

Or how about water/summer toys. I bought butterfly nets at Meijer for $4.00 last week. (They had cheaper ones for $2, but those were made out of plastic and they just wind up breaking easily.) Or swim related items such as the torpedos or rings that float to the bottom of the pool.
(Some people mentioned chalk, but I personally have so much of that and bubbles, and balls already.)

No one remembers all the little things that go in a goodie bag, but they do remember the decent one item gifts that they get from parties.