Does anyone have an idea for a party favor for a 6 year-old "critter" party? We're having Jungle Jim come & he's bringing snakes, lizards, bugs, etc. I'm a little burned out on bags of little things. I'd rather give one item that is a little more substantial.
Thanks.
I am in the same boat... Lately I've been giving out gift cards. I've done Chick-Fil-A but there is a minimum on giftcards of $5. I've also done Starbucks (only because I've known the kids like things there) and Marble Slab. I've also had my children receive Baskin Robbins and a lolli pop.
Maybe you could do a gift card with a small amount on it as well as a lolli pop with some sort of bug/critter inside?
We just went to a "bug safari" and they gave bug jars (holes in the lids and we took them home to decorate) as goodie bags. It was super cute! I think she mentioned she bought them from Oriental Trading Company.
We had a "bug party" once. As the favor to go home we made dirt cups to take home and eat later. I put out the crushed oreos, cool whip and gummy worms for them to put together. THen we wrapped them in pretty colored saran wrap and away they went. Good luck!
Bug catcher kit. My daughter loves hers!
You can get live ladybugs at the following link. They have a party pack for just such things. http://www.growquest.com/free_ladybugs.htm
What about bug collectors. You can find them at dollar tree for a buck. My daughter gets one every year to collec lady bugs.
I would buy them critter holders (my kids love them!) along with a magnifying glass for $1.00 at dollar store.
You can even stuff a piece of candy in the critter holder to make them content! Have a Blast!
Or SLIME!!!!!! I am SICK of those bags too!
One year I gave the kids noodles for the pool since we had a pool party. This year we did a cooking party and gave measuring spoons...they loved the fact they had their own tools! Go figure.
And...I had all the kids sign a cook book for my daughter and she will always have a momento of her 8th Bday.
What about a bug holder. I have seen them at Dollar Tree. They have a tweezer and the bug holder that they can hang around their necks. they could decorate them during the party. They are really cute and it's one of my sons favorite toys. You can get some fake bugs and make a game of it. Hide the bugs outside and see who can collect the most bugs in their bug container.
We did a ladybug party for my daughter's 2nd birthday. For favors, I made large critter jars, attached a magnifying glass and then filled them with live lady bugs to be released at home. You can buy live lady bugs at a garden center (not very expensive) and they are great for the garden.
A critter carrier or bug "box". You can find all kinds from a pop up tent like one to wooden ends and wire, etc. Fits all price ranges. A butterfly net or magnifying glass...my son was soooo into that kind of stuff - there's even jars that have a magnifying lens built right into the cover. The discovery store had all kinds of them and there's a catalog that has stuff like that too - just can't remember the name of it right now....my son's turning 18 and I had it back when he was 3 to 10...sorry, but I feel certain someone else will know if it's even still out there!
There are some cool websites where they could take a critter home and watch it grow up.
http://insectlore.stores.yahoo.net/
http://www.nature-gifts.com/live-butterfly-kits.html
They could make their own butterfly tubes and take them home to raise.
Just a thought but that sounds like an awsome Party. What a great mom you are!
What a cool party idea!! Not sure what your budget for each favor is, but assuming you have a small group of kids coming... How about a cheap magnifying glass for each child? Here are 2 types for $6 on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000X7RIUK/ref=asc_df_B000X7RIUK...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0012K1RWM/ref=asc...
Ooo, this one is a bit more expensive ($6.75), but its shaped like a snake! (Way cool!) http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0024HUG2O/ref=asc_df_B0024HUG2O...
Or maybe a "bug viewer" ($7 each): http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B001MPYSPK/ref=asc...
The bug box and magnifying glass sound like a great idea! I've seen those at the Dollar Store and at Target. But you could also do little "explorer" pouches--use canvas bags from Michael's and have your kiddo decorate them. Then you can add something like the bug box or magnifying glass or water bottle or bug net to it. The pouch gives them a place to put their treasures and your kiddo a chance to participate too! My son, who's 15, got one of these pouches many years ago and LOVED it! He handed the pouch down to his sister, 9 yrs old, who still uses it to this day!
Good luck!
D.
http://www.4myhappyhealthyfamily.com
If you have a facebook page, check out the fan page for Zephyr Cakes. We've added a few more pictures. We could work together and do some really cute cookies. A 3 or 5 inch bug shape for each child. It would be something the kids would definitely like and you don't have to worry about blowing the money on trinkets that will be eaten by the couch monster in a few hours anyway.
Good luck!
Dirt & worm cake sounds perfect!It's a cake made with gummy worms & crushed oreos, sreved in a mock flower pot with sugar/fake flowers in the top.
I love reading the ideas you have recieved regarding the ladybugs. When my son turned 5 last summer, I gave lady bugs for the party favor (I put a tag on them and said they were "ladybug pirates to keep watch over the garden")since he had a pirate theme. The kids LOVED them and could not wait to get them home to "watch" over their garden. I wish I had thought of getting the bug containers from the dollar store, that would have been much easier than making the little net "pouches" I made to tie up and give them in. So many great ideas on this site - as always!
I also love Jennifer C's idea about hiding "fake bugs" and letting the kids collect them outside. That is so creative!
Have fun, I'm sure whatever you decide it will be memorable!
Hopefully you have a digital camera -- that would be best for this idea! : ) My best friend did a petting zoo party for her son's 3rd birthday. Instead of goodie bags I went to Walmart's craft department and picked out some of the foam picture frames that can be decorated (they can also come with magnets on the back to put on the fridge)and some puff paints, foam stickers (be sure to get foam letter stickers as well), etc. for them to decorate with. Then, when the kids were doing the pony rides (or something along those lines) I took pictures with my digital camera. During frame decorating time (and/or cake) I ran to Walmart to get the pictures developed. I did it all on the Kodak kiosk, it took less than 20 minutes and the prints are cheap ($0.40 or something?). Came back and gave the prints with masterpiece frames to the parents. I then had a mix of candy in a big bowl with small sandwich baggies that they were able to fill on their way out.
The trick to it will be to have a digital camera for someone to get good shots with Jungle Jim and someone who can make the run to a Walmart (or somewhere similar) for you.
Hope this helps! : )
A small, inexpensive book about bugs.
You could have them do a simple art project to take home. You could get 4x4 or 6x6 squares of water color paper. Have the kids paint a simple wash all over and then provide some stamps with different animals that they can use to create a jungle/critter scene.
Another idea is to get a ton of colored pipe cleaners. Have the kids use those to create their own critter.
I saw some pipe cleaner critter kits in the dollar bins at Michael's this past weekend. They looked really cute and would be cheap to get one for each kid.
How about a pot that the kids can first decorate and then plant something in while at the party? Maybe purchase one veggie plant and then give them seeds for marigolds to plant around the edge of the pot.. Marigolds or nasturtiums are good at keeping bugs away from the veggie plant.
You could give them each a butterfly net and a small magnifying glass. I like to purchase the science items at a Teacher store.. They sell things in packs of six so you save money.
How about trying to find little inexpensive books about animals & critters.
I like the potted plant idea...but in the case of your part I would look at wal-mart or kbee toys for the inexpensive stuffed animals or rubber animals in the same line of the ones Jungle jim is bringing. It will help the kids remember the experience a lot longer...
Good luck and have a GREAT time!!! ;-)
Surely they make critter legos, and most all kids like to play with Legos.
Try Birthday Express.com
How about a critter keeper or a magnifying glass for looking at small bugs, lizards, etc.
You can find these things at Target in the garden area or check our Oriental Trading.
Goody bag with 3 cookies. You could make them or buy them and decorate with a critter theme.
We had a monkey themed party for our daughter and I had a hard time finding monkey stuff but ended up finding some on orientaltradingcompany.com They have good prices and a good selection.
My neice got a critter bucket for Easter. It is clear with a magnafing glass for a lid. I know it wasnt very expensive.
i love giving books! see if u can find a critter related one...check your child's scholastic order form from school too!
Every 6 year old I know loves a good rubber snake.
