Party Favor Question

For my daughters 3rd birthday we bought bug observation boxes, bug capture bubbles, and magnafying glasses from Discount School Supply. They were fun at the party and something I didn't think others would mind having at home after (as opposed to tons of little plastic toys...) K.

I had my son's 2nd birthday back in October and I had children around the same age and all I did was put together gift bags and as they left they each got one. They had sidewalk chalk, candy, pencil and a small bad (I got those from wal-mart they came like 4 in a bag for 2 bucks). Our party was outside as well so the kids where running around and partying on the swing set so that kept them busy. Good luck! D.

We played games for prizes in our backyard for our son's 2nd birthday and also did a pinata. Kids of all ages love pinata's. You can get a pull string one for the little ones and have the older children swing at one with a blindfold on. Since you have the pavilion you should be able to hang it from the rafters. Since we were outside we did water balloon tosses and egg races on spoons. I divided the kids into age groups. For prizes I had a big package of plastic gold medals on a ribbon from Wal-Mart and I made sure everyone had a metal by the end. The kids loved winning the ribbons. There are tons of outdoor games you can come up with for them to play.

Have fun!!

T.

Since you are having it at a park maybe you could play games for prizes. I went to a party like that when I was young and I can still remember it which says it all right there. It was hosted alot like a company picnic. It was so much fun to play the games we didn't realy care what we won.

I would recommend fun outdoor party favors; hoola hoops, jump ropes, nerf footballs, sidewalk chalk, and frisbees.

Fancy cookies make a cool party favor- or bubbles or sidewalk chalk (go to the dollar store). No one likes to get a bag full of junk... so something small is sufficient. For my son's first b-day I gave out plastic buckets with applesauce, bubbles and stickets in them.

I had a similar situation with my son's first birthday last year. It took us about 8 years to have him, so there was a very wide range of ages with many of our friends kids. We had a party similar to yours as well. It was at a park with a large play area so kids of all ages could keep busy.

In regards to the goodie bags, what I did was go to the local dollar store to buy various items for the bags. They actually have an area in the store specifically for goodie bag items (with multiple items per package). I bought several different ones for different aged kids and then split them up according to age and labeled the bags with each child's name. Some of the items (such as bubbles for instance) could be given to any age child.

Hope that is helpful and good luck at your child's second b'day party!

D.

What about bubbles? It would be appropriate for the park and for kids of all ages. YOu could get the mini bubbles at a party store and print your own labels for them, or scope out a good deal on the spill proof bubbles which all moms can appreciate! Good luck!

Obviously I'm the minority on this subject. This whole party favor is a relatively new thing. I NEVER got a present for going to someone else's birthday. That's the whole point, isn't it? It's someone else's special day, not theirs. That said, I get a bunch of balloons (all the same color) and each kid can have a helium balloon when they leave. That way they aren't floating all over my house. It's nice cause I'd be getting the balloons anyway and who doesn't like a balloon?!?! I say be the exception and don't reward kids for going to their friends parties. It makes kid a bit bratty actually cause they come to expect that they'll get something when it's supposed to be about the birthday kid.

I always do a gift bag... kind of like a thank you for coming bag. Usually, there is some candy, a small toy, little small things. You can adjust what is in the bag depending on the age... if you have an older kid, sometimes they don't want the slinkie... so instead I'd put more candy, or a bracelet or something. I love doing bags! :)

A small favor is a nice gesture - you can use balloons to decorate the area, then each child can take one home. Bubbles and chalk are nice ideas which fit the outdoor theme. An inexpensive ball would be fun to have there to play with and each child can take one home when it's time to leave. I wouldn't go all out with a trinket bag, and food/candy is hard with so many children having food allergies. Better off to go with something useful and small. Another inexpensive option is stickers which fit the theme. Enjoy the birthday celebration!!

Children of all ages enjoy bubbles. If you want to do something fun and simple get a small pail for each child and put the bubbles in it with some sidewalk chalk and candy and/or fruit snacks. All kids enjoy those things. Two of my brother-in-laws are 11 and 12 and they would enjoy those as party favors. The favors aren't necessary but they are fun for all of the kids. If it's in your budget go for it, but I wouldn't stress about absolutely having to have it. By the way, you can get all of those items at the dollar store and it could be relatively inexpensive.

Hope you have a great party! :-)

I always try to do things that all age ranges will enjoy too. I like doing the party favors for the kids because it's a little way of thanking them for making my child feel special on their birthday. What about Gummi snacks - you can get those in Barney and Elmo still, I think. Coloring books for the little ones (you can get those at the dollar store) and little journal type notebooks for the older ones. A little pack of crayons for the little ones (dollar store again) and colored gel pens for the older ones. Good luck and happy party!!!!!

For my daughter's third birthday, I put a bag of chips, capri suns, suckers, snack size cookies, and a box of crayons in the goody bags. For the younger ones, I bought each child 2 books from the dollar store.

Instead of favors, my son came home with a framed picture of himself w/the birthday girl on her father's motorcycle. He decorated the frame while at the party. Since you are at a park, take lots of pics of all the kids and do something w/that later and send it to them. i loved it. K. s.

I would skip the favors. Chances are they will get lost or left behind at the park. I say make a donation to the park in lieu of invitations. Or release balloons into the air with each kid writing down a wish on the balloon.