Hi Moms-
I need ideas on goodie bags for my son's 4th birthday party. It's outside at a park. The problem I'm running into is that half the kids are in the 4 year old range and the other half are in the 6-8 year old range. I've found cute bubbles and other items but they seem too babyish for the older kids (my daughter being one of them). I would like to stay away from candy with Easter being so close.
Any great ideas for goodie bags or gifts that would suit a wide age range?? Thanks!
Honestly, I wouldn't bother unless you really want to do it. I don't know where this trend came from, but when I was a kid, we didn't get presents for going to someone's birthday party. I think most kids are happy with the cake, ice cream and fun :)
Some of you won't agree with me but why in the world do people invite children to a birthday party....and the guests get a gift? This has never made sense to me. At all. A simple, "Thank you for coming to "Juniors" party," should be enough. I'm sorry I don't have any suggestions....I don't do goodie bags. I just don't understand the concept behind them.
As a parent being on the receiving end of many-a-goodie bags, we get a bunch of junk that becomes clutter. Save your money, save other parents time. I want to start a ban the goodie bag movement: )
I'll go with my usual answer. Five dollar McDonald's gift cards. Both kids and parents are happy.
OMG-- STOP THE GOODY BAG MADNESS! There is nothing I hate more than having to waste these plastic bags with junk in them-- goes straight from the party to the trashcan. I've even gone so far as to not accept them at the parties-- my kids don't even want them. The party is enough-- no goody bags necessary! We need to stop the overconsumption madness and teach our kids to scale down and not be wasteful!
I abhor goodie bags so my answer is a little skewed. Since the party is outside at a park during warm weather/in a warm climate what about getting them a reusable water bottle then letting them decorate it with paint pens, markers or stickers? You can get them at the dollar store or Party City (in cool colors & shapes) pretty cheap. That way you gave something useful (they can use them that day for drinks during the party) & reusable that will remind them of a fun day.
I'm so with the other posts that say ban the goodie bags!!!
I dislike goodie bags too. Go to the dollar store and get them each a kite.
We went to a bday party and the party favor was a CD of favorite songs of the bday boy. It was an ecclectic mix and it was great - something personal but enjoyable.
HATE HATE HATE goodie bags. Just skip them.
If you feel you must give a gift, then forget about the junk, some ideas
a beach ball
bubbles
a book
Did I mention I hate goodie bags... a complete waste of money.
Punching balloons! Kids LOVE those.
And you can get foam flier planes at the dollar store for $3/1. The kids at my 8 yo party loved those so much that several moms called to ask where they could get them b/c their kids wanted more!
Paddle ball games.
The washcloths that are packed into a small cube.
Take the money you would spend on a bunch of little (and probably junkier toys) and use it to buy each child a cute t-shirt or book or a craft project. Sometimes, if you buy in bulk, you can get a small discount.
Since it is at a park and outside, what about things to do outside? Bubbles are great (and my 8 year old still loves them), kites, sidewalk chalk, frisbees, jump ropes, squirt guns, water balloon packs would all be fun options. Give them a toy and a small soda or capri sun and call it good :)
I'm not a big fan of giving out goodie bags. :o)
We always give either something edible (special cookie or cookies, cupcake, candy, etc.) or something like bubbles or stickers, etc. that can be used up instead of trinkety stuff that gets thrown away. The dollar store is a good resource too.
What about the individual bags of microwave popcorn? There are also tons of other items that come individually wrapped like cookies and cracker sandwiches (cheese & peanut butter) or juice boxes. Maybe you can get apples, pears or oranges. I would make a bag for the younger crowd and a different bag for the older crowd with age appropriate gifts for each.
I have just read some of the other comments and you can just do away with the goodie bag but I would also like to say that goodie bags are just like party favors at a wedding...its a thank you gift..."thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule and bringing a gift for my child!" I wouldnt be so negative about goodie bags. I like the idea of the arts and crafts table.
what's your price range?
Some things that I might choose for that age range are (I tend to opt for somewhat practical items rather than a lot of little inexpensive plastic thingies):
-beach ball or flying disc (we used these inflatable globe beach balls as a party favor for my DDs' 7th bday http://www.orientaltrading.com/ui/search/processRequest.d...)
-pencils and erasers - they come in a lot of cool patterns and designs, and IMO any household with school-age kids can always use a few more pencils (we got these Earth pattern erasers to go with the beach balls above for my DD's 7th bday http://www.orientaltrading.com/earth-erasers-a2-9_1350-11...)
another popular party favor my dd's have received is a small gift certificate for a local ice cream or smoothie shop
My friend and I did a birthday party in the park for our kids one year and did away with the birthday bags entirely. Instead, we got a bunch of wooden crafts from Oriental Trading (butterflies, dragonflies, ladybugs, etc.), markers and paints. Then set up an arts and crafts table. The kids crafts were their "take home goody". Kept the kids occupied and works for all ages, too.
