Is your child having a birthday party soon? Choosing the perfect theme, finding the right venue, organising party games, food, drinks, sorting invites… it is an incredibly time-consuming task and can take a lot of work to ensure your kid has the best party possible.
Of course, no children’s party would be complete without the ultimate staple of every party; the party bag. Can you remember how excited you were as a kid to be bringing home a bag of goodies after a fantastic party? Well no matter how much the world has changed since then, kids still love a great party bag.
Of course whilst you do not need to go over the top, creating a personalised bag of treats for your guests is a great way to top your child’s birthday party. The trouble is this can be very time consuming to complete, which is why many parents resort to purchasing a readymade selection of party bags. However you can’t beat the that personal touch, which is why we have put together our guide of what you should put into your kids party bags to ensure everyone goes home happy!
Whilst you might be tempted to just fill it up with a host of sweets and a slice of birthday cake, the best party bags are those that have some thought and care put into them, so here are some of our ideas to make yours the best yet…
1) Story Books
No matter what your kids party theme is or what their age might be, story books are a fantastic gift for your guests. Now whilst this might seem like an expensive addition to your party bag, this does not mean you have to fill each bag with the full Harry Potter collection – instead look around for short stories, you will be surprised at how cheap you can pick up multiple books, some for as cheap as 50p!
Of course no book will be complete without a bookmark so make sure you add one to each bag and give your guests the gift of imagination.
2) Bubble Blowers
Probably one of the most famous party bag items in existence, kids of all ages love blowing bubbles and this toy is a cheap and easy one to add for your guests. There are many different brands and options available, so have a little look around and choose one that does not stain… otherwise you might find the parents of your guests are not quite as pleased with toy!
3) Plant pots
This might seem like another weird one, but rather than filling your party bags with plastic toys that are likely to break after one use, try adding mini plant pots and some seeds. These are incredibly cheap to create, with most garden centers and retailers selling small pots for a very low cost.
Add in some fun seeds and your guests will be able to go away and enjoy growing their own plants – and every time they see that plant grow, they’ll be reminded of your child’s party!
4) Mini-Games
That’s not to say you shouldn’t add some kind of fun toy into your party bags. Kids love to play games and you will be able to pick up some great mini-games such as snakes and ladders, spinning tops, mini maze games and much more from most toy retailers and supermarkets.
5) Water guns and balloons
Is your child’s birthday in the summer? Then why not think about adding either mini water guns or water balloons to your party bags. Kids love being outside and having a water fight so these are a great addition to any bag and are a relatively cheap option for you.
If you’re hosting the party in your garden, you could even get the balloons and water pistols out at the end and host a mini water fight!
6) Cuddly Toys
Another staple of any children’s party bag is the cuddly toy. Definitely one for the younger guests, but adding a small cuddly toy to your party bag is a very popular choice and most supermarkets offer soft toys for very cheap.
7) Bouncy Balls
Another classic addition to any party bag – kids love bouncy balls and no matter how many they might have had in the past, they’re still always great fun!
8) Colouring Books/Pages
If you are looking to add a creative element to your kids party bags, then adding in a colouring book is always a popular choice. Not only does it make a great gift but it is also a very cheap option – if you want to reduce the cost even further you could print out your own unique free colouring template instead of purchasing a book.
Whichever option you choose, don’t forget to add in a pack of colouring pencils or crayons for each child to use too.
9) Puzzles
Nearly every toy shop or supermarket will have small puzzles and jigsaws for sale which make a fantastic addition to any party bag. Just make sure that you purchase a difficulty level that is suitable for your child’s age range.
10) Group Picture
This is definitely a fantastic memento from any party, no matter the age range. If you are hosting the party at home, get a group picture of all the guests early on and use your standard printer to print out a small picture during the party – giving each guest a nice photo to remember the day by.
11) Joke accessories
Are you hosting a party for a predominantly boy crowd? If so then consider adding an old favorite to your party bag; the whoopee cushion! Always a popular choice no matter the age range, you will be able to purchase these from most toy shops for a very low cost.
12) Hair Clips
If on the other hand, you are hosting a predominantly girl-based party, then consider switching the whoopee cushion out for some sparkling accessories such as hair clips or headband. You will be able to pick these up for cheap from most retailers as well as online.
13) Seasonal ideas
No matter when your child’s birthday is, think about adding in a seasonal gift – for example, hot chocolate and marshmallows in the winter or swimming goggles in the summer.
14) Mini Torches
If you are hosting a sleepover for your child, think about adding in some mini torches into your party bags. Kids will love to use them in the dark and you will be able to pick up some small torches for very cheap at the local discount store or online.
15) Yo Yo’s
Another classic addition to any party bag is the Yo-Yo. A staple of growing up, every kid still loves to play with them and they are suitable for children of all ages. You can also buy these in bulk for a relatively low cost.
16) Glow Stars
Kids will love these sticky glow in the dark stars that are sure to brighten up any room. These small gifts are popular for both boys and girls of all ages and are a relatively cheap addition for you to include in your party bags.
17) Craft Kits
After all the energy spent during the party, why not give your guests the chance to calm down and concentrate when they get home by giving them a small craft kit to take back with them. There are lots of choices available but if you search around you will be able to find small kits for less than a pound or two.
18) Playdough
Another very popular addition to any party bag is a small pot of play-doh. Kids love to use the gift to make different shapes and to stretch it out. If you do not want to purchase a branded make, or you are looking to save money, then you can make a big batch at home using simple ingredients you can find around the kitchen!
19) Stickers
Another very easy and popular addition to any party bag is a pack of stickers. If you are hosting a party for younger children, then they will love this surprise when they open their party bags.
20) Sweet treats
Of course, absolutely no party bag would be complete without adding some kind of sweet treats for your guests to enjoy! From small chocolate bars, lollipops and candy – drop a few into the bag for them to have when they get home and you will be remembered for all the right reasons!
No matter what you choose to include in your party bags, it’s always a good idea to focus on two or three keys presents – kids would much rather have a handful of gifts they would actually use and enjoy rather than a dozen cheap toys that will be quickly forgotten about.
