Goody bag ideas

janinekrause

Hi all- my daughter is turning 6 in a month and I need easy, inexpensive goody bag ideas. She invited 30 kids- hoping only 20 come because that is crazy!

I really detest goody bags but feel like I need to do something, because that is the norm and kids expect it. Would prefer something useful vs. a bunch of crap.

Any ideas I would appreciate! Thanks

CareBear0607

My DD had a cooking party for her 6th birthday.  I bought a big box of cookie cutters off of Amazon and then cookie mix packets when there were on sale at my local grocery store.  Each kid got 3 cookie cuttes and a packet of cookie mix and it was a big hit.

Other recent favorites have been:  books (early readers), nail polish, lip gloss and tattoos.  Also, DD just went to a party where the mom made each kid a mixed CD of the birthday girl's favorite songs. 

janinekrause

CareBear0607 said:

My DD had a cooking party for her 6th birthday.  I bought a big box of cookie cutters off of Amazon and then cookie mix packets when there were on sale at my local grocery store.  Each kid got 3 cookie cuttes and a packet of cookie mix and it was a big hit.

Other recent favorites have been:  books (early readers), nail polish, lip gloss and tattoos.  Also, DD just went to a party where the mom made each kid a mixed CD of the birthday girl's favorite songs. 

Thanks! I am trying to stay under $5 if possible but really depends how many kids say they are coming on my flexibility. I LOVE the cookie idea (nail polish,etc I love too but dont want to have to do another whole thing for the boys).  Even though not a cooking party, it could really work pre-holidays. 

janinekrause

BunkinMama said:

Our last B-day party was for my DD's 7th. We sent out 30 invites but only 12 showed up, which was plenty. I got some cheap little toys for goody bags, as I tried to avoid candies and sweets. Bouncy balls, friendship bracelets, glow necklaces, and whistles. Some of our favorites that we received in goody bags; bubbles, stickers, temp tattoos, other noise makers.

My kids love all those things  Last year, that happened to us with numbers but was Thanksgiving weekend. I have to prepare for high, and hope its in the middle. 

Spin313

Pencils and fun erasers are usually a hit with elementary school kids.

If you don't mind candy, Ring Pops are also a good choice!

74dragonfly

I do books. I can get early readers for under $3 each either Amazon or Costco. The books have been a big hit. Imo a goody bag is just more little junk. My DD likes it for one day and then it is forgotten. Books have much more value. I buy a variety and let the kids pick.

janinekrause

74dragonfly said:

I do books. I can get early readers for under $3 each either Amazon or Costco. The books have been a big hit. Imo a goody bag is just more little junk. My DD likes it for one day and then it is forgotten. Books have much more value. I buy a variety and let the kids pick.

Do the kids fight over them? It is a great idea- I just worry about that!

74dragonfly

janinekrause said:

74dragonfly said:

I do books. I can get early readers for under $3 each either Amazon or Costco. The books have been a big hit. Imo a goody bag is just more little junk. My DD likes it for one day and then it is forgotten. Books have much more value. I buy a variety and let the kids pick.

Do the kids fight over them? It is a great idea- I just worry about that!

I never had kids fight.

skategirl128

We are doing an adopt a monster for favors at DS's party. I found inexpensive light up monsters and the kids can pick which one they'd like to take home.

Other favorites of ours are books, coloring books, bubbles and a puzzle.

Designermomma

Favorite goody bag items are stickers, and punching balloons.
We are doing a lego theme this year so will be giving out chocolate and Legos. Last year we had a superhero party and did stickers, bubbles and candy as well as Superhero capes (Dollar Tree @ Halloween)

We invited 35 people and so far 10 have RSVPd that they're coming. The party is this weekend. I bought 20 of everything so hopefully we'll be good.

Last year we invited 15 and 13 came!

momtoRaegan041008

One of the children at my daughter's school had the little hugs drinks and a rice krispie treat.  I thought that was such a good idea. 

sunnydays99

DS just had his 5th bday party this weekend. His was a superhero theme. I got Spider-Man plastic cups and put 2 pencils, a super hero silly straw, a super hero sucker (with a cape!) and a sheet of Spider-man stickers inside. I wrapped it all up in a cellophane bag (the kind you can buy to put treats in) with a tag that said "You're a SUPER friend! Thanks for coming to my party!"