Swords as a party favor?

harlosc · February 2013

We are having a piggy princess party for my dd. She is turning 3 and there will be quite a few little boys in attendance (somewhat unexpected). I made lace crowns that look a bit feminine and then have little gable boxes filled with misc. items. I also purchased wands but my husband thinks I should buy swords for the boys. I'm not sure what parents would think of that? I tried to keep most items gender neutral in the favor boxes but the crowns/wands are a little more girly. Would you say yay or nay to swords?? Thanks ladies!

wedsept · February 2013

Some parents might be opposed to a toy that looks like a weapon. I wouldn't do it.

jo4janet · February 2013

wedsept:
Some parents might be opposed to a toy that looks like a weapon. I wouldn't do it.

Also, a sword is easy to use as a weapon for a three year old. If you end up doing something like that, make sure it is foamy so they can't hurt anyone with it, on purpose or by accident.

Cherryblossoms07 · February 2013

I think they would go over well with the kids. DD is 3 and loves Jake and the Neverland Pirates right now. DD and I made a cardboard sword together after we read a book about pirates and she loved that flimsy thing. I would definitely make sure that they are age appropriate - foam or material that won't hurt if they poke another child, because they more than likely will at that age. Some parents won't like it because of the weapon factor, but you can never please everyone (I have seen plenty of people complain about sugar as party favors, junk toys as party favors, etc.).

JulesDiane · February 2013

Cherryblossoms07:
I think they would go over well with the kids. DD is 3 and loves Jake and the Neverland Pirates right now. DD and I made a cardboard sword together after we read a book about pirates and she loved that flimsy thing. I would definitely make sure that they are age appropriate - foam or material that won't hurt if they poke another child, because they more than likely will at that age. Some parents won't like it because of the weapon factor, but you can never please everyone (I have seen plenty of people complain about sugar as party favors, junk toys as party favors, etc.).

I agree with all of this.

harlosc · February 2013

Thank you all for your quick response. I agree that some parents would view it as a weapon and to be honest my initial response wasn't a great one. I did find that there are some cute foam swords and inflatable ones that would be age appropriate. You are right that I can't please everyone so I will try to make it work the best I can. Thanks again for the advice!

carlab44 · February 2013

Could you just make crowns for the boys too? Or capes?

We went to a birthday party for a 5 year old boy and it was Star Wars themed. They made light sabers out of pool noodles. Just wrapped duct tape around one end and that was that. Our kids (5 and 2.5 at the time) LOVED them. They played with them for a good year - until the dogs tore them up. For me, if the swords were made of a similar material I would have no problem with receiving one as a party favor.

Stephanie2167 · February 2013

I think foam or inflatable would be fine. The hard plastic probably not.

Spin313 · February 2013

What about telescopes for the boys instead of swords? You could also look for wizard wands.

Lulobug22 · February 2013

A friend of mine did princess and pirates party theme oft her DD when she turned 3. She gave out blow up swords to the boys and my two boys loved them. My boys love swords! They are 2 and 4. I think it's a great party favor.

sosoph · February 2013

A foam sword is fine, but I would really mind the gendered favors. Everyone should get the same thing.

jldittber · February 2013

I would be fine with it, foam is better, but even if it was plastic I wouldn't care. My son loves Jake and the Neverland Pirates and has his sword.

Honestly, its your party, if a parent doesn't like it..screw them. You probably aren't that close with them anyway

rjeller32 · February 2013

Hobby Lobby has some great foam ones I gave out at my daughter's princess party. I would maybe ask the parents if you are nervous about it. But I say it's ok, the kids at her b-day had great fun with theirs (:

harlosc · February 2013

Just checked back and saw more responses. I really appreciate the feedback and decided to get foam swords. In the beginning I did make a few crowns for the boys but then we got more rsvps (long story but not really invited) and not don't have enough for all the boys. I wish I had time to make more but I just don't. I'm gonna give the gable boxes to all guests (not gendered) and then swords to the boys/crowns to the girls!

Again... I truly appreciate the answers. It is nice to have a place to ask other moms for advice!

lynsef · February 2013

Some parents wouldn't like any favors that could be used as a weapon, but then again some kids will repurpose anything into a weapon. DS got a Jake and the Neverland pirates toy for Christmas that has a plastic sword in it and I often have to put it away if he and DD get carried away with it. However, I have seen swords that are foam that might work. I don't know where you would get them, but my IL's have one at their house that DS plays with when he's there and it's harmless.

mldain · February 2013

Teach the kid how to responsibly use a toy sword. I had toy swords my brothers and I used to sword fight. My dad had us grown up around guns and he grew up using guns. He was taught how to care for clean and RESPONSIBLY handle them as a boy. No one died nor did he shoot his eye out. I didn't hurt anyone either. If kids can handle that they can handle a foam/plastic sword.

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