Best party favor?

[Anonymous]

I'm putting together the birthday party for my 5 yo son and trying to figure out what to give as a party favor. I really hate giving junky plastic stuff and candy, but I need some better ideas.

I was thinking about giving a water bottle or a coloring book maybe?

Something that will be useful and not just go in the trash or create a mess at home.

What are the best party favors you've seen given at kids parties?

[Anonymous]

Big bouncy balls

[Anonymous]

We give candy, stickers, Japanese erasers, and bubbles.

[Anonymous]

bubbles
rice krispie treat
sidewalk chalk
pencil and notebook (like Star Wars themed or something)

[Anonymous]

I like play dough. (I know. messy, but they probably already have a stash and can add to it, or kat least it's fun play for a couple of days). We did sparkly play dough last time and my DD was so excited.

We included lip balm (it was a girly party)

Stickers - this is like a staple of childhood

Friendship bracelet - 6 pack for $5 or less. But since that might not work for the boys- what about glow in the dark bracelet/necklace. It's great for a day, and kids don't expect to keep the junk after its used up. Fun in the meantime.

What about those bath color tablets from Crayola?

[Anonymous]

We got a punch ball. I liked that, but now need ideas for my own child's birthday party. Following this thread!

[Anonymous]

I did a book with music CD inside it for DD's 2nd birthday. Got them all at the dollar tree, It was typical kids songs but for 2yo's it was great. May not be so great for 5yo's.
You could do markers and activity book, chalk, stickers, glow sticks ( from dollar tree).

For the love of God no more cheap bubbles that dont work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I did a book with music CD inside it for DD's 2nd birthday. Got them all at the dollar tree, It was typical kids songs but for 2yo's it was great. May not be so great for 5yo's.
You could do markers and activity book, chalk, stickers, glow sticks ( from dollar tree).

For the love of God no more cheap bubbles that dont work.

Hear me out. Those are the best bubbles. Your kid will REFUSE to out them down, so you, the kid, and your other kid will sit outside while 3yo tries to figure it out. After like 10x of trying, and only 3x of getting bubbles, someone will spill it. It's a tiny amount and a lesson learned on indeiendentlh holding bubbles, and the consequences of spilling them (game over).

[Anonymous]

^independently. I have no idea how that got changed!! Ha ha (does autocorrect sometimes save typos you made previously?!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I did a book with music CD inside it for DD's 2nd birthday. Got them all at the dollar tree, It was typical kids songs but for 2yo's it was great. May not be so great for 5yo's.
You could do markers and activity book, chalk, stickers, glow sticks ( from dollar tree).

For the love of God no more cheap bubbles that dont work.

Hear me out. Those are the best bubbles. Your kid will REFUSE to out them down, so you, the kid, and your other kid will sit outside while 3yo tries to figure it out. After like 10x of trying, and only 3x of getting bubbles, someone will spill it. It's a tiny amount and a lesson learned on indeiendentlh holding bubbles, and the consequences of spilling them (game over).

NP disagree. Those go right in the trash.

[Anonymous]

A book on the theme of the party.

[Anonymous]

My kids are older, but back in the day I opted for "nice" takeaways, like books or art supplies, vs. goody bags, and after thanking me for the book the guests would ask where the goody bag was.

There's no substitution for a bag o' crap, is what I'm saying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I did a book with music CD inside it for DD's 2nd birthday. Got them all at the dollar tree, It was typical kids songs but for 2yo's it was great. May not be so great for 5yo's.
You could do markers and activity book, chalk, stickers, glow sticks ( from dollar tree).

For the love of God no more cheap bubbles that dont work.

Hear me out. Those are the best bubbles. Your kid will REFUSE to out them down, so you, the kid, and your other kid will sit outside while 3yo tries to figure it out. After like 10x of trying, and only 3x of getting bubbles, someone will spill it. It's a tiny amount and a lesson learned on indeiendentlh holding bubbles, and the consequences of spilling them (game over).

NP disagree. Those go right in the trash.

Oddly, some of the best bubbles we've had have been those tiny bottles. I was suprised at how good some of them were.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids are older, but back in the day I opted for "nice" takeaways, like books or art supplies, vs. goody bags, and after thanking me for the book the guests would ask where the goody bag was.

There's no substitution for a bag o' crap, is what I'm saying.

Really? We gave a book and a helium balloon, and the kids were thrilled. To be fair, we probably could have just given them the balloon, and they'd have been equally thrilled.

[Anonymous]

Books (you can grab them at dollar store - Star Wars, animals, transportation, etc)