https://www.target.com/p/creativity-for-kids-mini-garden-mermaid-craft-kit/-/A-79532428#lnk=sametab I got these and the dinosaur version for my daughters birthday and they were a hit. They were $6 on sale when I bought them.

https://www.partycity.com/dinosaur-multicolor-pencils-8ct-910898.html
Invisible Ink Pen
Fruit leather
Cake Pops

We go old school and just give bags of candy.

When DD was 9, I did a Redwall-themed party and the kids received a book from the Redwall series, bought on eBay in bulk. The hope was that the party's activities would inspire the kids to at least try the book. DD loved the entire series.

Anonymous wrote:nailpolish, chapstick and maybe temp tattoos would be great for my DD. All the rest feels really hit or miss. A beanie baby would end up probably in the garbage.

My kid would love the beanie baby and trash the rest.

A small craft kit
Gel pens + a small notebook
Headlamp
Bug cage
Hula hoop
Kickball
Pool noodle

Check out the outdoor games/toys at 5 Below.

Just know that it is really all really junk. It is about finding junk that at least some of the kids will use/enjoy.

Funny socks, one fun food.

Good suggestions so far. My kid has really enjoyed piggy paint favors and is obsessed with this pencil she got at someone's party:

https://www.amazon.com/Rainbow-Pencils-Natural-rainbow-Brilliant/dp/B00UOO2QCW

If the girls are into favors, they don't want gift cards. Some people object to ChikFilA so if you're going to do GC, I'd go with ice cream.

if you're thinking sweets then a custom cookie is fun. You could also buy a divided plastic box and fill with different candy

https://www.michaels.com/product/john-bead-176cm-joy-filled-plastic-box-storage-with-15-compartments-D683676S

Anonymous wrote:Water bottles
Bath bombs
Markers or gel pens

OP here- love the idea of gel pens!

Gift cards are hard and also may end up in the garbage. The kids or parents may not like the place, or a family member may have food allergies that makes scheduling time to go difficult.

Water bottles
Bath bombs
Markers or gel pens

nailpolish, chapstick and maybe temp tattoos would be great for my DD. All the rest feels really hit or miss. A beanie baby would end up probably in the garbage.

I'm working on party favors for my DD's 7th birthday. I hate junky stuff, but also want to stay under $5. Anyone have any great suggestions? Please don't say no favors. The little girls in our area are really into them.

-$5 gift cards to ChikFilA or an ice cream shop (any other ideas for $5 gift cards?)
-Nice chapsticks
-Those TY beanie boos with big eyes.
-some sort of arts and crafts kit like a make your own bracelet
-nail polish
-books (this is what I've done in the past. Like a Junie B Jones goes to 1st grade. But now I'm stumped on books that they wouldn't already have)