the environment thanks you! and I thank you! Because I hate cleaning up / stepping on all that little crap.

Anonymous wrote:I'd do a gymnastics ribbon on a stick toy. I've bought them for $2. Can be used in the party too

I like this idea. We got these once. It's just a wooden dowel with a streamer on the end. You could even make them yourself and they are biodegradable if people throw them in the trash. I'd use short sticks though so someone doesn't use them as weapons.

At the gymnastics parties we've been to, there was a favor cup with the gymnastics place babe in it and done trinkets. I assumed they were part of the party package.

But anyway, op, if you skip favors, that's fine, just be prepared food an upbeat answer if kids ask. Or a balloon is fine. I've always pegged the single item favors (big of crayons, book, etc.)

Just give a goody bag or small gift. It makes little kids happy.

Anonymous wrote:You need to give 4 year olds a little something at least. A book is a great suggestion. Or crayons or whatever. It doesnt have to be candy and pastic crap.

No, you don't. You certainly can, but it's not a requirement. You're already giving them a fun activity with friends and presumably cake.

Anonymous wrote:Party favors have been an expectation for a very long time. Decades, and in the case of wedding favors, centuries. If you're going to throw a party, you can thank your guests for coming.

I much prefer a sincere "thank you for coming" to some trinket.

A balloon is perfect. They are leaving with something and it's not a goodie bag of plastic junk. This is all we did for my 6 yo and they were happy. For years before we gave each a cookie so that they could eat it right away or the parents could throw it out if they didn't want more junk food.

Anonymous wrote:You need to give 4 year olds a little something at least. A book is a great suggestion. Or crayons or whatever. It doesnt have to be candy and pastic crap.

Why? I never got goodie bags and it was not at all a thing in my country of origin. The birthday kid gets a present (or not) and the guests come and celebrate and leave without presents.

What about gymnastics medals? Give something op. Don't be cheap.

Skip them!!!!

You need to give 4 year olds a little something at least. A book is a great suggestion. Or crayons or whatever. It doesnt have to be candy and pastic crap.

Balloons are fine - kids that age LOVE them.

We did coloring books (from dollar tree) at that age.

I think four year olds will notice and be sad only because we've never been to a party without a favor - but something like a bubble wand, silly putty, sticker book is perfect - or one of those big lolly pops from the dollar store or something ...
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I think bag/favor is a great way to get them to leave the party happily. At 4 they are sometimes sad to leave. But not a big deal, either way.