How about mad libs? Won’t annoy the teacher.

Anonymous wrote:OP here, I don’t understand what is wrong with the idea?
Kids are allowed to bring treats for their birthdays. I believe they are handed out at the end of the day but I don’t really care when- they are allowed. How are goodie bags different?
I want to do this because we have been invited and went to several parties so I feel bad we won’t invite these people back.
My kid doesn’t want a party because, well, he just isn’t a very people person. I asked him if he wanted a bigger party at a venue, a small home party (1-3 friends) or a getaway at a hotel with a pool and jacuzzi. He chose the latter and this is honestly what I will enjoy the most so why not.

I don't have any expectations that a child invited to my sons birthday will invite him to their party. Kids friendships are flexible and someone who is a best bud today might not be someone they talk to in 6 months. I suspect my sons birthday party list will look very different this year then it did last year. If people have expectations that all birthday party invites are fully reciprocal, that is on them.

I leave goody bags for the party but that is my choice. Our school options are limited this year by his teacher and I am cool with that.

I would think about what has happened in your child's class room. Has he brought home a birthday goody bag from school for other kids birthdays? If not, I would forgo the goody bag. The idea isn't strange, it really ins't that different then a treat, but I wouldn't do it if it is out of the norm.

Anonymous wrote:I have twins that age (BG)
Things that appeal to both genders:

Slime (but the teacher will kill you.)
Card games (there's a whole bunch of $5 card games you can get on amazon)
Smelly markers
Figit things, spinners, clickers etc.
Squishy things (those soft animals/food shapes etc)
Magic 8 balls
Slinkies

We did something similar with the squishy things and slinkies. But DC is in a self-contained SPED classroom, and there are only 8 kids total. Cupcakes, a balloon for DC, and the little toys for the class to take home. I cleared it all with the teacher before.

Op here, edible treats are allowed for sure and my kid tells me about each and every one of them
As for expectations: I can just as well say that people having a party at an expensive venue create expectations.

However you guys are right, I should check with the birthday child first. I mentioned the idea but it seemed like he didn’t care. I will just ask him what he wants to hand out in class for his birthday.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, I don’t understand what is wrong with the idea?
Kids are allowed to bring treats for their birthdays. I believe they are handed out at the end of the day but I don’t really care when- they are allowed. How are goodie bags different?
I want to do this because we have been invited and went to several parties so I feel bad we won’t invite these people back.
My kid doesn’t want a party because, well, he just isn’t a very people person. I asked him if he wanted a bigger party at a venue, a small home party (1-3 friends) or a getaway at a hotel with a pool and jacuzzi. He chose the latter and this is honestly what I will enjoy the most so why not.

Teacher here.

*** Cool goodie bags at school = chaos in the classroom,
*** Disrupts the daily agenda because kids do not want to focus on anything but the goodies,
***Kids may lose the items at school and have a meltdown
***Raises the bar too high for classroom birthdays, and sets up unnecessary expectations for future birthdays of other children

How little control do you have of your classroom? Give them out at the end of the day and be done with it. Are usually have a lot of sympathy and respect for teachers but frankly you sound ridiculous. He’s our preschoolers.

Supposed to say I usually have respect. These are not preschoolers.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, I don’t understand what is wrong with the idea?
Kids are allowed to bring treats for their birthdays. I believe they are handed out at the end of the day but I don’t really care when- they are allowed. How are goodie bags different?
I want to do this because we have been invited and went to several parties so I feel bad we won’t invite these people back.
My kid doesn’t want a party because, well, he just isn’t a very people person. I asked him if he wanted a bigger party at a venue, a small home party (1-3 friends) or a getaway at a hotel with a pool and jacuzzi. He chose the latter and this is honestly what I will enjoy the most so why not.

Teacher here.

*** Cool goodie bags at school = chaos in the classroom,
*** Disrupts the daily agenda because kids do not want to focus on anything but the goodies,
***Kids may lose the items at school and have a meltdown
***Raises the bar too high for classroom birthdays, and sets up unnecessary expectations for future birthdays of other children

How little control do you have of your classroom? Give them out at the end of the day and be done with it. Are usually have a lot of sympathy and respect for teachers but frankly you sound ridiculous. He’s our preschoolers.

Check with your teacher. My child's classroom does not allow treats or goody bags. They encourage the child to bring a book for the classroom. The teacher has a gift for the child, normally a birthday band. The kids sing happy birthday but there are not treats or goodies. I think it is because of allergies and not wanting to turn birthdays into a status thing, who gives the best goody bag or the like.

Don’t bring candy. I’d be kind of annoyed if my kid brought home candy from school. Same for slime!

OP, you don’t owe families anything. Your son presumably brought a gift to those parties, and more importantly he gave his presence.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have given out small boxes/bags of LEGO as party favors for the last couple of years (2-3 grade) and they’ve always been a hit. You could gender specific, or neutral and both boys and girls like them

We always did those too. Target checkout lane lego bags, $4.00/each and done.

Great idea plus maybe a candy bar or a lollipop!
Thanks! -OP

Legos plus candy is not a good idea to bring into the classroom. Not at all.

Anonymous wrote:OP here, I don’t understand what is wrong with the idea?
Kids are allowed to bring treats for their birthdays. I believe they are handed out at the end of the day but I don’t really care when- they are allowed. How are goodie bags different?
I want to do this because we have been invited and went to several parties so I feel bad we won’t invite these people back.
My kid doesn’t want a party because, well, he just isn’t a very people person. I asked him if he wanted a bigger party at a venue, a small home party (1-3 friends) or a getaway at a hotel with a pool and jacuzzi. He chose the latter and this is honestly what I will enjoy the most so why not.

What’s wrong with this idea is he is in 3rd grade, not preschool. Giving large goodie bags to everyone in the class will not be “cool.” There is not a party and a lot of kids and parents will their them away right when they get home.

You have your child options and he picked the way he wants to celebrate. My DS would pick the same and I’m going to give him those options next year. The jacuzzi in this weather sounds awesome. My son did not want to celebrate with friends and wanted to go out to a favorite restaurant with family this year. He’s a social kid and with friends other times but didn’t feel like having a birthday party. That’s fine. It’s his birthday to celebrate any way he wants. He’s never wanted to being in things for his class. Did you even ask your son if he likes your goodie bag idea?

Anonymous wrote:OP here, I don’t understand what is wrong with the idea?
Kids are allowed to bring treats for their birthdays. I believe they are handed out at the end of the day but I don’t really care when- they are allowed. How are goodie bags different?
I want to do this because we have been invited and went to several parties so I feel bad we won’t invite these people back.
My kid doesn’t want a party because, well, he just isn’t a very people person. I asked him if he wanted a bigger party at a venue, a small home party (1-3 friends) or a getaway at a hotel with a pool and jacuzzi. He chose the latter and this is honestly what I will enjoy the most so why not.

Teacher here.

*** Cool goodie bags at school = chaos in the classroom,
*** Disrupts the daily agenda because kids do not want to focus on anything but the goodies,
***Kids may lose the items at school and have a meltdown
***Raises the bar too high for classroom birthdays, and sets up unnecessary expectations for future birthdays of other children

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have given out small boxes/bags of LEGO as party favors for the last couple of years (2-3 grade) and they’ve always been a hit. You could gender specific, or neutral and both boys and girls like them

We always did those too. Target checkout lane lego bags, $4.00/each and done.

Great idea plus maybe a candy bar or a lollipop!
Thanks! -OP

OP here, I don’t understand what is wrong with the idea?
Kids are allowed to bring treats for their birthdays. I believe they are handed out at the end of the day but I don’t really care when- they are allowed. How are goodie bags different?
I want to do this because we have been invited and went to several parties so I feel bad we won’t invite these people back.
My kid doesn’t want a party because, well, he just isn’t a very people person. I asked him if he wanted a bigger party at a venue, a small home party (1-3 friends) or a getaway at a hotel with a pool and jacuzzi. He chose the latter and this is honestly what I will enjoy the most so why not.

Anonymous wrote:I have given out small boxes/bags of LEGO as party favors for the last couple of years (2-3 grade) and they’ve always been a hit. You could gender specific, or neutral and both boys and girls like them

We always did those too. Target checkout lane lego bags, $4.00/each and done.

Dont do this. It's weird.