What Do You Put In A Kids Party Bag?
Party bags – also known as goodie bags – are a great way to make everyone feel included in your party fun.
They’re often a small collection of toys, games or treats that will add to the enjoyment that kids get out of your party. And depending on when you hand them out, kids party bags can be a great way to maintain the enjoyment of your event long after everybody has gone home.
But what do you put in a goodie bag to make your party a hit? How many things should you include, and how much do parents typically spend?
If you’re not familiar with throwing kids parties, then the answers to these questions might be a mystery. But as the experts in all things fun, we’ve helped to throw thousands of exciting, memorable kids parties over the years – and we’re here to help.
How many things should you put in a party bag?
It might seem counterintuitive, but when it comes to creating amazing goodie bags for your party, you can’t go wrong with a simple idea: less is more.
You may get an urge to fill the party bags full of as much stuff as possible, but this will either result in lots of low-quality toys and games that will be thrown away after one use, or could end up being very costly for your party budget.
Instead, we’d recommend choosing between three and five great items that relate directly to your party, or give your guests something to enjoy long after the party has ended.
What should I put in my goodie bags?
The exact contents of your goodie bags depend on what kind of party you’re looking to throw, and the ages of your guests. That being said, there are a few party bag mainstays that will always go down well:
- Food and sweets
- Toys
- Themed goodies
- Costume items
Food and sweets
It’s not uncommon for parents to put any excess birthday cake in goody bags, and there are several benefits in doing this. Firstly, it’s a cost-effective way of sending your guests off with a sweet treat to enjoy – you’ve already purchased (or baked) the cake, so why not make the most of it? Also, it saves on any wastage from your party, particularly if you have a smaller number of guests and lots of cake left over.
Beyond birthday cake, you might also want to include sweets and chocolate that haven’t been eaten during the day. Prepping the bags beforehand with goodies like this could result in inquisitive kids finding them early, so it’s often best to load up towards the end of the entertainment and just before everyone heads off.
Toys
Kids love to play, and you’ll likely have no shortage of options when it comes to toys and games that you can include in your goody bags. From bubbles to puzzles to bouncy balls, many items can be bought in bulk from party suppliers to keep costs down and make sure that everyone receives the same items.
It might be worth avoiding especially noisy toys and whistles, though. If kids open them up at your party then there’s a good chance they’ll distract from everything else, and other parents may not be thankful if you send their kids home with an assortment of noise-makers!
Themed goodies
Another fun thing to put in your goody bags are themed items that relate to the party in question. If you’re throwing a dinosaur-themed party, for example, a prehistoric colouring book and some pencils will keep kids entertained when they leave. For a jungle safari party, animal toys will remind your guests of the fun they had long after they’ve gone home.
Costume items
When it comes to group photos throughout your party, nothing looks better than everyone having a similar item of clothing or matching accessory. Your party bags are the perfect place to include this – especially if you hand them out when guests first arrive.
You might want to give everybody an eyepatch for a pirate-themed event, or hand out wands and tiaras for a princess party. This will help to create some really fun memories for the kids, and adds to the overall magic you’re trying to create.
How much should you spend on party bags?
No matter what kind of party bags you choose to make, don’t break the bank. Most toys and small gifts can be bought in bulk, so even if you’re filling 20+ bags, it shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg to create a sense of fun.
It can differ depending on your party type and number of guests, but we’d suggest limiting your goody bags to around £5 per bag on average.
Party bag alternatives
You may choose to go down another route with your party favours, but what can you give instead of goodie bags?
For parents leaning towards an eco-friendly party, there are a number of party bag alternatives that avoid the plastic usually included in these gifts.
You could give out plant and flower seeds, for example, which the kids can grow with their parents long after the party has come to a close. Or you could even buy a selection of canvas bags and pens that kids can colour-in themselves – creating their own personalised party bag that they can use elsewhere.
Got more party-related questions? Get in touch!
If you’ve got any more questions about planning a kids party – from venue ideas to unbeatable entertainment – get in touch. Contact our friendly team online, and take a look at our various party packages to find the perfect choice for you!
