I research and evaluate all recommended products and services. This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on links, I may receive compensation. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please see my commercial disclosure by clicking here.
CLEVER PARTY FAVOUR IDEAS AND SMART ALTERNATIVES TO THE USUAL PARTY BAG FILLERS FOR KIDS
Are you looking for the best party bag ideas for kids? Or ideas for the best things to give as an individual party favour instead of a party bag?
Whether you are looking for cool and unusual party bag alternatives or the best ideas on what to put into kids’ party bags, I’ve compiled a list of 127 of the best alternative party bag ideas for kids’ parties.
Many of the ideas on my list are unique, so you will look like you’ve put a lot of thought into finding something special.
PARTY BAG FILLERS AND PARTY FAVOURS THAT AREN’T JUNK
There is so much pressure on parents to provide cool party bags for their kids’ parties, but what if you don’t want to spend a fortune or fill a bag with cheap plastic tat?
With a huge focus on how we can all reduce the amount of stuff we waste, particularly single-use plastic, I think it really is time to say goodbye to stuffing kids’ party bags with junk and, instead, putting a few well-chosen items into a party bag or giving out a single party favour instead.
I’ve noticed a growing trend for giving a single party favour as an alternative to filled party bags.
The kids I know, including my daughter, love it when they receive a thoughtful party gift.
Another clever thing to do is have a craft activity and use the craft as a party favour.
127 ALTERNATIVE PARTY BAG IDEAS FOR KIDS: UNUSUAL AND COOL PARTY FAVOUR IDEAS FOR KIDS PARTY BAGS
Browse the list below to help you plan how to fill party bags or find the best party favour.
There are plenty of ideas for girls, boys and gender-neutral items.
Lots of the items could also work as prizes for kids’ party games.
I’ve also broken down the list of party bag ideas by age group under the main list, so you can focus on the age range you are buying for.
1. PAPER BALLOON ANIMALS
These paper balloon animals make for a unique party bag alternative to have little kids’ faces lighting up with joy.
Each balloon is individually packaged, so they make PERFECT ready-made party favours and budget-friendly ones!!!
These gorgeous paper balloon animals come in sets of 10 or sets of four.
2. STORY BOOK BOX SETS
Looking for a cheap party bag idea? One budget-friendly and cost-effective alternative party bag idea is to buy a book set and divide the books into individual party favours. This is very popular with parents at the moment.
1. MR MEN BOX SET – 48 BOOKS
The Mr Men Box Set is a great idea for party favours for kids parties. Buy a box set of books and divide it so you can give every child a book as a party favour. It's a great alternative to filling party bags. There are 48 books in the set, which makes it great value for money.
2. DIARY OF A WIMPY KID – 12 BOOKS
The Diary of a Wimpy Kid is super popular for eight years olds and upwards. Buy the box set and break it up to give each book as a party favour for your child's next birthday party.
3. THE ADVENTURES OF HORRID HENRY – 30 BOOKS
This box set of 30 books is ridiculously good value and a great way to give each party guest a fun book about the crazy capers of Horrid Henry. Gift wrap books with tissue paper for added an extra element of excitement for the kids.
Hairy Maclary is a much-loved kids' favourite. This ten book bundle is great value for breaking up as individual party favours for kids.
3. PERSONALISED KEEPSAKE TINS
These cute little keepsake tins from Cotton Twist can be personalised with a child’s name. They are perfect for kids to keep little treasures in. They can be bought empty or full of chocolates.
Choose from pastel, bright or character keepsake tins by Cotton Twist on Notonthehighstreet.com
4. A JOURNAL TO WRITE IN
1. ALL ABOUT ME JOURNAL
Journaling is a BIG thing at the moment. This makes these journals a super cool party bag idea for kids. My ten-year-old daughter received this gorgeous All About Me journal as a party favour and started writing in it immediately. And this journal is now an absolute favourite party favour idea with Mums Make Lists readers.
2. THE YOU ARE AWESOME JOURNAL
This You Are Awesome journal is full of life hacks, tasks and challenges to help each kid to be awesome. What's not to LOVE!! In an age where screens are everywhere, it's great to have a gift that encourages a little writing!
5. PRE-FILLED TREATS PARTY FAVOURS
1. PRE-FILLED PARTY CONES
I love these cute party cones by Little Lulubel because they have such a European flavour. You can add a thank you note to the cones so they can double up as party favour and thank you all in one. Very budget friendly and time-saving!! What's not to love?!! Do note that there is a minimum order of 15 cones.
2. PERSONALISED TREAT POTS
These Personalised Treat Pots have enough space on the lid for a name and a few more party details, perfect for complete customisation.
6. MAKE YOUR OWN KITS
Grow your own kits make delightful gifts to give as alternatives to party bags. They are perfect for kids ages five years and older.
1. GROW YOUR OWN GARDEN KITS
1. Grow Your Own Dinosaur Garden
This grow-your-own dinosaur garden is a gorgeous pop-up woodland kit with real cress seeds for kids to enjoy planting and watch grow.
2. Grow Your Own Magical Garden
If dinosaurs aren't your kids' thing, then this grow-your-own magical garden set is equally fun. It comes complete with pop-up unicorns. What's not to love?!
3. Personalised Make Your Own Magical Unicorn Garden
This personalised make-your-own unicorn garden is a gorgeous party gift if unicorns are a favourite. It all comes neatly in a lovely tin.
2. MAKE YOUR OWN TOY KITS
These Make Your Own kits on NotOnTheHighStreet.com are brilliant. They’re also great value for money – starting at £1.95 a pop (they do international delivery if you’re outside the UK)
This cut and colour make your own unicorn wand kit is perfect for kids aged 3+, it's super cute and it's eco friendly, perfect as a party favour or as a party bag filler.
This model aeroplane kit is a lovely party favour for boys and girls who love planes and crafting. The kits are great value for money.
7. WRITE YOUR OWN STORY BOOK
These Write Your Own Storybooks are just brilliant. They are full of hints, tips and tasks to help kids write super amazing stories. The first half of the book is tips based and the second is full of story themes.
There’s lots of lined space for writing, plus there’s character, setting and additional idea suggestions to help kids create a truly amazing novel!!
8. PERSONALISED JEWELLERY-MAKING KITS
These personalised jewellery-making kits are perfect for a birthday party craft activity which can double as a party favour. They are great when kids aren't so into party games and want to hang out doing some creative fun instead.
9. MAKE YOUR OWN BIRDCAGE
This make-your-own birdcage kit is just magical. I also love that it is made from recycled cards.
The birdcage is SO EASY to make, there's no need for glue or scissors, so it makes a great party bag idea for kids aged seven years old and upwards to make on their own or for younger kids to make with help.
10. FUN LITTLE GAMES PARTY FAVOURS
I have a fondness for portable games that kids can take with them when travelling or to play at the table when eating out.
They also make great alternatives to party bags, especially when kids are 7+ and the number of party guests is hopefully shorter than in earlier years.
Here are some little games that work really well as party favours.
1. PASS THE PIGS
Pass The Pigs is a simple game, but it's fun. Great for whipping out at restaurants whilst hungry kids wait for their food. The aim is to be the first to 100 points by throwing the pigs and seeing how they land. All kids I know LOVE it.
2. DOBBLE
Dobble is a speedy observation game, where players have to race to match the identical symbol between cards. It's a huge amount of fun to play.
11. A SET OF FANCY PLAYING CARDS
Playing cards are our family go-to for fun and games. We have a plain set, but there are loads of fancy sets for kids, making perfect party favours.
12. A PIECE OF BIRTHDAY CAKE AND A BALLOON
Now this is super old school, but also a great way to double up on party decorations and party favours.
Simply use the balloons to decorate the party space and then hand one out to each child with a slice of cake in a napkin as they leave the party.
The key is to go for fancy balloons if you really want the wow factor. You will of course need helium to blow up the balloons.
These foil balloons can be filled with helium, used to decorate a kids' birthday party and then given out as party favours at the end of the party.
This helium canister has enough to blow up 50 balloons, so it's great value for money to use for party decorations and balloons as party favours.
13. GROW YOUR OWN GIFT
Grow your own seeds gifts make a lovely alternative party favour for kids of all ages, plus they’re the gift that keeps on giving.
Grow Your Own Giant Sunflower Kit
This Grow Your Own Giant Sunflower kit is hard to beat when it comes to putting a smile on little kids’ faces. The kit is eco-friendly with a bamboo seed tray and peat-free compost, so there’s lots of lovely talking points for parents and kids. You can get the Giant Sunflower Kit over on Amazon.
This is a bumper eco-friendly party bag filled with wildflower seeds, a plantable flower-shaped wildflower seeder, a bio-degradable plant pot, a note pad, a wooden twig pencil, a mini-bee rubber, a wooden tag and natural wood slices disc.
This set of ten pre-filled party bags is great value for money. Each party bag contains a pulp paper pot, a compost pellet, a wildflower seed ball, a personalised 'Bee Happy' tag, a leaflet with instructions and interesting information about the components, and a bee-shaped chocolate treat.
MAKE YOUR OWN SEED KITS
Here’s what you’ll need to create a set of beautifully presented grow your own gifts:
- Seeds – cress seeds are a great idea for little kids, because it’s super easy to grow cress AND it grows quickly. Pansy seeds are a lovely idea for older kids, as are peppers.
- Terracotta pots – I love these from Hobbycraft, because they’re totally classic and also great value for money.
- Paper napkins – napkins are the perfect size to wrap seeds in, whether they’re in a packet or loose.
- Ribbon – I’ve got a thing for grosgrain ribbon for gifts, but there’s a massive selection for you to choose your own at Hobbycraft.
- Paper name tags – I suggest using luggage tags, because they come with a tie and they’re the perfect size for writing kids’ names on. I like the scalloped edge tags by Kraft from Hobbycraft, they’ look lovely and they’re super cost effective.
There’s a great tutorial over on Rock My Wedding, it’s for wedding favours, but it’s the same idea in principle.
14. WARM SLOTH HUGS
What could be lovelier than giving out hugs as party favours?! No, not actual hugs! These adorable hugging sloths.
They can be popped in the microwave so that they give warm hugs. Find these sloths over on PrezzyBox.
What could be lovelier than giving out hugs as party favours?! No, not actual hugs! These adorable hugging sloths.
They can be popped in the microwave so that they give warm hugs. Find these sloths over on PrezzyBox.
15. THANK YOU BISCUIT MIX
Party favours that double as a thank you save both time and effort. This biscuit-making set can be personalised and contains everything needed to make chocolate cookies, except butter.
PARTY BAG FILLERS AND ALTERNATIVE PARTY FAVOUR IDEAS BY AGE GROUP FROM 2 YEARS OLD TO TEN YEARS OLD
PARTY BAG IDEAS FOR TWO-YEAR-OLDS
Here is a list of brilliant party bag and party favour ideas for two-year-olds.
- Wooden Musical Instruments for Toddlers (30 piece set)
- Safari Rubber Ducks - Baker Ross
- Baby Einstein Board Book Library 12-Book Set
- SES Creative SES00305 fingerpaint 4 Colours
- Natuce 18 PCS Colorful Wooden Spinning Top
- Greenfibres Sonett Bio Bubbles
Wooden musical instruments can provide lots of fun for toddlers. How about buying this 30-piece set of instruments and then breaking it up as individual party favours for two-year-olds?
Baker Ross has a selection of different sets of novelty rubber ducks, but this safari set caught my eye. Perfect for safari and zoo animal-themed toddler parties.
This lovely set of Baby Einstein books has 12 books, perfect for breaking up and giving as 12 individual party favours or popping a book into each guest's party bag.
Break this set of finger paints up and pop into party bags or give as a single party favour for two-year-olds.
These little wooden spinning tops are eco-friendly and will hold two-year-olds' attention as they watch the bright colours swirl.
Score big eco-points by gifting Bio Bubbles as party favours. Every two-year-old loves bubbles!
Also read: I’ve also now curated a bigger list of party bag ideas for toddlers.
PARTY BAG IDEAS FOR THREE-YEAR-OLDS
How about one of these lovely ideas for party bag fillers or party favours for three-year-olds?
- 4 Pots Of Glittery Play Dough
- PlayWrite Junior Gardener Set
- Afufu Wooden Jigsaw Puzzles (Set of four)
- Play-Doh Party Bag of 15 pots
- Make Your Own Unicorn Wand Kit By Cotton Twist
- Make Your Own Superhero Mask Kit By Cotton Twist
- AKH® Kids Garden Gloves
What is better than play dough? Glittery play dough!! You can buy this gorgeous Djeco play dough in sets of four pots. Divide them up and give them as individual party favours. Pop them in a clear cellophane bag and tie them to make them look fancier.
This mini garden tools set is super cute and really tough, great for messy play in the garden and even at the beach.
These super cute mini wooden jigsaws are perfect for little three-year-olds' hands. Buy a set and divide it up to give as individual party favours or to help fill party bags.
Play-Doh is an absolute party bag filler. Be clever and buy a multiset pack and divide it into party bags or stack two or three together for individual party favours.
This is a cute little unicorn wand crafting kit with which three-year-olds can get creative. It's perfect as a party favour or alternative to giving a party bag, especially for unicorn-themed parties.
These make-your-own mask kits are brilliant for three-year-olds to craft and then make. Give them as party favours or add them to party bags.
These kids' gardening gloves are for ages 3+ and perfect for little kids messing around in the garden. The pairs of gloves can be bought individually or in a two-pack, which gives a little extra cost saving.
PARTY BAG IDEAS FOR FOUR-YEAR-OLDS
This is a selection of really cool party bag and party favour ideas that four-year-olds will love.
- Japanese Paper Balloons
- Air Dry Clay
- 30 Pieces Felt Animal Masks
- Melissa & Doug Scratch Art
- Grow Your Own Mini Magical Garden
- Wooden Animal Bookmarks
These paper balloon animals make for a unique party bag alternative to have little kids’ faces lighting up with joy.
Each balloon is individually packaged, so they make PERFECT ready-made party favours and budget-friendly ones!!!
These gorgeous paper balloon animals come in sets of 10 or sets of four.
This air-dry clay kit has a rainbow of 48 colours, perfect for dividing up as party favours or popping into party bags for four-year-olds.
These felt masks are super cute and would make great party bag fillers, especially for animal-themed kids' birthday parties.
Scratch-art is super popular with kids, and this party pack set is great for dividing up and using as party favours or popping into party bags for four-year-olds. You could also use it as a craft activity at the birthday party.
This Grow Your Own Magical Garden set is super fun, it comes complete with pop up unicorns, what’s not to love?!
This set of 36 brightly coloured wooden animal bookmarks is perfect for dividing up and popping into party bags.
PARTY BAG IDEAS FOR FIVE-YEAR-OLDS
Wondering what to put in a party bag for a five year old? Here’s my top suggestions for alternative goodie bag fillers or party favours that you can give instead of party bags, that five year old girls and boys will love.
Five year olds are still at an age where they love lots of loot in their party bag, the thrill of being given a party bag kind of outweighs what is actually in it. But that doesn’t mean you should just fill it with junk!
Here’s a list of junk-free party bag fillers and favours that five year old kids will think is lovely loot that they will actually use.
PARTY FAVOUR IDEAS FOR 5-YEAR-OLDS
- Bigjigs Toys Animal Wooden Yoyos (3pk)
- Galt Toys, Kitchen Lab, Science Kit for Kids
- Colourful Creatures Colouring Pencils
- Dinosaur Biscuit Baking Party Bag By craft & crumb | notonthehighstreet.com
- Little Princess Party Jewellery (Set of 8)
This set of three animal yoyos is perfect for dividing up as party favours. The yoyos are made from sustainably sourced wood and decorated with non-toxic paint.
This Kitchen Lab STEM kit is a great party favour for five-year-olds. They can learn how to power a clock with an apple amongst other brilliantly fun science experiments.
These bright and cute sets of ten colouring pencils make lovely party favours.
By five-years-old kids love the idea of making their own treats. This dinosaur baking kit is a complete party favour-in-a-box that doubles as a thank-you.
These little wooden bracelets are fab little party bag fillers that five-year-olds will love to wear.
PARTY BAG IDEAS FOR SIX-YEAR-OLDS
Here is a list of really bright and fun party bag filler and party favour ideas for six-year-olds.
- Silly Jokes for Funny Kids
- Bubble Lab Science Kit
- I Am Not A Toilet Roll - The Recycling Project Book
- Jacobs Ladder Visual Illusion Toy
What six-year-old doesn't love a joke? Either to read to themselves or to entertain their family and pals.
How about this as a great alternative to simply giving a bottle of bubbles? It's a complete bubble-making lab.
Kids and their parents will absolutely love this book. It contains a bunch of fun projects to do with old toilet rolls and other bits and bobs that can be found around the house.
Jacob's Ladder is a Victorian kids' toy that is still popular today. It is mesmerising to watch the wooden slats turn and click-clack up and down.
PARTY BAG IDEAS FOR SEVEN-YEAR-OLDS
Here are some lovely ideas for party favours and party bag fillers for seven-year-olds.
- 15 x Sublime Science Party Bags
- Gold Sublime Science Party Bags
- Flying Finger Rockets
- Air Powered Helicopters
- Micro-Catchabubbles
- Rainbow Diffraction Glasses
- Write Your Own Story Book
- Kids Hair Clips – Meri Meri UK Retail
- Personalised Treat Pots
- LEGO Gel Pen - Red + Minifigures
- Monster Truck Car Temporary Tattoos (ten sheets)
Buy a bundle of 15 prefilled Science party bags from Dragon's Den winners, Sublime Science. The kits each contain the following educational and fun science experiments:
Plus a link to a FREE eBook packed with awesome experiments
These Write Your Own Storybooks are just brilliant. They are full of hints, tips and tasks to help kids write super amazing stories. The first half of the book is tips based and the second is full of story themes.
There’s lots of lined space for writing, plus there’s character, setting and additional idea suggestions to help kids create a truly amazing novel!!
These unicorn hair pompom sets are gorgeous. Give them out as party favours or divide the pompoms up and use them as party bag fillers.
These Personalised Treat Pots have enough space on the lid for a name and a few more party details, perfect for complete customisation.
This Lego pen comes with a little Lego figure attached. It's a fun party favour that boys and girls will love.
Brrm brrm!! These temporary tattoos will please any boy or girl into big monster trucks!!
PARTY BAG IDEAS FOR EIGHT-YEAR-OLDS
Here are some fabulous ideas for party bag fillers and party favours for eight-year-olds.
- Girls Make Your Own Letter Necklace | Girls necklaces | Accessorize UK
- Retro TV Candy Treat Box
- 4 x Large Special Effect Bath Bombs
- 4M Lemon Clock
- 8 Animal Sticky Notepads
- 6 Cute Animal Eraser Topper Pencils
- Personalised T Shirt Painting Kit
This cute little kit is lovely for kids to make and then they can wear it endlessly.
These treat boxes are retro style and contain all the penny sweets from yesteryear, so kids will have to fight to keep their parents' hands out!!
These bath bombs are super duper charged with special effects. Divide the set of four up to help fill party bags or give a complete set as a party favour.
These lemon clock-making sets are great little science projects and great STEM party favours.
These cute little animal-shaped sticky notepads come in sets of eight, perfect for party bag fillers.
These cute animals eraser-topped brightly coloured pencils make great party bag fillers.
These T-Shirt painting kits are fab. Each kit has a T-shirt, a set of themed stencils, an initial template (personalised for each party guest) and a brush. Use them as a craft activity during a party or give them out as party favours.
PARTY BAG IDEAS FOR NINE-YEAR-OLDS
Browse these lovely ideas for party bag fillers and party favours for nine-year-olds.
- Golden Jaws Bath Bomb
- Milk Chocolate Lolly Lick
- Décopatch Elephant Mini Kit
- Friends Are Like Stars Heart Plaque
- The 3 Minute Gratitude Journal for Kids
- Edible Paper Money
- Friendship Bracelets for Girls (Pack of ten)
These shark-shaped bath bombs are great for girls' and boys' party favours or bag fillers.
These Smile chocolate lollies have a retro 80s feel, which will put a smile on parents' faces too.
Decoupage is a lovely craft, it takes a steady hand, so it is great for kids aged 9 years plus. These kits make great party favours.
Friendships start to become really important for nine-year-olds, so these gorgeous friendship plaques make great party favours for a birthday party of close friends.
These gratitude journals encourage mindfulness for kids and are lovely party favours for nine-year-olds.
Out of ideas for party bag fillers? How about giving cold hard cash? Or, failing that, edible paper money!!
This pack of ten friendship bracelets is perfect for popping a bracelet into each guest's party bag. The bracelets are adjustable, and each has a different pattern.
PARTY BAG IDEAS FOR TEN-YEAR-OLDS
Are you wondering what to put in party bags for ten-year-olds? If you are, I’ve put together a roundup of lovely party bag ideas for ten-year-olds. The list is a mix of party bag fillers and party favours that make great alternatives to party bags for ten-year-olds.
- Milk Chocolate Love Heart Coin (Set of 18)
- Personalised Pre Filled Spotty Party Cones
- Origami Book for Beginners
- Doll Shaped nail polish
- Children Lip Gloss By Little Lulubel | notonthehighstreet.com
- LEGO 12 Pack Marker
- Make Your Own Paper Birdcage
These giant Love Heart chocolate coins make brilliant party favours for ten-year-olds. There are 18 in the set, so they are great value for money as party bag fillers too.
Party cones filled with sweets make a welcome party favour for kids of all ages.
This book is a brilliant way to get kids into origami and makes a lovely party favour for ten-year-olds.
This set of 48 fab doll-shaped nail polishes is by the British small business brand Beauty4bBritain. It's perfect for dividing up for use as party favours or as party bag fillers.
This natural lip gloss is the perfect party favour for ten-year-old girls. There are four fruity flavours - - strawberry, blueberry, raspberry and cherry to choose from.
This 12-pack of Lego marker pens is perfect for dividing up to use for filling party bags.
This Make Your Own Paper Birdcage Kit is just magical. I also love that it is made from recycled card.
The birdcage is SO EASY to make, there’s no need for glue or scissors, so it makes a great party bag idea for kids aged 7 years old and upwards to make on their own or for younger kids to make with help.
Related: Best gift ideas for 12-year-old girls
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT KIDS’ PARTY BAGS AND THEIR ALTERNATIVES
DO YOU HAVE TO GIVE PARTY BAGS AT A KIDS’ PARTY?
Over the last couple of decades, party bags have become a big part of kids’ birthday parties. Back in the day, we all used to get a slice of cake and a balloon if we were lucky! But do you have to give out party bags?
The simple answer is NO! You absolutely don’t have to, and luckily there are plenty of alternative ways to tackle the issue of what to give kids as a parting favour if you give them anything at all.
The whole reason party bags became something of a prerequisite was that they are meant to be a little thank you to each guest for coming to the party. They are also meant to serve as a little something to take home as a memento of the party.
The emphasis here is on the word LITTLE!! A little something. Unfortunately, thanks to competitive parent syndrome, social media and the rise of influencers, party bags and party favours have become something of a minefield for the average parent who just wants to host a nice party for their child!!
Kids’ party bags can add a lot of money to your party budget, and it can take a lot of time to plan, shop for them and fill them.
The good news is you don’t have to give party bags out. You can give a single gift or party favour instead of a bag. Most parents will thank you for it!
WHAT CAN YOU USE INSTEAD OF A PARTY BAG?
If you are wondering what you can use instead of a party bag I have put together a quick list of ideas.
Budget can play a huge role in helping you decide what to give out. Try not to bow to peer pressure or keeping up with your local area’s answer to a Kardashian party host.
Take some time to put together a party plan and then work with the budget you have. I’ve got a post with a big list of party planning tips you will find useful.
GIVE A PARTY FAVOUR INSTEAD OF A PARTY BAG
Would you like to give out a single party favour instead of a party bag full of little gifts? If you are stuck for ideas, I’ve put together a list of creative party favour ideas that kids love and their parents love too.
Here are some good party favour ideas that you can give instead of party bags:
- Create a selfie photo area at the party and give every child a Polaroid selfie
- Have a craft activity that, once complete, becomes the party gift
- Personalised keepsake tins make great party favours
- A make your own kit
- A personalised keepsake tin. Kids love a bit of personalisation
- A journal to write in
- Write your own storybook
- Pre-filled craft party bags
- A piece of birthday cake and a balloon
- A book (break up a box set of kids’ books for a super budget-friendly gift)
- Edible treats (do something homemade if you have time and put it in a little gift bag or box)
BUT WHAT IF YOU DO WANT TO CREATE PARTY BAGS? WHAT CAN YOU PUT IN THEM?
If you want to go ahead with making party bags to give out, there are ways to create budget-friendly party bags that are also eco-friendly.
PRE-FILLED KIDS’ PARTY BAGS
If you are short on time or just want to avoid the stress and effort of piecing together party bags, you can buy pre-filled party bags.
The trick is finding pre-filled bags that aren’t just full of cheap plastic junk and rubbish sweets.
To help save you time and effort, I’ve got a list of seven absolutely brilliant pre-filled kids’ party bags. A couple of them just have a single item inside, but each bag contains something that kids will love and actually use.
TAKE A LOOK AT SEVEN BRILLIANT PRE-FILLED PARTY BAGS
CRAFT KITS THAT MAKE BRILLIANT PARTY FAVOURS
Craft parties are super popular with parents for lots of reasons, including the fact that you can use the craft activity as a party favour! I’ve put together a list of really gorgeous craft kits for kids’ parties that double as party favours.
TAKE A LOOK AT EIGHT GORGEOUS KIDS PARTY CRAFT KITS
ECO-FRIENDLY PARTY BAG FILLER IDEAS
We all need to be as environmentally conscious and conscientious as possible. Choosing to skip plastic junk and going for eco-friendly party filler options instead is a great way to cut down on landfill and single-use plastic waste.
Looking for ideas to fill party favour bags with? Here’s a list of the types of things that are either eco-friendly or that you can buy eco-friendly versions of to put inside party bags. I’ve also now created a separate post with a list of 32 eco-friendly party bag filler ideas with links to some of the best eco-friendly party bag fillers around.
1. EDIBLE FAVOURS
- Sweets and candy
- Chocolate buttons
- Sugar mice
- Lollipops
- Candy necklace or bracelet
- Chocolate coins
- Packet of popcorn
- Homemade cupcake or treats
2. BOOKS AND STATIONERY FAVOURS
- Pencil case
- Book
- Colouring book
- Pencil sharpener
- Notebook
- Pen toppers
- Personalised pencil
- Erasers
- Mini box of crayons
- Chalk
- Stickers
3. HAIR AND BODY ACCESSORIES
- Fun toothbrush
- Hair bobbles
- Hair clips
- Play tattoos
- Bracelets
- Water-based nail polish
- Lip balm
4. FUN AND GAMES
- Finger puppet
- Mini rubber ducks
- Skipping rope
- Yoyo
- Bubbles
- Mini soft toy
- Magnet
- Pot of play putty
- Bouncy balls
- Sidewalk chalk
RANDOM OTHER FAVOUR IDEAS
- Glow stars
- Pack of seeds to grow
- Colour stainless steel drinking straw
- Personalised or cute mug
- Polaroid photo from the party
LIST OF ECO-FRIENDLY PARTY FAVOUR / PARTY BAG SUPPLIERS
Here’s a list of sustainable, eco-friendly party favours and party bag filler brands and suppliers to look out for:
- Cotton Twist
- Little Otter Party Supplies
- The Paper Party Bag Shop
- Ethical Kidz
- Little Cherry
- Plastic-Free Party Bags
- Eco Party Bags
- The Original Party Bag Company
- Favour Fairy
- Fair kind Child
ALL 126 PARTY BAG IDEAS IN ONE BIG EASY READ LIST
This post has evolved over time from a list of 12 alternative party bag ideas to over 100 ideas and now to 126 ideas.
If you just simply want to take a quick look at a list of party bag ideas, you can use the simplified list below.
Click the links to shop the ideas.
126 party bag ideas for kids parties
- Paper animal party balloons
- Personalised keepsake tins
- Pot of colour changing putty
- Pot of squeezable putting
- Pot of silk clay or modelling clay
- Unicorn poo - yes really, it's a thing!
- Mini play doh pot
- Grow Your Own Dinosaur Garden
- Grow Your Own Magical Garden
- Personalised Make Your Own Unicorn Garden
- Make your own unicorn wand kit
- Make your own aeroplane kit
- Make your own superhero mask
- Make Your Own Paper Birdcage Kit
- Wooden rocket stand up kit
- Colour-in party bags – doubles as a craft and a party favour or bag for party loot
- Sock unicorn craft kits – more of a party favour/gift than a filler
- Little animal sewing kits
- Mr Men Box Set - buy and break up for individual party favours
- Paddington box set of books - buy and break up for individual party favours
- Little Miss box set of books - buy and break up for individual party favours
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid Box Set - - buy and break up for individual party favours
- All About Me journal
- You Are Awesome journal
- Write Your Own Storybook
- Personalised unicorn and rainbow bracelet making kit
- Prefilled party treat cones
- Prefilled pinata style party cones with gifts and treats
- Personalised treat pots
- Pass The Pigs
- Dobble
- Marvel playing cards
- Grow your own Giant Sunflower Kit
- Cress seeds
- Personalised wild flower growing kit
- Wooden musical instruments
- Animal shaped easy-grip crayons
- Baby Einstein board book (buy in set of 12)
- Finger paints
- Scented gel pens
- Erasers
- Mini box of crayons
- Pencil sharpener
- Notebook
- Pen toppers
- Pencil case
- Cute highlighter pens
- Chalk
- Stickers
- Mini bath crayons
- Wooden spinning top (18 pieces in one pack)
- CocoMelon bubbles
- Bubbles - I love these mini ice-cream bubble bottles
- Superhero rubber ducks
- Play-doh party pot (buy in party bag of 15 pots, super budget-friendly)
- Animal finger puppet
- Air-dry colourful modelling clay (buy in bulk for budget-friendliness)
- Colourful wooden animal bookmark
- Wooden birdhouse making kit (two per set for great value)
- Robot jelly bean party favour boxes
- Coloured pencils set
- Wooden wand making kit B07CRX597M
- Wooden dinosaur yoyo
- Wooden animal handle skipping rope
- Wooden hearts and rainbows bracelet by Little Otter
- Nut Bugs
- Cute tattoos, Animal tattoos
- Tiger in the garden seedbom
- Pirates Treasure – Fools Gold
- Clown topped colourful pencil
- Bug pencil sharpeners
- Animal eraser and sharpener set
- Dinosaur themed sweetie party pots
- Personalised party chocolate bar
- Personalised baking kit
- Cute animal topped pencils
- Make your own biscuit kit
- Kidz Labs Lemon Clock
- Wooden transformer robot
- Personalised keepsake tin
- Wooden animal keyrings
- Wooden animal stamps
- Animal shaped notepads
- Three minute gratitude journal for kids
- Biodegradable vegan skin glitter
- Edible paper money
- Heart sticker rolls
- Mini doodles notebook
- Animal memo holders
- Natural scented lip balm
- Natural lip gloss by Little Lulubel
- Water based nail polish
- Hair bobbles
- Hair clips
- Play tattoos
- Bracelets
- Nail art jewels
- Lip balm
- Peel off nail polish
- Lip gloss
- Coated Oreo party favour in box
- Unicorn coated Oreo party favour in box
- Playtime coated Oreo party favours
- Giant swirly lollipop
- Lick A Bubble edible bubbles (buy in pack of four)
- Cute mini notebooks – buy in sets and divide up
- Silicone fun drinking straws
- Wooden cars – buy a set and divide it up
- Slime Baff – eco friendly biodegradable bath slime, what’s not to love (eek!!)
- Baff Bombz
- Rainbow Surprise balls – buy a set of six and divide up
- Mini packets of flavoured popcorn
- Chocolate coins
- Candy necklaces
- Classic Freddo chocolate caramel
- Swizzels unicorn rainbow drops
- Wooden toy car
- Lego mini figures
- Lego craft kit - these are simply genius!
- Fidget toys
- Bouncy balls
- Mini bath duck
- Novelty toothbrush
- Reusable drinking straw
- Keyring
- Glow stars
BAGS TO FILL WITH PARTY TREATS AND FAVOURS
Once you’ve got your party bag fillers, you will need bags to put them in, so take a look at my roundup of 18 of the best paper party bags around for inspiration.
So there you go, some alternative party bag ideas for kids that take away the headache of thinking up ideas for stuffing party bags with.
Did you know you can now download my free kids’ party checklist, where you can make sure to tick off party bag favours?
READ NEXT:
I’ve got a growing list of kids’ party-planning posts. Take a look and see which ones might be of use to you, including more goodie bag ideas for kids.
MORE KIDS’ PARTY POSTS
- KIDS PARTY PLANNING HOME
- 22 Best kids party games for indoors and outdoors
- Kids party planning tips
- 30 Best party games for kids
- Best party bag ideas
- Pre-filled party bag ideas
- Free pin the tail printables
- Kids’ party venue ideas
- Best craft kits for kids’ parties
- Ideas for a unicorn themed kids’ birthday party
- Super easy kids’ party snacks
- How to host a simple kids’ birthday party
- Kids’ party theme ideas
- How to get kids’ party food right
PIN TO SAVE:
Luci is the founder of Mums Make Lists (Est. 2011). Over the last decade or so, she has used her experience as a mum to create useful guides to organising family life. During that time, she has found the most joy in creating lists of ideas and inspiration to make it easier for busy parents to plan and host kids’ parties and find great gifts. Read more.
Stacey
Monday 24th of January 2022
These are super cute. Love them!!