Birthday parties fill the social calendars of children of all ages. Kids attending parties love socializing with their friends, eating cake and ice cream, and receiving party favors.
For years, the typical party favors usually cost around $5 and consisted of a bag filled with candy and a few small toy prizes. But for parents wary of food allergies or overloading kids with too much sugar, there are many alternative ideas for party favors.
Costume Favors
Recently, my son attended a “capture the flag” party. Each guest received a camouflage T-shirt in either green or blue which they immediately put on. The shirts served as both a way to tell which team each child was on and as a favor that the kids could wear long after the party was over.
For a superhero-themed party, another costume-type favor idea is to buy each kid a cape. The website sewplainjane.com/capes sells fun capes that kids can wear at the party and later for adventures at home.
Seasonal Favors
For a summer birthday, try a plastic pail and shovel filled with an inflatable beach ball. For winter, a kid’s snow shovel personalized with each child’s name. For spring or fall, purchase full-size balls (footballs, soccer balls, kickballs) at discount shops like Five Below or Amazing Savings.
Crafty Favors
Buy plain white t-shirts and tie-dye the shirts at the party. Or decorate plastic frames with paints or sticker and then insert an instant photo from party of the guest. Both of these ideas provide both a party activity and a favor.
Sport Bottles/Lunch Boxes
Many items from sport bottles to lunch boxes can be personalized with the guest’s name. Parents can personalize items themselves with a paint pen or check out outrageouspartyfavors.com. The site offers a large selection of personalized party favors.
Puzzles or Books
Books and puzzles are great favors for younger guests. Many cost less than $5 and kids will enjoy them for many months after the party is over.
Music CDs
Burn a disc of songs played at the party, or compile a CD with the birthday child’s favorite tunes.
Gift Cards
Gift cards are more than a great gift for the birthday child—they are also fun and useful party favors. Consider giving a $5 gift card for iTunes, Dunkin’ Donuts, or the local ice cream or candy shop. Wrap the card up in a cellophane bag with a bow and a few pieces of candy or a small toy or a piece of costume jewelry.
A final tip on party favors: try to give every guest the same favor to avoid hurt feelings. Last week, I drove several boys home from a party and the ride was very draining as I listened to the long and impassioned pleas from two of the boys desperately wanting my son to trade his “slime ball.” They had received a different, less-coveted item in their favor bags, and they were clearly unhappy about it.
What’s the best party favor your child has ever received at a birthday party? Leave a comment!
Randi Mazzella is a freelance writer and mom to three from Short Hills, NJ.
