ByLuci McQuitty HindmarshLast updated:
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Goodie bags. Love them or loathe them; they are a thing, even though there are regular pronouncements that they are over. The reality is that kids absolutely love to get their little hands on a goodie bag when they go to their friend’s birthday parties.
So if you are going all-in on filling goodie bags but want to keep them junk-free and free of cheap plastic, you need this curation of the loveliest goodie bag ideas for kids that I’ve put together.
BRILLIANTLY ORIGINAL KIDS’ BIRTHDAY PARTY GOODIE BAG IDEAS
I’ve put together a range of filler ideas that will work for boy and girl party guests. I’ve been careful to avoid plastic junk and focused on finding the best party favours that are either great as a main goodie bag filler or sets that can be divided up to make cost-effective fillers.
There are some sweet treats, mini craft kits, fun goodie items, and cute little gifts that can be personalised. I’ve even found some super cute temporary tattoos that aren’t hideous.
I’ve tried to include ideas on this list for kids of all ages, from three to 12 years old.
30 GOODIE BAG IDEAS FOR KIDS
$12.43
These Lego Dot bracelets are the perfect blend of fun and creativity.
02/28/2024 03:55 pm GMT
A brilliant goodie bag filler for space-themed parties. All Zimpli Kids Baff Bombz are skin safe, drain-safe, easy clean and stain-free.
£5.75 (£0.96 / count)
Bath crayons are a nice twist on regular crayons for goodie bags.
03/04/2024 01:36 pm GMT
£7.95
This version of the Lego Dots bracelet is perfect for gaming-themed kids' parties.
02/28/2024 04:20 pm GMT
£5.99
Lego Dot adhesive patches are a great mini-gift for goodie bags.
02/28/2024 04:26 pm GMT
$54.95
Pop a set in each goodie bag or divide them up for a more cost-effective filler.
See AlsoSchool Bag Kids - School Backpacks & Bags For AllKids' Backpacks | School Bags | Herschel Supply Company02/28/2024 12:16 am GMT
This crazy colour foaming soap comes in pink, green or blue. It is made in the UK, dermatologically tested and paraben-free. Super fun for sensory play as well as for adding fun to bathtime.
20,19 €18,60€ (1,86€ / unidad)Kids covet these fabulous pens. Buy a pack and divide them up into individual goodie bags.
02/28/2024 12:56 am GMT
These Gelli play kits turn water into thick, colourful goo. The goo is biodegradable, skin safe (accredited by British Skin Foundation) and won't ruin your bathroom.
Divide a pack of 12 up between goodie bags.
Make Your Own Giraffe Peg Doll Kit
£3.50 (at time of publication)
There are several versions of this kit to choose from, including superheroes, ballerinas, pirates and witches.
Buy from NotOnTheHighStreet
7,99 €6,99€These magic painting books make a great main filler for a goodie bag.
02/28/2024 12:50 am GMT
$14.44
Go next level with NEON Play-Doh. Divide a set of 8 pots up between goodie bags.
02/28/2024 10:06 pm GMT
Ice Cream Bubbles
£2.95 (at time of publication)
These have to be the cutest bubbles ever. The price is per item.
Buy from NotOnTheHighStreet
Personalised Unicorn Bracelet Kit
£5.95 (at time of publication)
Perfect for a unicorn-themed birthday party!
Buy from NotOnTheHighStreet
Donut Themed Jewellery Craft Mini Kit
£7.50 (at time of publication)
These cute kits come in donut, pizza and cupcake varieties.
Buy from NotOnTheHighStreet
$13.98$9.99Travel-sized versions of popular kids' games make great goodie bag fillers.
02/28/2024 12:16 pm GMT
Mini Pirate Notebook
£2 (at time of publication)
These notebooks can be personalised for a little extra cost. Perfect for pirate-themed kids parties.
Buy from NotOnTheHighStreet
$5.69
There is one of 12 collectable Lego mini figures in each bag.
02/27/2024 11:21 pm GMT
Make Your Own Dinosaur Feet Kit
£3.50 (at time of publication)
Cotton Twist's Make Your Own kits are brilliant value for money. This dinosaur feet-making kit is one of my favourites.
Buy from NotOnTheHighStreet
20 Temporary Kids' Tattoos
£9.95 (at time of publication)
Carefully cut the tattoos up and distribute them between goodie bags.
Buy from NotOnTheHighStreet
$169.95
The kit is eco-friendly with a bamboo seed tray and peat-free compost.
03/06/2024 01:45 am GMT
Floral Washi Sticker Rolls (Set of 4)
£19.95 (at time of publication)
Washi tape stickers are so gorgeous. Buy a set of four and divide it up.
Buy from NotOnTheHighstreet
Smiley Face Emoji Milk Chocolate
£1.95 each (at time of publication)
Yum! These retro-style emojis are perfect the perfect centre-piece for goodie bags.
Buy from NotOnTheHighstreet
Personalised Name Bean Seeds
£6 for three (at time of publication)
You can order as many as you like. The cost goes up accordingly. You can also choose to add gift bags and soil pellets. Simply the most fun eco-friendly goodie bag filler ever!!
Buy from NotOnTheHighStreet
Mini Pop! Variety 12 Pack
£20 for 12 (at time of publication)
How lovely and healthy is this party favour sweet treat?! Mini bags of flavoured popcorn. Yum!
Buy from Mini Pop
Personalised Pre Filled Animal Party Cone
£4.95 each (at time of publication)
These pre-filled party cones save SO much time and effort, give them out instead of goodie bags.
Buy from NotOnTheHighStreet
£24.49
There are 21 books hilarious books in this set of books by author Dan Gutman.
02/28/2024 03:10 pm GMT
THE QUICK GUIDE TO GOODIE BAGS FOR KIDS’ BIRTHDAY PARTIES
Goodie bags are the marmite of the kids’ party world for parents. You either love them or loathe them. Whether you are a parent who absolutely loves coming up with wonderfully original ideas for filling cute party bags or a parent who would really rather not have to bother, here are a few simple goodie bag tips to help you.
1. DO YOU HAVE TO GIVE PARTY BAGS OUT AT KIDS’ PARTIES?
Goodie bags, party bags, loot bags… whatever you call them, you absolutely do not HAVE to give them out. However, if you don’t feel like you can avoid giving the party guests a little something altogether, you can opt for giving out a single party favour instead of a bag filled with stuff.
If you are looking for good alternatives for kids’ party bags, you should take a look at my bumper roundup of kids’ party bag alternatives.
2. WHERE DO YOU FIND DECENT BIRTHDAY PARTY SUPPLIES THAT DON’T COST A FORTUNE?
As you can see from my roundup of goodie bag ideas, it’s not so much where you go to get the party favours as how you search for them. The reality is that there are lots of brilliant options on Amazon, even though a simple search for ‘kids’ party bag fillers’ tends to bring up all the horrors that many of us want to avoid.
The key is to think laterally about how you search (or simply use one of my many party bag guides!!). I am always on the lookout. for cool kids’ brands and tend to search brand names, then see if the brand has a store on Amazon.
I am also on the lookout for sets of things that can be divided up, which makes them so much more budget-friendly.
3. HOW MANY ITEMS DO YOU NEED TO FILL A GOODIE BAG?
I suggest that you aim for three to five items per goodie bag. I tend to go for one main filler, then several smaller fillers. Another cost-effective way to tackle filling a goodie bag is to include a piece of birthday cake as one of the items.
4. EDIBLE GOODIES
There are lots of fun ideas for edible goodies, everything from sweetie necklaces to cookie-making kits. Or you could simply buy a giant bag of sweets or chocolates and divide them up.
5. WHAT AGE DO YOU STOP GIVING GOODIE BAGS?
While there is no set age, lots of parents stop giving goodie bags out once their kids get to secondary school. In my experience, there is a transition from giving goodie bags to giving a single party favour once kids reach their tween years (8-12 years old), and then the whole thing tails off once kids get to secondary (high) school.
Luci McQuitty Hindmarsh
Hello, I’m Luci, founder of Mums Make Lists. I get a buzz out of sharing tried and tested tips, ideas, systems and tools that help mothers stay ahead of the game with daily family life. If motherhood is the beating heart of Mums Make Lists, organisation is its backbone. Read more.
