Every parent who throws a birthday party for their child will have to deal with the tyranny of party favors. Are they necessary? No, but kids love a goodie bag. The question I found myself asking was, what can I get that’s not a complete waste of money and won’t immediately go in the trash or drive adults up the wall? After throwing a combined seven parties for two kids, the most recent one for my younger son, who’s now 2 1/2, I have a few ideas that don’t involve noisemakers, swirly straws (if I see another one of those again, I swear …), or junky plastic tchotchkes. I tried to stick to paper-based products as much as possible, or things that kids can actually use — and get excited about. Below, the best party favors for kids, as vetted by yours truly and several other Strategist parents.
Update on October 25, 2024: Updated prices and checked stock for all products.
Stickers are always a hit, and these waterproof ones that are inspired by Squishmallows are perfect for water bottles. Strategist senior editor Winnie Yang recently bought a bunch for her 8-year-old daughter, who likes to trade them with her classmates. This pack of 100 can easily be divided among goodie bags.
For my older son’s dinosaur-themed birthday party last year, I got this pack of puffy dinosaur stickers that actually look pretty decent.
A roll of sparkly stickers can also be fun. Cut off a few per kid, and you’re on your way.
For my older son’s fifth birthday, I bought a variety of these four-by-six-inch Dover Little Activity Books that included sticker, stained-glass coloring, and puzzle books. Because I was hosting around 45 kids, I picked all the ones that were $2 and under. I also got sticker books with shells, Audubon birds, hummingbirds, woodland animals, and reptiles.
This rainforest-themed book comes with little scenes on the end covers on which to place stickers. And here’s an activity sticker book for train enthusiasts.
I also got a few of these coloring books that have designs printed on vellum paper that you can tear out and put on a window to catch the light.
Another time, I gave out these Field Notes–esque notebooks that were actually pretty close to the real thing.
Here’s a mixed-color pack that’s just as nice as the plain ones above.
Because I personally do not need anymore broken crayons lying around the house, I opted for these neon half-pencils last year to go with the notebooks. I was imagining kids drawing quietly in their notebooks or pretending they were detectives, jotting down clues.
This year, I got these fun, full-size pencils with cute animal erasers on them.
A friend with older kids told me she bought these hardcover sketchbooks for her daughter’s art-themed birthday party, where they would be creating their own books. The kraft cover is great for drawing on and decorating, too.
And a set of scented Twistables for them to use in their sketchbooks.
When my younger son turned 1 last year, I got a bunch of these mini tiger puzzles from Mudpuppy to go with the party’s tiger theme — the Chinese zodiac sign of the year he was born.
I love this idea from Strategist senior editor Jen Trolio, who gave out these break-your-own Moroccan geodes for one of her daughters’ birthdays last year. While they require the use of a hammer, they look pretty and are easy to break open, says Trolio. They were a smash hit (pun intended).
Trolio paired the geodes with (edible) jewels — a.k.a. Ring Pops.
Novelty candy, as long as you don’t give out so much that other parents resent you, is another fun favor that I usually include. I love these gummy burgers so much that I had a hard time holding myself back from eating them before finishing the gift bags.
A couple of Strategist parents have given out whoopee cushions as well for a tootin’ good time.
Here’s another silly activity book for older kids that Yang used as a stocking stuffer and says would work equally well in a goodie bag. “Perfect for potty-humored second-graders,” she says.
Rainbow scratch pads are another interactive favor with a lot of uses.
If it’s an outdoor party, sidewalk chalk could be another fun favor idea.
And finally, for a smaller party, check out these felt bananas that Strategist senior writer Liza Corsillo gave out at her son’s banana-themed 1-year-old birthday party. My kids were delighted to receive them — especially because the banana comes out of its peel.
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