by: Lindsay Hutton
How many times has your child come home from a birthday party with a goodie bag full of dollar store trinkets that get forgotten about almost immediately? The next time you're planning a birthday, forgo the penny candy and cheap toys and send your guests home with one of these fun and creative party favor ideas.
Small Pot and Seeds
Forget the party store — look to your local gardening store for goodie bag inspiration! Pick up some packets of easy-to-grow vegetables, fruits, or flowers. Put them in a small pot (check the dollar store) with planting instructions for a fun (and educational) party favor.
Friendship Bracelet Kit
Remember how much fun making friendship bracelets was as a kid? Your child and her friends will love it too!
You can make little kits with string, beads, fishing wire, clasps, or anything else you find at the craft store. Put it all in a decorative little box with instructions for the kids to make at home, or use it as a party activity and let kids take their creations home.
Just remember small beads and clasps are a choking hazard, so save this one for the older kids.
Cookie Cutter and Cookie Recipe
If your party is centered around a kitchen activity (pizza-making, anyone?), a cute cookie cutter makes an adorable (and inexpensive) favor. Attach a card with your favorite cookie recipe with ribbon, and your sweet gift will last for a long time.
Flip Flops
Flip flops are a must in the summer, and make a great party favor for a summertime birthday or pool party. Many stores have sales throughout the summer, so it's not hard to score several pairs for cheap. Grab a bunch in fun, bright colors, tie them up with ribbon, and leave them in a bucket by the door for the kids to grab on their way out.
Mug and Hot Chocolate
Who doesn't love a cup of cocoa when the weather is cold? Wrap up a few packets of instant cocoa to stick in a cute mug. Once the mix is gone, your little guests will still have the mug to use all year round.
Painted Pillow Cases
Planning a slumber party? Painting pillow cases is a fun themed activity, and they double as party favors!
All you need is plain white pillow cases and fabric paints or markers. Lay down some newspaper or cardboard, and let the kids' creativity take over.
Manicure and Pedicure Kit
This idea is perfect for princess-themed and spa-themed parties. Nail polish, nail files, and a small bottle of lotion make a great homemade manicure and pedicure party favor kit. Let your birthday girl help you pick out her favorite polish colors to include in each set so her friends will think of her every time they pamper their little hands and feet.
Bubbles
Sometimes the best favors are the simplest. Bubbles have the advantage of not being messy or noisy, and provide endless entertainment for little ones. What's not to love? This idea is a classic. Make it special for the birthday girl or boy by adding custom labels or stickers.
Movie Night in a Bucket
Many party stores sell plastic buckets designed to look like tubs of movie theater popcorn. Add a packet of microwavable popcorn and a small container of your child's favorite candy to each. All your guests will need is their favorite movie, and they're good to go!
Make Your Own
Here's how to kill two birds with one stone. If one of your party activities is an arts and crafts project, the kids can take home their own work as the favor. Choose from any of our dozens of arts and crafts ideas for an unforgettable party activity.
Themed Favors
You can extend the theme of your child's birthday party to the favors. For example, after a pirate-themed birthday party, send your guests home with eye patches and hats bearing the Jolly Roger. For a princess-themed party, give everyone a tiara. It's a great way to keep the fun going once the party's over.
Bookmark
Is your theme centered around a popular children's book character? Have your little guests color and decorate their own bookmark to take home.
