19 kids' party favors that won't end up in the trash
Don't waste your money on bags of plastic junk
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Reviewed / Dollar Tree
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One thing that hasn't changed about kid's birthday parties is how much the guests look forward to a party favor or goodie bag. Sometimes it’s candy. Sometimes it’s a plastic toy that will inevitably break during the car ride home. Sometimes, it’s both!
But it doesn’t have to be this way. It is entirely possible for hosts to show appreciation for their guests by providing party favors that are practical, fun, and less likely to end up in a landfill (or causing a sugar crash).
We've put together 19 of the best party favors for kids that aren't junk—and that will prove themselves fun, useful or entertaining long after the party has ended.
1. For a summer birthday: Beach towels
Having a pool party? Beach towels make the ideal favor.
Having a pool party? Keep those drippy kids warm and dry with a towel they can take home.
Towels can also double as cleanup tools for party time spills, and come in a large variety of colorful designs to work with any number of party themes.
2. For an earth-friendly alternative: Succulent plants
Plants are the ultimate eco-friendly party favor.
Kids love growing plants. However, flowers are hard to grow from seeds, and seed packets can get opened and scattered in a back seat on the way home.
Succulents, however, are both fool proof and drought tolerant. Just make sure your child doesn’t overwater!
3. For the sporty set: Personalized baseball hats
Party goers will love coming home with a baseball cap made just for them.
Personalized favors always give your guests something special to remember about the party—especially if you personalize them with a commemorative slogan to remind guests of the event like "Cole turns 12!"
Baseball hats also work easily for a variety of ages and are especially practical for sunny summer outdoor parties.
4. For kids of all ages: Baskin Robbins gift cards
Kids will love having their very own ice cream gift card.
Spice up a regular goodie bag with one of the best party favors a child can receive: ice cream.
Baskin Robbins stores sell gift cards with denominations as low as $2 which lets your guests select their own sweet treat anytime they're ready.
It’s like giving children money, but classier.
5. For toddlers: classic Little Golden Books
Add a classic to their bookshelf with a Little Golden Book.
Finding unique party favors for the toddler set is tough. Bubbles are fun, but immediately get dumped out by kids who don’t realize that’s a one time pleasure.
Everyone loves new books, and Little Golden Books, like The Poky Little Puppy, are classics that can be enjoyed alike by kids and their caretakers.
6. For an outdoorsy vibe: Colorful kites
Kites make great decorations and super fun favors.
Kites are timeless and can work with a variety of themes, especially Mary Poppins or Peanuts.
Plus, since these doodle kites can be colored, they double as both a party activity and as beautiful decorations.
7. For the youngest guests: Stuffed animal hand puppets
Hand puppets are a great choice for baby's first birthday party.
Stuffed animals are great. Stuffed animal hand puppets are next level! This variety pack is cute, soft, and fun—plus kids can perform their own puppet show during the party.
$40 for 12 at Oriental Trading Company
8. For tweens and teens: Ice cream cone bath bombs
Kids will love these whimsical bath bombs.
Fizzy bath bombs are always popular with kids, especially when they're shaped like ice cream cones.
These are best for party guests who are old enough to understand they aren’t edible, as the bath bombs are scented to mimic real ice cream flavors, including Mint Chocolate Chip, Cookies and Cream, and Strawberry Parfait.
9. For kids who love dress-up: Stovepipe hats
Silly hats are a hit with kids and tweens alike.
These whimsical stovepipe hats work perfectly for a Dr. Seuss themed party and will remind parents of their old raver days from the 90s.
Add them to the dress-up bin and re-use them once the special day is over as part of a Mad Hatter, clown, or magician costume for Halloween.
$33 for 12 at Oriental Trading Company
10. For a favor that's good for the mind: Highlights Brain Puzzles books
Send them home with a book full of fun activities and mind teasers.
Highlights, one of the brands most trusted by generations of parents, sells puzzle books designed for specific age groups. Sold in mixed and matched packages of four, these work for every kind of theme. Plus, they keep kids entertained long after the party ends.
11. For kids who love to play games: Decks of cards
A deck of cards can be used to play a large variety of kid-friendly games.
Get older kids off of their devices and into some old school Solitaire or Go Fish. Print up and include the instructions for a few different card games in their party favor bags as a thoughtful added touch.
12. For a pool party: Flip flops
Flip flops are the perfect favor for a beach or a pool party.
Beach party? Flip flops. Pool party? Flip flops. Spa party? Flip flops.
Pick a size larger than the average size of the kids attending the party because those with smaller feet can grow into them. Take your host skills to the next level and include some tips on how to clean them.
13. For a sleepover: Flashlights
Mini flashlights are practical and fun.
Flashlights are the most utilitarian of party favors. They’re great for movie nights, slumber parties, laser tag parties, glow in the dark dance parties, camping-themed parties, and any party taking place after the sun goes down. You win with everyone: Kids will use it to read after bedtime or as a night light, and parents appreciate having extra flashlights on hand in case of emergencies.
Party hosts rejoice: these flashlights come with the batteries included.
14. For little bathers: Bubble bath
Inspire party guests to hop in the bath with a bottle of Mr. Bubble bubble bath.
Parents appreciate anything that makes for a peaceful bath time. Will the bright pink packaging and silly mug of the OG bathing beauty, Mr. Bubble, encourage clean kids? Can’t hurt!
15. For kids who love sparkle: Reversible sequin pillows
Flippable sequin pillows will be a hit with tweens.
These reversible pillows will serve as glamorous party decorations you can then send home with your guests. Sequins are festive, and kids love the tactile joy of flipping them back and forth to change colors.
16. For a Dino-riffic party: Jumbo inflatable dinosaurs
Turn party decor into favors with these giant inflatable dinosaurs.
Every child attends a dinosaur themed party at least once in their life. Skip the action figure-sized toys which inevitably end up embedded into the bottom of a foot, and go with inflatables instead.
Blow up this variety pack ahead of time to create a Jurassic tablescape, and hang pterodactyls from the trees. Let your guests pick a fave when it’s time to leave.
$25 for 6 at Oriental Trading Company
17. For kids who dream of saving the world: Superhero capes
Kids can turn themselves into their very own masked crusader with these capes and masks.
These capes come with masks and decorative stickers. What a great deal! Have kids decorate their capes during the party for an inexpensive and fun party activity. Meanwhile, you’ll get pictures of a team of heroes rivaling the Avengers.
18. For kids who like to craft: DIY snow globes
Guests will love putting their crafting skills to work making snow globes.
This favor doubles as an activity kids can create during the party. Take your guests’ pictures on a polaroid camera or have them make their own artwork to stick inside. It’s a great keepsake that works for any type of party, but it’s especially fun if you’re working with a Frozen theme.
$36 for 12 at Discount School Supply
19. For the ultimate practical favor: Personalized water bottles
Personalized water bottles can be used to serve drinks—and taken home as favors.
Every now and again, a kid requests a birthday party theme so specific, parents are at a loss for party favor ideas. Enter water bottles. Every child loses them, so every child needs them.
These can be personalized with each guest’s name to make your guests—especially those with uncommon names—feel special.
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