20 Birthday Party Favors for Kids That Are Total Crowd-Pleasers
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In a perfect world, we wouldn’t even give out goodie bags. After all, what parent doesn’t want to put a stop to the endless stream of trinkets and doodads that ultimately end up in the trash? Still, the primary audience (our kids!) love and look forward to party favors, which is why we tried to find a happy medium. In other words, what are the goody bag items that will surprise and delight our kids, but also have a longer life span for use? We polled parents we trust and vetted dozens of gifts to come up with the ultimate list of birthday party favors. Here, 20 of our favorites.
1. Wind-up Toys
Getty Images/Boley
Ages 1+
One mom we talked to doled these out at her kid’s birthday party and got great feedback: “Parents told me they used them for weeks,” she says. “They’re great for the 2/3/4 year-old set.” They’re also mold-free and include a variety of beloved ocean creatures—everything from a Great White Shark to a Sting Ray.
2. Chalk Packs
Getty Images/Art Creativity
Ages 2+
How much do kids (and parents) love sidewalk chalk? Let us count the ways. First, there are endless ways to use it. (Anyone else spent a summer entertaining their kids with wet chalk i.e. sidewalk paint?) Secondly, it’s mostly mess-free, because it stays outside. We love these 12-packs because they’re nice and sturdy and come in a rainbow of vibrant colors.
3. Bubble Wands
Getty Images/Sunny Days Entertainment
Ages 2+
Never under-estimate the power of a jar of bubble stuff. With these easy to maneuver wands, the bubbles are big and the solution lasts. In fact, all kids really need to do is hold their arm out and twirl to make the magic happen. Let party guests choose their favorite color on the way out and be done with it.
4. Pip Stickers
Getty Images/Pipsticks
Ages 3+
Stickers are a forever favorite, but what if they’re extra-special (meaning they go with your party’s theme or nod to something the birthday kid loves)? Pipsticks to the rescue: A sheet of stickers (like this one or this one) costs about $2 to $3 and you could pair it with a mini notebook ($13 for 24) so that kids have a spot to immediately create.
5. Superhero Cape & Mask
Getty Images/Amazon
Ages 3+
It’s a bird, it’s a plane—no, it’s just all the kids at your child’s birthday playing dress-up in their very own superhero cape and mask. In lieu of a goody bag, you could place this superhero toolkit on each kid’s chair ahead of cake, then remind parents to take theirs with them as a parting gift. Hours of at-home use, guaranteed.
6. Melissa & Doug Water Wow
Getty Images/Melissa & Doug
Ages 3+
Another one-and-done fan favorite—instead of stashing it in a goody bag, tie it up with a bow and make it a parting gift vs. bag. These reusable water-based coloring pads will deliver hours and hours of use. They’re also great for a variety of ages.
7. Flashlight
Getty Images/EverBright
Ages 3+
It’s tough to beat the practicality of a flashlight—especially one that comes with the batteries included. Kids can use it to create shadows with their toys, carry it with them on nighttime walks or just to play around with it before bed. You could even forgo the goody bags and give it as a stand-alone. (Tie a ribbon around each one and let kids choose their favorite color as they depart.)
8. Poppin’ Pipes
Getty Images/Neec
Ages 3+
Before there were fidget toys, there were Poppin’ Pipes. These tiny tubes can be bent and stretched to their limit without breaking, but they also make cool and varying sounds while they do it. (It all depends on how fast or slow you go.)
9. Wikki Stix Starter Pack
Getty Images/Wikki Stix
Ages 4+
There are 12 Wikki Stix—plus, an activity sheet for inspiration—in each of these tiny packs. Unfamiliar? Wikki Stix are basically bendable wax (the non-toxic variety) that also have a “stickability” factor, meaning that kids can bend and mold as many creations as they can think of. Oh and they’re totally reusable.
10. LCD Doodle Tablet
Getty Images/Gersoniel
Ages 4+
One parent we polled said her four-year-old received one of these LCD drawing tablets at a recent birthday party and uses it all the time. “We keep it in the car to keep her busy on long drives and bust it out at restaurants,” she adds. It comes with a stylus that allows your kid to draw directly on the board, then erase with the tap of a button.
11. Baseball Hat
Getty Images/Woaiting Store
Ages 4+
Matching ball caps, matching t-shirts: Even if they just say something punny like “High Five” for a kid’s fifth birthday, they will be a hit. Plus, you can guarantee months—if not years—of use. Who doesn’t love and cherish a customized hat that evokes a good memory?
12. Skillmatics ‘Can You Spy?’ Party Pack
Getty Images/Skillmatics
Ages 4+
Got a wildlife theme? Even if you don’t, these card sets will be a hit. Each one includes 24 animal cards and a magnifying glass. The challenge: Use the magnifying glass to find the hidden camera (there’s one on every card). A game that’s destined to keep kids occupied beyond the party, for sure.
13. Little Golden Books
Getty Images/Little Golden Books
Ages 5+
This one came up the most for parents we polled: Mainly, due to the range of options to choose from. For example, throwing a party for a room full of Swifties? You can’t go wrong with Taylor Swift: A Little Golden Book Biography. Throwing a Marvel-themed occasion? Pass out copies of The Amazing Spider-Man. You could even offer a variety and let kids choose their favorite as they depart.
14. Whoopee Cushion
Getty Images/Los Angeles Superstore
Ages 5+
One mom we chatted with said her kid was recently gifted one of these at a birthday party and the whole family still plays with it. “Whenever we forget about it, someone discovers it in the playroom and hides it on a chair or under the couch and it’s got a new life in our house again,” she says.
15. Invisible Ink Pens
Getty Images/Gift in Box
Ages 5+
Help kids channel their inner spy or detective: These pens, which come with a UV LED light that’s turned on with the tap of a button, make it possible for kids to pen secret messages, then pass them to a friend (or parent) for quick decoding. Throw a mini-notebook in the bag along with it and call it a day.
16. A Rainbow Pen
Getty Images/Hutou Store
Ages 5+
Another thing for parents to keep in their on-the-go toolkit: A retractable pen that offers almost every color of the rainbow (there are six in total).
17. Silly Putty
Getty Images/Crayola
Ages 6+
It’s a classic for a reason: The stretchable putty was first brought to market in 1950—and it’s still a hit (and a crowd-pleasing goody bag item). Just don’t forget to remind party-goers of the myriad ways to use it.
18. Mini Handheld Water Game
Getty Images/Sumind Store
Ages 6+
Just add water to these handheld arcade-style games. Simply press the buttons to activate the water jets, which will help propel the rings onto the pegs or the basketballs into the hoop. A mindless activity (and great goody bag item) that kids can play whenever they have downtime—and one that doesn’t involve a screen.
19. LEGO Creator Polybags
Getty Images/LEGO
Ages 6+
The piece count (typically, around 60) is just right for this age group, but the best part about these micro-LEGO kits is the ability to use (and re-use) the pieces after the design has been constructed. Plus, how on-theme is this party clown?
20. Mini Kraft Notebooks
Getty Images/Paper Junkie
All ages
Yes, it’s a blank notebook. But depending on the party size, how fun would it be if your kiddo personalized it ahead of time for each guest? Use stickers, markers and more to make it an extra-special parting gift (and one that’s parent-approved).
29 Birthday Party Games for Kids to Get the Party Started (and Keep it Going)
