With a little planning you can easily make the treat bag favors for your next party! All of these items can be made to go with any theme; think color, size, shape, and scent. Ideas for containers are listed below as well as a few useful party favor tips. Everything pictured above is linked below.
- playdough - scented, colored, glittered
- candy necklaces/bracelets - single candy pendant, jelly bean bracelet, mixed candy or cereal etc. on a strand
- rubber stamps - simple name stamp, carved stamps
- pencil toppers - these can also be used as finger puppets
- finger puppets (here and here)
- stick puppets (here and here)
- bean bags - here and here and here and here
- super hero mask
- super hero cuffs
- homemade lollipops - candy, chocolate, or cookie (here and here)
- stickers - print out on sticker paper (here and here) or make homemade stickers
- wands
- bookmarks (here and here and here and here and here and here)
- ribbon streamers
- a moustache, eye patch, crown or other simple dress-up accessory
- felt cookies or other felt play food
- beaded bracelet or necklace
- juggling balls
- paper toys (here and here and here and here) - assemble yourself or leave for the child to do if age appropriate
- sewing cards
- I Spy bottle/mini version - coordinate the items in the bottle with the party theme
- blank book or journal
- coloring pages - here and here and here; print out, roll up and tie with a ribbon
- game book
- felt pin
- hair clips or decorated bobby pins
- recycled melted crayons in fun shapes
- peg dolls
- growing gifts - seed bombs or seed & dirt packets (even better if you collect your own seeds)
- sidewalk chalk
- alphabet soaps
- notepads
- flowers with a lollipop center
- shrink plastic charms
- story stones
- pocket warmers - sew together two pocket-sized squares of fabric, leaving an opening to fill with rice, then stitch closed; heat in microwave starting at 30 seconds until you find the ideal length of heating time
- pinwheels - remember these have small parts
- simple softies or dolls
- mini crayon roll
- lip balm
Treat Bag Container Ideas:
small tin buckets easy to find at paint supply stores
small cardboard paint buckets also at paint supply stores; paint or cover with paper
chinese food boxes most craft stores have these in a variety of colors
plain paper sack with a drawing or stickers on the front and tied with a ribbon or a cardstock header stapling the bag closed
plastic beach buckets check the dollar store for the best price
terra cotta flower pots perfect for a garden theme; the kids can paint these for a party craft too
fabric or felt bags with or without a drawstring
large tin cans of course, make sure the edges are not sharp
mini canvas totes bought or homemade
cardboard boxes such as a cereal box, cut down and covered with paper or painted; add a ribbon, string or wire handle
baskets lots of inexpensive ones available at thrift stores
popcorn boxes available at party supply stores
Helpful Tips:
*Use common sense when deciding what items to make for different ages - save anything that is small, or dangerous if swallowed, for the older kids.
*I always write each child's name or initials on every single item in their treat bag with a permanent marker, that way you can prevent any confusion if items get misplaced.
*Consider having extra treats available in case some items are lost - the younger the child the more important this becomes.
*If the party guests have siblings at home, you might consider sending an extra treat, or two, home with them.
*Take allergies into account when including food or candy in the treat bag.
*The treat bags should be the last thing you give out. Let the birthday child hand them out and at the same time say "thank you" to each guest.
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