Help with prizes for the kids!

[covereddish]

We leave in less than 30 days now, and I need some help.

I have picked up a few things:
-a goofy stuffed animals for both boys to put in the stateroom as a prize
-bubbles for the sailaway party
-a mini fan/necklace


**But, I need some more ideas. Also, we are going with both sets of grandparents and another family. And I am trying to make each "family group" a "goodie bag" for the trip or for when we arrive.

Can some of you creative cruisers help? I know I can count on y'all!!!

thanks in advance,
b

 

[NJ Cruisers]

How old are the kids?

We bought my DS5 a sand bucket with shovel and other little toys. Another idea is little bags of M&Ms for the movies.

Diane

 

[DiaDeGuadalupe]

How about disposable cameras for each goodie bag? Between the different families, I bet there would be at least a few neat pictures to share once you all get home! Plus, kids love taking pics

Also, travel sized sunscreen for running around in ports of call (easier to remember if it fits in a fanny pack or small purse)

I'm trying to figure out what sorts of goodies to bring for my DS14. I might just have the Bon Voyage decorations put up in our stateroom since the trip itself is a surprise. We'll end up telling the kids that we're going to WDW, but we won't tell them about the cruise part. I think the limo ride to "the airport" will be pretty darned cool, especially when they see the ship

 

[CM_Mom]

DiaDeGuadalupe, gobsmacked is the word that comes to mind when your kids she the ship instead of the airport. What a fun surprise.

Coveredish, if you're flying how about a bottle of water for everyone? I know it's not exciting but I get dehydrated on planes and then I get jet lag and start my trip out cranky. It's amazing how much having a bottle of water that you can drink whenever you want makes it better....especially like our flight from DFW to MCO which sat on the ground at DFW for 3 hours waiting out a lighthing storm!

Along the snacks idea, a package of snack sized Skittles or snack sized candy bars (Halloween candy size) might be good.

Look on Shirley's site www.theperfectgift.cc at what she puts in the baskets for kids to give you some ideas. I second the idea of their VERY OWN disposable camera. Just be sure to get a Sharpie and write names on them so the kids aren't arguing about who's is who's.

 

[mhb]

Not sure if you can find these, but how about a pair of plastic binocluars. We are going on the Halloween cruise this year and I picked up necklaces from Orential Trading Co that were small binoculars. Don't know if they are any good, but it was worth the try.
Michelle

 

[staylor]

So far, I am getting my children each a waterproof disposable camera, a regular disposable camera, a beach towel, a pillow case to have signed, snorkel equipment (on sale at walmart right now), and a bucket and shovel. That's all I could think of as of yet.
Staci

 

[CGC33A]

I bought Disney theme tote bags (sort of backpack style) and will give them to the kids (2 age 4, 1 age 2 & 1 age 10 months) at the beginning of the trip almost empty. Then I am going to take lots of small toys (tried to find Disney themed ones again) such as small stuffed animals, small books, stickers, princess stuff, trucks, figurines etc, to give out at dinner (one per night if I have enough) to help stave off boredom if it drags on too long. My only problem is that there is a 10 year old boy who I don't know what to get. Any suggestions? We usually bring a deck of cards to a restaurant to kill time with him, but I don't want to leave him out of the fun.

 

[karebear1]

It's always easier for me if I think along theme lines when I'm trying to get a goodie bag together for someone.

For the adult bags you could include things like beach towels, sun block, good book to read or crossword puzzles to do while sitting on beach or on the quiet decks. A nice bottle of wine (or non alcoholic drink for the kids) with special glasses. How about something to wear around their necks that would be waterproofed and could hold tickets, keys, meds etc. while they're on the beaches? Sun glasses, flip flops or water shoes ( all this stuff is on clearance now) for when they go into the water at the beach. How about a beach bag as well! Heck- I'd use the beach bag as the base for all the gifts and put them in there! Do they have a personal CD player? Romantic , relaxing music......

Just think theme! Make them all different. I think a movie themed one for the kids would be great because they treats for the movies are so expensive. Throw those little stuffed Goofy dolls in there to make it look like an official disney gift! Use the beach pail idea as you base for these gifts. It doesn't have to be huge- any little surprise will thrill them.

All you have to do is get some clear cellophane and tie a ribbon at the top! They'll love it!

 

[Mr. Bill]

My 8-year-old got a lot of use from the autograph book.

She got "ALL THE CHARACTER'S" autograph!! Most of the time I got a picture while she was getting the autograph.

Bill

 

[figment52]

SInce you are travelling with a group do not forget post it notes for your cabin door.

 

[mum of two pirates]

What about glow in the necklaces from O.T. or a party store. All kids love them, You could give olderkids a magic theme stuff like a new magic trick each night at the table, that would keep the younger kids busy also, then they could perform for the servers. What about colored flashlight like things with the clear plastic threads sticking out the ends at the $ store for at night.

 

[MarcyIn Florida]

Originally posted by covereddish
**But, I need some more ideas. Also, we are going with both sets of grandparents and another family. And I am trying to make each "family group" a "goodie bag" for the trip or for when we arrive.

I'm not sure if this will help, but I recently bought some stuff at disneydeals on ebay -- they're Disney's warehoused stuff, basically. You could look on there for fun things to put in the bags -- I received mine in the mail (from CA) less than a week after I paid.

Of course, my purchases were all princess things for my princesses, but they had some very cute stuff.

I would get beachy stuff, maybe make a magnetic door sign for everyone? Water bottles, sand toys, beach towels, mesh beach bags (these would make good holders for the goodie bag), granola bars all come to mind.

M

P.S. I second the glow stick idea. We carry these with us everywhere for the kids at WDW. When the parades come through and they want the $8 glow bands, we have our dollar store glow sticks on hand for bracelets and necklaces.

 

[mom2sean_n_alex]

Didn't have time to read what everyone else put, but I found some Mickey, Goofy and Donald sticker books (small 4x6 size) coloring book w/ stickers. I also got Mickey Mouse fruit snacks Don't know the ages of your kids, but for my 20 mo old and 3 1/2 year old those are going to be big hits. Plus I've already got some of the stuff that other have mentioned that I read!

Jennifer

 

[TMTIP]

For our cruise last May I bought both girls the new Creative Memories Disney photo album for their character autograph book. As each character was signing the book I took their picture and also a picture with each daughter. After we arrived home I scrapbooked the autographed page with the cooresponding picture. I also put in little momentos like ticket stubs and little things like that. It really turned out cute and it is something they will keep forever.

 

[mommykeg]

I'm a Creative Memories consultant, and my 2 children will have the 7X7 Disney albums for autographs/pictures for our cruise next summer as well! They're just perfect!

 

[DiaDeGuadalupe]

There are so many good ideas here! I'm not a scrapbooking kinda gal, but I do like turning cigar boxes into purses. The person who posted about the autographs next to pics of characters gave me the idea to do that, but on a cigar box purse for my DD

CM_Mom, you're not to far from me, I'm in Richardson (originally from California but love Texas!)

Oh, did anyone mention magazines? You can only read the skymall catalog so many times during a flight They're also easily shared (well, unless you read Lucky and your neighbor reads Golf Digest) lol

Mints are nice too, for those who don't want dragon breath when they step off the plane



I just realized that we're in the double digits now. WOO!
:thewave:

 

[Honeychild]

We're going on the Wonder Sept. 9 and I've been collecting things for our kids, DS11 and DD 6. I went with a theme too! DS's will have a Stitch theme and DD will have a Tinkerbell theme. Just as others have said I purchased beach towels w/ matching beach balls, glow necklaces, disposable camera and underwater camera, etc.

I bought each of my kids a pop up storage box (It folds flat and then pops into a cube, easy to fit in the carry-on luggage) to put all the goodies in. This way they can have a place to store their "stuff" in the room (got them at a Bed, Bath and Beyond.)

Our local Walgreen sells "movie candy" in the big boxes and had them all on sale for $1.00 a box this week. Went and bought several boxes and will leave this for the entire family in a Disney gift bag (bought in the gift wrap section and once again lays flat).

I purchased some LE pins off ebay (both my kids have pin collections). Bought some chapstick, hairclips, colored sunscreen, etc.

We live in Florida and will drive to the Port. I plan to make them a travel bag for starters. Each will receive a gameboy game keeping with the theme (got these off ebay for a great price too) and a deck of cards. There are Disney Uno cards and regular playing cards. Car snacks, i.e. beef jerky. Thought I might buy a new DVD for them to watch too.

I hope this helps, I tend to ramble.

 

[fredms]

I am taking my neices and nepehews in January and am already planning what treats to bring. In addition to all the great ideas I am also getting Disney tee shirts monogrammed (on sale at disneystore.com and you pick the character), guests of honor badges from giftsofalifetime.com (unless someone knows where to get them cheaper) and mickey ears which we'll get monogrammed at Magic Kingdom (we are going b4 the cruise). Just some thoughts.

S

 

[Popovich]

Great ideas!!! We are leaving on the Magic Nov 27th and I am busy gathering items.

Dumb question, what kind of pillow cases are you bringing and what do you do with them????

Another idea, my DD will be 7 and my DS 5 are getting small containers of scented hand wipes or hand gel from bath and body works and my DD is getting glitter lotion or sunscreen. Watch for the sales!

Have a great week!

Gailyn