Loot bags: how not to give junk??

[nonzerosum]

Does anyone have any creative or different ideas for party loot bags? At my DDs school it's kinda a tradition that on your child's Bday, you do a loot bag for each child (20-25 kids). At this point in the school year, who really wants more dollar store junk in their houses? Don't get me wrong, I live at the dollar store, but I like to pick up what we need. I picked up canvas book bags (3 for $1!!) and will create a personalized iron on for each child's book bag, but I'm short of ideas as to what to put inside. DH says that bag is enough, but I don't know how a kid would feel about that. I'm fairly crafty and am not against making things, but I'm out of ideas? Any thoughts? I know some parents stuff that loot bag full of candy, and I'm not against that as my kids find it a real treat, however, I know other parents are thrilled about that. I tend to obsess about these kind of things....

 

[seeking pixie dust]

How old are the kids? How about a blow up beach ball ($1)? Water color paints ($1 walmart brand). Sidewalk chalk? Play-doh? Kite ($1) at walmart.

Now, if the kids are a lot older... I don't have any ideas.

 

[eeyorefan74]

I always like craft supplies. You could probably get some big packs of markers, gel pens, Playdough, stickers or whatever you find that's inexpensive, then divide them up in the bags. Maybe also print out coloring/activity sheets and include those. Sidewalk chalk, glowsticks, and bubbles are always good for summer, too. Amen to no more dollar store junk. We just moved DD to a different bedroom and her closet was full of junk like that, so much that she didn't even know she had some of it. I'm all for things that actually get used!

 

[nonzerosum]

Sorry, should have mentioned the ages. It's a mixed age class ranging from 3.5 to 5.5.

 

[surfgirl]

I was just at Five Below and they had inexpensive water toys (guns - oops? probably not allowed, other toys, too)

- sidewalk chalk was inexpensive
- a small book ?
- a jumprope (might not be old enough for jumprope yet)
- bubbles

I would probably just go to the dollar store for inspiration.

oh yeah, you might be anti-candy, but if everyone else does it... maybe just a small lollipop or smarty ?

 

[Worfiedoodles]

I would check out the $1 aisle at Target. You never know what you might come up with, and it could be good sized and fill the bag. Take one with you in the store and see what you find!

 

[Aurora410]

I like craft supplies too. Crayons, stickers, chalk etc. I love love love sidewalk chalk because it gets used up so quickly. Walmart and target usually have good little things for a dollar.

Great idea for the bags! That's unique.

 

[timzagain]

I've tried to stay away from the junk too. especially the silly party favour you'd normally find among party supplies. I include a token piece of candy, but I've used inexpensive story books & toys, hair accessories, crayons, colouring books, novelty stationery, key-rings, photo-frames. If it is a themed party, you could choose items related to the theme. For example, we had a birthday party at the beach, so we put inexpensive swim related things like goggles in the loot bags.

The personalized bags sound like a wonderful idea, although I do think you might need to put something in it. I think the kiddies might be a bit disappointed if you don't, especially in the 3 - 5 age group.

 

[maidenfairy]

For my DS 3rd bday we had a fishing/camping theme, so the loot bags were paper lunch bags with a big hershey bar a ziplock baggie of graham crackers and another ziplock of marshmellows so the kids could make smores when they got home. I typed up little microwave smore instructions and put them in the bags also. It was a hit. I think all the parents were happy to get stuff they weren't going to throw away as soon as they left. Good luck!

 

[lovinpoohbear]

I just went to a four year olds birthday, they gave out kites instead of goody bags. For the girls, they bought Dora kites and the boys got Diego kites. The mom had them in a basket and each one had curled ribbons which made them a little more festive.
I asked the mom where she got the kites and she said at Walmart. They are only a dollar.

 

[dspads]

Water paints is a good idea. Or sidewalk chalk. My Michaels has wooden crafts that come with markers to color in for a $1. Cute pirate stuff, sports and butterfly picture frames, princess stuff. Target often has pencil cases with pencils in the $ aisle.

Oh, how about do some themed printables that you can staple together as your own 'coloring book'. You could do birthday theme, summer scenes, or your kids favorite Disney characters.

 

[r4blessings]

How about putting a small water bottle in each bag (easy and cheap to buy a case of the mini ones) with a small bag of goldfish, or sun chips, or pretzels or mini raisins? I like things the kids can use, and although I'm not "anti-candy" person, I think its nice to give out some regular snacks too. So each child could get their personalized bags (awesome idea!) filled with a healthy snack.

One year for my ds's birthday party, I gave out those plastic bowls with the straw attached along with a mini box of cereal (like fruit loops, trix, etc) and a banana and the parents loved it! And so did the kids.....HTH!

 

[luvmy3]

I think the water bottle idea is good. Walmart had small size refillable ones in their summer section. YOu could personalize them and add some single packets of kool aid. I also think that goldfish or pretzels or snack foods are better than candy for that age. My preschooler comes home with candy and I throw it out. If he comes home with a snack type food it gets eaten.

 

[wdwdancerwannabe]

My daughter loves cheap (mardi gras like) necklaces!!

You can buy a packet of sunglasses 12 for $5-$8.

Lip gloss

 

[Alesia]

I just sent in treat bags for my daughter's birthday. They had bubbles, crayons, 3 pieces of sidewalk chalk, and 2 tiny packages of sweetarts. They cost less than $1 per child.

 

[gower525]

AMEN! No more junk. Whenever the kids come home with a party bag filled with junk - I secretly throw it away piece by piece and they never know. I agree with the others that said to put snacks in the bag ( fruit snacks, teddy grahams, chips, etc.) These things will be put to use.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I may be in the minority, but I don't like the idea of treat bags being given out at school. It's one thing if you actually attend someone's birthday party and give them a gift. The treat bag is sort of a thank you to the guest for coming to your party. When they're given out to an entire class, they seem to lose their meaning. In my son's 3rd grade class, the teacher asks that treat bags not be brought to school. Parents may send cupcakes or cookies and each child in the class draws a picture for the birthday child which is then made into a book. This way, everyone is treated equally and honored on his/her birthday. Just my 2 cents.

 

[minniebeth]

A few friends have started doing a little gift card or gift certificate to the local ice cream place. It was just enough to buy one child size ice cream and cost about $1.50 per child. It is probably what you would spend on something else which I know a lot of parents just throw out (which is why I changed the way I do loot bags as well). The ice cream gcs were a huge hit and the kids loved them!

 

[rt2dz]

Wow! The only thing we’re allowed to send in for a child’s school birthday is a cookie or cupcake. Our school has rules against candy except on designated candy days—Halloween, Christmas & Valentine’s parties.

Now, you can optionally send things in on other Holiday parties. I cheated for the end-of-year parties for preschool. I bought coloring books and put labels on them that said to have a nice summer with my child’s name. It’s fun, it’s exciting, it’s useful and it’s recyclable. I’m thinking of doing books/kids crosswords for DS7 class.

You could buy 3 packs of bubbles at the dollar store. Multi packs of beaded necklaces, playdo, pencils/crayons, erasers, stickers, etc. that can be split up easily and get used(!) would work well too. Don’t limit it to the dollar store though; I’ve found things for less at Wal-Mart, Target, and sale items at party stores. I was at Wal-Mart the other day and I noticed they had small sports bottles with the leak proof built-in valve them for $0.88. Big Lots, Michaels, & Hobby Lobby are also good at times. If you have enough time, don’t forget Oriental Trading—I think they have a free shipping coupon floating around. It doesn’t have to be much; it sounds like the bags are pretty nice.

 

[C&M&C&M]

I stock up for loot bag stuff during the back to school sales (crayons, markers, craft stuff) and after a Holiday (the bags of small playdoughs).

I find Target to have the best left overs.

Our school does not allow any food, so we send a craft project for the whole class on your child's birthday.