Party favors for 9-year-old boys (and you can steal my ideas from previous years)

[star72232]

When my son had a Minecraft themed party I did the Minecraft figures. Not cheap, at $12 each, but with only 4 kids it wasn't a huge issue. I'm like you and would rather not do a bunch of dollar store junk.

 

[havaneselover]

When my son had a Minecraft themed party I did the Minecraft figures. Not cheap, at $12 each, but with only 4 kids it wasn't a huge issue. I'm like you and would rather not do a bunch of dollar store junk.

My dd (11) just asked for a minecraft handbook for her birthday. Those are about $6.

 

[DreamIsaWish]

So many great ideas! Thanks! I hope that other readers find things they can use as well.

I've got lunch duty today at school, so I think I'll have to listen to what the hot topics are. I think Minecraft is big, but I'm not sure. I didn't realize there was merchandise/books/etc. that goes with it.

I was also thinking about the science ideas thrown out and was reminded of a store we used to go when I was a kid. My brother was a science kid and loved roaming the aisles of Science Surplus Store. They've got some unusual items on their website (sciplus . com) and turns out they're having a tent sale later this month. Could be an interesting shopping trip.

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

Another vote for books. I am starting this with my 6YO this year and matching to theme. Found a good pick for $3 each.

Like the carabiner keychain idea too for your rockwall theme. My kids love to clip something like that onto their backpacks.

 

[SEA333]

White hat, shoes, shirt, or anything else that is plain white, a 24 pack of Sharpies, and some droppers filled with isopropyl (sp?) alcohol. Let the boys draw on the white item with the Sharpies, drop the alcohol on the color, and voila! Tie-dyed souvenier. If they are really bored, (interested) have them resesrch the science behind it.

Or just let them play video games, eat pizza and chips, throw a football around, wrestle, play tag, and forget the favors....they really won't care as much as one might think. IMO, favors are really for impressing the other parents...kids couldn't care less. My 14 year old boy (at that age) and (current) 8.5 year old boy love parties where the parents just let them hang out and be boys. They honestly hate the parties where they have to stop doing one activity to switch to another...aka, most "themed" parties. And I almost always try to get them out of the party before the mom hands them the "treat" for showing up. It always ends up at the bottom of my car and never makes it into the house.

 

[Liberty Belle]

I don't know why we do this to ourselves, but here I am looking for cool party favor ideas again. I hate the bag of cheap plastic junk and candy, so I prefer to go with one nice item and be done. Last year I lucked into small Nerf SuperSoakers on Target clearance. I felt really lucky to find 17 of them for about $1.50 each (marked down from around $6). The year before I found Easter clearance Toy Story mini Lego sets for under $1 each (and held onto them until and October birthday). Before that it was books from Scholastic for $1 each (bought one of the large combo packs and just broke it up).

So, now we're at this year and I have not had a lucky "aha" moment. There will probably be only 3 or 4 boys at the party so I don't need to luck into 17 identical items on clearance. But right now I can't even think of what to look for with this age group. They love their Nintendo DSs, but clearly that's too expensive. These boys like STEM and science-type stuff so I looked at science kits at Michael's but they were too pricey. Since there aren't too many kids and they're his closest friends, I don't mind if it's a bit more than I used to spend, but I still don't want it more than the presents the kids are bringing.

My eleven year old is all about science and has been for years. I'm trying to think of some of the inexpensive science stuff he has:

Astronaut ice cream

Magnet wand, balls, and dust (sold at patent teacher stores)

A morse code clicker thing (hobby store)

Water rocket (hobby store)

Dollar tree has these little light show things right now

Petrie dishes and magnifying glass

Those sizzle magnet things (dollar tree)

Hobby Lobby (if you don't mind shopping there) has a bunch of small science kit things for under $6 each and they have the 40% off coupon.

 

[pryncess527]

Thinkgeek.com has some cute science things. Most of the stuff on that site would be too expensive, but they do have some cute things for under $10, and are running a Buy one, get 1 50% off sale right now.

http://www.thinkgeek.com/geek-kids/7-13-years/price/asc/0/100

 

[Calliaz]

I don't know if it is too expensive, but Steve Spangler Science has a bucket of cool science kits for $50
http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/big-bucket-of-science.html

I have also bought their soda bottle test tubes and made my own kit. I get the test tubes, the clear jelly marbles, and the color fizzers and fill the tubes with some marbles and color tabs. I photocopy the instruction sheet and put it all together.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Going with the theme of rock climbing, maybe a water bottle, trail mix, flash light or something along that line. Maybe some type of rock science kit? Maybe go with a book but pick one each kid would personally like. I am not sure it the store is national or not but we have a store called Ollies. It's a discount store and they often have really cool books, and science kits at decent prices. Check it out. I also like 5.00 gift cards for ice cream, book stores or a local candy store. I also like doing the personalize big candy bars. Easy and cheap to print your own label.

 

[Arkansan]

I have found the carabiner clips with attached flashlight in the dollar spot at Target. (About a year ago)

Also---what about a survival bracelet made out of cord? They sell them at 5 Below in different colors. They may have carabiners and flashlights and maybe even science kits, too. It is an interesting store.

Have fun!

 

[Hanover]

When my younger son turned 9 he had a baseball themed party involving batting cages, bumper cars and arcade games at a local entertainment center. We gave out bags with a new baseball, small pack of sunflower seeds, a small pack of baseball cards and a pack of big league chew. We bought them all in bulk at Dicks Sporting Goods and a wholesale club. I knew that most of the kids played baseball and would use the balls and eat the seeds/chew the gum.

When he turned 10, he wanted a laser tag party. We gave out t-shirts I found online that had writing that glowed in the dark that said "I've been tagged." We could have personalized them with our sons name, but I chose not to do so. They were a huge hit and parents thanked me for not sending home a lot of plastic. It was nice to have them wear them after they played to make sure I knew who was in our party to keep a very close eye on when they later played arcade games. I have seen many of the kids wearing the shirts to school. Even the laser tag business owner wanted to know where I purchased them to order some.

 

[SEA333]

When my younger son turned 9 he had a baseball themed party involving batting cages, bumper cars and arcade games at a local entertainment center. We gave out bags with a new baseball, small pack of sunflower seeds, a small pack of baseball cards and a pack of big league chew. We bought them all in bulk at Dicks Sporting Goods and a wholesale club. I knew that most of the kids played baseball and would use the balls and eat the seeds/chew the gum.

When he turned 10, he wanted a laser tag party. We gave out t-shirts I found online that had writing that glowed in the dark that said "I've been tagged." We could have personalized them with our sons name, but I chose not to do so. They were a huge hit and parents thanked me for not sending home a lot of plastic. It was nice to have them wear them after they played to make sure I knew who was in our party to keep a very close eye on when they later played arcade games. I have seen many of the kids wearing the shirts to school. Even the laser tag business owner wanted to know where I purchased them to order some.

That's nice that It worked for you, but I really, truly hope that this tshirt fad doesn't catch on. I can just see those poor kids who already dealt with *not* being on the invite list having to relive the embarrassment and sadness over and over again when the chosen few proudly wear their tshirts to school. I just saw on fb a girl wearing a shirt that said "I survived (so-and-so's) birthday 2014". Clique-iness is already a huge problem in most schools....I hope that parents think about what a tshirt boasting some kids bday party would do to the kids that didnt make the cut. I can just see the line out the middle school counselors door....and I wouldn't be surprised if schools look into putting a policy in place that says kids aren't allowed to wear "bday party souvenier" tshirts.

 

[megsoro]

That's nice that It worked for you, but I really, truly hope that this tshirt fad doesn't catch on. I can just see those poor kids who already dealt with *not* being on the invite list having to relive the embarrassment and sadness over and over again when the chosen few proudly wear their tshirts to school. I just saw on fb a girl wearing a shirt that said "I survived (so-and-so's) birthday 2014". Clique-iness is already a huge problem in most schools....I hope that parents think about what a tshirt boasting some kids bday party would do to the kids that didnt make the cut. I can just see the line out the middle school counselors door....and I wouldn't be surprised if schools look into putting a policy in place that says kids aren't allowed to wear "bday party souvenier" tshirts.

Wow really? Sometimes kids have to learn to deal with disappointment. And if your child can't handle not being invited to a birthday party mom and dad need to sit down and discuss things like friendships and why this might happen. (I'm sorry, but Timmy's parents had him pick five friends because his mom and dad couldn't afford to take you all, don't hold it against Timmy)

It's the parents' job to help their children understand they will never be EVERYONE'S best friend and invited to everything every friend does.

 

[SEA333]

Wow really? Sometimes kids have to learn to deal with disappointment. And if your child can't handle not being invited to a birthday party mom and dad need to sit down and discuss things like friendships and why this might happen. (I'm sorry, but Timmy's parents had him pick five friends because his mom and dad couldn't afford to take you all, don't hold it against Timmy)

It's the parents' job to help their children understand they will never be EVERYONE'S best friend and invited to everything every friend does.

I do agree with you on the "not everyone is a winner"- trust me. My kids have been in competitive sports all their lives. They dont always win, and are not always the best. Its my job to remind them that life is not fair.

And its also a parents job to teach their kid empathy. Even adults withhold information about who is invited where and with whom to spare the hurt feelings of those who weren't invited (ever had someone in your dept at work get married and not be able to afford to invite the whole team? Bet you those who were invited were asked to keep a low profile...its just common courtesy and respect for others) If we do that as adults why on earth would you view kids with disdain for feeling hurt that they were passed over?

To pass out tshirts thst say (to a kid) "you didn't get picked because I wanted 5 other people there more than I wanted you" and not to get one really sucks for an 11 year old, no matter how much mom and dad explain that life isn't fair. I'm pretty sure that most parents would agree that even though it's not fun having the "you're not going to be invited to everything, so get over it" conversation, its neccessary, and most well rounded kids can accept the sting and move on, but then going to school on monday where "everyone" (in the kids eye) is talking about it still hurts, too. Adding a visual like a tshirt makes it all the worse, and I would hope that, as parents trying to teach our kids to care about people other than themselves, we might think about this before exploiting the already clique-iness nature of many children when choosing to pass out tshirts commemorating an exclusive party/event.

Do you *have* tween/preteen kids??!! How is this not an understandable issue?

(eta: And I have a "star" football player who is the captain of his high school team and in all honors classes in school, and a 10 year old competitive cheerleader and is in advanced classes in school, so trying to make this personal about me is silly....my kids fit right in and get invited to a lot of things. But I also have a degree in child psychology, and see where this could go for a kid and I don't like it. And I don't apologize for my soapbox and will stay on it until the end of time in regard to this issue)

 

[megsoro]

I do agree with you on the "not everyone is a winner"- trust me. My kids have been in competitive sports all their lives. They dont always win, and are not always the best. Its my job to remind them that life is not fair. And its also a parents job to teach their kid empathy. Even adults withhold information about who is invited where and with whom to spare the hurt feelings of those who weren't invited (ever had someone in your dept at work get married and not be able to afford to invite the whole team? Bet you those who were invited were asked to keep a low profile...its just common courtesy and respect for others) If we do that as adults why on earth would you view kids with disdain for feeling hurt that they were passed over? To pass out tshirts thst say (to a kid) "you didn't get picked because I wanted 5 other people there more than I wanted you" and not to get one really sucks for an 11 year old, no matter how much mom and dad explain that life isn't fair. I'm pretty sure that most parents would agree that even though it's not fun having the "you're not going to be invited to everything, so get over it" conversation, its neccessary, and most well rounded kids can accept the sting and move on, but then going to school on monday where "everyone" (in the kids eye) is talking about it still hurts, too. Adding a visual like a tshirt makes it all the worse, and I would hope that, as parents trying to teach our kids to care about people other than themselves, we might think about this before exploiting the already clique-iness nature of many children when choosing to pass out tshirts commemorating an exclusive party/event. Do you *have* tween/preteen kids??!! How is this not an understandable issue? (eta: And I have a "star" football player who is the captain of his high school team and in all honors classes in school, and a 10 year old competitive cheerleader and is in advanced classes in school, so trying to make this personal about me is silly....my kids fit right in and get invited to a lot of things. But I also have a degree in child psychology, and see where this could go for a kid and I don't like it. And I don't apologize for my soapbox and will stay on it until the end of time in regard to this issue)

No kids but I'm not far from a teenager myself. I was that kid in a small private school who was rarely invited to parties and such of my peers. (Class of 15, 9 girls 6 boys) sometimes parents teamed up on parties and those generally were the only ones I was invited too. But so was the whole class. Being the only girl not invited to a sleep over sucks because everyone talks about it for weeks (Hey it was a small school, not much to talk about) and this went on through high school. (Basically the same 15-20 kids since kindergarten) I learned that it sucks sure. But I didn't come away scarred from it. Nor traumatized when Sarah's party that all the other girls were invited to was the topic of lunch room conversation.

Many of my friends were boys. I was never invited to their sleep overs because I'm a girl. Would you consider that wrong? Do you think that it didn't hurt when I was told I couldn't sleep over because I'm a girl? Of course it did. But it didn't make me upset with my friends or the boys who got to stay.

So you're saying that kids shouldn't have tokens of close friendship? There were plenty of times friendship bracelets slap bracelets or Pokemon cards were given out as favors. Hell. When we all turned seven a boys parents handed out gameboys with Pokemon red to the four boys the birthday boy had over for a Pokemon party. We're people jealous? HELL yes! Did people show disdain or hatred towards those invited? No. (But many of us did beg mom and dad for the game, I will give you that)

Being excluded from things is part of growing up. And if a child's day is ruined by seeing a tshirt it bracelet or a reference to a party s/he wasn't invited to, the child needs to discuss their feelings with someone, rather then take it out on their own self esteem or others'. That's what my parents taught me through years of rejection (friendships (I refuse to use cliques, you make them sound like it's some horrible anti self esteem movement) hold strong when you've known them since kindergarten).

Guess what. I went on to a very respectable college. I had a few close friends during grade school and high school. It's not as damaging as you make it out to be.

Edited to add: the "your child" was meant as a general statement. Not a personal attack on your children.

 

[Hanover]

My children have been brought up to be very empathetic. In fact last week, they talked about wanting to distribute food to homeless people more often after we bought meals and drinks to some in Baltimore that needed it.

I chose the non personalized t-shirt route to add a nice gift to those that were nice enough to come celebrate my son's birthday with him. I didn't want to give junk that they wouldn't use or need. We did not invite his whole class or even send invites through school. He chose close friends he plays sports with that go to a few different schools. It would have been nice to invite the entire school and everyone he knows or has ever met, but that's not an option financially. If that's the case why would anyone ever have host a party?

I think it's extremely important to show children that they will go through life and not always get invited to everyone's parties and events. It's a fact of life. They will experience disappointment at times through out their entire lives and need to learn to get over it. Someone, somewhere will always be upset or disappointed when they see photos and hear people speak about parties, it's not seeing just a goodie bag treat they didn't get. There will always be someone that feels left out. It's unfortunate to make anyone sad, but is there really anyone that can invite every single person your child knows or has come on contact with as to not offend someone? My kids have not been invited to some of their classmates parties over the years and totally understand and know it's okay that they invited who they wanted, were limited in their invites, and invited who they are closer with. That's life. They have plenty of other friends they get invited to come celebrate with. You can't protect kids from reality and they need to learn coping skills so when they are adults they can face disappointment and not crumble.

 

[tyniknate]

My children have been brought up to be very empathetic. In fact last week, they talked about wanting to distribute food to homeless people more often after we bought meals and drinks to some in Baltimore that needed it.

I chose the non personalized t-shirt route to add a nice gift to those that were nice enough to come celebrate my son's birthday with him. I didn't want to give junk that they wouldn't use or need. We did not invite his whole class or even send invites through school. He chose close friends he plays sports with that go to a few different schools. It would have been nice to invite the entire school and everyone he knows or has ever met, but that's not an option financially. If that's the case why would anyone ever have host a party?

I think it's extremely important to show children that they will go through life and not always get invited to everyone's parties and events. It's a fact of life. They will experience disappointment at times through out their entire lives and need to learn to get over it. Someone, somewhere will always be upset or disappointed when they see photos and hear people speak about parties, it's not seeing just a goodie bag treat they didn't get. There will always be someone that feels left out. It's unfortunate to make anyone sad, but is there really anyone that can invite every single person your child knows or has come on contact with as to not offend someone? My kids have not been invited to some of their classmates parties over the years and totally understand and know it's okay that they invited who they wanted, were limited in their invites, and invited who they are closer with. That's life. They have plenty of other friends they get invited to come celebrate with. You can't protect kids from reality and they need to learn coping skills so when they are adults they can face disappointment and not crumble.

Amen.

 

[SEA333]

My children have been brought up to be very empathetic. In fact last week, they talked about wanting to distribute food to homeless people more often after we bought meals and drinks to some in Baltimore that needed it.

I chose the non personalized t-shirt route to add a nice gift to those that were nice enough to come celebrate my son's birthday with him. I didn't want to give junk that they wouldn't use or need. We did not invite his whole class or even send invites through school. He chose close friends he plays sports with that go to a few different schools. It would have been nice to invite the entire school and everyone he knows or has ever met, but that's not an option financially. If that's the case why would anyone ever have host a party?

I think it's extremely important to show children that they will go through life and not always get invited to everyone's parties and events. It's a fact of life. They will experience disappointment at times through out their entire lives and need to learn to get over it. Someone, somewhere will always be upset or disappointed when they see photos and hear people speak about parties, it's not seeing just a goodie bag treat they didn't get. There will always be someone that feels left out. It's unfortunate to make anyone sad, but is there really anyone that can invite every single person your child knows or has come on contact with as to not offend someone? My kids have not been invited to some of their classmates parties over the years and totally understand and know it's okay that they invited who they wanted, were limited in their invites, and invited who they are closer with. That's life. They have plenty of other friends they get invited to come celebrate with. You can't protect kids from reality and they need to learn coping skills so when they are adults they can face disappointment and not crumble.

I think we can all agree that 9, 10, 11 year old boys really don't care about that stuff and honestly, if we get them to school with (any) clean shirt on and their teeth brushed, we all consider it a win. So, no attack on your decision with your son's party. Like I said, glad it worked out for you.

My statement was a blanket statement saying that I hope that trend does not catch on. Especially with tween girls. 9, 10, 11, 12 year old GIRLS, are another story, and no matter how much we try to prepare them to grow up to "face disappointment and not crumble" as adults, seeing their group of friends walk into school on Monday morning wearing matching t-shirts from the birthday party they were not invited to over the weekend will pretty much wreck them IN THE MOMENT (and anyone that has been around a tween girl throughout the history of the world will know that this WILL happen, and that they only live "In The Moment" at that age). Sure, they will come home, cry about it, and a good mom will say "get over it....not everyone gets invited to everything. Grow up and deal with it, kid", but my POINT is, why on earth as a *parent* would someone want to put another kid in that situation? Unless they themselves really, truly feel as though no kid should ever feel bad seeing their 5 besties walking in a row down the hall at school wearing matching t-shirts from an exclusive birthday party they were not invited to, and if that is true, them we have finally come down to the real problem...and it's not the kids!

I'm the queen of "get over it, suck it up buttercup" with my kids, and when they start to whine about this stuff, I end it really quick and we move on, but as a PARENT, I have enough empathy in me to look around and see the writing on the wall and what kind of problems it can cause. Just because we already know as adults that it is not the end of the world when we don't get invited to something, and we have ALL lived through this at least once or twice in our lives, doesn't mean that I am going to knowingly aide in making other kids feel excluded over and over again long after the actual party is over. And that is the bingo word here....excluded. The way kids silently bully or exert psychological power over another peer. Which can happen way too easily in this situation. Not "feel bad" or "too sensitive", or "don't fit in". Excluded. Anybody who has ever felt excluded knows what I am talking about, and if they have kids, those feelings flood back the first time their own kid is excluded, and if you don't have kids yet, remember this when you do, because it will happen and you will feel it all over again no matter how much you think you are "over it". it's just the way it is.

So, let me be very clear as to what my point is: I agree with ALL of you that kids need to get over it and not everyone will be invited to everything, and of course, not every t-shirt is going to cause a kid to go into a mental tailspin. However, what I don't agree with is parents who think so little of everyone else that they feel that a blatant show of exclusion (aka...an exclusive tshirt, in this case) is OK. Because, let's face it, its not the 5th graders who are ordering the t-shirts here. And, if my kid came home with one from a birthday party, I would not them wear it to school because my first thought would be the feelings of the kids who didn't get one.

(and PP...my DH, kids, and I serve at a soup kitchen for the homeless 4 times a year. it is very rewarding to see my kids thinking about someone less fortunate than themselves. Kudo's to you for the same

 

[SEA333]

No kids but I'm not far from a teenager myself. I was that kid in a small private school who was rarely invited to parties and such of my peers. (Class of 15, 9 girls 6 boys) sometimes parents teamed up on parties and those generally were the only ones I was invited too. But so was the whole class. Being the only girl not invited to a sleep over sucks because everyone talks about it for weeks (Hey it was a small school, not much to talk about) and this went on through high school. (Basically the same 15-20 kids since kindergarten) I learned that it sucks sure. But I didn't come away scarred from it. Nor traumatized when Sarah's party that all the other girls were invited to was the topic of lunch room conversation.

Many of my friends were boys. I was never invited to their sleep overs because I'm a girl. Would you consider that wrong? Do you think that it didn't hurt when I was told I couldn't sleep over because I'm a girl? Of course it did. But it didn't make me upset with my friends or the boys who got to stay.

So you're saying that kids shouldn't have tokens of close friendship? There were plenty of times friendship bracelets slap bracelets or Pokemon cards were given out as favors. Hell. When we all turned seven a boys parents handed out gameboys with Pokemon red to the four boys the birthday boy had over for a Pokemon party. We're people jealous? HELL yes! Did people show disdain or hatred towards those invited? No. (But many of us did beg mom and dad for the game, I will give you that)

Being excluded from things is part of growing up. And if a child's day is ruined by seeing a tshirt it bracelet or a reference to a party s/he wasn't invited to, the child needs to discuss their feelings with someone, rather then take it out on their own self esteem or others'. That's what my parents taught me through years of rejection (friendships (I refuse to use cliques, you make them sound like it's some horrible anti self esteem movement) hold strong when you've known them since kindergarten).

Guess what. I went on to a very respectable college. I had a few close friends during grade school and high school. It's not as damaging as you make it out to be.

Edited to add: the "your child" was meant as a general statement. Not a personal attack on your children.

See my post in response to Hanover because that really addresses most of the thoughts here, but I did want to say a few things to you too:

1. Pokémon cards, bracelets, etc are inevitable - I am only talking about tshirts specifically given out as a souvenir for the party with pertinent details about the party on it, and ...toys/trinkets can be put away if there is a problem. T-shirts cannot. The school can only make a policy that they are not allowed.

2. My daughter LOVES hanging with the boys. She is smack in the middle of two brothers and a lot of their friends. She hates girl drama and loves the easygoing nature of the boys.

3. Being excluded, as it sounds like you well know, IS a part of growing up. I completely agree. By other KIDS. Being excluded by the adults in one's life when you are a child is another story, and that is what I am addressing here. The parents, not the kids.

4. You sound like an amazing, strong person. Fight and adversity in life are good things in the long run. We agree on that.

 

[Hanover]

I respectfully disagree. I didn't buy shirts for myself, I bought the NON PERSONALIZED shirts for my son's friends who attended his party and he was the one that looked at the styles and picked out what he liked best. We did not plan a "wear the shirt day" later on. We didn't intentionally buy them to make anyone feel left out who didn't attend. We bought them simply because we thought they would be well received, which they were. If anyone didn't want it, they didn't have to wear it again. What about the other compounded number of friends who saw my Facebook and Instagram photos of the party and all of their friends and friends of friends whose parents took photos and tagged their kids in the photos wearing the shirts. As I said before, someone somewhere will always feel left out no matter what your good intentions have been. My son has earned championship wrestling shirts and all star baseball shirts. Is he not to wear those at school so he doesn't disappoint the kids he beats in wrestling and those that didn't make the all star team? Are they not allowed to wear their football jerseys and cheerleading shirts for pep rallies because other kids cannot or do not play? Where do you draw the line? Even if we invited the entire class and gave everyone shirts--there's 10 other classes in the grade and 4 grades in their school. We could never invite them all. Someone somewhere will say they didn't get one. We teach our kids to be happy for their friends and like things even when they aren't included. I guess I'm extremely fortunate that my children have never been emotionally devastated by not being invited to something or given something another group has been given. I am a twin and there were times in our life one was invited to something and the other wasn't. Sure we may have been a little sad---but we also got over it and it wasn't made into a big deal by my parents or us. Many times it's the parents that make a big deal out of nothing because they are hurt for their children when their children do not think twice or aren't as bothered by it as their parents believe.

I also have an advanced degree in Psychology and would never do anything intentional to hurt a budding psyche. I now work in human resources and have seen employee issues in recent college grads who had helicopter parents that never taught them it was ok to fail, to be told they are doing something wrong, to not get promoted, or not be included in something. They didn't learn how to move on and cope without their parents involvement. Always trying to rescue children from getting hurt or failing will cause them long term issues in adulthood and in employment. I'm sorry for anyone anywhere that has ever felt excluded or hurt. Kids can be cruel and many parents can also be cruel. I polled coworkers about this topic and they all agreed with me and the general consensus was that the world needs to stop the "give everyone a trophy" mentality and learn real life situations in childhood. Not one person had ever been invited to every party they knew about and given party favors by everyone they ever met or knew. In fact no one could even remember a single party favor they ever received or didn't receive. You have a party to celebrate something. You shouldn't have any party ever if you more worried about hurting everyone's feelings that aren't invited.

I will let this thread move back to it's original purpose and that's for great ideas for party favors. Personally the shirts were a hit and I'd recommend them. If you think your child's friends or classmates will be hurt, simply do not give out any goodie gifts of any kind, and swear all the party attendees to secrecy about attending the party.