Birthday party season is in full swing over the warm weather months, so if you’re gearing up to host a birthday party soon, you might be wondering: to give birthday party favors or not to give?
I am not an expert, but I will kick things off by saying that I fully believe all parents are fully in their rights to completely skip birthday party favors altogether. Many kids have way too much stuff to even notice or keep party favors, and they will end up in the trash.
That being said, some parents want to give birthday party favors, which is very understandable. But if you want to give a favor that kids can use and enjoy, we have some ideas from ice cream gift cards to favors that double as party activities.
Here are 10 birthday party favors to try for your next party, and they’re all conveniently priced under $10!
Walmart Gift Card
$5
from
I heard another mom talking about this idea for birthday party favors, and I thought it was genius: Instead of spending money on plastic junk that will get thrown away, give each child a simple $5 gift card.
If you have a local ice cream or pizza joint, consider gifting local cards first, but to make things very easy, you can order bulk Walmart gift cards, starting with as little as $5 on them. (Just be sure you choose the physical gift card option, not the e-gift one.)
Mermaid Pens With Charms
I bought these for my daughter’s kindergarten class as a special treat when I came in to read to the class, and they were a huge hit. I was actually very impressed by the quality – and quantity, because you get $12 pens with charms included – for only $8. There are a variety of colors, and we still use our pens nearly every day, so they last a long time!
The pens also come with caps, so you don’t have to worry about making a mess packing gift bags or when the kids use them, because they can be easily recapped.
Pllieay 24 Pieces Bouncy Balls
I love adding bouncy balls as birthday party favors under two conditions: 1) It’s an older kids’ party (no babies for choking hazards here!) and 2) There are all genders in attendance. I feel like bouncy balls are a gender-neutral gift that can be fun for all the kids to enjoy. Plus, a little goes a long way, such as this pack that provides 24 bouncy balls for only $9. Score!
Joyin Mochi Squishy Toys Set, 25 Pack
I was actually surprised by how affordable these squishy toys were. My 10-year-old is obsessed with squishes, so when she requested squishy toys for her party, I was thrilled to find this 24-pack for only $9 (on sale for nearly 50% off!). The pack includes 25 random picks, including adorable fruit and animal options.
Ccinee 24-Pack Mini Water Squirt Guns
Especially for summer and warm-weather birthday parties, you can’t go wrong with some water squirt guns. Even better, fill them up, stick them in a bucket, and set the kids outside for some splash-filled fun.
Happy Birthday Party Favor Bags, 40 Pack
This might seem controversial in today’s day and age of over-the-top birthday party favors and goodie bags, but lately, for some of my kids’ birthdays, I’ve been keeping things simple. Instead of official birthday party favors, I’ve simply packed a birthday piñata, passed out these goodie bags, and counted whatever candy and goodies they grabbed as their favors.
They go home with a full bag, and it’s a fun activity that keeps them entertained. Win-win.
4x4 Small Canvases for Painting
Speaking of birthday party favors that can double as a party activity, may I introduce you to mini canvases? A painting party is so fun and can be an affordable way to ensure kids have an activity to enjoy and a special piece of art to take home.
Set out a big plastic tablecloth, paint palettes (paper plates with squirts of paint work too), paintbrushes, paper towels, and cups of water, and watch the creativity flow.
Galaxy Slime Putty 24 Pack
Do I love slime? No. Do kids love slime? Yes, which is the only reason I included it on this list, along with the fact that you can get 24 putty packs for only $10.
Plus, the slime will be leaving your house and going home with your guests, so there’s that too. Bye-bye, slime!
One Spring Under Eye Patches, 24 Pack
Older kids (or even younger kids) may really appreciate a little take-home pampering, and there’s plenty for everyone, thanks to this $10 pack that includes 24 pairs of under-eye patches. I love that they include a variety of colors, so it really is ideal for a party with lots of attendees. Plus, the patches have a touch of built-in glitter, so they’re a fun way to relax at home.
The box includes a mix of retinol, caffeine-infused, and gold eye masks, so you may want to keep this one for older kids’ or let parents know, just in case.
Gildan T-Shirts, 12-Pack
One of my favorite birthday party favors/party activities is to do some tie-dye. I have used this $10 tie-dye kit multiple times for multiple kids, and it’s always a hit. I recommend getting extra T-shirts to use as aprons, as this activity can get messy, and setting up outside, if possible. Individual shirts are available for about $4 each or you can buy a pack of 12 for about $28.
You’ll also want to do this activity early on in the party to allow the shirts time to dry. Otherwise, plan to send the shirts home in a plastic bag to keep the mess contained.
*Psst: if you choose to purchase an item from this post, CafeMom.com may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
