Party bags enquiry

[BHay26]

Hi I’m just wondering what’s good to have in children’s party bags? What things do people enjoy and do people still do themed bags?

many thanks

Hiya, what is the age and budget?

Last time I put in, bubbles, sweets, birthday cake, tattoos, glow stick jewellery

Tattles, seeds abs pot to plant, pencil, mini colouring books

Thing is, they seem to involve so much plastic tat cluttering up the planet that these children will inherit from us. It's a terrible message really.

I miss the days of a piece of cake in a paper napkin to take home.

I guess alternatives would be things that are edible, reusable, biodegradable and recyclable. I can think think of a few things like clementine, apple, box of raisins, a small book, bookmark, muffin, cookie, flapjack.

I put one of those paint your own sun catchers from hobby craft in dds last birthday party bags, about £1.50 each and can follow a theme (we did mermaid / under the sea themed), also did candy bracelets for a retro feel, stickers and a themed lip gloss.

Pencils, erasers, Little notebooks etc are all good.

We've got scratch art sets in them before which have been nice o

Hi thanks for reply!! My main reason of asking is I’ve got a idea of selling pre made party bags in my local area to save parents hassle! And just wondered the type of things parents would like to see in!!

Books
Bubbles
Sweets tattoos
Compostable pots & seeds
Pens/pencils
Craft kits

I hate the plastic tat

Depends on your demographic, OP. That is, whether they're the lentil-weaving recycling variety like me or not It's the mums who'll be buying them (mostly).

The craft stuff sounds good though - but do kids really use it when they get home?

hate the plastic rubbish, make them eco friendly!

Some ideas I would I consider:

Wooden yo-yo
Eco bath bomb
Pencils
Wooden car
Wooden named bracelets
Wooden beaded bracelet
Plant seeds
Eco friendly glitter
Choc
Reusable straw
Wooden Book mark
Wooden key rings
Book
Rubbers for school
Stickers

I would make my USP be that it’s environmentally friendly, including the bags they go in

In our state primary we only do books, stickers or seeds, no plastic tat. We also don’t buy lots of presents but do a collection/5-10 pounds in a card etc. Some kids chose to donate their birthday money for a charity/good cause etc. So I guess it really depends on demographic. We don’t like plastic tat as a group and parties have become no processed food at the insistence of a few parents… luckily the kids still like it and more and more they seem to like the old fashioned home birthday styles again with simple games which is quite surprising.

@Sunnyfreezesushi

Blimey! A school or a cult?!!!

@Sunnyfreezesushi

In our state primary we only do books, stickers or seeds, no plastic tat. We also don’t buy lots of presents but do a collection/5-10 pounds in a card etc. Some kids chose to donate their birthday money for a charity/good cause etc. So I guess it really depends on demographic. We don’t like plastic tat as a group and parties have become no processed food at the insistence of a few parents… luckily the kids still like it and more and more they seem to like the old fashioned home birthday styles again with simple games which is quite surprising.

What’s the school got to do with party bags? All sounds a bit bloody joyless to me

Aren't most stickers in the category of plastic tat?

I know people chuck used colouring books with stickers on in recycling bins, but I think most stickers would make them non-recyclable contamination tbh.

It seems sad that they ‘choose’ to donate their money.

Thanks for the replies! I think going down the echo friendly route would make it a unique selling point which not many people have!

@BHay26

Thanks for the replies! I think going down the echo friendly route would make it a unique selling point which not many people have!

Don't forget to really know and research your demographic, OP. It'll be essential. I do think just saying 'plastic-free' (and definitely making it plastic-free) would be a selling point given the climate crisis.

Good luck.

I used to do them but most recent party just gave cake to take home.

My little bit for the environment.

In our state primary "we" don't have weird set rules!

Yep, some will be eco friendly / friendlier without tat. Seeds, notebooks, wooden rulers

Some have been on Ebay and done them as cheaply as possible with the large packs of bouncy balls / yoyos / cheapy colouring books / snap bands. Haribo.

Some just send home cake & a balloon

Whatever you put in is wasted apart from the cake really! I'd have good intentions with seeds but we'd probably not get round to it.

Eco probably a better angle. Compostible bags etc

Love the idea of eco friendly.

Selling point of eco friendly to planet and parents time!

I'd do them in brown paper bags and if you can add themed sticker to shut it or print a pattern on the bags?

Then agree useful things like notebook, pen, craft activity etc.

Perhaps themed stickers.

You could probably expand and make themed bits and bobs for the party. Have a look at cri cut machines too.

I've seen personalise drinks cups, cake toppers etc too.

You can also personalise note books with the theme too.

If you offer bigger packages you become become an online seller and ship pre packaged party ware across the country.

@itsgettingwierd

Love the idea of eco friendly.

Selling point of eco friendly to planet and parents time!

I'd do them in brown paper bags and if you can add themed sticker to shut it or print a pattern on the bags?

Then agree useful things like notebook, pen, craft activity etc.

Perhaps themed stickers.

You could probably expand and make themed bits and bobs for the party. Have a look at cri cut machines too.

I've seen personalise drinks cups, cake toppers etc too.

You can also personalise note books with the theme too.

If you offer bigger packages you become become an online seller and ship pre packaged party ware across the country.

Yes. This

I think you could keep the prices down by offering a printed closure sticker/paper bag with "Ava's Party" and put fewer things IN it as the "basic"range. A paper craft or dry ingredients for a cake?
And work up to more expensive fillers so you please everyone.

In our state primary we only do books, stickers or seeds, no plastic tat. We also don’t buy lots of presents but do a collection/5-10 pounds in a card etc. Some kids chose to donate their birthday money for a charity/good cause etc. So I guess it really depends on demographic. We don’t like plastic tat as a group and parties have become no processed food at the insistence of a few parents… luckily the kids still like it and more and more they seem to like the old fashioned home birthday styles again with simple games which is quite surprising.

What would happen if you served party rings or jammy dodgers? Would you be pushed out of the school? My old fashioned home birthdays in the 80s had lots of processed food! Vienetta, party rings, jam sandwiches etc!

Previously done:
Stationary sets
Slap band braclets
Story books

then with a small bag of sweets

I’ve done little tub of play doh and a cutter, hot wheels car (buy multi packs). Just asked my kids what the best thing in a party bag is DD9 said cake and little slinky’s DS6 likes bouncy balls.

@NerrSnerr

Sounds dreamy