To hate the plastic tat in party bags and want to give something more lasting

[StarShimmer]

DS(5) birthday is coming up and I need some ideas for party bags that don't involve the usual plastic crap. DS has been to too many parties where the entire contents of his party bag have lain untouched for weeks then been chucked in the recycling. It just seems such a waste of the planet's resources and I don't want to add to this waste. Any ideas what I could give/put in bags instead?

How many children, party theme?

A book?

Or just some sweets and a piece of cake is fine imo.

Something edible would eliminate the problem of plastic waste.

books and sweets is what i did thr last 3 years

Chocolate advent calendar from the pound shop

https://www.thebookpeople.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/qsproductt_tbp?productId=938456&catalogId=10051&searchTerm=mr+men

A book each?

Books are great but multi packs and give one each with small pack of haribo of Freddo bar

www.thebookpeople.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/qs_product_tbp?productId=705572&storeId=10001&catalogId=10051&langId=100

Please don’t give something that isn’t consumable/disposable unless you know that all the parents would appreciate it. My house is cluttered as it is. If you insist on something that lasts maybe a small book or a pair of fuzzy socks (if it’s a sleep over party for example) or something else useful.

Buy an age appropriate pack of books from the book people, split and voila! Very common where I am. Add some cake or packet of smarties (cardboard outer, not plastic like hating) of you like.

The children love the tat but I agree with you, total waste of resources.

A Lanka kade wooden animals £2.50 each they are Fair trade

Character socks for whatever theme party your child is having - often get them in poundshop

*haribo

I bought packs of sunflower seeds from eBay with a "thanks for coming to my party" label

I did books from the works + tiny chocolate bar + cake + stickers. Stickers might not have been so eco friendly.

We usually get a multipack of books from The Book People, divide and hand out

How about a craft kit?
www.bakerross.co.uk/?&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3PXi8Le23gIVE4jVCh33MwpkEAAYASAAEgLANvD_BwE
This company sells little craft sets in multi packs so they could make a christmas tree ornament etc

Did my ds party a few weeks ago. Used little plain paper bags with a few loose sweets in them. Parents were all delighted with the lack of crap and the kids were all happy. I am trying to reduce plastic so it was an easy win.

Ethical party supplies here

A hyacinth bulb in a pot?

Something practical like a wooden toothbrush or cotton pants or socks?

These are in packs of 4, I've bought a load and split them and popped in a mini pack of colouring pencils and a pack of haribo.

www.thebookpeople.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/qs_product_tbp?productId=668722&catalogId=10051&searchTerm=doodles&filters=3collection

Honestly people on MN overthink party bags so much. Neither the child nor the parents will remember or care.

At least have never known it to be an issue with three kids at primary school. Slice of cake, couple of packs of sweets, maybe a glow stick or something if you can source easily and cheaply.

And as Racecardriver says, I'd rather not come back from another party with some more stuff to find a place for.

@DaysDragonBy around 25 children. No theme and it's a mixed party (boys and girls).

Even books and stickers cause just as much clutter as the plastic tat.

Slice birthday cake, a bag of haribo and a couple of lollypops would be much better.

Lots of great ideas. Thanks everyone.

@DianaPrincessOfThemyscira, guilty as charged. I definitely overthink this stuff. I worry about being too cheap or conversely too lavish. And I want to give something that isn't throwaway but I worry it will disapoint the kids expecting stretchy men and plastic snakes!

I have done books , science kits reduced, balls from pound shop.

Small pots of play doh and a cutter split up. www.argos.co.uk/product/5759208 Yes it's still plastic tat but it would get used until it was unusable and then thrown away. Bubble wands are similar.

At 5 I did stickers related to party theme plus either playdoh or bubbles.
At 6 we had a craft party, and I just filled the thing they made with chocolate.