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?

Maybe just do sweetie cones if you don't want plastic tat. Or a single item like a pound shop ball or giant bubble tube.

I did this. I got them all a sun catcher and stickers to decorate it. The little shits pulled them out of the bag at the end of the party as soon as they got them and said "what's that? That's rubbish! Why's there no sweets? Why's there no toys?" One kid said to his mum "this isn't a party bag is it Mum?" Now I just get plastic yo-yos, whistles and haribo like the other parents

I've done sunflower/ cress seeds, one of those window hangers they paint (£1 in Hobbycraft - plastic but they get to keep something), Easter egg (obv not now but there is Halloween/ Christmas stuff), a friend did those cupcake mix packets that are about £1.50 in Tesco. All worked well.

Sweetie cones are always a big hit with my monsters!

You can probably pick up loads of Halloween sweets cut price

If it's worthy, the kids are probably just going to throw it away anyway. If it's a book, chances are they've read it before, or it's not their cup of tea. Again, ends up discarded.

If you're genuinely concerned about waste (and not virtue signalling), then just give them cake, possibly a few sweets (it's a party after all), or nothing.

For DDs party I brought some small paper cups from Asda that said Happy Birthday on them and got a set of 30 pencils that had been reduce to 60p a set, a set of 60 erasers which were about £2, a bag of Mini chocolate bars and a few other bits and set it out so they could 'make their own' party bags. The kids really enjoyed it, nothing went to waste, it was all usable and with the exception of the choc wrappers recyclable.

Princess that's a brilliant idea!

The paper cups were the 'bags'

I made sweet cones. They got a cone and a slice of cake in each bag. Job done!

We did bird houses - they painted them at the party and took them home (they were about £3 each at the time but cheaper than an entertainer!) have done books, stationary, bulbs in pots they decorated - and once handbags they decorated (were about 8 then)

I've often done them in the past but I agree, aren't they a nightmare and waste? Also I really feel for my younger self, feeling obliged to spend money and energy on so much cheap crap when servicing a party, party food, birthday gifts and running a house and job were already more than enough. If my kids were young again I wouldn't bother . They could take home a balloon and a bit of cake (if I hadn't fallen into the pantry with it after I'd cooked it again)!

Pinata and fill a paper bag with what you grab. I filled mine with lollipops, bouncy balls, stickers and erasers.
This time I have bought 10 books for £5 and wrapped them along with a lollipop.
In the past I've also done sticker books or activity books. I get them from The Book People or the catalogue at work. Usually 50p a book.
You can also get sets in Argos. 2 for £15 and 10 in a set so 20 for £15.

November birthday party = Chocolate Advent calendar for going home present...

Although I hate all the plastic tat, my DS and his friends love it. They HATE being given a book, a packet of seeds etc (and I hate the parent who left me explaining to a 2 year old that he would be waiting months to get his sunflower. If it grew. Which it did not.)

I think his favourite was the superhero tattoos. Basically, nothing worthy.

We’ve been to a few parties where the party bag was a sweetie cone and a slice of cake.

Minimal plastic waste, no need to worry about finding a place to put new stuff, and the kids loved getting the sweets.

One mum did nerf guns - no eco friendly but immensely popular lol

I can't believe kids would complain at being given a book? That's so rude and ungrateful. I wouldn't be taking them to parties if they behaved like that.

Books and packets of seeds may go down well with the parents, but will be less popular with the kids.

How about a Lego mini figure, a tube of bubbles (always popular) and a mini packet of haribo/buttons?

My friend's just done unicorn and wizard hat biscuit cutters and a block of biscuit dough ! I thought it was a fab idea.

Book people as others have said. I've also had a little pack of seeds for the kids to plant. Little craft kits. This is a lovely independent toy shop that has a few cheap eco toys which I've used before.

I've also used one of these pads and ripped off one per party bag which the kids loved.

Lego mini figure was the best party bag we have received. I give bubbles and other bits to charity (Shoebox appeal) as we have plenty of bits like that.

Books are all very well but we ended up with 5 copies of room on the broom

I like the sound of the advent calendar. Saves the parents buying them and the kids love them too.

@TheDowagerCuntess I know virtue signalling does happen on MN but I've never seen the point of it on an anonymous site where no-one knows who I am. I'd save that for real life. 😉

I had this stress last month. In the end I settled on paper bags with wooden yoyos and wooden skipping ropes and I bought a couple of massive tubs of haribo and made up little mixes of sweets in paper bags. Zero plastic in the party bag and a very low plastic party overall. One kid did actually ask why there wasn't much charge in the bag though! 😂

Novelty socks have been the most popular in ours - approx. £1 a pair from supermarket or cheap shop. Kids have loved them, worn them - no real waste if recycled once they're worn out/too small!