Party bag ideas

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Please can I steal your party bag ideas?!

I'm wanting to avoid the sweet cones if possible (they're great, just had loads recently).

4yr old party, 20-30 children. Max budget £2/child.

Thank you!

I’ve just done a book from the works (hardback ladybird type size) which were 10 for £10. Plus a small organza bag of sweets (bags left over from her sisters party and sweets left over from Halloween!).

We had the cake as dessert at the party.

Books and a cake.

Get some of those cardboard planters from garden centres and some sunflower seeds. Divide and wrap seeds in foil and distribute between pots. Print out instructions for planting, roll in to scroll and secure with colourful elastic band and place in pot. Add in pack of sweets, and a choc egg and a lolly stick with child's name on it.

Personalised seed packets on Etsy and a cupcake / slice of cake

Wildflower Seeds. I bought one bug box and divided it up.

Seeds

Most of the parties we've had recently have handed out a pack of sweets at the end. We will probably do the same with ds's next party (I love the sound of the books idea but a multipack of sweets is definitely cheaper).

I always (I run kids' parties) do a cardboard gift box with cress seeds, a small non-plastic toy (origami or wooden bird feeder to decorate or something) and a slice of cake. Usually at my parties they get to make something to take home, too. I like to keep it recyclable or biodegradable where at all possible.

My dislike is a plastic party bag with a balloon, a plastic toy like a yo-yo or whistle, and a bag of haribo. I know people worry about just sending cake home, but honestly, I'd prefer that than a bag full of plastic.

Books are good, though.

Oh, and the Peppa Pig party last week had either a PP board book or Mini jigsaw (£1 from Poundworld and 79p from Home Bargains respectively). A box of PP raisins from Tesco (£1 for 9 boxes) and a PP chocolate lolly from Asda (£1 for 3).

Throwing this out there in case it helps anyone, but a fairly cheap party bag can be combined with an activity during the party. Eg if you have them do a craft (good at that age) then the craft can go in the bag with a slice of cake. Like buying a pack of masks (from Works or online), buy things to stick on the masks etc, they're entertained for a while and they have a mask to take home. Party hats are also good for decorating.

Also I used to buy the brown paper bags with handles and have them name and draw on their own bags when they first arrived.

We had DS 4th birthday at a gymnastics / soft play type place and we gave all the kids a hula hoop (bought cheaply in bulk on eBay).