To ask if this is a good idea re party bags?

[MaryMaryVeryContrary]

DD’s 5th birthday is in a couple of weeks. Rather than filling a bag with plastic things from Amazon, I’m thinking of buying a load of books from the Works and each child can take one on the way out (along with a slice of cake of course). As a parent would you think this is a nice idea or a bit twee and show off ‘look at me such a superior educational parent’?

It's a nice idea, but in reality, no one really wants to leave a party with a book. It's like getting apple slices instead of fries. Give them a bag of haribo & they're happy.

One of mine is a bookworm (we always read to them from when they were very young) and, despite having started school unable to read, by the end of Primary 2 she had a reading age of 10 (she has just qualified as an English teacher). A book in a party bag would have been right up her street but unless it was something like Horrible Histories or My Story, anything that would be appropriate for her age group would have bored her. Likewise, some of her classmates who struggled with reading would have found age appropriate books too difficult. Books in a party bag are a great idea but one of the bundles from The Works isn't going to cover the reading ability of the children.
The best party bag we ever received contained a kite, a bag of sweets and a piece of cake.

The lucky dip idea is much better than having the children pick their own. If they pick their own, the last child out will get the book nobody else wanted. I really like the idea of books though.

Seeds are nice too, if you're sure every child could have access to somewhere to plant them. Maybe include a baggie of potting soil and a little pot from the pound shop.

Bubbles are also nice.

Inexpensive torches with batteries put in can be fun.

Temporary tattoos.

Stickers.

Yes to this.

I'm in the US and cake is always eaten at the party.

You might get some fun size candy in a goodie bag.

Love this idea, fun, easy, cheap and doesn’t give off the ‘twee mum’ vibe that you mentioned so best of both worlds 🥳