party bags for 8/9 yr old boys?

[mimsum]

ds is having a swimming party for his 9th birthday - he's invited 7 boys (his best friends who all know and like each other, phew) and with siblings/cousins there will be 14 children altogether

will they still be expecting party bags at this age? and if so,any ideas on what to do which isn't an expensive load of tat? for dd's 6th birthday last month I got a load of books from the book people and wrapped them up but I'm not sure that will go down so well with Y4 boys ...

any advice gratefully received

Note books and pen?
Books could still be good if suitable for that age group.

£5 for 10 books

If they weren't out of stock

mims
It was my ds's 9th birthday last week, and they were selling footballs for £1 at sport n soccer
They each got a football, and a few sweets.

Thanks for the suggestions - I've gone for the book option again with sweets so they don't feel it's toooo educational (I hope!)

just incase you change your mind mimsum.. I've just done match attax cards and gogo's for ds1's 9th bday. went down a treat.