Party bag ideas for kids

Party bags have quietly become an arms race, and the bags that cost the most are rarely the ones children remember. One decent item beats six pieces of plastic that break before the car gets home.

A sensible budget is £2 to £3 a bag, or £4 to £5 if you're doing one proper item instead of a handful. Below are fillers grouped by age, plus plastic-free options and alternatives to a bag entirely.

If the guest list is over fifteen, decide the budget per bag first and work backwards. It is the only way the total stays sane.

Fillers for ages 3 to 5

• A bubble wand — still the most-used thing in any party bag. Shop this card
• Chunky crayons and a small colouring pad. Shop this card
• A sheet of stickers, ideally matching the party theme. Shop this card
• A wooden mini puzzle or shape toy. Shop this card
• A single character pencil topper. Shop this card
• Play dough in a pot, homemade if you have the time. Shop this card
• One small biscuit or a slice of cake in a bag, not a fistful of sweets. Shop this card
• A badge with the birthday child's age on it. Shop this card

Fillers for ages 6 to 9

• A pin badge or enamel pin — collectable, and it survives the week. Shop this card
• A mini notebook and a decent gel pen. Shop this card
• A pack of themed stickers or temporary tattoos. Shop this card
• A yo-yo, bouncy ball or skipping rope. Shop this card
• A packet of seeds with a paper pot. Shop this card
• A joke book or a puzzle sheet. Shop this card
• A friendship bracelet kit for two. Shop this card
• Trading cards, if the whole class is already collecting them. Shop this card

Fillers for ages 10 and up

• An enamel pin for a bag or lanyard. Shop this card
• A gel pen set or a fine-liner. Shop this card
• A keyring, which lasts far longer than anything edible. Shop this card
• A sticker sheet for a water bottle or laptop. Shop this card
• A packet of sweets they actually like, chosen rather than assorted. Shop this card
• A wristband or hair scrunchie in the party colours. Shop this card
• A small photo printed from the party, posted afterwards. Shop this card
• A £1 book from a charity shop, chosen roughly per child. Shop this card

Plastic-free party bags

• Paper bags stamped with the child's name instead of printed plastic. Shop this card
• Seeds, a paper pot and a lolly stick label. Shop this card
• Beeswax crayons and a folded paper drawing pad. Shop this card
• A wooden yo-yo or spinning top. Shop this card
• A single enamel pin, which lasts years rather than hours. Shop this card
• A homemade biscuit wrapped in greaseproof paper and string. Shop this card
• A second-hand book per guest from a charity shop. Shop this card
• Skip the bag: hand out one item at the door as they leave. Shop this card

Alternatives to a party bag

• One good item per child, handed over as they go — a book, a pin or a plant. Shop this card
• A slice of cake in a napkin, which is what parties used to do and nobody minded. Shop this card
• A group activity take-home: the thing they made at the party. Shop this card
• A photo of each child at the party, posted with the thank you card. Shop this card
• A donation in the guests' names, for older children who agree to it. Shop this card
• A pick-one basket at the door, which children enjoy more than a sealed bag. Shop this card

Birthday cards for the guests' thank yous

Thank you cards to send after the party.

How to write it so it lands

• Set the per-bag budget before you shop, not after.
• One item that lasts beats six that don't.
• Make two spare bags for the siblings who appear.

Where to shop next

• Balloon arch ideas
• How to make a balloon arch
• How to use a balloon arch kit
• How much helium for balloons
• How to make bunting
• How to hang bunting
• What to put in a party bag
• Party bag ideas for adults
• Birthday balloons guide
• Birthday bunting guide
• Party decorations
• Buy party supplies
• Birthday party ideas
• Happy birthday banners
• Cake toppers
• Table confetti
• Party bag fillers
• Birthday badges & party pins
• Birthday cards

Frequently asked questions

What should you put in a kids' party bag?

Two or three things that last: a bubble wand or badge, a sticker sheet or notebook, and one small edible. One good item beats six pieces of plastic.

How much should you spend on a party bag?

£2 to £3 a bag is the normal range, or £4 to £5 if you replace the handful of fillers with one proper item. Set the per-bag figure before you shop.

Are party bags still expected at children's parties?

Something at the door is expected; a full bag is not. A slice of cake, a book or a single badge handed over as guests leave is entirely normal now.

What are good plastic-free party bag fillers?

Seeds and a paper pot, beeswax crayons, a wooden yo-yo, an enamel pin, a homemade biscuit, or a charity-shop book — all in a paper bag rather than a printed plastic one.

How many party bags should you make?

One per invited child plus two spares. Siblings turn up, and a spare bag saves an awkward moment at the door.