Goodie Bags for Birthday Party Ideas That Work at Home or in a Rented Space

The worst goodie bag I saw was a cellophane bag with a generic sticker, a stale candy, and a “Happy Birthday” tag. The kid opened the bag, ate the candy, and threw away the sticker. A goodie bag should be something the kid wants, not something that says “Happy Birthday” on it. If the goodie bag is a generic sticker and a stale candy, skip it. The kids would rather have nothing than a bad goodie bag.

Goodie bags for birthday party ideas are small gift bags given to guests at a birthday party, featuring snacks, small toys, crafts, or personalized items. The best goodie bags are useful, fun, and match the party theme. The worst are generic, cheap, and feel like an afterthought.

The short answer: pick a gift that matches the party theme and that the kid will use. A snack, a small toy, a craft, or a personalized gift. The birthday party decoration kit is for the party, not the goodie bags.

Goodie Bag Ideas by Age

For Ages 3 to 6

• A small toy (a bouncy ball, a small car, a sticker sheet)
• A snack (a fruit snack, a small bag of goldfish)
• A bubble wand
• A small book

For Ages 7 to 10

• A small toy (a puzzle cube, a yo-yo, a small action figure)
• A snack (a chocolate bar, a bag of chips)
• A craft the kid made at the party
• A small book

For Ages 11 to 15

• A snack (a candy bar, a bag of chips)
• A gift card ($5 to $10)
• A craft the kid made at the party
• A small plant

Goodie Bag Ideas by Theme

The Gaming Party

A gaming-themed snack (pixel candy, chocolate coins), a small toy (a puzzle cube), or a craft the kid made.

The Craft Party

The craft the kid made at the party. The activity is the craft. The favor is the craft. It costs almost nothing and means more than a generic goodie bag.

The Movie Party

A movie-themed snack (popcorn, candy), a small toy (a movie character figure), or a gift card to a movie theater.

The Sports Party

A sports-themed snack (a sports drink, a protein bar), a small toy (a sports ball), or a sports water bottle.

DIY Goodie Bag Ideas

• A handwritten note from the birthday kid
• A photo from the party
• A small personalized item (a keychain, a bookmark)
• A small plant (a succulent)

What to Avoid

Avoid the generic sticker and the stale candy. Avoid the cellophane bag that looks cheap. Avoid the “Happy Birthday” tag. Avoid the goodie bag that feels like an afterthought. If the goodie bag is bad, skip it. The kids would rather have nothing.

The Verdict

A goodie bag works when it is useful, fun, and matches the party theme. A snack, a small toy, a craft, or a personalized gift. The most common mistake is giving a generic sticker and a stale candy in a cellophane bag. A good goodie bag is specific to the party. A bad goodie bag is generic to the occasion. If the goodie bag is bad, skip it.

FAQ

What should I put in a birthday party goodie bag? A small toy (bouncy ball, puzzle cube), a snack (chocolate, chips), a craft the kid made, a small book, or a personalized item. Pick a gift the kid will use.

How much should I spend on a goodie bag? $2 to $5 per bag. A snack is $1 to $2. A small toy is $2 to $3. A personalized item is $3 to $5. Skip the generic sticker and the stale candy.

What should I avoid for a goodie bag? Generic stickers, stale candy, cellophane bags, “Happy Birthday” tags, and any goodie bag that feels like an afterthought. If the goodie bag is bad, skip it.

How many goodie bags do I need? One per guest. Count the guests. Add two to three extra for unexpected guests.

Should I give goodie bags at a birthday party? Only if the goodie bags are good. Bad goodie bags are worse than no goodie bags. If you cannot afford good goodie bags, skip them. The kids will not mind.

What is a good DIY goodie bag? A craft the kid made at the party (a friendship bracelet, a painted figure). The activity is the craft. The favor is the craft. It costs almost nothing and means more than a generic goodie bag.

What goodie bag works for a teen party? A snack (a candy bar, chips), a $5 to $10 gift card, or a small plant. Teens do not want toys. Give them something they will actually use.

References

• Good Housekeeping, “Best Party Favors for Kids,” goodhousekeeping.com
• Party City, “Party Favor Ideas,” partycity.com
• Oriental Trading, “Party Favors for Kids,” orientaltrading.com