What do kids parties and celebrity award shows have in common? Goodie bags! While your child’s goodie bag for their fourth birthday won’t have a Rolex – it can have some cool stuff.

But how can you avoid the quintessential bag with cheap plastic toys and candy? Follow our tips for creative goodie bags below.

Snacks

Depending on the kind of birthday party you’re throwing, there are options for snack goodie bags. That means sending home goldfish for an ocean themed party with a cute print out label.

This is a really cheap option. How much is a bag of goldfish (just an example)? Three dollars? Then all you need is some Ziplocs and a printer.

Find a cute little pattern that has ocean themes and type in, something like “You’re a catch!” or “You’re a gold-friend”.

Didn’t have an ocean themed party? That’s okay – what about sending home scooby snacks for a Paw Patrol party? It’s easy and cheap and only requires a trip to Sams or Costco – which you’re probably making for the party anyway!

Looking for these cute printables we’re talking about? You can search “Free paw patrol party printables” or find some on Etsy for a fee – which supports small businesses!

Dress Up Items

Along with funny patches that kids can have their parents iron on a random t-shirt, you can find other themed items. What kid doesn’t like to play pretend or dress up? It’s not just for girls either.

A Paw Patrol party could have clip on puppy ears or a character mask in the goodie bag. An Ocean party could have goggles or something fish themed to play dress up with.

Pirate party? Eye patches! Cowboy party? Stick on mustaches! The opportunities are endless.

You can check at your local big box store to see what kind of favors they have for this idea. But those are likely to be expensive, depending on how many you need.

It’s better to look on Amazon or a site like Oriental Trading which offers bulk-amounts of kid-friendly items.

In fact, you can get entire themed party kits on both websites. Make sure you look at the description in detail before you buy a kit. The amounts and types of items are important when it comes to evaluating the cost.

Mini Items

What kid (or adult) doesn’t love something mini just because it’s mini? There are entire conventions dedicated to people who collect mini things all over the world.

This is another time sites like Oriental Trading come in handy.

You can do anything with this. One blogger suggests buying mini waterbottles that kids can take home. Either let them take them home plain or plan a waterbottle decorating station at your party.

Kids love using things that they made – and a project like this is so easy! All you need are some themed waterproof stickers. You can order them off sites like RedBubble that support artists or get some on Amazon.

Make sure they’re themed to the kind of party you’re having. If you can find them, waterproof letter stickers with the kid’s names on each bottle (before they get there) will keep everyone from getting mixed up.

Don’t want to order little water bottles? What about mini bubble handhelds or necklaces? Those are always a hit with the kids. Who doesn’t love bubbles?

You could even write something cute on it like, “Thanks for always being a bubbly friend”.

Themed . . . Anything

When you head to the dollar store for your basic party supplies, check out the toiletries aisle. Often they have themed kids items that would go well in a party bag.

Like those washcloths that expand when you put them in water – those are almost always in stock. But even toothbrushes aren’t off the table. If it matches the theme of your party and you can think of something cute to say about it – go ahead and grab some.

The dollar store often has sippy cups with different characters on them.

There’s also a toy aisle there – but they’re usually knock off brands. However – a plastic tiara is a plastic tiara, so pick up whatever you think you can pull off.

Just don’t be shocked if something breaks on you – it’s a dollar value after all.

Art Supplies

Every kid likes art, even if it’s just scribbles on the driveway with chalk. And boxes of crayons or chalk are cheap (and sometimes available at the dollar store).

Travel sized versions of these things aren’t just cheaper -but they’re a lifesaver for parents. Like when you’re at a restaurant and they don’t have any crayons for your kids to scribble with. Save a parent and save some money with mini-art options.

Gift Certificates

Looking to buy less and create less waste? Go to your hometown ice cream or cupcake shop and ask for some gift certificates. Three dollars or five dollars per kid should cover one item in that shop.

Then put them in an envelope and have your child decorate it. Now you’ve given them a favor they’ll love and you’re supporting local businesses.

Goodie Bags: Goodie for the Earth?

While we know that those plastic themed goodie bags are tempting, opt for a simple paper lunch bag. Your kid can decorate them before the party, or decorating them can be a party activity.

Those bags are cheaper and they biodegrade. They’re also available about anywhere, so you don’t have to make an extra trip!

Are your kids more into magic than Paw Patrol or mermaids? Check out this magic party idea article.