Whether you’re planning a birthday party, Halloween party or another special event, don’t forget to send guests home with a bag full of fun treats. Sure, tweens may no longer be interested in finger puppets and tiny jars of Play-Doh, but there are plenty of age-appropriate goodies that are sure to please. When choosing your party favors, try to think of one larger, feature item you know the kids will flip over. It could be something like a game for boys or a bracelet kit for girls. The rest of the bag can be filled with smaller things and edible goodies, but most of their attention will go to the showstopper and make the event even more memorable. Need a little inspiration? Let’s explore inexpensive and unexpected party favor ideas to get you started.
Novelty Items
Whether you’re throwing a full-blown Halloween costume party or an ordinary slumber party, there are a few essential items your goodie bags should never be without. Tweens love fun novelty items and oftentimes the only place you can get them is in a party favor bag. Throw a few of these items in every bag and watch their eyes light up:
Anything that glows in the darkBookmarksCustom Koozies for soda cansKazoosMini bubblesMini frisbeesMini SlinkiesNoisemakersPencil toppers and erasersPersonalized pencilsSqueezable stress ballsStickersTemporary tattoos
Food Items
No party favor bag is complete without some type of treat. You don’t want to skimp on the best part, but you can include something that doesn’t overload your young guests with too much sugar. There are many individually wrapped food items and other treats that are the perfect additions to any goody bag.
Caramel or candy applesIndividual servings of pretzels, potato chips, nuts, cookies, raisins, fruit snacks, etc.LollipopsMini microwave popcorn bagsMini chocolate barsWax lips
Games and Puzzle Items
Keeping finicky preteens entertained doesn’t require much time or money. Games, puzzles, and other activities always seem to go over well with the preteen crowd.
Chinese yo-yosMini board games, such as Connect FourMini puzzle cubes, such as Rubik’s CubesPaddleball gamesPlaying cardsSlide puzzlesYo-yos
Party Favors for Girls
For girls, the party favor options are endless. If you’re assembling bags for preteen girls, you don’t have to search far and wide for things to include.
Body glitterColorful emery boardsLip glossMini manicure kitMini soapsMini spiral-bound notebooksNovelty pens and pencilsPaper folding fansPerfume samplesPinwheelsSlap braceletsSmall craft projects, like a make-your-own-bracelet projectSmall stuffed animalsStamps and ink pads
Party Favors for Boys
Depending on your perspective, boys are either easier or harder to buy for than girls. Sometimes less is more for boys. They may be happier with a gift card to the local bowling alley than they would be with a bag full of stuff they might never touch.
Comic booksGift certificates for mini-golf, bowling, movies, frozen yogurtGlow-in-the-dark slimeJacksKeychainsMarblesMini flashlightsMini footballsPlastic sports bottlesSmall rubber ballsWater guns
DIY Party Favors
If you love a craft or baking project, you can really add a personal spin to your party favors. Swap store-bought food for some homemade treats. Go back to some of those cute and simple craft ideas you saved on your Pinterest board and create custom goodie bags for your tween. You can even plan an activity that lets the kids create their own party favors.
Braided or beaded bracelets and necklacesHand-painted picture frames for a photo from the partyHomemade muffins, cookies, or trail mix packaged in novelty bagsHomemade slimeMade-from-scratch hot cocoa mix
A Word From Verywell
Let your creativity shine when putting together your goodie bags. After all, your kids are growing up and you won’t get many more chances to do this. Keep your budget in mind as well and everyone will be delighted with what you put together.
