Party favors for a 4yo

[Cumberland]

Any good ideas for party favors? We are talking about 18 ish kids here so I dont want to break the bank. I told DH I was going to just get like a 2-3 dollar puzzle for each of them instead of a bag of junk. DH said the bag of junk is what kids love and the puzzle idea is lame.

[HouseofWool]

Re: Party favors for a 4yo

I say go with the puzzle, the bag of junk gets tossed once the kids get home anyway. Or at least that is what happens in my house. (Yes, I am the mean mom!)

Re: Party favors for a 4yo

I always make a little baggie of treats like pretzels or trail mix to put in each goodie bag. We've also made cds for each kid with music that went along with the party theme (cowboy songs or Hawaiian music are two that we've done). I think we gave each kid sunglasses too for the Hawaiian party.
This year we gave tiny magic eight balls (which are cheap plastic toys... I know) to 8 and 9 year olds along with trail mix - and they seemed to think it was great while it did not break the bank.
For my daughter's 5th birthday last spring we planted flowers as a party activity in pots for the girls to take home. It was fun hearing from them that they were blooming over the next couple of weeks.

[DCJenn]

Re: Party favors for a 4yo

I toss the bag of junk, too.

Whew, glad I'm not the only one!

go w/ the puzzle.

Jenn

Re: Party favors for a 4yo

I'm sorry, did you say 18ish four-year-olds?!

What was the question again?!?



My vote is for the junk bag as well.

[houseelf]

Re: Party favors for a 4yo

Pray tell, you aren't hosting a party for 18 four year old in your home in the middle of winter, are you?

If you are, tell me your secret? I'm concerned about having 10 eight year old boys over to my home. I'm trying to assess whether it will cost me more in damages to do a home party than it will to have one out somewhere. :huh:

Kelly

[Vanquisher]

Re: Party favors for a 4yo

I say skip the goodie bag all together. I don't know who came up with this money-sucking invention, but for the last 3 or so years, I have not given them out! Hooray for me!!

I figure the kids get cake, ice cream, and a fun time at the party, and they don't need a bag of junk. You spend $5 a piece on those, and before you realize it, you're in junk for $100!!

And, wanna hear the even more evil plot I have this year? My 10 year old isn't getting a birthday party!! Instead, we are taking a family weekender to Myrtle Beach and letting him play in the pool and go to Magic Quest. He preferred this option, and so do I.

Down with goodie bags!!!!

[Cumberland]

Re: Party favors for a 4yo

We are inviting 21 total, but it is at the jumpy place- those inflatable things. One hour of jumping, 1/2 hour of cake and pizza. I was only inviting 13 kids but DD begged to have her class of 8 invited. I am hoping for a less than 50% turnout esp bc it is Superbowl Sunday afternoon. I am freakin finished with kid parties at my house- too much work.

[peggyfromwastate]

Re: Party favors for a 4yo

The parents at the Build-A-Bear party that we went to recently apologized for not having goody bags. Ummm, we all got bears. Usually they get bags of candy. Usually I don't let them have any.

I don't think the kids notice goody bags. I wouldn't do a puzzle b/c it will get lost in the car on the way home-- maybe it's just us, but puzzles are STILL too big of a PITA.

If you must have one, you could just do some candy- ring pops are always a big hit. :huh: I would stay away from trail mix b/c of the peanut allergy thing! Or, if not a snack, you could get some pencils and stickers for pretty cheap.

But honestly, with the bouncy thing, it will be really hard to remember to get the kids the goody bags!!!

Another thing that I thought was clever for the build-a-bear party the twins attended, the party girl had written out her thank yous ahead of time and handed those out at the end. I also don't strictly think the brithday kid should have to give thank yous, but if that's your thing, you could get it all done with at the party!

[houseelf]

Re: Party favors for a 4yo

Call me cheapo, but I have never given out goodie bags or sprung for pizza or a meal.
The last two years, I baked a cake out of the box (IMSN flunkie, I know) and placed a cheap plastic themed trinket on top. In the past, when I purchased a themed cake costing approximately $35 for a half sheet it didn't seem to add any value to the party. I know, I know, Martha Stewart would be horrified.

To me, getting the kids together, letting them eat cake and fruit punch, and run around like a bunch of maniacs is more than enough celebration.

We were very happy with the inflatable parties that we did the last two years, however. It was a fantastic outlet for kids in the middle of a Minnesota winter. I hope that you like it too.

Hijack ahead: I just priced a no-frills laserweb tag party for 10 boys for around $110. I'm not totally sold on the laser quest party because the missions will not be cordoned off just for our group of 8 and 9 year olds, but this is what DS wants.

Also, a former colleague gave me the idea of the party being our gift to our child. In my experience, kids receive a lot of nice birthday presents from their friends.


Kelly

[houseelf]

Re: Party favors for a 4yo

Err...I hope I didn't sound sanctimonious in my above post. I'm feeling a tad bit guilty about buying a Wii and a game for the Wii for DS for Christmas. We've never spent this much on anything for anyone for Christmas. While I was thrilled to give him his foremost Christmas wish, I want to make sure that we are tempering some of his childhood with a bit of restraint and lessons about what we value. Sometimes we fail at this. Anywho....I'm just trying to be consious of not giving 'too many' things.

Kelly

[MDPhDWife]

Re: Party favors for a 4yo

I didn't do goodie bags this past year and I'm grateful we didn't. It saved us a ton of money and the kids didn't seem to care.

We're thinking about doing a build a bear party this year, so we'll see how expensive that gets.

[DCJenn]

Re: Party favors for a 4yo

How about those 6 ounce bottles of wine for the parents? Of course, having hosted 21 4 yos, YOU will need the vino, first.

Jenn

[houseelf]

Re: Party favors for a 4yo

How about those 6 ounce bottles of wine for the parents?

I SO better get an invite to Nikolai's fourth birthday! I mean, he is Russian after all.

Kelly

[Cumberland]

Re: Party favors for a 4yo

No alkie in the jumpy place allowed but we might stock up the car if any adults need to take a trip outside......