Party Favor Ideas Kids Actually Keep (and That Aren't Junk)
The favors kids keep have one thing in common: they get used. Crayons get colored with, bubbles get blown, a notebook gets filled. The ones that get tossed are the plastic trinkets that break in the car on the way home.
So the short answer is: give one or two useful things instead of five small ones, match them to the age, and put the child's name on the box.
Quick list: favors kids actually keep
Crayon bundle plus a coloring page (ages 2–7)
Bubbles (ages 2–6)
A sheet of stickers (all ages; you can print your own)
Sidewalk chalk (ages 3–8)
Seed packet with a small pot to plant at home (ages 4–10)
Mini notebook and a pencil or gel pen (ages 5–12)
Deck of cards or a small card game (ages 6–12)
A bookmark with the child's name (readers, ages 6+)
Theme tie-in: a small dinosaur figure, glow-in-the-dark stars for a space party, a mini ball for a sports party
Favor ideas by age
Ages 2 to 4
Little ones want something they can use right away. Think chunky crayons, a bottle of bubbles, a sticker sheet, a board book or a single small toy that fits the theme.
Safety first: check the age label on every item. Small parts are a choking hazard for children under 3, so skip anything that fits in a toddler's mouth, including some small erasers and figurines.
Ages 5 to 7
This is the sweet spot for creative favors. A mini coloring book with four crayons, a pack of sidewalk chalk, a seed packet, a jump rope or a small puzzle all get played with. Printable activity pages (mazes, dot-to-dots, a coloring page in the party theme) cost almost nothing and fit flat inside a favor box.
Ages 8 to 10 and up
Older kids notice when a favor is "babyish." Pocket notebooks with a nice pen, card games, a friendship bracelet kit, a small craft kit or a bookmark with their name go over better than toys.
Non-candy favors (and when candy is fine)
Lots of parents search for non-candy party favors, and for good reasons: allergies, school rules for class parties, and sugar overload after cake.
If you want to include candy, a few habits help:
Keep it small and add one non-food item, so the favor still lasts after the candy is gone.
Check labels for nuts if you don't know every guest's allergies.
Use individually wrapped pieces. Parents feel better about them and they keep longer.
Put the ingredients label where parents can see it, or keep the original packaging.
Some schools ask for non-food favors for class parties, so ask the teacher before you buy.
The box matters as much as what's in it
A plain plastic bag says "goodie bag." A printed favor box in the party theme, with the child's name on it, says "this was made for you." Kids keep the box, too.
Two practical things to check before you buy favors in bulk:
Measure the inside of the box. Cardstock has thickness, so the inside is a little smaller than the panel on the template. Compare it with the longest side of each item. A standard crayon is about 3.5 in (9 cm) long.
Weight. Thick cardstock (80 lb cover, about 216 g/m²) holds a small notebook or a few crayons without bending. Thinner paper is fine for a light sticker sheet.
If an item doesn't fit, tie it to the outside: a crayon bundle with ribbon and a name tag, or a jump rope looped around the box.
New to folding boxes? Our step-by-step guide on How to Make a Favor Box at Home: Print, Cut and Fold covers printing, scoring and gluing.
How many favors to make
One per child guest.
Plus siblings who come along. They'll be there, and they'll notice.
Plus two or three spares for last-minute guests and a box that tears.
If you're also giving something to adults (a thank-you tag, a cookie), make that a separate, simpler favor.
Keep the cost per child low
Decide your budget per child first, then choose the favors. It's much easier than adding things up at checkout.
Buy multi-packs and split them. A box of 24 crayons makes 6 bundles of 4. A big roll of stickers can be cut into strips. A pack of seed packets is usually cheaper per packet than buying them one at a time.
Print what you can. Coloring pages, activity sheets, name tags and stickers (on printable sticker paper) cost a sheet of paper and a bit of ink each.
Give one good thing instead of five. One crayon bundle and a coloring page in a printed box costs less than a bag of plastic toys, and it gets used.
Batch the assembly. Print all the boxes, cut all, fold all, then fill all. If you're making 15 or more, ask another adult to help with the filling.
Theme ideas that tie it together
Dinosaur party: a small dinosaur figure, a "fossil" (a smooth stone in a little bag) and a dinosaur coloring page. More ideas in Dinosaur Birthday Party Ideas for Ages 3 to 5 (Including a Three Rex Party).
Space party: glow-in-the-dark stars and a planet sticker sheet.
Safari or jungle: an animal figure and an animal mask to color.
Sports: a mini ball or a whistle, in a box printed in the team colors.
Aviator bear: a paper airplane sheet and a bear sticker.
FAQ
What can I put in party favors instead of candy?
Crayons and a coloring page, stickers, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, a seed packet, a mini notebook or a small card game. Choose one or two useful things that match the children's age.
How many party favors should I make?
One for each child guest, plus siblings who might come, plus two or three spares.
Are favor bags still expected at kids' parties?
It depends on your area and your friends' habits. Many families still give a small favor, and a useful one is more likely to be appreciated than a bag of trinkets.
Shop this post
Printable dinosaur favor box with name tag
Printable space treat box for birthday favors
Printable thank-you tags for party favors, editable name
Printable birthday sticker sheet, safari theme
Printable bookmarks with child's name
See every birthday set, with matching favor boxes, in Birthday.
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