Perfect Party Favour Ideas

Ah, childhood parties—the stuff of legends! Who can forget those cake slices that were more icing than cake, the mad dashes around a church hall decorated like someone let a toddler loose with a a confetti cannon, and the pièce de résistance: the party favours! Yes, the tiny bag of wonders that brings joy to children and migraines to parents. For parents, assembling these bags is like preparing for a mini Olympics of stress. Kids insist on hoarding every plastic trinket like it's treasure, and weeks later, you discover they've been harbouring a cake slice in their room, which has now turned into a science experiment.

But let's face it, being a parent planning party favours is now like trying to solve a Rubik's Cube blindfolded! Expectations have skyrocketed, and those tiny toys that used to be cheaper than a piece of gum now cost as much as a gourmet burger! As prices and standards soar, parents are on the hunt for fresh, fun party favours that are unique and won't require a second mortgage! So, here are 10 fun ideas for party favours that won't empty your wallet!

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Sweet cones

I've really tried to avoid high sugar options with this post, but I know these little bags of treats are incredibly popular and can be reasonably cheap per child. Starting at around £1.50 per cone they are easy to personalise with cheap print it yourself stickers and are easy to give out.

It's pretty easy to see why they are popular with children; the colourful packaging, the variety of treats inside, and the element of surprise all contribute to their appeal. Kids are naturally drawn to visually stimulating items, and these cones often come filled with an assortment of candies, chocolates, or other sweet delights that tantalize their taste buds.

However, while these treat cones have undeniable charm and convenience, they can have limited options when it comes to the contents. While the outside may be customizable, the sugary treats inside often follow a standard selection that may not cater to all dietary preferences or restrictions. These packages aren't often suitable for diabetics, dietary-restricted groups (many gummy sweets contain pork gelatine and so aren't suitable for Muslims, Jews or Vegetarians as an example). This limitation can pose a challenge for parents who wish to provide inclusive options for all children present at an event, but this can easily be avoided by checking your guests requirements before the event.

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T-Shirts

I know, this seems like a crazy idea. But at a recent party I was surprised to see the hosts had taken my logo and turned them into an awesome T-Shirt which they gave to all their guests.

It's such a fun and novel idea which is surprisingly affordable when done in bulk. You can personalise them however you want, so if you've booked some awesome entertainment or something unique it's a great little memento that your guests can take home - and it's guaranteed to stand out!

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Books

A new idea that's becoming more and more popular is to give your guests a fun book as a favour. This is quite a good idea as not only is it good promoting reading to children, but giving a book as a favour always looks more expensive then they actually are. There are many places out there that do bulk purchase discounts (I know for example that The Works often does a 10 for £10 sale on story books while many discount book retailers can give some great prices). It's always nice as well if you can find stories that your child loves that they can share with their friends. Seeing your child's face light up as they share with their friends something they are excited about is worth every penny!

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Activity Packs

This is kind of a variation of the books idea, but there are lots of activity books out there on pretty much every party theme. These little books of joy are full of fun and creative activities that your guests can do at home after your party. This is a win-win in my opinion as not only do your party guests have a fantastic memento of your party, the other parents will appreciate the peace and quiet that the wide variety of puzzles and activities will give them. I like this one so much that I've actually made my own activity book full of fun puzzles, games and stories which is very popular at birthday parties - you can check mine out in my shop here. This can be combined too with a pack of crayons (like restaurants often stock) at very little additional cost.

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Party Themed Props

It's always a fun idea to get a party gift that really matches your parties theme. For example I offer circus workshop parties and as an added option I provide spinning plates that the children can take home after the party. Not only do options like this stand out, but they give children a constant reminder of your party every time they play with it. I still have children come to me at parties telling me about the spinning plates they got at their friends party and wanting to learn more!

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Personalised gifts

Another fun option is to create personalised favours that your guests can take home with them. They don't have to be toys, but I've been to parties where children have been given water bottles with their names on, personalised notepads or even personalised socks! There are lots of creative people out there who can brand pretty much anything with names or event details which really helps your guests remember the fun they had at your party.

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Travel Games

What kid doesn't like board games? Now I'm not suggesting that you buy every child a full size version of Monopoly, but there are many travel versions of games that are out there that kids love and have their own "discount" versions. The travel versions are great to give out as they're about the same size as a party bag, but last a lot longer. You can even buy games that match your party theme like Top Trumps. These are often available in discount stores (especially the non-branded versions) and are a great little addition to any party.

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Mini craft kits

Much like the travel games, these craft kits have come down in price and can be a great cheap gift to give your guests. From bracelet making to crafting your own sweets these little activities are great for families and a nice memento for your guests. Plus they often encourage children's creative sides making their own little goodies at home.

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Mini flashlights/projectors

One of my daughter's favourite toys that she's ever received at a party is a small torch with a slot for inserting a disc of images, which she can then project onto her wall. It's similar to the old red ViewMasters from the 1980s, but it projects for everyone to see. It's perfect for her as it serves as both a torch/nightlight and an entertaining toy. She's spent countless hours going through the unicorn images, eagerly showing me her favourites. And for a small party favour it really made a big impact!

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Bubble Kits

Finally one of my favourite ideas is to give your guests a bubble making kit. It's a bit like the little pots of bubbles you'd get in a traditional party bag - just a lot bigger. I'm sure every child loves bubbles and although they can be quite messy it's a fun activity for kids. These kits normally involve a variety of trays and bubble wands in different shapes and sizes. From heart shaped bubbles to foam producing wands, these little kits have so much variety and can be re-used well after the original bubble fluid runs out. There are so many variations available, many of them can be found quite cheaply on places like Ali-Express eBay, or Amazon.

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With these ideas, I hope you’re armed to create magical moments for your guests while keeping your sanity intact. Whether it’s personalised keepsakes, creative craft kits, or the simple delight of a well-thought-out book, your party bags will no longer be just “stuff”—they’ll be stories, memories, and laughter packed to go. Remember, the best party favours don’t just say “thanks for coming”; they leave a little sprinkle of the party magic behind. Now go forth, party planners, and let the favours be as legendary as the cake!