Ah the dreaded goody bag. It’s every parent’s arch nemesis. And with my son’s 2nd birthday soon upon us, I’m determined to avoid the seemingly unescapable “bag of junk” that people seem obligated to give kids who attend their party.
I’m not even sure why they call it a “goody bag” because there’s just nothing good about it.
So here are some simple ways to create eco-friendly goody bags that kids and their parents will thank you for, and ones that won’t kill your budget.
1. Paint Your Own Bag
We’re huge fans of small family birthday celebrations, and we can actually still get away with them since my daughter’s birthday is in the summer and my son is not yet in school. For my daughter’s 4th birthday, I purchased a few canvas bags at Michael’s ($1.29 each) and had her paint them. If you’re brave, make it part of the party activity and have the kids do it. You can cover up their birthday best in old shirts and let them go to down. In fact, you don’t even necessarily need to stuff the bag; it’s pretty cool on its very own.
2. Books
Whether you pop a book in the bag you (or the kids) painted, or just give it alone, a book is an awesome take home gift. You can find cheap books at your local discount stores or you can purchase via your kid’s Scholastic ordering and give a little money back to their classroom. Either way, buy a few blank white labels and have your birthday kid write or draw on them. Then stick them on the back (or inside cover) as a way to say “thanks” for coming.
3. Art Supplies
If you definitely want to pack a goody bag, then raid the “shelves” at Stubby Pencil Studio. They’ve got everything from soy crayons to scented pencils made from recycled newspaper — all of which are eco friendly and completely kid approved.
Take your old crayons or buy a bunch of new ones to melt down and make cool multicolored crayons. Your kids can help you make them and you can easily pack them in a paper bag with a ribbon (if you want an extra fancy presentation). I purchased silicone letter and number trays and used those — a HUGE HIT.
5. Seasonal Crafts
Instead of doing a goody bag, make something with the kids as your party activity and send them home. Have a Fall birthday? Decorate small pumpkins (or send them home with a mini one). Winter birthdays are great times to decorate ornaments. It doesn’t need to be extravagant or expensive – just something that fits in with the season and that kids will think is cool – which is often times just a cool rock.
They’re kids. They’re not picky.
[This post was written by Kristen Chase.]
We try to keep the goodies simple too. The bags, if needed, are just the plain paper lunch bags we keep for the occasional school field trip. They really don’t need to match a theme.
We prefer including things like pencils that the kids will really use up.
Another fun craft is having kids plant flower seeds. It can be a favorite of the birthday boy or girl, or something you know will grow fast enough.
Another “goodie” option is a gift certificate to a local ice creamery. We gave them out at my daughters 3rd birthday party and the parents loved them. We also sent home some of the party decorations so the kids had something to play with.
For Kelsey’s 4th birthday “tea” and cupcake decorating party next week, I’ve been working on homemade aprons for her friends (luckily we only invited a handful). I’m considering making matching ones for the Mama’s (since it is a Mother/Daughter party) but probably won’t have time. The “goody” bag is such a pain! For our Halloween bash, I used recycled paper bags decorated harvest-y and gave each kid an organic lollipop, natural fruit snacks and organic rootbeer barrel. It worked in a pinch, but natural candies don’t come cheap and they are still CANDY.
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for my son and daughter’s birthdays I actually made cloth goodie bags out of scrap fabric laying around. I found some things bulk at the teacher store (pencils, erasers, small note pads), but then did the melty crayons mentioned above (my kids loved breaking up their old small crayons), I ordered some hand made soaps from an organic soap maker on etsy in the shape of cars and some temporary tattoos. The kids and the teachers LOVED them. We did similar for Halloween. No candy, no choking hazards, no characters. For my daughter’s tea party party we made tea hats out of paper plates and random craft supplies. Everyone had a blast.
You can also check out Green Planet Parties at http://www.greenplanetparties.com for ec0-friendly goody bags. We are 2 moms with 6 kids between us who started on the journey to do greener birthday parties for our children, and now offer ways for other parents to be more sustainable in their celebrations. People love our handcrafted goody bags in a wonderful selection of fun fabrics, that come ready to fill, or pre-made with carefully chosen sustainable gifts and organic treats. We are proud of our coordinating birthday decorations made by stay-at-home moms – birthday banners, table cloths, napkins etc – all made to be used and celebrated year after year. We also offer a complete line of biodegradable and compostable tableware for when your everyday dishes just isn’t going to work.
Thank you and happy green celebrating!
Suzanne
Green Planet Parties
This year I actually asked the moms of the kids coming to my kids party – what would you like to see in a goody bag, or would you prefer to see none at all? Most stated that they preferred little to no candy and useful items that they wouldn’t throw away in five minutes of being home. Many stated that their kids really enjoy the goody bags, so that there is reason enough to keep them. Since my son is a September birthday – we opted for school supplies and stickers, since the “good stuff” is cheap and plentiful at this time of year. For a few dollars per child (I spent $30 in total for a 10 kid party) I stocked bags with colored pencils, glue sticks, crayons and little dry erase boards and markers – also hit a great end of summer sale and bought some kids trowels and garden rakes with nickelodeon cartoon characters on them – paired these up with some seeds that would probably grow in a pot indoors or still be viable next spring for planting. I am having the kids play games to “win” their goodies, which makes the cost of the bag the cost of the entertainment as well … not the greenest they could be, but I am on a budget – I aimed for useful and not just plastic junk that is only briefly entertaining. Shopping clearances and sales ahead of time can really help you find quality items that will be kept and enjoyed. Also, don’t dismiss buying an individual nicer item and skipping the bag full of stuff … kids are excited by getting anything usually, one item or a whole bunch … I am decorating grocery bags as “loot bags” with pictures printed off kids sites … this way they can just be folded up and recycled when they get home.
Hi there
I have always given out a small potted flower with a ribbon holder to children as a goody bag. Last year I included strawberry plants. Children can choose what they like as they leave. It also looks lovely with a whole bunch of flowers all lined up by the entrance. Other times I have given out small books.
I think it is worth investing in a set of colourful plates and spoons etc that can be re used each party rather than using throw away plates. Buying pretty mismatched china plates from second hand shops is a nice way to present party food.
Natural decorations such as sea shells and pebbles looks great for a mermaid party for example. Vases of flowers or photographs are also great table decorations.
I like the idea of a gardening kit goody bag with seeds and trowel etc. Might try that one next time thanks!
Danielle
I am always looking for anything to help me go “green” for my son’s birthday parties every year. 2 years ago I decided to buy little boxes and bins, even some pencil boxes in lieu of goodie bags; downside is if you have more then 10 kids attend it does get rather expensive. So last year I decided the kids could make their own goodie bags. I bought some felt and pipe cleaners at a local craft store and used the foam stickers my son uses for his everyday craft project. The kids loved it and had tons of fun!