10 Loot Bag Ideas That Every Kid Will Love

Planning a birthday party is one thing but the loot bags is a whole other beast parents have to tackle. It would be great if the whole loot bag phenomenon would go away and never come back but the devastated looks on kids’ faces when they don’t get that bag of future landfill contents changes our minds every time.

There are some things that work OK as filler (pencils, erasers, miniature chocolate bars) but most of the time it resembles the junk for which kids trade in their Chuck E. Cheese tickets. So stop wasting your money and gets things that won’t break the bank or disappoint — the parents and the kids.

Different denominations of iTunes gift cards

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1 / 10

Gift cards

You don't have to spend a lot of money; five bucks on a bookstore or ice cream shop or entertainment supplier will do.

Empty pot, dirt and pouch of daisy seeds

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2 / 10

Flower pots and seed kits

It's a great party favour that can last months after the birthday celebration — depending on how green Janey's little thumb is.

Try something like thisfrom Amazon, or try your local gardening shop or dollar store.

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3 / 10

Kites

This seems like a pricey endeavour but if you can find some cool ones on clearance or at the dollar store, just watch the kids' eyes bug out.

If you have time, you can even order some reasonably priced ones online ($9).

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4 / 10

Bubbles

But make sure you get the kind with a decent wand inside; it makes all the difference.

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5 / 10

Sidewalk chalk

No kid can resist the allure of getting messy. Plus it's done outdoors so that makes Dad and Mom happy, too.

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6 / 10

Decks of cards

Kids of all ages are down with playing "Go Fish" and "Crazy Eight."

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7 / 10

Frisbees

They might not be the best at throwing them (what, just our kid?) so they can always use a little practice.

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8 / 10

Glow-in-the-dark stuff

Show us one kid who doesn't love a glow stick or bracelet. Now combine that with stick-on stars (like these ones fromAmazon) that give bedroom walls a healthy glow and you've just made a bunch of party guests extremely happy.

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Musical instruments

A kazoo, castanets or low-end harmonica are fun items for kids of all ages, though you may be making enemies with the parents who now have to listen to that ruckus.

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10 / 10

Fun socks

There are some stores where you can get five pairs of cool patterned ones for $10. It's almost silly not to stuff the loot bags with them. You're welcome.