56 Kids Party Favors That Are Not Junk

Playground balls are useful birthday party favor ideas for kids to use for all sorts of yard games at home. Buying a bulk set makes them quite affordable!

Alexandra F. said:  These balls were a big hit when we gave them out for my son’s birthday, and they’ve been getting a ton of use at our house. The quality is excellent and the price totally reasonable. We got a set of these smaller 8.5 inch ones, which were softer and super bouncy, as well as the sturdier 10 inch ones, which are perfect for rougher play, like kickball. Both would work well for most yard games (though if you’re thinking of mostly kicking it, it’d be worth getting the sturdier one)!

Mini assorted succulents are a charming and eco-friendly birthday party favor. They’re great for older kids, and they last long after the party is over (hopefully!).

Kelly R said:  Succulents are cool party favors, easy to care for, and kids will get a kick out of bringing home their very own plant. You could even have the kids decorate little pots for them as a party activity.

Play-Doh is an especially great party favor for toddlers and preschoolers, as it encourages hands-on play and helps build fine motor skills. It’s versatile, fun, and will actually get used, as kids can never really have too much, and often need replacements for old tubs that have dried out!

Erin P. said:  Our son went to a birthday party recently where he got play-doh cans as a party favor! This was a big hit with him!

Individually wrapped cookies decorated with your kid's party theme are both dessert and party favor. It's fun to send guests home with a sweet reminder of the celebration.

Alexandra F. said:  Large, individually wrapped cookies make the best party favors for kids! These have been a hit with kids and parents any time we hand them out, and it's a great way to support a local small business, too. Customize them to match your birthday party theme, or with the names of your guests, to make them extra special!

Children’s books stand out from typical party favors by offering thoughtful, educational gifts that kids and parents both appreciate. You can even pick one that goes with the party theme! A great way to inspire a love of reading and add meaningful memories to birthday goody bags.

Dig It Up! Dinosaur Eggs are interactive party favors that let kids chisel away to reveal their own mini dino. They double as a fun activity and a keepsake kids will be excited to take home.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  My kids received dinosaur excavation kits as party favors and loved pretending to be a paleontologist by uncovering the hidden dinosaur inside. Each individual egg has a plastic dinosaur inside and comes with a chisel and instructions.

Cookie cutters can be divided so each guest can go home with one or a few, and you can find them in themes that match your party. A set of animal cutters for a safari theme, ocean cutters for a pool party, Star Wars, Harry Potter, etc. Throw in a sugar cookie recipe and maybe a bottle of sprinkles, and you've got some pretty sweet birthday party favors for kids!

Sponge balls are soft, safe, and perfect for outdoor water games. These DIY favors are an eco-friendly alternative to water balloons, and making them can be a fun party activity for a summer or pool party.

Alexandra F. said:  We made these reusable sponge balls as an activity at my son’s pool party, and then sent the kids home with them as a party favor, along with a sand bucket and shovel. It was awesome! We precut a bunch of different colored sponges into strips, then had the kids assemble them at the party. We used them for years afterward as a more eco-friendly alternative to water balloons.

Perfect for pool or beach parties, personalized sand buckets make a party favor and activity in one. Stash something inside (like a deflated beach ball) for a creative twist on the goodie bag.

There are some pretty cool card games these days (no offense, Old Maid!) that make the best party favors. Many are available for around 5 dollars or less, especially if you keep an eye on fluctuating prices and deals. Buy all one kind or an assortment so kids can choose one they don't already have, and they can all go home with party favors that are not junk!

Kelly R said:  Some great ones to look for are Monopoly Deal (our favorite!) and Uno Flip.

Easy for even little kids to use, these bubble stick blowers create nonstop bubbles with just the push of a button.

Sarah Calamita said:  This inexpensive bubble blower is such a hit with kids and it works well!

Colorful Mildliners are trendy with older kids and tweens for doodling, journaling, or highlighting school notes. These luxe school supplies are a fun and practical addition to a birthday goody bag.

Kelly R said:  These double-ended translucent markers are great for both highlighting and doodling. They are a fun upgrade on standard cheap highlighters, and make a unique party favor around back to school time! If you want goody bag ideas, you can pair a few with some other luxe school supplies like printed post-its and scented glue sticks.

Reusable cold cups are a practical party favor kids can actually use every day. Fill them with a few small treats for a clutter-free alternative to traditional goodie bags.

Alexandra F. said:  Reusable cold cups are a fun and practical party favor idea for kids and adults, especially for a spring or summer birthday. My son recently got one as a party favor filled with other summery items like a beach ball and kids' sunglasses, which he loved, and I love that we'll definitely be getting good use out of it in the coming months.

Mini Squishmallows come in multipacks that make them terrific kids party favors.

Hot Wheels are a classic party favor that kids love—affordable, collectible, and always a hit for playtime.

Kim Rogers said:  They are about $1 and you can find them at any grocery store. My son is 2 and these were a hit in the goodie bags he brought into daycare for his birthday. Plus, not something parents will automatically throw in the trash!