Party bag filler ideas
Children's parties are so much more fun than grown-up parties. Jelly and ice cream, pass the parcel and, of course, party bags. Who doesn't remember the excitement of going home with a party bag filled with little novelties and a slice of thickly-iced birthday cake?
As adults, the fun can now be found in shopping for those party bag fillers and putting together something colourful for every child to take home.
What should go in a party bag?
Cosmic love temporary tattoos, £1.95
Party bags don't need to be expensive or overflowing. Four to six items is plenty. A good rule of thumb is one wow item, like a puzzle or magic slate, and three or four small novelties, such as temporary tattoos, erasers or stickers. That way every child goes home with something to remember the party by.
What are the best eco-friendly party bag fillers?
"Working out what to put in your kid's party bags can be tricky. More so if you are trying to balance putting together something fun, on a budget, and with the environment in mind," says Wendy, founder of Moral Fibres.
And because it’s one of her kids’ biggest concerns, she likes to find ways to keep the tradition alive while choosing eco-friendly treats to pop inside. Colouring pencils, notebooks and origami kits are just some of the sustainable things Wendy likes to include. But a practical item is often well-received – you could also consider a re-usable water bottle or a new lunch box that matches your party theme rather than several smaller things.
Five of our favourite themed party bag ideas
Matching your party bag fillers to the party theme is a lovely way to pull together any celebration. Here are some of this year’s most popular children's party themes, for inspiration:
1. Dinosaur and prehistoric party bag ideas
Prehistoric Land dinosaur tin tilt puzzle, £1.00
Dinosaur parties are one of the most popular themes, and the party bag is a great opportunity to extend the excitement. For any dinosaur-themed party bag, our Prehistoric Land tilt puzzles are a fun choice for younger children, with no small parts, and are easy to play with straight away. Pair them with Baby Dinos temporary tattoos and every dinosaur fan goes home with a bag worth roaring about.
The dinosaur theme is equally loved by older children. Why not send them off with a Prehistoric Land Matchbox jigsaw puzzle, or a glow in the dark dinosaur skeleton kit?
See our full range of dinosaur gifts for lots more ideas.
2. Space party bag ideas
Space Age Kaleidoscope, £3.95
Space is a theme that captures the imagination of children of all ages, making it one of the most versatile choices for a children's party. The Space Age kaleidoscope is guaranteed to mesmerise, and paired with the Space Age mini pinball game and space glow in the dark 3D stickers, it's easy to put together a party bag that's truly out of this world. Glow in the dark items are a particularly inspired choice for space parties, doubling up as a little bedroom decoration that kids will love.
Browse our full range of Space Age gifts for a wealth of stellar ideas.
3. Safari and animal party bag ideas
Wooden slide whistle - Wild Wonders, £3.95
Animal themed parties lend themselves well to creative party bag fillers. Animal lovers will adore the wooden slide whistle, a creative and colourful addition to any animal-themed party bag. For younger ones, orchestrate an instant hit with musical toys from the Wild Wonders range. A tiger bouncy ball or wind-up jumping monkey make perfect small novelties to complete the bag.
Check out our full collection of animal themed gifts for more wild and wonderful ideas.
4. Fairies and fantasy party bag ideas
Fairies in the Garden magic slate, £1.95
There's something truly enchanting about a fairy-themed party, and the party bag is a chance to add a little extra magic to the day. A Fairies In The Garden magic slate is a popular choice for creative kids, giving them something to draw, erase, and draw again without ever running out of paper. Pretty and colourful, our Fairies In The Garden stick-on earrings are another fun filler for those who like to sparkle!
Browse our full range of Fairies In The Garden toys for magical momentos.
5. Transport party bag ideas
Steam train sound wooden whistle, £5.95
Transport-themed parties work particularly well for children who love building and making things, lending themselves perfectly to fillers that give kids something to do. The steam train sound wooden whistle is an unusual and memorable addition to any transport-themed party bag, while the Road Trip car erasers (set of four) and the mini construction kit colourful racing car give kids something creative to take away from the day.
See the full range of Road Trip gifts to keep kids’ engines firing.
Budget-friendly kids’ party bags
Sharks mini jigsaw puzzle, £2.95
Filling a party bag doesn't have to break the bank. Here are some of our favourite picks, whatever your budget.
Party bag fillers under £3
Party bag fillers under £5
Party bag fillers under £10
Whatever the theme, there's plenty more inspiration in the full party bag collection. With something for every age and budget, every child is guaranteed to go home with a smile.
Best party bag fillers by age
Brain teaser wire puzzle - Assorted, £1.95
Party bag fillers for ages 3+
The best party bag fillers for children aged three and above are simple, colourful and easy to enjoy straight away. Something tactile like a fluffy wind-up bunny or a set ofWild Wonders temporary tattoos, paired with a small novelty like a pocket puzzle, is all you need to put together a party bag that goes down a treat. See all toys for children aged 3+.
Party bag fillers for ages 8+
For children aged eight and above, the best party bag fillers are ones that offer a real challenge and feel like a proper treat. A brain teaser wire puzzle or amini construction kit forklift truck, paired with something fun like a novelty keyring or a mini game, make for a party bag that older children will really enjoy. See all toys for children aged 8+.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need to wrap party bag fillers?
You don't need to wrap party bag fillers individually. Simply pop them into a party bag and they're ready to go. If you want to add a little extra charm, tissue paper works well and is easy to find in a range of colours.
Should party bags be the same for every child?
It's a good idea to keep party bags the same for every child to avoid any upset on the day. If you're catering for a mix of ages, choose fillers that work across the age range, or put together two simple versions, one for younger children and one for older ones.
How do you make a party bag more special?
The easiest way to make a party bag more special is to match it to the party theme. A themed wow item, like a puzzle or a craft kit, alongside three or four small novelties makes for a bag that feels thoughtful and fun rather than an afterthought.
What age are party bags for?
Party bags are most common for children aged three to ten, but there are no hard and fast rules. Older children enjoy a well-chosen party bag just as much, especially when the fillers are a little more grown up.
How do you fill a party bag on a tight budget?
Filling a party bag on a tight budget is easier than you might think. With party bag fillers available from as little as £1, four to six items per bag needn't cost too much. Temporary tattoos, novelty erasers and pocket puzzles are all fun and affordable options that kids will love. Keep an eye on our clearance gifts for inspiration. And if you have a polaroid camera, why not pop a photo of the fun into the bag as well, as a lasting memento?
