[Lovage2]

Hey folks,
We finally decided on what to do for my DS's b-day this year. His school was having a fundraiser (silent auction) and I managed to score a party for 15 with the Tumblebus Virginia Tumblebus - Fredericksburg, Virginia - Let's Get Ready To Tumble
Usually I make sure that we send home a goody bag with items that match the theme of the party. I try to avoid candy since I hate it when my kids come home all sugared up with a bag of more sugar for later. I'm also trying to keep the cost down.
The party will be at the start of the school year and DS likes the idea of putting in cool pencils, erasers, stickers and pencil sharpeners but I need other ideas of inexpensive things I can add. I am a bit crafty so items I can make are great.

Just to give you an idea of what I've done in the past:
Last year the theme was science experiments. At the party the kids painted a volcano (I made it of papier mache ahead of time), made gak, inflated balloons via chemical reaction, made colored sugar solutions which we then used to make lemonade, dug for dinosaurs "fossils" in a bin of dirt and then set off the volcano. (I think I'm forgetting a couple experiments more)
Between the layers of the cake I had added white chocolate skeleton pieces so eating the cake was a fun "excavation".
For goody bags each child went home with a small bucket containing a dino skeleton they had dug up, a baggie of gak they had made, pencils and notepads (to record experiments), a toy that demonstrates air pressure, a few of those shaped plastic bracelets and some stickers.

I'd like this year's to be as memorable. I just can't think of what to do to tie it all together. I thought maybe I could make the cake as a mini obstacle course or something but the goody bags are stumping me. Any suggestions would be welcome.

[Aradia_Silvermoon]

For DD's birthday I always go to my local Dollar Tree and get the items there for the goody bags. This year I got mini play doughs, punch balloons, sticker books, little drawing pads, and a few other things. The girls loved them! I only put a few pixie sticks in and a lipop because I hate sending home candy too.

HTH!

[Lovage2]

Ok, what do other parents think of this for a goody bag then?

1 mechanical pencil
a couple colored pencils
a pencil sharpener
a notepad
crayons
some stickers
a punch balloon
A trophy shaped cookie

Does this sound good or should I try and add some sort of toy or something? I'm keeping my eye out for good deals (the punch balloons were 50% off in the Dollar Spot at Target, two per bag)

Also what are your thoughts on giving seeds and plant pots as a party favor? I'm thinking of DD's birthday. She wants a Tea Party theme and I thought I could pick up pretty teacups/saucer sets at the thrift store and fill them with a baggie of potting soil and a seed packet.

[sSsLiZARdSsS]

Originally Posted by Lovage2

Ok, what do other parents think of this for a goody bag then?

1 mechanical pencil
a couple colored pencils
a pencil sharpener
a notepad
crayons
some stickers
a punch balloon
A trophy shaped cookie

Does this sound good or should I try and add some sort of toy or something? I'm keeping my eye out for good deals (the punch balloons were 50% off in the Dollar Spot at Target, two per bag)

Also what are your thoughts on giving seeds and plant pots as a party favor? I'm thinking of DD's birthday. She wants a Tea Party theme and I thought I could pick up pretty teacups/saucer sets at the thrift store and fill them with a baggie of potting soil and a seed packet.

That sound great! I may hve to lift your science experiment party idea for when DS gets older.

I love the idea of the teacups. You also could do paper cups (dixie) they can decorate on their own as well.

For DD11 bday party I sent for some stuff from Oriental Trading. Got hibiscus bags, lei bracelets, temp tattoos, flower clips, and these stuffed piggies with hibiscus decorations. They each signed the pigs and brought them home. I also put in a free untinted Baby Lips or Nivea lip balm and a nail polish I got free. Girls loved them.

[Lovage2]

[quote=sSsLiZARdSsS;4812429]That sound great! I may hve to lift your science experiment party idea for when DS gets older.

QUOTE]

Let me know if you want details, I probably still have the links to the sources I used around here somewhere.
That was for DS's 5th b-day.
His 4th was a cupcake decorating one (he was into Ace of Cakes).
His 3rd was knights and princesses.
His 2nd was Pirates. (I had so much fun with that one and the activities were a hoot. We may reuse this theme in a few years).
His first was just rubber duckies and water play.

DD's first was a teddybear picnic (each guest took home a teddy bear).
For her second we were visiting relatives so we just went out for Pizza and some time at a Bouncy Palace place.

If I knew how to market myself I would so love to be a children's birthday party planner.

[sSsLiZARdSsS]

I think you'd do great! Creative ideas that are fun for the LOs birthdays. You have a gift.