3 Year Old Birthday Party Goody Bags Advice

[Kidnurse]

I'm planning to do goody bags for my soon to be 3 year old son's birthday party at daycare. A few kids have done parties at the daycare and have sent goody bags home, but (not to sound snobby), I wasn't too impressed. I remember being a kid and being soooo excited about the goody bags. Most of the time there's just 2-3 pieces of candy and a sheet of stickers. I really want the kids to have things they can actually play with.

Anyways, there will be 20 kids total and he's going to have a Thomas the Tank Engine theme so here's what I was thinking for each child's bag:
1 train whistle (They're 10.99/doz at the oriental trading company)
1 child engineer's cap (12.99/doz at oriental trading company)
1 sheet of thomas stickers (20 sheets will be $12.45)
1 small bottle bubbles (24 pack is 5.99)
3 blowouts (72 pieces are 7.99)
1 train conductor rubber ducky ($2.49/doz)
1 red bandana (7.99/doz)

A few questions....
1. Do you think I need to do girl bags differently? I remember being a little girl and playing with cars and trains etc, so I want to make sure.
2. Does anyone have any "budget tips" for me? So far the cost is about $5/bag which I think is reasonable, but every penny saved is a penny earned. How much would YOU spend per bag?
3. Am I totally overdoing it? I know you all will probably say yes but I just love doing stuff like this for the kids

Thank you guys!!!

 

[aprilfoolwed]

Our schools went to "healthy" foods only, so kids are no longer allowed to share birthday treats. The goody bags have taken center stage now.

I think your list of items sounds nice for a preschool-aged class. You probably *are* over-doing it, but if it makes you and your son happy (and you can afford it) - go for it!

I don't think the girls need girly items - they'll love the train stuff too!

Out of your list, the only thing I might exclude is the blowers. Those things are just annoying and they break pretty easily too. And most parents are fairly annoyed with them, so there is a good chance they'll be inthe trash before the kids even really get a hold on them.

Are these bags just to go home? If they are allowed to use them at day care, you may want to check on the whistles - you could be blacklisted for giving 20 3-year-olds whistles! LOL

Love the bandana idea - very cute!

Hope your son has a great birthday!

 

[JAM3]

I worked in day care for years. Personally I think this sounds like a lot for a party bag given at day care for this age. But the kids will love them I am sure, so don't let my two cents change your mind, just given the opinion you asked for. I think given the children a train whistle, hat and bandana is a great option. I can picture all of the kids running around playing now. I am sure they would have a blast with these. I don't think you need to do girly bags either. I hope your DS and all the kids have a great time!

 

[daisyduck123]

When my kids were that age I just gave each child a book.

I personally hate all the little junk that comes in goody bags. I would leave out the stickers, bubbles, & blow outs for sure.

Since you have a Thomas theme...I'd probably just give out the train whistles & caps. That would be plenty.

 

[justwinnie]

Just my two cents-- please don't get offended.

1. No, sep bags aren't necessary for girls.

2.
If you're willing to spend up to $5, why not give each kid a Thomas book, packet of Thomas fruit snacks (Brachs makes them), and stickers? There are loads of $3.50 and under Thomas story books. That wouldn't seem chintzy to me--- I'd prefer quality over quantity any day and things that "disappear" like food and stickers that get used.

I think all together, you'd be under $5 per kid. The fruit snacks will be about $2.50/box of 10.

3.
As a mom who totally loves giving great goody bags, I'd say you're overdoing it a tad for a daycare party. There are a few items listed that I think would go right in the trash-- bubbles, blow-outs, rubber ducky.

I usually gave things like cups, mini etch-a-sketch, pencils, crayon box, pencil box, etc. In retrospect, I probably.

Although the prices from Oriental Trading are great, the quality isn't there. If you're really set on the conductor hats, Osh Kosh had them for under $2 a piece on clearance. And there's a coupon out for 20% off a $50 purchase. If you have a local store, maybe you can call and see if they have any.

 

[perriwinkleblue]

I loved goodie bags as a kid, too. My only comments on your list:

Keep the bubbles. In my experience, little kids love bubbles. (I know, most of the liquid gets spilled...) I also like idea of the caps and whistles.

Let the Daycare know if you want to include noisy items. That way, they have the chance to tell the kids they need to open/play with them at home.

On the bandanas - a cute idea but I'd be cautious giving something to a three year old that will be tied around their neck. A too-tight tied bandana can't be pulled off quickly.

 

[photo_chick]

We never got goody bags when I was a kid.

And my kids never really play with what they get in them. Often there is candy they can't eat (both have sealants so we stay away from gum and really sticky stuff like tootsie rolls) and the bags just get tossed.

My kids are older, but usually we do a little notebook pencil and eraser that goes with the theme, a little box of crayons, mini set of water colors, etc... Things that the kids will use.

I think the book thing is a great idea for that age group. Play doh is also great at that age.

And as a parent the first things I'd make sure disappeared from the bag you listed would be any noise makers, and the bandanna because at 3 my kid would have strangled himself, or his sister with it.

 

[mjkacmom]

When my kids were that age I just gave each child a book.

I personally hate all the little junk that comes in goody bags. I would leave out the stickers, bubbles, & blow outs for sure.

Since you have a Thomas theme...I'd probably just give out the train whistles & caps. That would be plenty.

I throw all of it out - my kids get so much of this junk, they don't even notice. Stickers, pencils, erasers - it's overwhelming. For my 6 year olds last party, I gave out a big box of Dots, and a Kookie pen (they're IN now). As a parent, I'm not impressed with ANY goodie bag. I wish Oriental Express would go out of business. I love the book idea, thought!

 

[greenclan67]

Hi there,
I will add my expertise here. I run a daycare out of my home. Now I am from Canada, so I don't know if you will be able to find the stuff there, but I would think. I am actually doing a camp rock b-day party tonight for a 9 year old girl. Anyhow, I am big into treat bags for my girls, and send them for both classes for most holidays. The one that has stuck out in my mind for this age group, is playdoh. I bought a pack at Costco, there was 80 small containers, and then I went to the local dollar store, and bought different sets of cookie cutters, and playdoh toys, the kids loved them, and gave them something to play with. I mixed and matched different cutters and rolling pins for each bag! So everyone got something a little different! Whatever you do will be wonderful I am sure!

 

[zoemurr]

and when I had a home Thomas party we gave out most of the same items.

But working at a preschool I'm going to tell you you have to be careful. The parents that already did the bags are going to think you are trying to out-do them.. and parents that haven't already done them are going to try to out-do you. This got so out of control at our school that we had to ban goodie bags altogether.

The whistles are very cute, but annoying, and blowouts break very quickly. I like the book and sticker idea. Once at this time of year we found calendars at 75% off and gave those.. they were a big hit. The caps are fun, and did get a lot of use at my house anyway. I would pick two things and go with that. Even just the hats would be plenty. Girls do not need anything different.

 

[daisyduck123]

I wish Oriental Express would go out of business.

So do I!

I'm a 1st grade teacher & whenever I hear a Room-mom say she's ordered a craft from Oriental Trading, I CRINGE!! Whoever came up with the idea for those little foam kits should be taken out with one firm slap.

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

Just my two cents-- please don't get offended.

1. No, sep bags aren't necessary for girls.

2.
If you're willing to spend up to $5, why not give each kid a Thomas book, packet of Thomas fruit snacks (Brachs makes them), and stickers? There are loads of $3.50 and under Thomas story books. That wouldn't seem chintzy to me--- I'd prefer quality over quantity any day and things that "disappear" like food and stickers that get used.

I think all together, you'd be under $5 per kid. The fruit snacks will be about $2.50/box of 10.

3.
As a mom who totally loves giving great goody bags, I'd say you're overdoing it a tad for a daycare party. There are a few items listed that I think would go right in the trash-- bubbles, blow-outs, rubber ducky.

I agree!! Oriental Trading is great at first glance, but most of it is really cheap junk.

We had DS's 3rd birthday at the Museum of Natural History. They provided a placemat to color (ours got thrown away, I'm sure others did, too) and a hat (nice quality from their gift shop). We provided a small bag with a personalized picture frame (fitting the party theme), free day at the museum certificate and dinosaur fruit snacks.

I'm also about quality before quantity. I'm not impressed by a giant goody bag full of stuff, but I am impressed by the personalized t-shirt DS got from a party.

I would do the Thomas book, fruit snacks and maybe a train (Target has Thomas trains sometimes for under $3 a pop). DS has one of each of the characters and loves them!!

 

[Stacieb]

If you going to spend $5 per kid, why not a Mc Donalds givft card or some mickey d's have a coupon pack for fries.

That is what i did for dd 3 party, the kids and moms loved it.

 

[hegsag]

I'm planning to do goody bags for my soon to be 3 year old son's birthday party at daycare. A few kids have done parties at the daycare and have sent goody bags home, but (not to sound snobby), I wasn't too impressed. I remember being a kid and being soooo excited about the goody bags. Most of the time there's just 2-3 pieces of candy and a sheet of stickers. I really want the kids to have things they can actually play with.

Anyways, there will be 20 kids total and he's going to have a Thomas the Tank Engine theme so here's what I was thinking for each child's bag:
1 train whistle (They're 10.99/doz at the oriental trading company)
1 child engineer's cap (12.99/doz at oriental trading company)
1 sheet of thomas stickers (20 sheets will be $12.45)
1 small bottle bubbles (24 pack is 5.99)
3 blowouts (72 pieces are 7.99)
1 train conductor rubber ducky ($2.49/doz)
1 red bandana (7.99/doz)

A few questions....
1. Do you think I need to do girl bags differently? I remember being a little girl and playing with cars and trains etc, so I want to make sure.
2. Does anyone have any "budget tips" for me? So far the cost is about $5/bag which I think is reasonable, but every penny saved is a penny earned. How much would YOU spend per bag?
3. Am I totally overdoing it? I know you all will probably say yes but I just love doing stuff like this for the kids

Thank you guys!!!

Personally, I love it - it sounds great! My soon to be 3 year old would enjoy everything on your list. My 6 year old dd would be in heaven - part of the fun of parties is indeed the goody bag.

Enjoy...

 

[princessmorgan]

I ordered a bunch of a Oriental Trading stuff for some goody bags for Christmas for my DD's preschool class. At first glance it was cute, but the quality really is not so great. I threw my own DD's stuff in the garbage after a day. I would probably say the book idea and fruit snacks is good. DD also got McDonald's gift cards from someone else in her class which I thought was cute. She likes being able to use her card to pay for her own happy meal. Someone else gave her coupons for free things at McDonalds-like a free cone or free drink. I know they do those at Christmas and Halloween. I'm not sure if they do them all year round.

 

[maleficent1959]

Well, I'd go for the books too. Sadly, a lot of the stuff that DSs (8 and 5) have gotten in goody bags have ended up broken and/or in the trash right away. I always feel bad about it because I know some mom had good intentions, but often it doesn't last long enough for them to get any enjoyment. Nothing like dealing with the disappointment and tears over the broken fill-in-the-blank.

If you decide you really like all the stuff you have planned, please reconsider the small bubbles. I know kids love bubbles, but at 3 my kids didn't have the coordination to be able to use those tiny little wands, and they wanted to do everything themselves at that age. I know some moms have gotten packs of three or six big bubble containers at the Dollar Store. The bigger size would be much easier for their little hands and cause a lot less anguish and frustration.

I just don't do goody bags, in large part for all the reasons Zoemurr mentioned.

 

[daisyduck123]

Someone else gave her coupons for free things at McDonalds-like a free cone or free drink. I know they do those at Christmas and Halloween. I'm not sure if they do them all year round.

They do in early February. Last year, I gave each of my students a McDonald's coupon for a free treat.

 

[Boo Mc]

I'd rather get one bigger thing than a bunch of little things, too. I've given kick balls (also called four-square balls or playground balls) instead of gift bags. They're less than $5 at Target and the kids LOVE them. You could give that and a small box of candy or gummy/fruit snacks. Or the really big plastic balls are even less (like $3-4) and the younger kids loved those, too. Hope that helps.

 

[OceanAnnie]

When mine was about that age I gave teddy bears instead of goodie bags. The kids loved them!