Party favors for 9-year-old boys (and you can steal my ideas from previous years)

[DreamIsaWish]

I don't know why we do this to ourselves, but here I am looking for cool party favor ideas again. I hate the bag of cheap plastic junk and candy, so I prefer to go with one nice item and be done. Last year I lucked into small Nerf SuperSoakers on Target clearance. I felt really lucky to find 17 of them for about $1.50 each (marked down from around $6). The year before I found Easter clearance Toy Story mini Lego sets for under $1 each (and held onto them until and October birthday). Before that it was books from Scholastic for $1 each (bought one of the large combo packs and just broke it up).

So, now we're at this year and I have not had a lucky "aha" moment. There will probably be only 3 or 4 boys at the party so I don't need to luck into 17 identical items on clearance. But right now I can't even think of what to look for with this age group. They love their Nintendo DSs, but clearly that's too expensive. These boys like STEM and science-type stuff so I looked at science kits at Michael's but they were too pricey. Since there aren't too many kids and they're his closest friends, I don't mind if it's a bit more than I used to spend, but I still don't want it more than the presents the kids are bringing.

 

[mjkacmom]

$5 gc's for local ice cream or Italian ice places are popular here.

 

[Southernmiss]

I don't know why we do this to ourselves, but here I am looking for cool party favor ideas again. I hate the bag of cheap plastic junk and candy, so I prefer to go with one nice item and be done. Last year I lucked into small Nerf SuperSoakers on Target clearance. I felt really lucky to find 17 of them for about $1.50 each (marked down from around $6). The year before I found Easter clearance Toy Story mini Lego sets for under $1 each (and held onto them until and October birthday). Before that it was books from Scholastic for $1 each (bought one of the large combo packs and just broke it up).

So, now we're at this year and I have not had a lucky "aha" moment. There will probably be only 3 or 4 boys at the party so I don't need to luck into 17 identical items on clearance. But right now I can't even think of what to look for with this age group. They love their Nintendo DSs, but clearly that's too expensive. These boys like STEM and science-type stuff so I looked at science kits at Michael's but they were too pricey. Since there aren't too many kids and they're his closest friends, I don't mind if it's a bit more than I used to spend, but I still don't want it more than the presents the kids are bringing.

Flashlights or chem lights (like glow sticks but bigger). Maybe look in the camping aisle for other fun boy trinkets.

 

[havaneselover]

$5 gc's for local ice cream or Italian ice places are popular here.

That's what I would suggest.

I hate goody bags. I used to give out paperback books.

 

[megsoro]

Do you have a Lego store near you? The one near me was having a special where you could fill up their large bulk container (size of a take out container) for $10 get two of those with a mix of colors and pieces, and let the boys build whatever they'd like, and they get to take it home! Activity and favor all in one!

 

[MomToOne]

Since they are science-types, give them each a 2-liter bottle of Diet Coke, a pack of Mentos and "experiment" directions Really. My daughter once went to a science themed sleepover, and this was their favorite activity. I think it would make a great favor!

OK - maybe I'm a little odd LOL

You can also check out this link for some good ideas: http://www.education.com/question/ideas-favors-mad-science-birthday/

 

[Earstou]

Could you make some homemade science kits?
Something like crystals or a water bottle rocket, or google diy science projects for other ideas.
Gather the equipment, do some easy prep work, include the instructions and bag it. You can print off labels and you have a tailor-made favor!

 

[msmama]

Does the party have a theme?

If so, I'd try to go with something that relates. I know you already did books, but that is my go to. Last year my son had a lego theme and I got lego movie books and made some lego brick and minifig chocolate candy.

 

[DreamIsaWish]

Does the party have a theme?

If so, I'd try to go with something that relates. I know you already did books, but that is my go to. Last year my son had a lego theme and I got lego movie books and made some lego brick and minifig chocolate candy.

Personally, I still love the idea of books, but I just don't think it will work this year. I know that one of the boys hates to read. Actually, I think he hates fiction and would rather read a computer manual. Doesn't exactly scream "party favor" to read a textbook. And the other kids are rolling through books so fast I can't keep up with what's current. Maybe a science-type book would work.

 

[DreamIsaWish]

Since they are science-types, give them each a 2-liter bottle of Diet Coke, a pack of Mentos and "experiment" directions Really. My daughter once went to a science themed sleepover, and this was their favorite activity. I think it would make a great favor!

OK - maybe I'm a little odd LOL

You can also check out this link for some good ideas: http://www.education.com/question/ideas-favors-mad-science-birthday/

I don't think you're odd at all. I loved doing the science-related Cub Scout activities with my son! (As long as we did the messy ones on my driveway instead of the house...)

I think I'll have to check out your link for ideas. So many of the prepackaged kits are overpriced so I bet I could do something just as cool for a fraction of the price.

 

[DreamIsaWish]

Flashlights or chem lights (like glow sticks but bigger). Maybe look in the camping aisle for other fun boy trinkets.

I wonder if camping supplies are on after-season clearance. I checked out the swimming aisle, but didn't think to look in camping.

 

[smiths02]

What are you doing for the party? Could you do an activity that you make something and get to keep what you make?


Buy plain T-shirts and iron-on transfers for each kid?

 

[tinker-belle]

Whoopie cushions are always a hit with boys that age.

 

[DreamIsaWish]

What are you doing for the party? Could you do an activity that you make something and get to keep what you make?


Buy plain T-shirts and iron-on transfers for each kid?

He's decided he wants to take his friends rock wall climbing. I'm not sure you'd call that a theme, but it's the centerpiece activity.

 

[tchrrx]

I think you could find some carabiner keychains for cheap. You might even find some that have a light or compass attached. Carabiners match the rock climbing theme, and they are fun to hang off of backpacks.

 

[mrsp1030]

We did $5 movie giftcards to a local theater. I tied them in a bag with a bag of popcorn and the kids and parents all loved it.

 

[Swimalie]

Since they are going rock climbing, I like the idea of carabiners with a flash light. Last year my son had a nerf themed party and we found single shot, 3-dart bulk pack nerf guns on line.

Also, a headlamp would be cool for the boys as well.

 

[elphaba91]

I found a few cheap science kits on the Walmart website by searching for 'science' and narrowing the search to a maximum of $5. The Mad Science kits looked particularly good and had things like Sea Pets (like Sea Monkeys), make your own rubber balls, instant snow, etc.

They also have cool little compasses on carabiners with paracords that they could clip on backpacks and they come in a few colors: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Ultimate-Survival-Technologies-Compass-Key-Chain-Lime/34609111

 

[cel_disney]

I love the soda/mentos idea and the carabiner clip. You could do a carabiner and a water bottle attached if cheaper than flash light.

DS is turning 8 and having a video game truck party - he is handing out a deck of cards that Zi will put something about gaming on the box - 'get your game on' or something like that.

 

[zoemurr]

How about fun rolls of duct tape? Or a nice water bottle?

I always do one gift also but last year we tried something new and the boys loved it. We used some things we already had in my stash (toy airplanes, inflatable bats, etc.) added some more small toys, some candy and some cash. Wrapped each thing in tin foil, newspaper, or plastic wrap. Then we just wrapped them all in layers and made a huge trash ball. The boys took turns unwrapping and keeping the prizes. The kid in front of you rolls the dice and you Peel apart the mess and keep whatever treasures you get completely out. When he rolls doubles you have to pass the gift to him. They had a blast, and then spent ages trading around their stash.