How to Make Bowling Goody Bags

Bowling alleys are ideal places to hold a child's birthday party.

The goody bag is a way of saying "Thank you" to children for attending a birthday party. It is a small bag filled with theme-appropriate treats each child receives as he leaves the party. Creating goody bags is simple and often fun for the birthday child to do for his friends. While you can create your own treats to place inside the bag, party supply stores often have an abundance of bowling-appropriate gifts and treats to use. In addition, the birthday child should create a thank you note to give along with the gift.

Things You'll Need

• Bowling cups
• Mini bowling game
• Stickers
• Bubbles
• Pencils
• Erasers
• Candy
• Bag tag
• Ribbon
• Plush bowling ball
• Fruit snacks

Instructions

1. Obtain a head count of children attending the party. Typically, invitations have an RSVP date on the bottom of the invitation. Wait until after this date to begin preparing the goody bags so you have an accurate count for the party. Always include all children attending the party regardless of age.

2. Lay your goody bags on the table to begin stuffing. The bags are available at party supply companies and come in packs of eight to 10. Always create one or two more goody bags for children who did not RSVP.

3. Insert the bowling sipper cup with straw or mini bowling game into the bag first. These are the largest items and will take up the most space; therefore, they will go first, followed by smaller items.

4. Add additional smaller gifts to the bag. These are filler items that take up space within the bag. Fillers may include bowling-theme stickers, bubbles, pencils, erasers and candy.

5. Write generic thank you notes to include in the goody bag. These small notes should be no larger than the size of a business card and written by the birthday child. A short note that simply says, "Thank you for coming and I hope you enjoy your goody bag" is appropriate.

6. Create a personalized bowling bag tag to hang off the exterior of the goody bag for each child. This will ensure that each child receives their bag of goodies and no one is left out. You may want to create a few extra tags to take in case an extra child that did not RSVP shows up.

7. Twist the top of the bag shut and wrap a color coordinating ribbon or bowling theme ribbon around the top. Tie the ribbon into a knot and finish it with a bow.

8. Construct separate goody bags for children under the age of three. Younger children may not be able to understand the bowling cup or mini bowling game and candy and pencils are too old for their age. The age-appropriate bags can include small plush bowling balls or pins, stickers and fruit snacks.

Tips & Warnings

• Use peanut-free candy for the goody bags in case any child is allergic to peanuts or other tree nuts. This information can be found on the exterior of the candy bag under ingredients.

• Ask the bowling alley if they provide any certificates for free bowling games. If so, put a certificate in each goody bag.

References

• Kaboose: Bowling Party
• Fun Kids Party Ideas: Party Favors
• Family Fun; The Best-Ever Bowling Party; Gregory Lauzon