How to Make Your Own Goodie Bag for a Kid's Birthday

Goody bags are common favors at kid's birthdays.

Goody bags are traditionally given at birthday parties for young children, so the attendees have something to bring home and enjoy after the event. Dollar stores or large variety stores often offer the lowest prices on small items that can be used to fill goody bags. Minimize personal stress levels and infighting among young party guests by making goody bags gender-neutral, and by making the contents of each individual's bag identical.

Things You'll Need

• Small paper lunch bags
• Birthday themed stickers
• Markers
• Pre-packaged candies
• Small toys
• Temporary tattoos
• Crayons
• Glow sticks

Instructions

1. Decorate the outside of each small paper lunch bag with birthday-themed stickers. Write "Happy Birthday!" on each individual bag, using different-colored marking pens.

2. Presort the items you want to put into your gift bags. Count them to make sure you have enough of each item to put one into each bag. Place the items into separate piles on a table top.

3. Fill your first bag with one of each item on the table top. Fold the top of the bag down a few times. Seal the bag by placing a sticker where the folded portion meets the rest of the bag. Repeat this process until all your goody bags are filled and sealed.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are hosting a party for a health-conscious crowd, substitute items like fresh apples or boxed raisins for prepackaged candies.

• If you have children under the age of three attending your party, do not include items that are small enough to be swallowed by recipients of gift bags. or your goody bag recipients may choke on something.

References

• CBS Money Watch; The Dreaded Birthday Party Goody Bag; Sarah Lorge Butler; 2010
• "Parents": Goody Bags
• "Nick Jr"; Tips for Great Goody Bags; Linda Kaye