Alternatives to Giving Party Favors at Kids' Parties
Party favor bags are usually full of cheap toys and bad candy discarded within an hour of arriving home from the party. Additionally, party favor bags can be costly. While these bags may have cartoon characters and look appealing lined on the table of the party, less-expensive, more thoughtful ideas can be used in lieu of party favors. According to the book, Unplugged Play, some of the best, long-lasting favors are ones that remind them of the party, or ones they can customize themselves.
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Make a Photo Collage
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Before the party, purchase photo paper and design a template using photo collage software, or just use a Word program to use clip art to create a layout design that reflects the theme of the party. Do a test-print of a collage just to ensure you have enough colored ink and the paper is adequate.
Throughout the party, take pictures of the children playing with each other, or, if present, the children with their parents. Designate 15 minutes to an hour before the party ends to go to the computer, upload the pictures, and place them on the collage design. Print them off, and provide each child with a picture collage of the party.
Have Fun With Snacks
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Purchase some colored plastic wrap, ribbons, icing, sprinkles and ingredients for your child's favorite cookie (or cupcake). Be sure to check the dollar store, as they have several items for baking and decorating that are far less expensive than other stores. Make several dozen cookies before the party begins, and let the kids decorate their own cookies during the party. Try to allow time for the icing to set by placing them in the refrigerator for 20 minutes during the festivities. Wrap their creations in plastic wrap, let them pick their ribbon, and send them home with customized sweets.
Another snack kids could take home could be "decorating" their own popcorn. Air-popped popcorn is inexpensive to make. Just buy popcorn kernels and an air popper. Fill medium-sized plastic baggies with popcorn before the party. Take old salt and pepper shakers, decorate them with fun, bright labels that say "cinnamon" or "garlic salt." Have other toppings like a squeeze bottle of chocolate or caramel, chocolate chips, sprinkles, nuts or raisins. Then, let each child season their own popcorn buffet-style. Ideally, have the table outside and be sure to line it with a throw-away tablecloth, as this idea can get pretty messy.
Make Arts and Crafts
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Creative-activities-for-kids.com suggests using crayons to decorate warm, flat rocks; when the crayon wax melts onto the rock, it makes a pretty glaze-like decoration. Little girls may enjoy making necklaces using plastic beads and other inexpensive supplies.
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