Handmade & Inexpensive Birthday Party Favors

Bubbles: I have never met a child who isn't fascinated by bubbles!

Super balls: My three boys cannot have too many Super balls. There are so many different colors and patterns on super balls.

Finger puppets are a great way for children to use their imaginations.

The Dollar Tree has many little gadgets. My boys loved the rubber snakes they recently received. I handed out an insect house to each child at a bug themed birthday party. The insect house even came with a tool to pick up the bug, both for only $1.00!

Go to Nick Jr.'s website to find your child's favorite character and print out coloring pages. For example: We had a Sponge Bob party one year at a swimming center. I printed out pictures of Sponge Bob, Patrick, Sandy, Gary, Squidward and Plankton. It gave all of the children something to do until everyone was present. At the end of the party, each child had their colored picture to take home in their goodie bag as a party favor.

I also printed out a pattern for a SpongeBob door knob decoration like you see at hotel's for "Do Not Disturb" or for the maid to clean your room. I put it on cardstock paper so it would last longer. I put it in their goodie bag personalized as a birthday party favor.

SpongeBob printable paper airplanes are available on Nick Jr. that could be put in the goodie bags.

On the Nick Jr. website there are directions for party decorations. Instead of using them for decorations, use them as a craft for the children to do and take home as a party favor!

My example: Decorate SpongeBob
What you will need:
Yellow, white, black, brown, and red construction paper
Markers
Scissors
Gluesticks

Have all children start with yellow construction paper. Let them draw SpongeBob's head. Draw pants on brown construction paper. Draw eyes on white paper. Glue all parts onto yellow construction paper. Take marker to fill in eyeballs, nose, smile, and any details!

I came up with cutting out different colored sponges of SpongeBob characters. For example: Yellow square sponge for SpongeBob. Pink star sponge for Patrick. Green oval sponge for Squidward. Use fun sponges to paint with. Art masterpieces to take home as a party favor.

We gave out Dollar Tree sunglasses with our SpongeBob theme. You can buy an entire package of them when in stock. You may need two or three packages. Wal-Mart usually carries them, too, in the birthday and gift wrap paper section.

Kids love paper horns. Put on the table when serving cake. Then put in child's goodie bag.

McDonalds has gift certificates for a free apple pie, soda, French fries, cookies, or ice cream cone. One of my husband's co-workers gets large packets of these coupons on eBay for $5.00!

Oriental Trading Magazine has inexpensive toys that come in large quantities you can put in the children's goodie bags.

For example: 72 mini star gliders (airplanes) for $7.95. You can save the remaining gliders for your next party, Easter baskets, Christmas stocking stuffers and classroom birthday treats.

Shiny race car racers: One dozen is $4.95.

Zoo animal puzzles: One dozen is $2.95.

Stretching flying frogs: On sale now: One dozen is $2.95.

A big bag of candy mixture to split up in the goodie bags. Be sure to hand out the sugar-filled bag at the end of the party!

Right before cake time, round up the children and take a digital photo. If you are at home print out a photo for each child. Give them each a piece of construction paper to glue the photo to. Set out stickers, glitter, scalloped edge scissors with adult supervision and any scrapbook supplies.

The children can decorate their underwater SpongeBob experience with their friends and them on the photo or whatever theme you are using. A wonderful take home birthday party favor to treasure.

http://www.orientaltrading.com/

http://www.nickjr.com/party/nick-jr-parties/nick-parties/spongebob/index.jhtml