Alternative to Goodie Bags???

Helium filled balloons. You can tie a tootsie-pop to the string so it won't float away if you want.
All kids (of all ages, really!) LOVE balloons with helium. :)

I refuse to spend money to reward kids for coming to a birthday party. I may not be the favorite mom of the kids friends but I spend quite a bit of money for parties I through. Goodie bags? Nope, don't even do them, start a new trend.

I've given gift cards to our local ice cream shop for a single scoop of ice cream. I think they were in between $2 and $3 each.

Have them decorate a picture frame and give them a picture you take of them with the birthday girl to put in it.

One favor that my kids received that I really liked was a reusable water bottle. They had a balloon tied to the cap of each one decorating the table where the kids ate. It's one party favor that we have actually used over and over! I would do something like that or a craft that they make at the party to take home. I usually take a picture of each guest with the b-day girl and send those out with the thank you cards. If you do that, then decorating a photo frame would be a good activity and favor.

A couple of years ago I bought mini terra cota (sp?) pots, soil, and little flowers. I had markers, glitter, and sticker for the kids to decorate their pots. Then they planted their flower and that was their "take home" thing. It was a lot of fun! I guess this would only work for an outdoor event! Last year I bought canvas bags at craft store and provided fabric markers and a bedazzler (yes, I own one) ha ha. Then the kids did a treasure hunt and every treasure got a prize to put in their bag. I did stickers, pins, and 1 candy! Good luck and have fun:)

I just had my daughter's b-day party for her turning 4. We got a bunch of helium balloons and each kid got to take home a balloon. We also did a book exchange instead of gifts so they each got to pick out a book and take it home. I did do goody bags, but all I had in each one was some bubbles, a glow bracelet, and a small amount of homemade play-doh. I figured at least that stuff gets used up and then can be thrown out. And it's not candy.

How much do you want to spend, on goody bags?

www.birthdayinabox.com has GREAT things. Of all kinds.
The personalized luggage tags, are great.
Their things are real cute. Lots to choose from.
My friend always orders things from here for her kids' parties.
GOOD quality things, and does not cost much.

I STILL, have the things from this site, from her kids' b-day parties... such as the luggage tags and buttons and place-mats etc.
Very useful stuff, which will not get thrown away, 2 days later.
The luggage tags for example, has been in use since my daughter was 2 years old, and she is 8 now.

My friend, always uses this site for her party goody bags.
It is not, just "junk" that will get thrown away.

I've said it many many times before. I HATE HATE HATE goodie bags. You must agree on some level if they're just laying around the house.

Why do you feel you have to give a goodie bag? Skip it.

If you absolutely must...
markers
crayons
bubbles
pail and shovel
beach ball
book
puzzle
decorate with balloons and give each child one to take home

I gave a level 1 book last year at my daughters birthday. It was about $3-4 and about what I would have spent (probably a little less) on goodie bags.

Cake and Ice Cream??

I love all the ideas you have gotten. I am not a fan of the goodie bag. I agree with someone who said a gift card for 3-5 to an ice cream shop... or jamba juice, frozen yogurt etc...

Something that goes with the theme of your party maybe. One year when we had a campout, I gave each girl her own cool flashlight. Another year for a sleepover they got matching Disney pillowcases. Another time they all got a little stuffed animal (although I hate stuffed animals almost as much as I hate goodie bags!)

Our local grocery/bakery sells beautiful AND delicious sugar cookies. Kids...well at least my kid, knows they are a special treat and loves getting them every once in a blue moon.

Also there are super detailed cake pops people are making and selling...I know a family that had Star Wars ones that were pretty awesome.

Decoration and a cute take home treat! :)

either do a one gift thing like a hula hoop, a princess wand and water gun for the boys, a book that you get at the $ store.....or a friend once had a bunch of candy in bowls and little baggies and each child went through and filled their baggies with the candy. My son's last party I did not do goodie bags at all, first time ever, and no one even asked. it was actually nice! My daughter's party was a spa/princess party and I put together little bags of lip gloss/chapstick, nail polish, stickers. the boys can get temp tattoos, water guns, candy, silly putty, etc

O. year for pre-K or nursery school, my son's party was at a farm. I found small velvet picture/marker kits at the dollar store with a barn/farm picture. It was a hit. I've also done large candy bars with wrappers I've made & taped over the 'real' wrapper with a "Thanks for coming" message. Or I've done a paddle ball game. Hate the goodie bag & all that little crapola!

The mini stainless steel water bottles.. They sell them at walgreens for under 5 dollars.. And they do go on sale.

What about labels for each kid? http://www.mabel.ca/products/colourful+loot+bag+combo

Useful and I bet no one else does it. My kids loved their name on stuff when they were little.

What about a craft they make and take home with them? Something for their rooms maybe. In my sorority we used to make door hangers. The things that go around the door knob that say this is so and so's room etc. You can buy all the supplies at a hobby or craft store. Or maybe you get those rhinestone temporary tattoo things and each girl gets to put one on before they leave.

If these children are anything like our circle of kid friends, they don't need any silly little toys...or a favor...how about in leui of favors, give a donation to The Children's Hospital or another foundation of choice...and if you want the kids to go home with something...take a group kid pic when everyone gets there...and send someone to 1 hr photo so they are ready before they leave.

We've been to several parties with unique favors such as a cute birdfeeder, a water bottle personalized with paint pens, and a hat made out of felt and pipecleaners. Another one had candy, but it was tied into a long strip of plastic wrap to make a necklace.
We've done build & paint a wooden car. Then for a cooking-themed birthday party, I made an apron and hat for each kid to wear during the party and then take home, along with kid-sized rolling pin, whisk, etc.

Our favorite was a $5.00 Half Priced Books. I don't know if you have one of those near you, or not. You could do some other book store, or a giftcard to another popular place. We got Mcdonalds gift card once. The other parents liked it, but we don't eat there. They were a hit, though.