My Son 5 Year Party

I think most parents would like less junk and less candy -- I know I would!! I like to be fun but somewhat practical: fun toothbrushes with a fun box of character bandaids. Kids at 5 also love matchbox cars, any glow stick type of toy, decorations for their bike or since its September, why not a few school supplies (boxes of crayons, markers, fun pad of paper, etc)

Or, consider buying one nicer $5 item: a mini Lego kit is a huge hit with 5 year olds.

My suggestion would be small toys, like bubbles, toy cars, stickers, and so on. Maybe have the favors be related to the theme of the cake and decorations (especially if you're using a cartoon or movie theme) or have the favors be related to bowling somehow (like mini bowling games or balls that look like bowling balls.)

Hi K.!

I have always used Birthday Express. They have great fun-filled favor boxes for around $4 each. They are great! Check out their website www.celebrateexpress.com.

Happy shopping!
S.

Check orientaltrading.com. They have pre-made bowling treat boxes, trophies, ribbons, make your own bowling-themed frame craft kits (Cute for photos from the party, temporary tattoos and a lot of other stuff that's reasonably priced. Also, check Buycostumes.com and birthdayexpress.com. I think you'll find all sorts of bowling themed-party supplies. Good luck and have fun!

My son went to a bowling birthday party two years ago and the mom found a little bowling set with pins (around $2 or $3) and a ball. I think I just saw them at Target in the toy section they had a part filled with smaller toys for goodie bags. There was other stuff in there but that is all I can remember because now my younger son plays with it on the table while I make dinner. It is one thing from a goodie bag we have actually kept.

A book or a puzzle? I have spent so much money on silly junky toys and candy and I regret it! Junk goes straight to the garbage after a few minutes and candy ruins their teeth! A friend of mine who is a teacher had a big santa style bag with different puzzles and books the kids could choose from at her sons party. We still have them and actually use them! She stuck with classics that were smallish and therefore not expensive. Good luck...favors can be stressfull!!! Also, maybe since it is a bowling party you could look for those mini bowling games that go on the floor....

My best friend had a bowling party for her 6 year-old, and their favors were really t-shirts with everyone's name on them. Depending how creative you are, you can get iron-on transfer t-shirt design software programs at places like Circuit City for around $20 and pretty cheap t-shirts at the dollar store. Who doesn't love something with their name on it? Also, my friend made music CDs with her daughter's favorite songs (some pop, some kid tunes), which was also a big hit.

Have fun!

WARNING - THIS IS ONLY MY OPINION!!!! I'd rather my son come home with some great stories about how well he bowled and how much fun he had with his friends. When we get goody bags from parties, we typically toss everything in them including the candy, chips, crackers, etc anyway. Take pictures of the kids' scores and also with the birthday boy. Send those to your son's guests along with a thank you. If you must give them something, give out medals or ribbons for bowling. I like the idea of a coupon for a free game of bowling too and maybe some McDonald's gift certificates. If you are going to spend the money anyway, might as well give the kids what they really want! MICKEY D's!!! =)

Have a great party!!!

Get a bag of bouncing balls, mini-mazes, puzzles at your local party store, check out the dollar store or the dollar section of target.

Go to the dollar store and get them each a football. You will also find glow in the dark wristbands and all kinds of cool inexpensive stuff. If you want to add something sweet, just go easy on it and remember...chocolate is a health food!

I would go to the dollar store and get some of those nerf gun things. (Unless you are against anything gun-like) My kids love that stuff and they're only a dollar.

The dollar store is your friend. The geegaws aren't the most eco-friendly, but they'll do. A lot of the party stores - I know there's one on Fullerton near Elston and Damen that has a huge selection. Target also has bargain bins. Stickers are always a hit, as are those little four-crayon packs.

What about small bowling trophies, or ribbons/medals? Kids love those kinds of things! Dinn Trophy has them for about $2 each.
www.dinntrophy.com

Good luck!

J.

I don't particularly like when my daughter comes home with tons of candy, but some is not too bad. We've done crayons and coloring books. I made the coloring book for my sons party from coloring pages we got off the internet. He wanted Super Heroes and I was able to combine lots of different pages. This is the perfect time to buy crayons, they are so cheap, I just bought 30 boxes for next years favors. The Dollar Store & Oriental Trading is great too. Super Balls and bubbles are always a big hit. Good Luck!

Playdoh is ususally a nice alternative to candy and not so expensive or if you go to a Dollar Tree store, they have really large sketch pads for a buck and you can add some crayons, stickers or funky pencil.

My daughter went to a bowling party and I don't know where the mom found them, but she had bowling pin shaped (and sized) sport bottles. She put each kid's name on one. We still have my daughter's.

We also do not like giving candy. We have done bubbles, sitckers, tattoos, silly rings, small balls. etc. Hope this helps and have a great party!

How about going old-school with toys? Maybe a little gift bag with a yo-yo, sidewalk chalk, rubber bouncy ball, kazoo, etc.? You can find these at dollar stores, Target, etc. and usually you can get these favors in packages of 6 or more so pretty economical. Good luck!

I've done many different non-junky, non candy items for boys and girls. Matchbox cars, pencils, one smaller puzzle or book, etc. Those sponge capsules are junky, but fun! Have a great party.:)

Goldfish crackers, coloring books with crayons or washable markers(they are on sale everywhere), Play-doh, Matchbox cars, stickers, grahm crackers, good edibles etc.... I hate those dollar store and cheap plastic toys we get at other parties, I usualy throw them out in a day or two after, because I usually end up stepping on them. Maybe a certificate for a free game at the bowling alley to come back with their family?!?