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18 Party Favor Ideas That Are Adorable, Affordable, and Definitely Not Junk

Jessica Hartshorn
Jessica Hartshorn
Jessica Hartshorn has 30 years of editorial experience with titles such as Parents, American Baby, and Woman's Day. She's evaluated children's gear and toys for more than 20 years and currently contributes to the Good Housekeeping Institute. She grew up in Pittsburgh, holds…read more
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Lovely little boy celebrates
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Arguably the best part about birthday party favors? Often, the fastest and easiest way to get a kid to leave a party without tears is to remind them that they’ll get a goody bag as they walk out the door.

When you’re throwing a birthday party, though, it’s tough to figure out what to buy as favors. Maybe kids are happy to get anything, but you don’t want to send parents home with junk. My golden rule: To ask yourself, Is this something I’d want my kid to come home with? And so, no sack of candy, no hugely messy craft, no live fish in a bag. With all that in mind, here are 18 of the best birthday party favors — some as standalone favors and some to combine in goody bags — for $10 or less.

Crayola Chalk, 12-Pack
$13

Chalk drawing is such a fun outdoor activity, and there’s no such thing as too much sidewalk chalk. Crayola’s classic package of 12 colors is $10. 

$13 at Amazon
Mini Tattoo Palooza Temporary Tattoos
$6$5

This suggestion comes from my 9-year-old niece, who texted me, “I know soooo many kids who love” temporary tattoos as favors. 

$5 at Maisonette
Little Kids Fubbles No-Spill Bubble
$10

If you didn’t know: Fubbles bubbles containers are (really!) no-spill. Kids can turn the plastic tub upside-down, and the bubble soap stays inside. A win for both kids and their caregivers! 

$10 at Amazon
DUPLO 3-in-1 Creative Cute Pets
$10

Need a party favor for toddlers and preschoolers ages 18 months and older? DUPLO’s 24-piece pet set lets them get to work at home making a little cat, dog, fish, and bird.

$10 at LEGO
Disney Doorables In Full Bloom
$5

Give the guests the thrill of a mini unboxing with one of these blind-bag favors. They’ll open up the pot and find a bag with two surprise characters plus accessories. Sometimes there are even three characters in there! 

$5 at Target
Spritz Fairy Wand Birthday Party Favor, 6-Count
$4

Kids instantly know how to play with a fairy wand, pretending to cast magic. At less than $1 apiece, these wands are cute to sit alongside each cake plate or to stash in each goody bag.

$4 at Target
Squishmallows Disney Stitch Character Plush
$6

Five Below is my source for under-$10 genuine Jazwares Squishmallows. This Stitch in a costume is pretty fun and unique, but the store often has many options to choose from, including Bluey and family. 

$6 at Five Below
Goofy Mad Libs
$7$529% off

Big kids who can read and write are delighted by silly fill-in-the-blank Mad Libs — and grown-ups will have fun rediscovering them. 

$5 at Amazon
Horizon Group USA Bluey Activity Book
$8

This Bluey-themed activity book is packed! It includes 90 pages for coloring and solving puzzles, and it comes with four markers and stickers. 

$8 at Amazon
Netflix K-Pop Demon Hunters Stationery Set
$7

If you’ve got a K-Pop Demon Hunters fan, consider handing out these stationery sets as favors — they each come with stickers, an eraser, markers, gel pens, and a notepad.

$7 at Michaels
Mattel Uno Card Game, 2-Pack
$13

A classic card game is a useful gift that your party guests can keep using over and over again. I also like Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza.

$13 at Amazon
Spritz Stackable Crayons, 12-Count
$5

Sit one of these pull-apart six-color crayons next to each plate, and the kids can color at the party. Or slip one into each favor bag. They’re like little rainbows!

$5 at Target
Duncan Toys First Yo!
$13

Not many kids these days receive this classic toy, so be the one to introduce them. Duncan promises that this yo-yo will bounce back up on the first try, giving kids a less-frustrating first lesson in yo-yo-ing.

$13 at Amazon
Bright Starts Oball
$5

Is this a first birthday? I think that the Oball is one of the best baby toys, and such an appreciated party favor.

$5 at Amazon
LEGO Minecraft Alex's Campfire Conflict
$5

For Minecraft fans, this favor sends guests home with a small but super cool LEGO set including Alex, a zombie, and a bee, ready for pretend scenarios.

$5 at Target
Woven Friendship Bracelets, 12-Pack
$10

There are a dozen bracelets to give away in every one of these sets — great if you have a bunch of goodie bags to fill.

$10 at Amazon
TBOLINE 3D Printed Dragon Egg, 4-Pack
$20$1240% off

A mom of a preteen boy told me that kids are collecting these shiny little dragons, and always love a new one. The articulated body makes the dragon wiggle and helps it fold back up into its egg. 

$12 at Amazon
Smiley Face Keychains, Rainbow Set of 8
$6

How many keychains can dangle off a kid’s backpack hold? So many, it seems, so one of these happy-looking faces will fit right into their collection. And they’re 75 cents apiece!

$6 at Etsy

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