Non-Candy Party Favors: 20 Ideas Kids Keep

Q: How much should I spend on party favors?

Plan $2-5 per child, with $3 the most common figure. Buying in bulk packs brings the cost down to under $0.50 per small item, which leaves room for one nicer hero item in each bag.

By the Jofete Team · Last updated: September 24, 2026 · 5 min read

Non-Candy Party Favors: 20 Ideas Kids Actually Keep

Quick answer: The best non-candy favors are usable, themed and under $3: bubbles, stickers, mini notepads, crayons, temporary tattoos, hair clips and seed packets. Budget $2–5 per child and pick 3–5 items per bag.

Key takeaways

Choose usable items — toys get kept, trinkets get binned.
Budget $2–5 per child; $3 is the sweet spot.
Include 3–5 items per bag, one of them a “hero” item.
Avoid choking hazards and messy items for under-3s.

What are the best non-candy party favors?

The best non-candy favors are useful, themed and cheap: bubbles, stickers, mini colouring books, crayons, temporary tattoos, hair clips, bouncy balls and seed packets. Pick items children can use after the party rather than plastic trinkets that break within a day.

20 non-candy party favor ideas

Bubble wands — universally popular, $0.30–0.80 each.
Sticker sheets — flat, light and cheap to post-party.
Mini colouring books with 4 crayons.
Crayon packs (4–8 colours).
Temporary tattoos in the party theme.
Hair clips or scrunchies for themed parties.
Bouncy balls — buy in bulk, they are cents each.
Mini notepads and pencils.
Playdough mini pots.
Finger puppets.
Seed packets (sunflower, cress) — a growing favor.
Glow sticks for evening parties.
Mini slime pots.
Card games (snap, go fish) for ages 5+.
Watercolour paint sets.
Bookmarks for a book-themed party.
Friendship bracelet kits.
Mini magnifying glasses for a nature or safari theme.
Toy cars or dinosaurs in bulk packs.
Personalised cups guests take home.

How much should non-candy favors cost?

Budget $2–5 per child, with $3 the most common spend. Buying in bulk packs of 24, 50 or 100 drops the cost per item dramatically — bubbles and bouncy balls often land under $0.50 each, leaving room for one nicer “hero” item.

Guest count	Budget at $3 each	Items per bag
10	$30–50	3–5
20	$60–100	3–5
30	$90–150	3–5

What should I avoid in a goody bag?

Avoid choking hazards (small parts for under-3s), noisy items (whistles, horns), messy items (loose glitter, slime for very young children) and single-use plastic trinkets that break immediately. Parents remember the mess and the noise far longer than the party.

How do I make favors feel themed?

Match the items to the party theme: magnifying glasses and toy animals for safari, glow sticks for a space party, hair clips and tiaras for princesses, and seed packets for a garden party. Even cheap items feel intentional when they match the colour palette and theme.

Frequently asked questions

What are good non-candy party favors?

Bubbles, stickers, mini colouring books, crayons, temporary tattoos, hair clips, bouncy balls, playdough and seed packets are all popular. Choose usable items under $3 that match the party theme, and avoid anything noisy, messy or small enough to be a choking hazard.

How much should I spend on party favors?

Plan $2–5 per child, with $3 the most common figure. Buying in bulk packs brings the cost down to under $0.50 per small item, which leaves room for one nicer hero item in each bag.

What can I put in a goody bag instead of sweets?

Swap sweets for bubbles, stickers, crayons, a mini notepad, a bouncy ball, a temporary tattoo or a small craft kit. These last longer than sweets, do not affect allergies, and parents generally prefer them.

Shop favors: browse our cards & gifts for goody bag fillers, or work out quantities with how many favors per guest.

Written by the Jofete Team — our party planning specialists have styled hundreds of birthdays, baby showers and weddings. We test every quantity guide against real events so the numbers you read here are the ones we actually use. Last updated: September 24, 2026.

Related: see glow stick and LED favor quantities.