Goody Bag Ideas for Boys

Sorry, beyond books and legos, there's really nothing else I can think of that would be worth it. My 10 year old just came home with an american flag and a toy car, and while I appreciate the thought, I just think the family wasted money. They're still sitting by the door where he dropped them when he came home, he will never look at them again, and it shouldn't be about the guests getting gifts in the first place. I think it's odd to give goodie bags at this age, personally.

I am in the camp of no goody bags ever - I find them to be a huge waste both as the giver and receiver parent. However, if you really want to do them, why not go with something like a water bottle? Or something related to the theme of the party? My 10 year old likes Hot Wheels, WWE Wrestlers, GI Joe's, would be thrilled with a $5 iTunes card, something like that.

I think at the age of 10 goodie bags are not necessary. But, if you want them, I think candy would be sufficient. Or, take your son to the party store and have him pick out a few things he would like to have in a goodie bag.

I'm in the camp that says you don't give gifts to people for coming to a party. And I think people spend way too much money on them. Legos are fun, for example, but expensive. I usually had the kids do an activity or craft, and take home their creations. But by 10, they don't always want a structured activity.

But if people insist, then I agree you shouldn't do cheap toys that break before they get home, nor should they be anything that irritate the parents on the other end. Even $5 gift certificates require the parents to take the kid somewhere, and usually wind up requiring the parents to kick in extra money.

So I'd go for something "active" - frisbee, water toys (like those soft balls that fill up with water as mentioned below), or a beach towel (you can find a lot at the discount or overstock stores. Water squirters are okay, but avoid those that look like guns because a lot of families have a no-toy-gun policy. Water bottles are okay if they are stainless steel or BPA-free plastic, and they do encourage people to stop buying single-use bottles. But I do find that families sometimes have a ton of them already. Another thing we found the kids always liked were those small hand-held games - the old fashioned ones with no electronics. Often they are wooden with little golf tees as game pieces - kids liked those in waiting rooms or restaurants while wiring for food, or other places where electronics don't work or aren't permitted. Because they're "old school", many kids haven't seen them before. We always kept a bunch in the car in a zipper bag or small plastic tote, and took them into places where impatient kids are really a pain.

I agree with other posters, ten might be a bit too old for goody bags.. however, you could do a raffle or scavenger hunt of some sort that leads to a bigger prize.. just an idea

Ditch the goody bags. Too old for them

Ice cream gift cards or beach towels. I bet you can find some good ones on sale.

Slurpee coupons, Lego Mini Figure, candy bar, gift certificates...

baseballs
frizbees
water stuff (those balls they fill with water and throw at the pool)
I gave out bottles of water one year and then some of those koolaid things that turn a bottle of water into koolaid
snack pack (bag with a package of microwave popcorn, can of soda and pc of candy
books
decks of card games
all of the above items were purchased at dollar tree

I'd go with water bottles that they can use for their drinks during the party, and then take home.

(Actually, I don't do party favors at all, but if someone made me, I'd at least do something that might be used again, like a water bottle)

I think that age group is a little old for goodie bags.

That said, if you choose to do it, I would stay with a theme from the party. I really like the water bottle idea and if I went with the water bottle, I would get a nice one that will last the boys for quite some time.

I tend to give out something they use at the party that they then just take home with them. And I'll spend a bit extra so that it's decent and something they will actually use.

Frisbees, water blasters, pool noodle, hockey pucks or ball hockey balls ....

For our hockey party - we did Gatorade, hockey puck and ball, and a large size chocolate bar.

But if it's a bigger item like Frisbee, that's fine on it's own and a choc bar if you like or cool water/drink.

My kids also have received (and liked!) $5 gift certificates (ice cream place, McDonalds, etc.), cool comic book, etc.

My kids would love the Lego.

Good luck and have a fun party :)

ETA: Just remembered something else we've given out - we did a party later in day one time, and kids ran around the evening playing tag, etc. We gave out cool flashlights (not expensive, but good ones). That was their take home. They were about 11 or 12. Anyhow that went over well.

Candy.
If you have a pinata then it's an activity and goody bag all in one!

Five below has cool balls for $4-$5 . They have pool toys , towels , books , etc . I would go there . Good luck and happy birthday to your son !

What's the theme? Go with that. If they are doing MineCraft, then get some paper crafts for each kid - an element, a good guy thing and a bad guy thing (I'm not an expert, but it was a good idea at an 8 yr old's party). I also like themed water bottles that can be used for the day and then sent home. Unless you know the parents really well, I'd shy away from water guns.

Water bottles, mini nerf blasters, light sticks (the kind you snap to activate), sunglasses, water pistols.

My boys went to a bonfire party at about that age. They roasted hotdogs and marshmallows on the fire and were given the glow bracelets and necklaces that you snap and wear. Those are a big hit.

$5 Baskin Robbins card

$5 Arch card

Sports bottle for water with a few pieces of candy or Gatorade packets inside

Hand warmers for winter sports/sledding

$5 iTunes card

$5 Subway card

The JUMBO parachute guys

I don't give goody bags to little kids and cannot imagine giving them to big kids either.

I'd say if you really have that much excess money that you just get them gift cards so they can go get what they want. I don't mean to be short or anything but I think goody bags are the silliest worst fad in the world. Kids do not get a present for coming to a birthday party. The gifts are for the birthday child.