Before I assemble the usual collection of superballs and stickers and tootsie rolls into cellophane goodie bags, does anyone have a suggestion for a good birthday party give-away for 8 year old boys? I'd be willing to spend $5-$10 on something cool as the party is looking like it will be small.
OK thanks Moms, lots of great ideas. I lucked into something on sale at CVS for $3.74 -- a 4-pack of those weighted sticks that you throw into/retrieve out of the pool, with funny little animal heads on them. 8 year olds are definitely holding their breath and diving so I went for those, and when my son saw them he thought they were great. I'm thinking the T-shirt activity is a good one too!
How about a McDonald's gift card, or a movie pass, or a bowling alley pass, or if you live near a Chuck E Cheese, some tokens?
I give books! The parents and the kids love it. You can usually get them for about a dollar at the dollar store or a little more at bookstores or department stores. I also have done coloring books with a box of crayons or colored pencils.
If you have a store called 5 Below in your area, they have great stuff and everything is $5 or less. they have the lego racers $5 , teck deck skate boards $3 anything like that is great. I have also done air planes (puchased at Big Lots for $3 each) and Hula Hoops. I like giving things the kids will be able to use.
I like the ideas that have been suggested so far, but before you assemble your goodie bags, you might find another request from today interesting: http://www.mamapedia.com/questions/8094056548160045057
What about a Bakugan for each boy. They are reasonable and my son loves them.
Water guns would be fun. Even a soccer ball/basket ball- any of those. They run around 5-$10- or a mini lego set would be cool too.
What about a kite. You can get them pretty inexpensive at Target or Walmart. Eight year old also love sidewalk chalk, sports balls, and all those fun outside toys. They have tons of inexpensive outside toys at Walmart.
silly putty and pop rocks
I so don't get the goodie bag. Especially when the kids get older. Why not get them a 5$ gift card for the local bookstore?
Silly putty and a newspaper. Show them how to transfer the pictures from the newspaper. My 10 year old newphew loves the stuff!
Water guns, parachute paratroopers (not the super cheapie ones, but the ones that are a little nicer), mini lego/bionicle sets.
The other night when I was at Wal-Mart I saw these Iron Man t-shirts that the kids color for themselves (there was a pack of markers with the shirt). It was $6. I thought of your post. It might make for a good party-time activity for them to do as well.
One year I filled a bag with inexpensive tools such as a small plastic level, small tape measure, etc. Another year I did pencils, fun erasers, stencils, the usual stuff but I put them in a plastic zippered pencil bag. One mom I knew gave out beach towels rolled up and tied with a ribbon. I always loved putting together the bags. That's one thing I miss now that my baby is all grown up. :)
As summer is fast approaching a really cool squirt gun or mini lego kits they runabout $8 at target
How about a small Lego kit? I gave those one time when my son had a Lego theme birthday party. I bought "Roadsters". They are in your price range. The kids can take them home to build. Add a piece of candy or stickers and you are all set.
M.
Hi! For me, it always depends on the theme of the party! For my son's 8th we did a hiking theme and I picked up hankerchiefs and little survival things to put inside (mini flash lights, hand warmer & a fruit treat!) I really didn't spend much, maybe $8/child and everyone liked it! I went to Job Lot, dollar stores, Target, etc. to find the best package deals on these cool little products.
Good luck & have fun!
E.:-)
My son is 9 and he went to a birthday party where he got a $5 giftcard to Gamestop (vido game store). The boys all loved this. Most boys this age are just starting to get into video games, so I thought it was a great idea and it was a big hit! Although you obviously can't get a video game for this amount it is nice to get $5 off a purchase that they will be making in the future. You could even put it in a small bag with a couple peices of candy. Quick, easy and fairly inexpensive!
I hear ya, I hate those clutter-maker gift bags. I made 'event' t-shirts for my son's 7th bday party. In the weeks leading up to his party, I looked out for sales at Michaels and AC Moore and I think I got 5 for $10. Then I did a quick design with the party theme, printed them up on paper that you can iron on the t-shirts (also at a craft store for under $10). It probably took a total of 2 hours. Kids thought it was cool and the gift had some use.
A Butterfly yo-yo and O. of those balsa wood glider planes!
