Sustainable party bag alternatives

Let’s be honest: party bags have a bad rep—and for good reason. According to our Kids’ Party Survey, only 5% of parents say they like party bags, 80% want to avoid the clutter that comes with kids parties and 77% worry about the amount of plastic. 

So, what’s the alternative?

First up…you don’t have to give a party favour. If you don’t want to, resist the social pressure and save yourself the hassle and the money! 

If you do want to give something, there are so many thoughtful plastic-free party bag options that don’t end up in the bin (and if they do it’s far less harmful for the planet). 

Party Bag Rules to Live By:

✅ Keep it minimal
✅ Avoid plastic (unless it’s second-hand)
✅ Don’t spend more than you want to
✅ Think about what you’d want brought into your house

Here are 50 ideas for more sustainable, plastic-free party favours:

You can buy these new, but we’ve also suggested ways you can DIY or upcycle to save money, and waste!

💰 Budget (under £1 each)

1. Seed packets → Collect & dry seeds from your garden, portion into envelopes

2. Paper stickers → Print designs on recycled paper, or glue cut-outs

3. Mini notebooks → Staple scrap paper + decorate cereal box covers

4. Coloured pencils (split packs) → Bundle part-used pencils with twine

5. Origami paper → Fold with scrap paper, magazines, or kids’ art

6. Chunky chalk (cardboard boxed) → Buy in bulk, split into paper cones

7. Bookmarks (printed) → Cut from cereal boxes, decorate with drawings/pressed flowers

8. Wooden spinning tops → Rescue from second-hand toy bundles

9. Marbles or glass pebbles → Thrifted, swapped, or found second-hand

10. Homemade playdough → Homemade playdough in saved jars or compostable wrap

11. Slice of cake wrapped up → Just send home cake — no extras needed

12. A token gift bag filler → Skip favours altogether — the party itself is the gift

⚖️ Mid-Range (£1–£3 each)

13. Puzzle/colouring books → Print pages at home, staple into booklets

14. Wooden animals/toys → Thrift/charity shop bundles split between guests

15. Beeswax crayons → Melt old crayons into new shapes with silicone moulds

16. Fabric bags → Sew from pillowcases, offcuts, or shirts

17. Mini jars of honey/jam → Homemade preserves decanted into saved jars

18. Fabric party crowns → Sew from old clothes, fabric scraps, or cardboard + paint

19. Soap bars (gift size) → Cut a large bar into mini chunks, wrap in paper

20. Glass pebbles/worry stones → Collect smooth stones + decorate with paint pens

21. Pocket storybooks → Buy charity shop bundles, split individually

22. Ribbon wands → Use garden sticks + leftover ribbons/fabric strips

23. Sweets/chocolate (plastic-free packs) → Make cones from paper bags + bulk-buy choc buttons/jellies

24. Mini craft kits → Assemble kits from your own art/craft stash

💎 Premium (£3–£7+ each)

25. Mini potted plants → Grow from cuttings or seeds in tins/jars

26. Fabric tote bags → Sew from curtains, bedsheets, or clothes

27. Wooden jigsaw puzzles → Second-hand puzzle sets, cleaned and gifted

28. Beeswax candles → Hand-roll from beeswax sheets or melted scraps

29. Craft kits → Bundle leftover yarn, buttons, card into DIY kits

30. Wooden name keyrings → Scrap wood slices decorated/painted

31. Skipping ropes → Rope + wooden handles (sticks, dowels, or repurposed)

32. Mini board/card games → Pre-loved bundles, split across children

33. Bubble kits → Homemade solution + wire wand, jar reused

34. Fabric bunting → Make from fabric scraps, old clothes, or pillowcases

35. Cookie mix jar → Layer dry ingredients in reused jar with recipe card

36. Magic potion kit → Use small reused jars with vinegar, bicarb, food colouring

🎁 Luxury (£7–£15 each)

37. Personalised storybook → Decorate a second-hand copy with an inscription

38. Handmade soft toy → Sew from old blankets/clothes

39. Workshop voucher → Gift a home-made “experience” like a nature trail or baking session

40. Stainless steel water bottle → Gift spare bottles (like-new) or pre-loved

41. Wooden construction set → Buy preloved bundles & split into mini sets

42. Second-hand books (bulk) → Run a book swap at the party instead

43. Preloved toy car + choc → Source tiny cars second-hand, pair with a sweet treat

44. Teddy adoption → Gift a charity-shop teddy with an adoption “certificate”

45. Toy swap activity → Guests bring one toy to swap as their “favour”

46. Nature scavenger hunt card → Print at home & reuse, or slip into reused card wallet

47. Seed-growing competition kit → Use home-saved seeds + reused jars/pots for planting

48. Mini colouring posters + crayons → Print colouring pages + split crayons, bundle with twine

49. Cardboard play pieces → Cut shapes from boxes, decorate with kids at the party

50. Party activity keepsake → Let children take home the craft they made at the party 

Final Thought

Party favours don’t have to cost the earth—literally or financially. With a bit of thought (and maybe some swaps), you can ditch the plastic tat and send kids home with something that won’t end up in the bin.

Agree that party bags and gifting should be less wasteful?

👉 Sign the Kids Party Pact