Party Bag Filling Guide
The going-home bag is the last thing every little guest remembers, so it is worth getting right. The good news is there is a simple formula: a small toy, something sweet, a sticker or novelty and one keepsake, all sized to the age and your budget.
Here is exactly what goes in, how many items to include and roughly what to spend, so you can fill 10 or 30 bags without the last-minute panic.
What actually goes in a party bag
A bag that feels generous does not need to be expensive. Build it from four simple slots:
- One small toy. A bouncy ball, mini puzzle, bubble tub, spinning top or wind-up. This is the piece children play with on the way home.
- One novelty. Stickers, a temporary tattoo, a pencil, a sticker sheet or a small notepad.
- Something sweet. A lollipop or a small bag of sweets. One or two pieces is plenty.
- A keepsake. A themed favour that matches the party, or a slice of cake in a napkin or box.
Four items in a paper or cello bag looks full and considered without tipping into landfill by teatime.
How many items
Scale it to the party:
- Count the guests, then add 2 or 3 spares. Siblings turn up, and one extra bag saves a lot of tears.
- Buy fillers in multipacks. A pack of 12 or 24 mini toys works out far cheaper per child than singles, and the fillers range includes multipacks.
- Keep sweets to 1 or 2 pieces per bag. A single bulk bag of sweets covers a whole party.
- Fill the night before on a production line: bags open in a row, one item in each, then fold and seal.
With free UK mainland delivery over £40, ordering the toys, sweets and bags together usually clears the threshold in one go.
Frequently asked questions
How many things should go in a party bag?
Four or five is the sweet spot: a toy, a novelty, a sweet and a keepsake. More than that and the bag feels cluttered rather than special, and the cost climbs fast across 20 or 30 children.
Do you put a slice of cake in the bag?
You can, and lots of parents do. Wrap it in a napkin or a small box or cello bag so it does not squash the toys. If you are sending cake home, mention it to parents in case of allergies.
Are small fillers safe for under-3s?
Not always. Anything small enough to swallow is a choking risk for toddlers, so for under-3s choose bigger items with no under-3 warning, like a board book, a bath toy or a soft item, and skip small balls and marbles.
Stock up in party bag fillers and grab empty party bags to fill. Add a few sweets from sweets and small toys from pocket money toys.
More in the Party bags guide