{"id":2177462,"date":"2025-06-30T14:18:49","date_gmt":"2025-06-30T21:18:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tinybeans.com\/?p=2177462"},"modified":"2025-07-28T09:00:40","modified_gmt":"2025-07-28T16:00:40","slug":"worst-party-favors-for-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tinybeans.com\/worst-party-favors-for-kids\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Things Parents Should NEVER Put in a Goody Bag"},"content":{"rendered":"

You\u2019ve picked out the perfect theme<\/a> and ordered an elaborate cake<\/a>. Now it\u2019s time to dig into the ever-important details of your kid\u2019s birthday party. Everything needs to be just-right, from the balloon arch highlighting the photo wall down to the party games and perfect favors<\/a>. But that last one can be a bit tricky. After all, what toys and trinkets won\u2019t cause problems or wind up in the trash a few hours after getting home? To avoid a serious party foul keep these absolutely terrible things from finding their way into the goody bags. Trust us, your guests will thank you.<\/p>\n

1. Plastic trinkets<\/strong>
\nWe\u2019ve all been there: searching for small and inexpensive items to fill goody bags with when…lo and behold! What do you spy in the party aisle so obviously grouped together and in such enticing colors? All kinds of plastic cra\u2014stuff. Mazes, tops, mini frisbees, kaleidoscopes, shaped slinkies, hand clappers, finger eyeballs. The list is endless. But it\u2019s time to stop the madness, parents. Let\u2019s all agree to leave these items on the shelf.<\/p>\n

2. Kazoos<\/strong>
\nUnless your little one\u2019s party is at a local parade, a kazoo should never (ever) find its way into a kid\u2019s goody bag. We know kids love them. We know they can encourage creativity and in some cases even help with language development<\/a>. But we\u2019re still giving a hard pass to this headache-inducing favor.<\/p>\n

3. Small bubbles<\/strong>
\nWe get it. Bubbles are a reliable add to any party bag, especially in summer. Kids love them at every age, and they hit that price point that makes them irresistibly appealing. But before you grab a box of mini bubble bottles or wands, think again. Little hands have a tough time getting the bubble stick out, and there\u2019s just enough solution to make a mess if it spills (which it inevitably does). Trust us, stick with the larger wands if your kid wants bubbles in the bags.<\/p>\n

Related: 22 Fantastic Party Favors Kids Will Actually Use<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

4. Train whistles<\/strong>
\nWhat\u2019s not to love about a train-themed party? One where the kids get to wear those adorable train conductor hats and tie on a cute red kerchief like an old-timey conductor. But you know what parents don\u2019t love? When you put one of those toy train whistles in with the loot (yes, even the wooden ones). Once they\u2019re home, they\u2019re just another noise maker we have to try and tune out while making dinner.<\/p>\n

5. Slime<\/strong>
\nWe know kids love slime. We\u2019d be lying if we said we didn\u2019t too. But resist the urge to drop a small container of slime, or putty, or literally any other sensory substance into your goody bags. Why? Because it always ends up somewhere it shouldn\u2019t be\u2014and it\u2019s impossible to get out. On the upside\u2014Play Doh gets on a pass on this restriction.<\/p>\n

6. Mini squishy toys<\/strong>
\nWe\u2019re not sure what this popular item\u2019s official name is, but if you\u2019ve ever gotten one, you know exactly what we\u2019re talking about. Their cuteness is only outmatched by their squishiness. And if you don\u2019t want to squeeze these adorable little buggers like they\u2019re the sweetest baby cheeks around, you might need help. But give it half a day and you\u2019ll see why this one is on our list. They pick up dirt like nobody\u2019s business and turn into totally gross (albeit cute) little masses quickly. And because we know you\u2019re wondering, yes, those sticky hands fall into this category too.<\/p>\n

7. Party blowers<\/strong>
\nSay \u201cyes\u201d to party hats but \u201cno\u201d to party blowers of any kind. While the two may go hand in hand, we\u2019re banking on the fact that kids won\u2019t miss what they never had. Not only are these suckers obnoxious noise makers, but they also get pretty soggy after a few whistles. Clearly, this is an item that should stay in the past.<\/p>\n

8. Non-washable markers<\/strong>
\nMarkers. Crayons. Colored pencils. You\u2019ve got the green light to put all of these things in your kid\u2019s goody bags on one condition. They must be washable. Because if they don\u2019t come out of clothes, carpet, or the car seat cover, they\u2019re going straight into the trash. For real.<\/p>\n

9. Yo-yos<\/strong>
\nShow us a kid who can \u201cwalk the dog\u201d or go \u201caround the world\u201d and we\u2019ll say yes to sticking a yo-yo in their goody bag. Otherwise, there\u2019s just no place for this old school toy that requires way more coordination than most kids can muster. Save this one for pros.<\/p>\n

10. Gum<\/strong>
\nGum is a definite no-no for anyone under the age of 10, even if they can chew it. Why? Because gum has a tendency to wind up anywhere other than the garbage can. Hair, clothes, on the bottom of a lone shoe. Hold off on this one for-like-ever.<\/p>\n

11. Too much candy<\/strong>
\nCan we also all agree that anyone adding candy to a goody bag after kids have downed a huge piece of cake is clearly asking for it (and we didn’t). Unless you really want your parent-friends to think twice about attending a future party, don\u2019t put candy in the goody bags. No good can come of it.<\/p>\n

Related: 25 Unique Birthday Desserts That Aren’t Cake<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

12. Pencils<\/strong>
\nWhat\u2019s the problem with an innocuous pencil adorned with cute designs and patterns? Nothing at first glance. But do people even have pencil sharpeners at home anymore? We think not. So unless you throw in a mini pencil sharpener with the loot, party favor pencils are a no-go.<\/p>\n

13. Erasers<\/strong>
\nAlong those same lines, it\u2019s time to make adorable, multi-piece erasers a thing of the past. They don\u2019t actually erase anything (although to be honest we haven\u2019t really tested that one out\u2014see above re: pencils), and once the kids pull them apart, those pieces are as good as gone. Sure, they\u2019re as cute as can be, and it\u2019s easy to coordinate them with your party theme, but are they really worth it? Really?<\/p>\n

14. Glitter glue<\/strong>
\nWe love the idea of including a small craft or craft item in a goody bag. It gives kids something to do after the party\u2019s over. And while it\u2019s tempting to get a multi-pack of glitter glue and give every guest a color or two, this is one of those craft supplies that gets everywhere, no matter how hard you work to contain it. Bottom line: steer clear of anything glitter related, including glitter glue.<\/p>\n

Now that you know the pitfalls to avoid, let’s talk about what guilt-free goody bag items you CAN include<\/strong>. Here are a few winning party favors that top our list:<\/p>\n