Nothing brings my 4 year old quite as much joy as a party bag. Similar to most kids her age, she’s a sucker for plastic tat and loves digging through her bag of treasures after a schoolmate’s party.  However, similar to most parents, the thought of even more tiny plastic toys entering the house does not spark the same levels of joy. 

There’s no getting around the fact that all this plastic is bad for the environment. Chances are it will be played with for a couple of days before it either breaks or loses its appeal and ends up in the bin. But I get it, party bags are a rite of passage for little kids and I’m certainly not calling for a party bag boycott.

One important point I want to make though is that birthdays and parties cost enough as it is without adding on the extra cost of party bag fillers, so if it’s an additional expense you can’t stretch to PLEASE DO NOT FEEL GUILTY. There is zero judgement here, so please don’t feel you’re not offering the ‘full party experience’ if you don’t give out party bags. Seriously, just a slice of cake is enough to generate off-the-scale excitement for any primary school child.

However, if you are on the lookout for eco party bag goodies, I’ve got you covered. I’ve spent a long time searching for eco-friendly party bag fillers that don’t cost a fortune, won’t lose their appeal after 5 minutes and, crucially, have that all important kid-appeal – all so you don’t have to. You’re welcome.

Fun eco party bag filler ideas

Packets of seeds

Children love growing things, so a packet of seeds is likely to get a very positive response in a party bag. Mixed packs of wildflower seeds – like these – are always a winner. Or, if you have the time and inclination, plant sunflower seeds a week or so in advance in little pots, then hand these seedlings out as cute party gifts. We went to a party where a mum had gone to the effort of doing this and the kids all lost their little minds with excitement at having their ‘very own’ sunflower to look after.

Wildflower Seed Packets, £13.50 for 20

Pencils with a twist

OK, so a bog-standard pencil might not up the excitement levels too much but throw in a pencil with a fancy rubber attached or a cool rainbow pencil and you’re on to something. My son received one of these rainbow colouring pencils in a party bag a couple of years ago and it’s still reached for today. A great plastic-free choice for a party bag.

Rainbow Colouring Pencils, £11.98 for 30

Cookie kit

If your budget stretches, consider giving one larger gift rather than lots of little toys in your party bags. I’m a big fan of Craft & Crumb and these Funfetti Biscuit Kit party bag fillers are so cool. The kits come with everything you need to bake some fancy sprinkle-embellished shortbread biscuits at home, you just need to add an egg and some butter. At £4.95 per kit they’re not a cheap option (buying in packs of 10 and up brings the price down), but every little detail has been thought through so well that they feel totally worth it.

Funfetti Biscuit Kit Party Bag, £4.95

DIY magnets

How fun are these ‘decorate it yourself’ wooden magnets? There’s 9 in a pack, featuring a variety of animal designs for children to colour or paint themselves. Currently on offer at £2, these work out at excellent value and are exactly the kind of thing I can imagine most kids would be keen to get stuck into and decorate as soon as they got home from the party. 

Decorate Your Own Animal Wooden Magnets 9 Pack, £2

Colour your own bag

This is a great value gift that looks so impressive you really don’t need to bother with any other party bag treats. For just £1 you get a mini tote bag printed with either a dinosaur, unicorn, or bee design, and a pack of 5 felt tip pens for the children to colour in themselves. My daughter recently brought this home from her friend’s party and absolutely loved it – I was impressed with the quality, especially for the low price. It’s now one of her top handbags of choice, which is saying something as that girl has an epic bag collection! 

Colour Your Own Bag, £1

Wooden friendship bracelets

Smiley face wooden beaded bracelets? What’s not to love? These colourful eco party bag fillers tap into the massive trend for friendship bracelets (shout out to my fellow Swiftie parents) without the plastic. Hooray to that! These are an affordable option too, at £6.99 for a pack of 24 bracelets.

Smiley Face Wooden Bracelets, £6.99 for 24

The best paper party bags

Oh, and if you’re looking for something to put everything in, these colourful paper bags have been my go-to for every single party we’ve thrown for the kids. I’d definitely recommend!

Paper Bags with Smile Face Stickers, £8.99 for 50

So what do you think? Will you be opting for eco-friendly party bag fillers for your next party? Would love to hear your thoughts, so do comment below. 

For more ideas on ways to care for the planet as a parent, check out my blog all about shopping pre-loved for your children’s clothes.

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