12 party bag filler ideas for your toddler’s birthday party

Let’s face it, sugar plays a starring role at birthday parties and no goodie-bag is complete without a sweet treat for your toddler to take away.
Try mini Haribo bags or chocolate coins but if you want to reduce the chance of a toddler sugar crash, raisins and packs of dried fruit work just as well.

M&B loves: Haribo Super Selection Party Bag Sweets, 40 Mini Bags, £10.27

Bookmarks will come in handy for storytime, and come in a variety of novelty designs. Try animal prints to add a fun touch, or stick to a theme if your party has one.

M&B loves: Cute Animal Bookmarks for Kids, Pack of 30, £4.99

Go down the retro route with miniature wooden toys. Wooden cars or mini spinning tops will keep toddlers quiet after a busy day partying.

M&B loves: Colorful Wooden Spinning Top - 18 pieces, £7.99

Pots of bubbles make great party bag gifts, but did you know they also aid development? Bubble games, where your toddler has to run and catch the bubbles, help hand-eye coordination, motor skills and language development and make a great party favour. And when all the bubble mixture is used up? Simply refill with some watered down washing up liquid.

M&B loves: 10 Mini Colourful Bubbles Wands, £1.89

Don’t worry, we’re not suggesting you give your toddler a pin to play with. Child safety badges come with a plastic clip that is easy to put on and safe to use.

A small tub of Play-Doh or plasticine makes a good addition to party bags as it encourages your toddler to get creative and he’ll love making interesting shapes and characters.

M&B loves: Play doh party pack, £7.88

Everyone can remember the joy of being given a sticker as a child. Add a sheet of novelty stickers to your toddler’s party bags and at the very least, it’s something to play with in the car on the way home.

M&B loves: 24 Sheets of 12 Farm Stickers, ​£3.38

For a unique party favour, put some plastic boats or rubber ducks into the bag. Parents will thank you for it as they can act as a bargaining tool to get your toddler upstairs for his evening bath.

M&B loves: Sea Squirtin Water Buddies Bath - pack of ten, £7.99

Packs of bouncy balls are cheap to buy, just avoid smaller balls as they could be a choking hazard. Larger designs are safer and will be easier to find when they inevitably disappear under the sofa.

M&B loves: Stringy Balls Sensory Fidget Balls - pack of five, £8.29

A new book will make a bedtime story more appealing. Mr Men and Little Miss books are a nice gift and small enough to fit into a party bag. Or you could give out a book to each party-goer instead of a bag.

M&B loves: Peppa Pig Little Library, £2.99

Don’t forget to add an extra slice of birthday cake if you’ve got some going spare – this will bulk up the bag and earn you some major mum brownie points…