Gift Ideas for Prizes

You've gotten great ideas- I would suggest that you give a goody bag to all the kids, not just winners of games- you will have some very upset kids. Games are grat, but winners don't need a special prize. I usually make up bags for younger kids and older kids- it doesn't have to be anything expensive. They all like sidewalk chalk, bubbles, and playdough. The kids are all bringing gifts, so they should all get something to take home for themselves.

Puzzles, kites, coloring sets, playdough, legos, etc.

I actually have leftovers from my son's 4th bday party. If you're in the greater Cleveland area, I'll be happy to give it to you.

It includes a coloring set in a tin, 5 Dora The Explorer Kites, individually-wrapped fancy lollipops, water guns, other individually wrapped candy, & water balloons.

Let me know if you're interested

most everyone mentioned my first thoughts which were bubbles, balls, stickers. So here is another that you can get very nice ones at Dollar General and that is books. Especially for the younger kids. They have excellent books.
You could also get those little bags of animal cookies, or graham cookies, etc.

For the younger group you could always do bubbles, Play-Doh, or finger paints. For the older group you could do card games like Uno, Old Maid, etc. You could also get some sort of craft thing like a birdhouse or hummingbird feeder they could make. It wouldn't be a bad idea to have little goody bags for everyone, though. Kids like (and sadly, almost expect) to take home their own "present" from a birthday party. For my daughter's birthday I found kits for bubbles at Wal-Mart in the party supply aisle and all the kids loved them.

Sidewalk chalk is good for both boys and girls. You can get it at the Dollar Tree. I even saw some the other day in the shape of vegetables with smiling faces on it. They have it in all shapes, balls (soccor, baseball, basketball, and volley ball,) etc., they even have it in a pack 2 pieces of chalk and the holder to keep little hands clean for a dollar.

Bubbles are a good gift for everyone. Water guns seem to have made a big come back as well and in my neighborhood the girls are into them as much as the boys.

There are a lot of great things there, check it out, I think you will be amazed.

Have fun.

Noah's Ark Animal Workshop is like Build-A-Bear at a more reasonable cost. It is an animal skin of your choice, the stuffing, birth certificate, and a wishing star all in a handy bag for as low as $10. These are great for both boys and girls, and a real memory maker of the day. The children can stuff the animal themselves or with minimal help, even at your age range.

My daughter introduced me to the company at age 8, and convinced me she wanted to be a little entrepreneur and sell things. With my help, and her younger sister, we have been selling for about 2 years. The three of us, and my mom likes to join the fun, have a fine time finding the right animal for each person.

I do have stock on hand if you would be interested. Best of luck with your party.

V.
http://vnae.twistedgem.com/

For my son's birthday I went to the Dollar Tree store, and they had flying discs, jumping ropes, bubbles, yo-yos, coloring books, color pencils and all sorts of stuff that can be used by boys or girls and that are really cheap ($1).
If you want something more expensive, you can buy those same things, better quality in a toy store or walmart. You can also get balls and kites.
Good luck!

stuffed animals, balls, bubbles, stickers, rattles

for the older kids fancy pens and pencils, bubbles, stuffed animals, stickers, candy, puzzles, coloring book and crayons,card games such as old maid,jacks

You don't say what your budget is. For the older group, maybe a slinky, silly putty, jacks? For either group: Play doh, washable markers? If you were thinking of bigger prizes, how about board games or card games for the appropriate age range?

Bubbles and playdough are great to give away at parties! They each come in small packs as well so you get little ones. Instead of giving "Prizes" at winning I would have goody bags. If you have a Factory Card and Party Outlet nearby they have a pretty nice selection of party favor type toys. Slinky type toys go over with my older kids too. (9 & 12)

Hope you have a wonderful party!

B.
http://sweetbabyk.etsy.com

The first thing I thought, is that the younger group will have problems with only one taking home a prize. Maybe you could give each participant a small thing, and the winner a BIG one. (For example, the participants get a dum dum sucker, but the winner gets one of those big all day sucker things) I just know that in my son's experiences with parties, someone ALWAYS doesn't understand or feels sad because they didn't win. The bigger kids should be able to handle it better, but be prepared for a sore loser or two. ;) The bigger group might like things like UNO cards, big candy bars, silly string, and deluxe bubble packs. The smaller kids would like any kind of age appropriate art stuff, Play doh, View Masters, simple card games.

Good luck!!!

Hi B.,

Summer's still in full swing around my place, but thankfully stores are having clearance sales on summer toys.

I think what I'd do is buy 2 bucket/shovel sets (one small, one big to distingusih between the age groups) and fill them w/ whatever you can find. There's those squishy water balls that are great for even playing indoors b/c they're soft, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, jumpropes...

Kids aren't picky at parties, just being a winner is cool enough and a bright fun prize would be awesome for them I'd think.

Have fun!

I'm also editing...at my parties and ones I attend at family/friends, all kids regardless of age do get a goody bag. This covers you in case of any "sore loser" or jealous sibling, and besides they should get something for sharing the special day w/ someone.

K.

water guns (unless you have an ethical issue with guns in general) and bubble machines are great ideas for the smaller ones. My kids love our bubble machine and they are 1.5 and 3.5, besides they can both turn it on by themselves. They aren't terribly expensive (around $5-$10). For the older ones there are these really cool kits that are like sand but I think they are called space sand (it doesn't dry out the way normal sand does.) You can get these kits at Hobby Lobby for around $5 - $10 also. My nieces and nephews in that age range are really into these things. They also have spin art kits in the same price range.

Have a great party!!

Hi B.,

For the older kids-- a mini photo album, disposable camera, mini scrapbook. For all ages--hats or visors, you can sometimes find ones that look like animals.

So glad someone mentioned books! and art supplies, paper, clay, etc.

K. Z.

The party section at Target is great for getting small, inexpensive and age appropriate toys. They usually come in multiples. I would say something a little more elaborate for the older kids, since they are not as easy to please! Maybe for the older ones you could get crayons and coloring books. If you dont use my suggestion about the toys in the party sec. @ Target, that would still be a good place to shop for party favors in general.

I'd just hit the dollar section at Target or go to the dollar store and see what you can find.