Our Favorite 1 Year Old Party Favors (adult and kid approved!)

Table of Contents

Can you believe it’s already time to celebrate your little ones first birthday!? What an unforgettable year it’s been and how exciting that you get the opportunity to gather friends and family together to celebrate!

You’ve figured out the theme, and sent the invitations, now it’s time to make those party favor bags! But what goes in a party favor bag for a 1 year old birthday?

I’ve put together a list of kid-tested and parent-approved ideas to help make this party a success, keep reading to find out!

We use cookies to personalize content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners. See details Got it!

Do you have to give party bags at a kids’ party?

No, there are no “rules” for baby/toddler birthday parties.

But, they are a fun party idea that both kids and other parents enjoy receiving. If your budget allows, adding a goodie bag of party favors is a great addition.

This post may contain affiliate links. Our full disclosure policy can be found here.

Table of Contents

What can you give instead of a party bag?

A party bag is traditional, but if you want a unique 1 year old party favor then consider these ideas:

1. A book -Handing out a book to every child that is age appropriate and tied to the theme is a fun idea.

For example, on my daughter’s 1st birthday, we had a unicorn theme and gave touch-and-feel books to all her friends.

That’s not my unicorn – by Fiona Watt

2. Pajamas – 1-year-olds are still napping and get to wear the cutest pajamas. If you see a sale at Old Navy or Target grab a bunch and hand them out as guests are getting ready to leave.

3. Sensory Bin – Create your own sensory bin or pick up a small one from Etsy or Amazon. 1-year-olds are ready to start exploring and little sensory bins are a unique and personalized parting gift.

This seller on Etsy makes small jars of sensory items that would make great gifts, just watch out for tiny pieces that require adult supervision.

Photo Credit: WonderfulChildKits

Favor Bags to Match Your Theme

Customizing your treat bags to fit with the theme of the party is a fun way to keep the party going!

For example, with the Teddy Bear Picnic birthday party theme the 1 year old party favors included a copy of the Teddy Bear Picnic book.

1 Year Old Party Favors to Avoid!

Avoid Food

When kids get older you can put in some candy, but at 1 year old, keeping food out is a way to avoid allergies, choking hazards, and sugar if parents aren’t offering that yet.

If you do want to give out something yummy, a clementine with a little Smiley face drawn on it is adorable and a nice simple snack. Or an organic fruit pouch is a safe bet.

Avoid Messy & Loud Trinkets

1-year-olds are messy and loud themselves, do the other parents a favor and avoid ‘annoying’ trinkets like whistles and messy things like slime!

Top 1-year-old party favor ideas!

Duplo

Lego makes some great sets for 1-year-olds and up that make a great goodie bag gift. They are a bigger purchase so you could just give out one set each and be done!

2. Bath toys

1-year-olds are just getting into baths and a way to make it more fun is to have some toys!

Amazon has some great ones:

3. Bath bombs

For something trendy and different consider adding a toddler-friendly bath bomb to your 1 year old party favor bag! After the color and fizzing the 1-year-olds will be left with a little toy.

My favorites are Sky Organics Bath Bombs.

4. Coloring Books

Coloring books are a great 1 year old party favor and they can be customized or personalized to your theme.

Do a quick Amazon search to see if they have a book in your theme.

Or Google your theme + coloring and see if there are any downloads available that you can print at home to give your guests themed sheets.

For example, if you are doing a Woodland/Wild One theme these books would be a great party favor.

Related 1-year-old party articles:

5 Sentimental First Birthday Gifts from Parents and Loved Ones

9 Easy Toddler Birthday Party Activities

How to Throw a Little People Birthday Party

Tips for Throwing a Teddy Bears Picnic 1st Birthday Party

Party Favor Bag Ideas

5. Unique crayon

You can add individual crayons to your goodie bags either related to your theme or you can include a letter crayon that matches each guest’s name.

Check out these Etsy sellers:

Individual letters

Dinosaurs

Cars & trucks

6. Temporary tattoos

Tattoos are a great, safe, and fun addition to your goodie bags. 1-year-olds will love the novelty of it and they can last for a few days.

Check out these from Melissa & Doug.

You can give out whole sheets or cut out individual ones for all your guests.

7. Hair scrunches

1-year-olds are finally starting to get long enough hair to style it. Scrunchies have made a comeback and are adorable additions to your favor bag.

Check out this collection with adorable patterns.

You can also add hair bows

baby sitting on grass | Seasonal Allergies in Babies & Toddlers: Symptoms and Treatments | Seasonal allergy symptoms

Seasonal items:

Including items that match the season are great practical goodie bags that parents will really appreciate

8. Fall: mittens or hat

Grab some mittens from the dollar store or on sale at old navy. One-year ones are notorious for losing mittens at daycare so getting an extra pair or two will be appreciated and you know they will get used.

9. Summer: Sand toys – bucket and shovel

A bucket can be used as the party favor ‘bag’ and you can fill it up with more sand toys or your other favors.

10. Spring: watering can, umbrella, rain boots

In spring you have lots of choices for 1-year-old-party favor items! A watering can for spring flowers, an umbrella for rainy days, or even rain boots can be filled with stickers and crayons tied off with a cute bow.

11. Winter: ornament craft

This bulk set of wooden cutouts and markers can be packaged into individual craft kits.

12. Stickers

Stickers are loved by toddlers. Try to get ones that are raised to help little fingers lift them off the sheet and if they match the theme even cuter.

13. Bouncy Balls

Bouncy balls are a great favor for 1 year olds. Simple, colourful and can be used in so many ways.

Check out this bulk order from Amazon.

14. No-Spill fubbles

1 year olds love bubbles and want to start learning how to make them themselves. These bubble containers are designed not to spill which make them the perfect bubbles for little hands.

15. Magnets

Putting some magnets in the favor bag as a fun safe toy for 1-year-olds. Just make sure the magnet is one big piece that can’t come loose. My favorite brand is Melissa and Doug. Buy a set and give each child a few different ones.

Melissa and Doug Magnets

Related 1 year old party articles:

5 Sentimental First Birthday Gifts from Parents and Loved Ones

9 Easy Toddler Birthday Party Activities

How to Throw a Little People Birthday Party

Tips for Throwing a Teddy Bears Picnic 1st Birthday Party