Our Favorite Party Favors For 1 Year Olds (adult and kid approved!)
Last updated on September 14th, 2023 at 04:13 pm
Can you believe it’s already time to celebrate your little one’s 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! And you may be wondering what to put in party bags for 1 year olds?
I’ve put together a list of kid-tested and parent-approved party favor ideas for 1 year olds that are sure to help make this party a success!
What To Put In Party Bags For 1 Year Olds?
Small and inexpensive items such as playdoh, duplos, books, and bath toys make great items to put in party favor bags for 1 year olds.
Keep reading to see more of our favorites!
Our Favorite 1st Birthday Party Favors
1. 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! They do make for a great first birthday party favor!
2. Bath toys
1-year-olds are just getting into baths and a way to make it more fun is to add 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.
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.
5. Unique Crayons
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:
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.
You can give out whole sheets or cut out individual ones for all your guests.
7. Hair Scrunchies
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.
You can also add hair bows
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
Toddlers LOVE stickers! 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
Large bouncy balls can be a fun addition, but make sure they are large enough to not be a choking hazard, these are 3″. Simple, colorful, and can be used in so many ways.
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.
What Is A Party Favor?
Kids’ party favors are small gifts or treats that hosts give to guests when leaving a child’s birthday party or other celebration. Also referred to as loot bags, goody bags, or gift bags, these take-home items serve as a party memento and thank you to each child for attending.
Party favors typically contain inexpensive yet fun items kids enjoy like candy, stickers, temporary tattoos, bubbles, crayons, small toys, and customized trinkets. Goodie bags are often tied with ribbons or designed to match the party’s theme. Parents can purchase pre-made favors, or assemble their own unique combinations.
Beyond just being prizes, well-thought-out party favors can:
- Extend the fun mood of the event with cool take-home activities. Bubbles, playdough, and coloring books are great for this.
- Incorporate elements tied to the party’s theme, interests, or activities. Superhero masks or princess crowns work for themed events.
- Include items guests can easily use like snacks, juice boxes, or stickers. These make favors more enjoyable.
- Contain small keepsakes like photo frames or a mug with the child’s name. These become cherished mementos.
- Have an educational or creative aspect through books, crayons, or craft kits. These favors nurture skills.
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.
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Party 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.
For more theme inspiration check out my post on first birthday party themes for boys!
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!
What Can You Give Instead of a First Birthday Party Favor 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.
Party Favors for 1st Birthday Wrapped Up
In conclusion, party favors for 1-year-olds can be a fun addition to any birthday celebration. Take the time to consider some creative ideas and you will make the special day even more memorable.
Throw in some colorful wrapping and embellishments, and you’ll have a great-looking bundle that your 1-year-old’s friends are sure to love! As we all know, every child is different so make sure to purchase something appropriate for their age level and interests. Remember that it doesn’t have to be expensive; just pay attention to detail and keep safety in mind as well and you’ll be well on your way to choosing a great first birthday party favor!
Finally, enjoy this special occasion with family and friends and don’t forget lots of pictures! Celebrating milestones with our little ones is such a beautiful thing—party favors can only sweeten the moment!
Do you need party favors for a first birthday?
No. 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.
What to put in party bags for 1 year olds?
We like taste and swallow safe goodies. But feel free to be creative and mix and match from the list above. If the goodies are the same theme as the party that’s even more fun!
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