Whether you're planning your child's birthday party, a Halloween party, or another special event, don't forget the treats. And while tweens are no longer interested in finger puppets and tiny canisters of Play-Doh, there are plenty of items you can offer preteens. Below are a few ideas to get you started.
Ideas for Preteen Party Favor Bags
Novelty Items
Whether you have a themed party, or just an ordinary sleepover party, there are some items your favor bags just shouldn't be without. Tweens love novelty items, so throw a few into every bag and watch their eyes light up.
- Personalized pencils
- Mini flying discs
- Squeezable stress balls
- Pencil toppers
- Kazoos
- Stickers
- Anything that glows in the dark
- Mini bottles of bubbles
- Temporary tattoos
- Soda can covers
- Mini Slinkies
- Noisemakers
- Bookmarks
Food Items
All favor bags require some sort of treat, so don't skimp on the best part. You don't have to overload your guests with sugar, because there are so many individually packaged food items on the market today that are perfect to throw in goody bags.
- Individual servings of popcorn, pretzels, potato chips, nuts, cookies, raisins and fruit snacks
- Mini chocolate bars
- Mini bags of microwave popcorn
- Lollipops
- Wax lips
- Individually-wrapped candies such as Smarties, M&Ms, Tootsie Rolls, Dum Dum Pops, Pop Rocks, Pixy Stix, Fun Dip, etc.
Game and Puzzle Items
Games and puzzles are always a treat for the preteen crowd, and you don't have to spend a lot to keep preteens entertained.
- Yo-Yos
- Chinese Yo-Yos
- Paddle ball games
- Playing cards
- Mini puzzle cubes (like Rubik's cube)
- Slide puzzles
Favor Bag Items for Girls
If you're dealing with preteen girls, you don't have to think too hard to know what to put in their favor bags. Girls love anything that smells nice and looks cute.
- Pinwheels
- Slap bracelets
- Mini spiral notebooks
- Small stuffed animals like Webkinz or Beanie Babies
- Small manicure set
- Lip gloss
- Perfume samples
- Paper folding fans
- Novelty pens and pencils
- Small craft project (like a make-your-own-bracelet project)
- Colorful emery boards
- Mini soaps
- Stampers and ink pads
- Blody glitter
Items for Boys
Boys can either be easier or much harder to buy for than girls, depending on your perspective. For boys, sometimes less is more. They may be happier with a gift card to the local bowling alley than they would be with a bag of stuff they might not use.
- Mini vinyl footballs
- Water pistols
- Small rubber balls
- Mini-flashlights
- Comic books
- Key chains
- Plastic sports bottles
- Jacks
- Marbles
- Gift certificates to a local video rental store, mini golf course, bowling alley or movie theatre
- Glow-in-the-dark-Slime
