Goodie Bags have become the standard at kid's birthday parties. I am not sure where this tradition originated from, but it has become some what expected that your party guests go home with some kind of goodie.
Last year we decided to forgo the goodie bags all together and we made a music CD for all our guests. This year we decided to have the kids decorate their own organic cotton lunch bag to take home with them.
As the kids arrived, we had them sit down with some fabric markers, stencils, and a blank canvas. They enjoyed drawing suns, peace signs, their names, stars, and more on their very own lunch bag.
The kids were all excited to put their own creations onto a bag that they will be able to use to take their lunch to school, a snack to the park, or to fill with treasures. I felt good about sending the kids home with something they will use and can be proud of.
If you are planning a child's birthday party and want to send the kids home with a goodie, consider one of the following ideas:
*A music CD filled with fun kids songs
*A reusable bag (lunch bag, shopping bag, snack bag) either decorated by the kids or left as is, filled with a few pieces of organic candy, a book, a few pieces of modelling beeswax or nothing :)
*Have a play silk dying party and send the kids home with their silk as a goodie
*A little flower pot and some seeds
*Have the kids hand roll beeswax candles and send them home with the candle
*Homemade play dough either made by the kids or made ahead of time
If you have an idea...please let us know!
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For kids getting on the computer - look at the (free) TuxPaint. This fun drawing program meets a wide range of skill levels, from near-toddler on up. Lots of fun (I turned 58 last summer).
ReplyDeleteMaybe some other kid-rated games or applications, all malware checked, written to a party CD. Or send the CD later - and include a party pictures album or scrap book. Or video-record or audio-record the party, and edit a party video or POD, and write to CD. I would get permissions in writing from parents before posting much online.
(Remember - sunlight erases CD's - keep them in their cover!)
OK, so the CD isn't organic - but neither is the Music CD that you mentioned.
Thanks Suzy, I love these ideas! I've been brainstorming myself about making our birthday parties more earth friendly and handmade. We've never done the traditional goodie bags, but last year we had a gazillion balloons that the kids got to take home and paper plates were involved...I know we can do better. This year I'm thinking about knitting flowers as the party favor. I think my little girl (she'll be 4) would love that, especially if they're purple. :)
ReplyDeleteI love this blog! Thanks for creating it! You all are inspiring! Being a parent of 4 children, I am always finding ways to reduce our carbon footprint. Add a dog, cat, lizard and fish---We accumulate too much too fast!! Always a challenge! We have come a long way, but there is more we can do! I love your birthday party ideas--we have 3 birthdays within 2 weeks of each other--throw in Halloween in between...This year, our first birthday boy brought his friends to the farm--which was awesome. We'll probably do one more farm visit for the 4 year old party and have the kids paint a terra cotta pot and plant a houseplant to bring home. The upcoming 6 year old would LOVE your idea with the reusable lunch bag! We are going to do that cool nature bracelet later today. Thanks!! Have you heard of "The Green Adventure's" program through Loveland Youth Gardeners? ~Michele M. (from CPS) :)
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