Birthday Goodie Bag Ideas That Do Not Include Candy Or Toxic Plastic Toys

While I appreciate the thought of a birthday goodie bag, there is such a thing as a bad gift. When my three-year-old son receives one from his preschool classmate, I hope to God it’s not kinetic sand, slime, or Playdoh. If I’m being brutally honest, some of these have gone straight to the bin or – only with the parents’ approval – re-gifted to older kids. 

Often, the people dealing with the aftermath of bad birthday goodie bags are the parents. Sugary treats? I’ll probably give him a bite and chuck the rest. Party blowers and pop-it fidget toys? They entertain for a day or two before eventually making their way into the trash. I'd rather not have them clutter the home.

The best gift I’ve received were wet wipes. I think the other parents must have thought the same, because we began receiving a number of wet wipes after that.

For these reasons, I’ve thought very carefully about what to include in our own birthday goodie bag this year. Unfortunately, there are not that many affordable ones, but here we list seven decent options. 

Farmyard Tales by Usborne Publishing (Set of 20), $25 or $1.25 each, LK Story Time

Not only does the Farmyard Tales series have entertaining and educational storylines, the books are also small and light which makes them easy to pack into goodie bags. These books are suitable for two- to four-year-olds, and include engaging stories like Going to the Dentist, Going on a Plane, The New Pony and Barn on Fire. This book seller in particular also has other books available for bulk-buying, such as those by Ladybird and National Geographic Kids. Browse their selection and pick those that are suitable for your kid’s age.

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Stabilo Stationery Party Pack, $5.25 each, Stabilo

You can never go wrong with everyday stationery. It’s useful for school-going kids who are always in need of pencils and erasers. If parents who are on the receiving end feel that their kids are fully equipped for the year, the pack can easily be used next year or re-gifted if unopened. This Stabilo party pack comes with 2B pencils, 12 colour pencils (a brilliant way to unleash a kid’s creativity and keep them occupied), erasers, and a sharpener. If the price of $5.25 is a tad steep – especially if your child has many classmates – consider buying other affordable stationery products in bulk and re-packing them into smaller packs that could instead cost you $3 to $4 per pack.

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Magnetic Chess Set, $1.20 each, OneDollarOnly.com.sg

Board games are fun for the whole family, and are a way for kids to develop strategic thinking and sportsmanship (when they lose). This chess set from the One Dollar Only online store, which offers reasonable prices for bulk orders, is portable and magnetic, too – meaning you are less likely to lose pieces. Parents can use this to keep kids occupied during flights or road trips. At only $1.20 each, the minimum quantity is five pieces – perfect for large classes or parties. Younger kids will also enjoy the portable Snakes and Ladders game set (also at $1.20 each) though it is currently sold out on the site.

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LCD Drawing Pad, $2 each, Lazada

To be honest, we’re on the fence about this one. This writing tablet allows both kids and parents to draw, write and even practise math on. It saves parents the trouble of buying paper or worrying about pencil marks on the wall. From my experience, it has a great shelf life. The only downside is, when the battery does run out, we’re not entirely sure if all parents will be motivated enough to get it replaced. For really environmentally-friendly parents, this might be a deal breaker. Otherwise, it is a light and affordable item for birthday goodie bags.

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Butter Cookies, $3 per pack of 50g, The Wai Company

While it is okay for children to have the occasional sweet treat, this should be at the discretion of their parents. However, we can’t deny that food does make a good goodie bag gift, and butter cookies in small quantities are a safer bet than lollipops. The Wai Company sells snacks such as butter cookies, pineapple cookies, dried blueberries and granola in packs of 50g and 100g, and a 500g bulk pack. All their products contain halal certified ingredients, but do check for common allergens. 

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Cloversoft Bamboo Organic Wet wipes (Set of 20), $12.75 or $0.64 each, Pupsik

Sure, wet wipes are not exactly the most fun item you could get in a birthday goodie bag, but it sure is useful and you know they will not go to waste. You can pair this with one of the gifts above to make a complete gift bag. Go for bulk orders, like these mini Cloversoft packs, and avoid scented wet wipes.

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Handwritten Letters - free, with lots of love!

Here’s an idea that will cost you close to nothing. If your child can write, or at least articulate their thoughts, consider making handwritten notes. This wholesome gift gives your child the opportunity to express their appreciation for their teachers and friends. Each note can say something positive or encouraging. All you need are some coloured markers and paper.