Great, just great. (If anybody has favor ideas for kids??)

[WOT?*]

Hubster just called.  (He called an hour ago but then disappeared after I dropped the girls at school and just tracked him down so I already lost an hour to do this.)

The company picnic is tomorrow.  The place his office manager was going to get party favors just closed out their party stuff and only has Halloween stuff...so no party favors for the kids tomorrow.  I now have to figure out favors for 24 kids from 7 months to 17 years old with a budget of $250 before 2:00 today because the girls get out of school early and have swim lessons and can't come favor-shopping with me anyway since the favors are for them.

First stop Party City for buckets to use to put stuff if I can find them cheap enough.  I have five small ones from our trips to Cannon Beach (the girls didn't use theirs this last trip and I can use their old ones from the trip before for their favor buckets); if I can find similar sizes at PC that can be a good start, I think.  Dollar City is in the other direction (in a different town) but they have whistles the kids would like, for sale cheap.

I'm not allowed to go over $250, so the budget would be $225 before tax.

Should the 16-17 year olds get favors or can I cheap out and tell them they're too old???  How old for jump ropes since I can probably find something like that cheap at the dollar store and the girls would like those?  The 15 and 16 year olds are tentative and may not show?

Ideas??  Help!!!!!!  I'm going to take a quick shower and get out of here!  Yikes!


1 infant boy
3 toddler girls
2 preschooler boys
3 preschooler girls
6 elementary girls (6-9)
4 elementary boys (7-11)
4 teen girls (14-17)
1 teen boy (17)

[blandann]

Michael's has sand buckets on clearance right now!

[luckyval]

Bubbles?

[Jalapeñomel]

Company picnics have party favors for kids? I learn something new every day, thanks ML!

[sonrisa]

bubbles for the infant to preschool age kids (maybe even elementary).

[candreco]

I'd buy a bunch of bubbles and sidewalk chalk and call it a day.

[Muddled]

Sept 6, 2013 12:30:55 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

Company picnics have party favors for kids? I learn something new every day, thanks ML!

For real.

I say no party favors for anyone over the age of 12.

[starfish]

Our company picnic is tomorrow!
Check target 1 spot, they had a lot of items on clearance. Also maybe try Micheals for cheap arts and crafts for the older kids?

[VillainV]

Target has lots of party favors. I would go with stuff like bouncy balls, sidewalk chalk, bubbles, stuff like that. I would say that the 14-and-older kids shouldn't get favors, but if you go with stuff like what I mentioned above then I think you'll be fine Obviously make sure anything you get for the toddlers is choke-proof. I would skip something for the baby.

[waitstopdont]

Chalk, coloring books, crayons, bubbles, ring pops and pretzels/crackers. The dollar store has jump ropes and foam puzzles with Disney characters. Check Walmart or Target in their party favor section for small toys. Throw in some candy for the bigger kids. You can easily do this within your budget. Good luck!

[theoverlander]

The trend around here is a gift card to an ice cream place or Dairy Queen.  It turns out the parents are thrilled not to have more junk to deal with, and ALL kids get excited about free ice cream. 

ETA I gave out $5/kid to a local, popular ice cream shop for my daughter birthday.  It was fast, easy, and the kids were super excited to have their own "$" to spend. 

[julez]

Sept 6, 2013 12:48:28 GMT -5 theoverlander said:

The trend around here is a gift card to an ice cream place or Dairy Queen.  It turns out the parents are thrilled not to have more junk to deal with, and ALL kids get excited about free ice cream. 

ETA I gave out $5/kid to a local, popular ice cream shop for my daughter birthday.  It was fast, easy, and the kids were super excited to have their own "$" to spend. 

This, and if you need/want to, throw out a bunch of sidwalk chalk and bubbles for the party.

[jerseygrl]

Sept 6, 2013 12:48:28 GMT -5 theoverlander said:

The trend around here is a gift card to an ice cream place or Dairy Queen.  It turns out the parents are thrilled not to have more junk to deal with, and ALL kids get excited about free ice cream. 

ETA I gave out $5/kid to a local, popular ice cream shop for my daughter birthday.  It was fast, easy, and the kids were super excited to have their own "$" to spend. 

Oh yes a gift card would be a great idea!  Do you have a YOGO factory near you?  I think a kid any age would enjoy that.

If no gift cards I suggest 5 below for favors of all ages.  Target also had 24 pack crayons for $.25.  You can throw in coloring books for the little ones and maybe you can run to BJ's or Sams for a variety pack of some fun snack to hand out to the bigger kids?

[bluelily]

Think usable products. Crayons, bubbles, coloring books, play doh, etc.

[lissaholly]

I love the Dairy Queen like gift cards idea. I aso think the target one spot is a great idea. When I have a large age range to span, I get food. Can you go to a sam's club or Costco? At about '$10 per kid you can make some great part favors easy.

[WOT?*]

kessieblue - lol and so true. When desperation sets in... I was saving that idea for Girl Scout camp next year. They actually *suggested* whistles. :gasp.

Thanks for all the ideas. I know one of our local stores had crayons for $.50/pack for 24 so to know Target is cheaper! Off to shop.

[jerseygrl]

Oh I have another idea.  Do you have a Wendy's?  I know that usually around Halloween time they sell those frosty books for $1. 

[ohiowan]

infant boy - Board books, rattles,
toddlers - cheap bouncy balls, trains, cars, bears, snacks
preschoolers - Balls, coloring books, washable crayons,
elementary kids - nerf balls, jump ropes, books, crafts (have the teens help them?)
teens (14-17)- Nail polish? Hair ties? Books? iTunes gift card, nerf balls, books,

[starfish]

Also to be the less fun one, target has some great flash cards for younger kids, We got the animal set for our 2 and 4 year old and they loved them. They are on clearance at our Target for .50
They also had yo-yo in angry bird star wars for the older kids?