kids party boxes - contents inspiration needed!

missy_moo_5

Am pinching JoolesW lovely idea for having kids party boxes as we have a number of littlies that will benefit from entertaining.

Every time i think of something to put in them, I come up with a reason why it's not a good idea....

crayons and a pad - nightmare if they start drawing on things (some are only 3 years old, and some are too old for crayons anyway)

stickers - nightmare if they stick them all over the place!

some things I do think might be good are some decent sweeties (as we are marrying at 4pm, and with no buffet till 7 they might appreciate some nibbles of some sort!) and maybe some bubbles?

Also, do you think it's better to have 2 lots of boxes (one for each gender) or better to just have one kind? I really think it's probably way OTT to get them any more individual.

Any good tips for other small, cheapy things I can put in? Was thinking for a couple of the older kids (who are 8, 9, 10) then maybe putting nothing in the box other than a disposable camera, and a little note asking them to take some photos for us??

What age line would you draw for not giving one of the boxes? 10 years? 12?

And would you give them the boxes at the drinks after the service (to give them something to do while the adults are standing chatting) or wait till the evening party starts?

My DD will be 19 months at the time, and I am totally bribing her though with a small noise-free new toy which she will be given by her grandma at the start of the service - hoping it will keep her busy and occupied whilst we get married otherwise I can picture myself saying my vows with a baby on my hip! :rotfl:

Lots of questions!! Sorry!

sarah_elton

I've done the following:

3 x 2 year old girls. They each get a box of Crayola 'beginnings' colouring pencils (suitable 12m+) and some plain paper to scribble on. Had the same thought as you about table cloths but decided to go for it anyway. I've also got them each one of these in case they're too young for drawing:
http://www.allaboutpartybags.co.uk/view/3024/Mini_Wooden_Bead_Runner.html

2 boys, aged 3.5 and 5. Each get a Crayola thing where you use a blank felt tip pen on special paper. If they scribble anywhere, no mess! Got these in Toysrus. Also then got the 3.5 year old one of these http://www.allaboutpartybags.co.uk/view/1384/Wooden_Lion_Press-Up.html and the five year old this http://www.allaboutpartybags.co.uk/view/3208/Aeroplane_Wood_Kit.html

We have two six month old babies, who have got a cuddly toy with lots of textures and bits to pull/chew on.

Then we have two sisters who are 8 and 10. Got them a High School Musical puzzle book each, and a magic trick to share (figured they could impress the rest of the table with it!).

Two brothers who are 11 and 13; got them a magic trick as well, plus Transformers Top Trumps and a World Cup book (wedding is on the opening day of the World Cup).

Finally a girl who's 13; got her a book in the '... For Girls' series and again the magic trick.

That's it for us up to older teens, so I made 13 the cut-off. Kids that age don't really need anything but I didn't want an odd one or two feeling left out.

Mine will be on the dinner tables, at their places. Our drinks aren't too long as we're having a late-ish ceremony. I think sitting through the meal is harder than the drinks. Touch wood, if the weather's good, the drinks will be outside so they can run around a bit if they want.

gandy

oohh thanks for that allaboutpartys web page i should be able to get little parcels for the nieces and nephews

laura2481

sarah_elton wrote: »

2 boys, aged 3.5 and 5. Each get a Crayola thing where you use a blank felt tip pen on special paper. If they scribble anywhere, no mess! .

Just googled these and they sound great! LINK Such a good idea. I will definitely bear these in mind as I was going to do something similar. Probably can find them cheaper somewhere- this was just the first link I found

laura2481

gandy wrote: »

oohh thanks for that allaboutpartys web page i should be able to get little parcels for the nieces and nephews

I agree- that site is great and really good value too

Baileys_Babe

missy_moo wrote: »

some things I do think might be good are some decent sweeties (as we are marrying at 4pm, and with no buffet till 7 they might appreciate some nibbles of some sort!) and maybe some bubbles?

How about a piece of fruit to stop little ones getting too hungry.

missy_moo_5

They also do it as a travel size on amazon. I wonder how big that actually is?? I think they are a great ideal, but I want things to fit inside the boxes and they aren't very big at all (I'm guessing the size of a happy meal box!).

Anyone got any ideas how big they are?

Edited to add: just thought; Hawkins Bazaar do some fun pocket money type things too, don't they?

missy_moo_5

Baileys_Babe wrote: »

How about a piece of fruit to stop little ones getting too hungry.

Good idea. Those fun size bananas are ideal or for real little ones some raisins in boxes (my DD loves them).

Do you think the hotel would take offence to us feeding fruit to the children if they haven't provided it? I know some places are really stuffy about these things.

sarah_elton

laura2481 wrote: »

Just googled these and they sound great! LINK Such a good idea. I will definitely bear these in mind as I was going to do something similar. Probably can find them cheaper somewhere- this was just the first link I found

Should have said!

The 5 year old is getting a Crayola Colour Explosion. You have a blank marker pen and a pad of black paper. When you scribble on it with the special pen, colourful patterns appear. That one said it was suitable for 6+ so the younger boy has a different one. I can't remember what it's called, but it's a Toy Story colouring book. It has a set of different coloured pens, but the colours again only work on the special paper. That said suitable for 3+.

Toysrus had 3 for 2 on Crayola stuff.

gandy

i love the ideas of these http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/good-things/bridesmaids-goodie-boxes, but was thinking of making them for the little ones so if they get peckish they will have something to munch on (might actually do it for my bridesmaid and best man too as it will be a long day!!)

but like the idea of giving each of the kids a little snack box after the wedding (keep them fuel filled for the photos) and keep them going till dinner and when they get to their tables they will get their "goodie box" with the toys/pressies to keep them occupied