If you aren't sure what favor to go with, let the birthday child decide.
A birthday party is a big deal to little kids, and a personalized favor makes it that much more special. You don't need to spend a lot of money to have personalized birthday favors -- all you need is a little time, some ingenuity and creativity. Also consider having the kids make the favors themselves, which gives them a chance to enjoy some arts and crafts time. Does this Spark an idea?
Personalized Cupcakes
If they help with icing, make sure the kids wear aprons over their party clothes.
After the birthday cake is gone, the kids may still have a sweet tooth. A take-away cupcake lets them bring a taste of the party home. To personalize the cupcakes, write each child's name on top with icing. If the kids have long names, just use initials. If you aren't afraid of a little mess, you can help the kids ice the names themselves.
Self-Portrait Ballons
Buy extra balloons just in case some pop.
Purchase helium balloons and magic markers before the party. Give each child a balloon and a marker. Let the kids draw self-portraits of themselves on the balloons. When they're done with their mini-masterpieces, let the kids take them home as personalized favors. To make a game of it, let the kids draw names from a hat and create pictures of each other. For kids too little to draw, make the portraits yourself and attach the balloons to goody bags.
Beaded Necklaces
Younger kids may need help stringing beads.
Beaded necklaces are favors that are easy for kids to make and personalize. You can find a wide range of beads at local craft stores, or you can make some at home. Girls may prefer beads rolled in glitter, while boys might enjoy making necklaces with an indigenous or prehistoric feel. When the kids are done stringing, help them write their name across the beads to personalize.
Glazed Pottery
Instead of glazing, older kids may enjoy making pottery by hand.
For a themed party that will result in lots of personalized favors, take the kids to a pottery glazing studio. Pottery glazing studies exist across the country, and offer a range of blank pottery that kids can work with. The studios generally fire the pottery a few days or weeks after the kids are done, so be sure to only glaze pots if you don't mind picking them up later. Make sure the kids write their names on the bottom of their favors to avoid mix-ups.
Tags: each child, enjoy making, kids done, kids draw, kids make, personalized favors