Your Guide To The Best Kids Party Bags 2026

If you’re building bags on a tight budget, start here:

Cheap Party Decorations and Party Bag Fillers Under $2 (Australia).
Want to skip lollies? Try: No-Lolly Party Bag Fillers (Australia).

The Benefits of Party Bags

The only way I can coax my kids away from a party is through the offer of a party bag as we leave. I know some parents aren’t fans of them, but if you ask me, they’re the best invention ever. We always make sure to have them on hand whenever we have a party as well, to return the favour.

There’s no better way to say a huge thanks to all the friends who attended the party (and most likely gave presents) than with a party bag! It’s full of goodies for the kids to enjoy, and just end the party on that high.

You can also incorporate party bags into your party. Many people choose to have a table set up for the bags, or add them onto the party table. If you manage to stick to the theme, then they can actually add to the decor, which is just great. For example, simply tie some green string at the top of an orange bubble wand and it makes the perfect party favour, while doubling as carrot for a Peter Rabbit party – how cute is that.

Or, you could give out superhero capes at a superhero party for kids to wear and have fun with on the day, which then double as their party favour to take home with them. Kids will love this!

Think about your theme and then think about what your kids are into. I can guarantee that if your kids are into it, then their friends will be too. It’s a pretty safe bet!

Not sure you even want a party bag? Check out this guide to party bag alternatives.

Disclosure: This post on party bags contains an affiliate link, and at no additional cost to you, I’ll earn a small commission if you decide to purchase after clicking through the link. I’ll only ever recommend things that I love and believe will help you, and the decision to purchase is entirely yours!

Party Bags VS Party Favours

This is a question we’re commonly asked: is there a difference between party bags and party favours. As a general rule: no. They’re essentially the same time. However, if you want to get technical about it, there is one key difference.

Party favours tend to be a single item. For example, it might be a candle, chocolate bar, small bottle of alcohol, magnet, bubbles, cookie or something else.

Party bags on the other hand – you guessed it – are a bag that full of multiple gifts for your party goer.

The choice is, of course, yours! And the answer may simply lie in the type of party you’re holding. What may work for one party might not work for another, so choose the party favour or bag to suit the event and not the other way around.

Party Bag Quick Rules (So You Don’t Overthink It)

• Aim for 3–5 items per bag (more isn’t better).
• Use a simple mix: 1 fun item + 1 useful item + 1 creative item (optional “wow” item).
• Skip glitter, noisy toys and anything that leaks (parents will silently curse you).
• Multipacks save money – and look cohesive if you stick to a theme or colour palette.

Not sure on numbers? Read: How Many Party Bag Fillers Do You Actually Need?

Handy hint: Name them! This is the best way to ensure everyone gets one. It’s so hard to keep track of when there are so many kids around. Plus, they end up placing the bags on the table and walking away and then not being able to find them. This is a much easier way to know who has their bag, and who has already left the party.

Stick to the theme

Of course, if you want to steer a little that’s fine, but it’s always nice to keep to relevant to the party! Sticking to the theme, like Bluey, can help with this. Plus, it narrows down your choices when it comes to picking things to go inside, so this can be an added help.

• Unicorn / Rainbow: stickers, pastel pens, mini fidgets, temporary tattoos
• Princess / Ballerina: mini notepads, hair clips, bracelets, sparkle stickers (no loose glitter)
• Dinosaur / Animals: mini figurines, tattoo sheets, mini notebooks, stampers
• Cars / Construction: mini cars, sticker sheets, small activity pads, bubbles
• Science / Space: mini puzzle, glow stickers, scratch art, mini notebook

Decoration ideas that match your party bags: Rainbow Party Decorations and Ballerina Party Decorations

Party Bag Fillers

Once you have the main gift sorted, then you can have some fun with party bag fillers. These are those little items that simply fill up some of that space in the party bag! Here are some of our top picks:

• Mini yo-yos
• Stickers
• Playdoh
• Slinkys
• Pencils
• Stick hands
• Slime
• Jumping frogs
• Whistles (if you feel like doing that to the parents!)
• Balloons
• Spin tops
• Crayons
• Stencils

As you can see, you have so many options. Of course, you can simply pick a main gift, throw in a lolly or two and be done with it. There’s no need to go overboard – especially when there’s a lot of kids involved.

But if you are looking for a non-lolly alternative, these are a great option. You can often buy them in bulk bags, which helps you save some money in the process.

Look for some eco-friendly alternatives? We have you sorted!

Lolly Bags

Here’s another option. Lolly bags can be simply that – full of lollies! Don’t feel like you have to go to extremes to out-do the last party your child went to. Keep it simple.

As we mentioned in our tips above, you don’t want to go overboard with the lollies. Instead, opt for a few quality choices. If you ask us, less is more in this instance. It’s not about loading the kids up, but rather treating them.

If you go in with this in mind, parents will thank you for it!

Best Party Bag Ideas by Age (Australia)

Ages 2–4 (Toddlers + Preschool)

Keep it simple – toddlers get overwhelmed easily. 3 items max is perfect.

• Stickers (bigger sheets work well)
• Bubbles
• Chunky crayons or mini colouring book
• Optional “wow”: small animal figurine

Ages 5–7 (Kindy to Year 2)

This age loves variety. Go for 4 items with a mix of fun + useful.

• Temporary tattoos or puffy stickers
• Mini fidget (quiet options are best)
• Mini notebook or cute stationery
• Mini car/animal/figurine

Ages 8–10 (Big Kids)

Older kids prefer fewer, better items. Aim for 4–5 items that feel “cool”.

• Gel pens or highlighters
• Mini puzzle or brain teaser
• Wacky track / keyring fidget
• Scratch art mini sheets
• Optional “wow”: mini craft kit

Ages 11–13 (Tweens)

Think “gift bag” rather than party bag – 3–4 items is plenty.

• Scrunchie or hair ties
• Mini notebook or sticky notes
• Lip balm (if appropriate for your group)
• Snack bag (often more popular than toys)

No-Lolly Party Bags (Still Fun, Less Sugar)

No-lolly party bags are increasingly popular – especially for school, allergy-friendly parties or families trying to cut down sugar. The key is to swap treats for play + practical items kids actually use.

• Sticker sheets and temporary tattoos
• Mini stationery (notebooks, stampers, novelty erasers)
• Quiet fidgets (keyring pop-its, marble mesh)
• Bubbles, chalk or mini outdoor toys
• Mini puzzles and activity pads

Full list (with age-based combos): No-Lolly Party Bag Fillers (Australia): 30 Ideas Kids Actually Want

DIY Party Bags (Cheap, Cute, and Looks More “Premium”)

DIY party bags don’t need to be complicated. A simple paper bag + a label + a tidy mix of fillers can look more special than a plastic bag stuffed with random bits.

Easy DIY party bag ideas

• Plain kraft bags with a themed sticker label
• Clear treat bags with a printable topper
• Mini “activity bags” (colouring sheet + crayons + sticker sheet)
• Mini “craft bags” (bracelet beads + elastic + small charm)

If you love DIY, start here: The Ultimate Guide to DIY Party Favours

A Clever Alternative: The “Party Bag Pick Table”

If you want to reduce waste (and make party bags easier), set up a “pick table” near the exit. Put fillers into baskets and let kids choose their favourites.

• For ages 2–5: choose 2–3 items
• For ages 6–10: choose 3–4 items
• For tweens: choose 2–3 better items

Why it works: kids get what they actually want, you buy fewer fillers overall, and leftover items can be saved for the next party.

Where to Buy Party Bag Fillers in Australia

You don’t need to shop at ten different places. Most party bags come together fast if you focus on multipacks and stick to a simple formula.

• Online: bulk multipacks, easy re-orders, theme-friendly bundles
• Discount stores: great for basics like stickers, bubbles and stationery
• Craft stores: ideal for DIY labels, treat bags and mini craft fillers
• Supermarkets: quick add-ons (but prices can be higher per item)