Looking for the best party favours that won’t end up in the bin before guests get home? Whether you’re planning a kids’ birthday, a school party, or an adults-only celebration, the best party favours are simple: useful, fun, and easy to hand out.
In this guide you’ll find practical party favour ideas (including cheap party favours and no-lolly options), plus quick tips to choose the right favours for different ages and party styles.
Quick links: Need party bags too? Start with Best Kids Party Bags. Prefer no sweets? Try No-Lolly Party Bag Fillers (Australia).
Do You Need Party Favours?
Remember back to your childhood and the excitement of attending a friend’s birthday party.
There’s the games, the delicious food, the fun with friends, and then at the end of a long, amazing day – the party favours.
The joy that came from scrummaging into them from the moment got back into your car. Beelining straight for the lollies to keep that sugar high going, then fighting with siblings as they grab at the goods.
The best times.
The first thing you need to know is that party favours in Australia aren’t a necessity. Kids LOVE them, but that doesn’t mean you have to offer them up.
The concept is fairly simple. They act as a takeaway gift to thank someone for coming to your party. Most people who attend parties also bring a gift with them. This serves the dual purpose of thanking them for this gift at the same time.
Plus, who doesn’t love recent a present at every party they go to! It adds to the excitement and fun.
Party favours can be anything. They can be entire party bags full of toys and lollies, or one gift on its own. There are some really unique options out there, so be prepared to have a bit of fun with it all.
Whether you’re planning a kids’ birthday party, a baby shower, or even an adults’ party, party favours are a great addition. And they’ll never grow old or go out of fashion. But, you can have a bit more fun with them these days. There’s so many amazing party favour choices out there, we want to walk you through some of our favourite choices, and everything you need to know when it comes to putting together the party bag.
Disclosure: This post on party favours 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!
History Of Party Favours
Believe it or not, the origins of the party favour began with weddings. I guess that’s not so hard to believe, considering they are still popular today. The Bride and Groom began giving gifts to their guests as early as the 16th Century.
Understanding the history behind this gesture adds so much more meaning when it comes to choosing your own party favours.
They started out as bonbonnieres, which have been given out at birthday parties, weddings and other events for centuries. It began as an actual box made of porcelain, with a delicious sugar piece inside.
From here, they evolved into the candied almonds with the tradition still kept alive today. Of course, you also have completely free reign in the modern age to choose whatever favours you like.
How to Choose the Best Party Favours
The best party favours depend on your guests’ ages, your budget, and how you’re handing them out (party bags, pick table, or a single “hero” item). Use these quick rules to keep it easy.
- Keep it simple: 1–3 items is plenty for most parties.
- Go useful over novelty: stationery, craft items, and small games get used.
- Avoid mess: glitter, slime, whistles, and anything that leaks.
- Choose age-appropriate: toddlers need bigger, safer items; tweens prefer fewer, “cooler” items.
If you’re unsure about quantities, link out to: How Many Party Bag Fillers Do You Actually Need?
Best Party Favours for Kids
Kids’ party favours work best when they’re fun immediately and still usable later. These categories are consistently popular for Aussie kids’ parties.
Stickers & Temporary Tattoos
Always a winner for ages 3–10. Choose themed sheets that match your party (dinosaurs, unicorns, sports, animals).
Mini Stationery (Practical + Loved)
Think mini notebooks, gel pens, novelty erasers, stampers, and sticky notes. Great for school-aged kids.
Fidgets (Quiet Options)
Go for classroom-friendly fidgets like marble mesh, keyring poppers, or wacky tracks (avoid noisy clickers).
Bubbles & Outdoor Bits
Bubbles, chalk, and small outdoor toys are perfect for backyard parties and park parties.
For budget-friendly ideas that convert well, add an internal link to: Party Bag Fillers Under $2 (Australia)
Best Party Favours for Adults
Adult party favours don’t need to be big to feel thoughtful. The best options are either useful, edible, or funny (depending on your vibe).
Edible Favours (Easy + Always Appreciated)
- Mini chocolate bars or lollies in a simple paper bag
- Homemade cookies (with ingredient note)
- Popcorn bags for movie nights or casual parties
Mini Self-Care Favours
- Lip balm
- Mini hand cream
- Face mask sachets
Funny / Gag Favours
Perfect for milestone birthdays. Keep it light, not embarrassing. Looking for some laughs? Check out our post on Funny Party Themes & Gag Party Ideas.
Where To Buy Party Favours
We are currently spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing some amazing party favours. Not only do we have some amazing party supplies stores in Australia, but there are stores like Kmart and Big W that are making party buying even easier. If you’re after party favours, Kmart is a great choice. Cheap party favours doesn’t have to mean bad!
If you’re looking to save some money, you can also get some fabulous things from eBay, Aliexpress and Amazon – we share some of these with you. EBay and Aliexpress do tend to take longer to arrive (think up to 4 weeks, sometimes even more), but if you’re planning ahead, this should be fine!
No-Lolly Party Favours (Fun Without Sugar)
No-lolly party favours are popular for school parties, allergy-aware groups, and families cutting down sugar. The key is swapping sweets for play or practical items kids actually want.
- Sticker sheets or tattoos
- Mini colouring packs
- Quiet fidgets
- Mini notebooks + pens
- Chalk or bubbles
For a full list, link to: No-Lolly Party Bag Fillers (Australia): 30 Ideas Kids Actually Want
Party Favours by Age
Ages 2–4
Keep it to 1–2 bigger items (safe and simple): bubbles, chunky crayons, sticker sheets.
Ages 5–7
Best mix: 3 items (fun + useful): stickers/tattoos, mini stationery, small toy.
Ages 8–10
Go for fewer but better: gel pens, mini puzzles, “cool” fidgets, activity cards.
Tweens
Think mini gift bag rather than party bag: stationery, scrunchie, snack, small self-care item.
Should Party Favours Match Themes?
We all know that the party theme is an essential part of any party. It can pull everything together, from the invitations through to the backdrop, cake and more.
So, this begs the question, should the party favours match the theme?
That’s entirely up to you! While it’s always nice to have that link in there you don’t have to go overboard. Sometimes it’s simply enough to have a party bag that’s in theme, while putting something completely different inside.
The theme can often give you the best inspiration when it comes to your party favours, so don’t dismiss the idea. Here are some common matches:
- Cars themed party: Hot Wheels cars party favours
- Gymnastics party: twirling ribbons favours
- Champagne brunch: mini champagne bottles
- Charlotte’s Web Party: mini soft toy pigs
- Madeline Party: some French-chic cookies!
Types of Party Favours (For Kids)
Now this is a never-ending list that could go on. We are simply going to tick off some of the main categories to get you thinking. Hopefully you can use this to get creative with your own party favour ideas.
- Toys: one of the obvious choices. From balls to dinosaur figurines, Lego or Hot Wheels cars, toys are always a popular option. But if you aren’t careful, the cost can add up quicky!
- Personalised party favours: whether or not you go down this route is entirely up to you. Yes, personalised party favours do add a special dimension to any party, but they naturally do come with the price tag as well. One of the best I have seen, is personalised drink bottles with each child’s name on them. Practical and fun – a double win!
- Lollies & chocolates: as you might expect from any party bag, these treats go down a… well, treat! Just don’t go overboard with them, after all, kids tend to be pretty sugar loaded after leaving the party already.
- Plants: this is a really cute option I have seen around. You can gift everyone a small plant they can plant at home. A gift that keeps on giving.
- Stickers: a great choice. What kids don’t love stickers!
What Do Parents Think Of Party Favours?
Know we have a good understanding of what party favours are and where you can get them, here’s the most important question: what do other parents think of party favours?
The general consensus is: avoid too much sugar.
When kids have been out all afternoon pigging out on all their favourite snacks, the last thing they need is to come home afterwards with an entire bag full of sugar.
The other thing to avoid is toys that are just going to break in two seconds. These can cause more stress than they’re worth. It’s better to opt for one good quality toy each, rather than lots of little bits and pieces.
Finally, avoid anything noisy. It might be fun to throw in that party blower into the bag, but when they take it home – the parents don’t share the same sentiment.
FAQs: Best Party Favours
What are the best party favours for kids?
Stickers and tattoos, mini stationery, quiet fidgets, bubbles, chalk, and small figurines are reliable favourites.
How many party favours should I give per guest?
Usually 1–3 items is enough. Younger kids need fewer items, older kids prefer fewer but “cooler” favours.
What can I use instead of lollies?
Try stickers, activity packs, mini stationery, quiet fidgets, bubbles or chalk. More ideas: No-Lolly Party Bag Fillers
What’s the easiest party favour idea?
A single useful item (like a mini notebook or bubbles) in a paper bag with a simple label.
Are party favours still expected?
Not always, but they’re still common for kids’ birthdays. If you’re skipping them, a pick table or a small activity pack is a great alternative.
Ready to Choose Your Party Favours?
If you want the easiest “done-for-you” approach, start with a simple mix of stickers + stationery + one fun item. For more inspiration, jump to:
11 thoughts on “Your Guide To The Best Party Favours”
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