Something different
I often dispense with party bags, and instead give the kids a really small going-away gift. So far I've done Mr Men books (they're £1.50 each), colouring books and pencils (can be done for around £2 each), and for my youngest son I did Easter eggs (three for £5) because his birthday was on Easter Sunday.
charliesmummy

For my daughter's sixth birthday we had a party at the local leisure centre for £60 (up to 24 kids). For that you get a bouncy castle and trampoline and staff, and have to bring your own food. Party bags I bought cheap on the local market, put in chocolate (some kids go bonkers on colours) pencils, b'day cake and attached helium balloons to the handles, which went down really well and they only cost £1.37 each. Altogether the complete bags cost about £2 each.
jo19792004

Traditional gifts
How about bubbles, a small pack of sweets, small carton of drink, cheap pencil and colouring book set and a bit of birthday cake?
iceman_12

Here are my suggestions: balloons, bouncy balls, lollipops, hair bobbles/clips, badges, pretty rubbers, toy cars, toy jewellery, set of cheap pens or pencils (supermarket value brand).
yorkietoni

For my son's fourth birthday I bought little packs of books and split them for his party bags. You can get them at pound shops or other cheap places. Bubbles, crayons, pencil sharpeners, pencil toppers, and rubbers are all good for party bags too. I also split packs of ink stamps and finger-paint. For little girls, hair accessories are a good choice, as are cheap bottles of nail polish. I buy multi-packs of the Haribo mini bags to put in and the four packs of Chewits and candy sticks. Supermarkets own brand multi packs are great as well.
ivykaty44

I've found party bags a rip off. Unless you pay a fortune, the things that you put in are useless. Generally kids like sweets. So I tend just to put a few sweets, a balloon and some cake.
lockettherocket

ivillage uk

Party bag tips