Goody Bag Alternatives for Kids’ Birthday Pool Parties (Parents Love These)
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You can avoid having to put goody bags together for your child’s birthday pool party without sending guests home empty-handed. These goody bag alternatives are fun and functional, and best of all, they aren’t just a pile of candy. Use these ideas when you’re planning a pool party and give all your guests a fun parting gift they can use over and over again.
If you’ve ever felt torn between skipping goody bags entirely and wanting guests to leave with something fun, these alternatives offer up a happy middle ground. They’re practical, kid-approved, and don’t end up forgotten at the bottom of a toybox or the backseat of the car.
Suncare Bundle to Help Prevent Sunburn
Spending time in the pool often (but not always) means spending time in the sun. Gifting every guest a small suncare bundle when they arrive can help prevent sunburn and discomfort, and it’s a thoughtful gesture parents can appreciate. This might include sunscreen, lip balm, and after-sun lotion. Be sure to ask parents in the invitation to provide any information about skin allergies or sensitivities. Some parents may not feel comfortable with suncare products you provide, so a little research beforehand can help with the planning process.
Inflatable Beach Balls for a Gift Kids Can Play with All Summer
A gift kids can use at the party is always a great idea, and inflatable beach balls are a perfect choice. Bundles of beach balls fit neatly in a tight budget, plus they add a festive look to the party too. You can opt for a traditional design or get creative with inflatable beach balls that fit your party theme and color scheme. For example, these pink glitter beach balls add a fun touch to princess, unicorn, or Barbie-themed birthday pool parties. Consider investing in a pump as well so you can have all the balls inflated and ready for use when guests arrive.
Pool Party Water Blasters for Fun in the Sun
Make the pool party even more fun with water blasters the kids can all take home with them. They’re great in and out of the pool, and best of all, kids who don’t have a pool at home can still use them throughout the summer. Simple designs that pull to load water and then push to spray are the best options, and they are available in bulk packs to make shopping for your pool birthday party that much easier. Some water blasters are made from the softer pool noodle material, which offers a bit of added peace of mind for parents and kids alike. Of course, traditional squirt guns are also a good choice for an affordable alternative to goody bags. An assortment of different squirt guns is always good to have on hand for the party anyway!
Thirsty Beach Towels to Dry Off After a Swim
Kids are going to need a towel for a birthday pool party, and the odds are good that at least one guest will forget to bring one to the event. Giving everyone a fresh, cozy beach towel is a great way to thank guests for coming while also giving them a practical gift they can continue to use for years to come. Look for bulk packs of striped towels in vibrant colors or solid color towels that fit the party theme. You can also fold them into fun shapes or use ribbon to add a personal touch to each towel. This blog post from The World of Cruise and Travel shows step-by-step instructions for folding towels into a playful dog shape.
Reusable Water Bottles that Help Kids Stay Hydrated
Keeping kids hydrated at an outdoor pool party is essential, and handing out reusable water bottles also means you won’t have to clean up disposable paper or plastic cups at the end of the party. The bottles make a great parting gift while also promoting a more sustainable way to serve guests. Of course, this doesn’t mean you only have to provide water. A dispenser with lemonade or fruit punch can be used to fill the water bottles too. Just have all the water bottles thoroughly washed and dried before the party and apply labels with each child’s name to avoid confusion. You can then invite all the guests to choose which beverage to fill their water bottles with. The best options are durable BPA-free water bottles with a spill-proof design, but bottles with straws also work too.
Color-Coded Silicone Bracelets to Keep Track of Everyone in Your Pool Party
If your birthday pool party is being held at a park, recreation center, or other public pool, color-coded silicone bracelets make it easy to keep track of everyone in your group. They also make a fun gift the kids are sure to love. Choose a color that’s easy to spot, even in the water (avoid blue and black or other hues that can’t be seen as well when kids are swimming). These bands often come in bulk packs with different colors, so you can just set aside the darker hues to be used for a different event later on. There are also silicone bracelets that say “Happy Birthday,” which keep within your party theme.
Adjustable Swim Goggles for Comfort in the Pool
Some kids don’t even realize they need or want goggles until they get in the pool, and that makes the gift of goggles a great alternative to goody bags for your party. Bulk packs of swim goggles come in a variety of colors and designs. Look for options with UV protection and anti-fog lenses to make swimming easy and be sure the goggles you choose are adjustable for a more comfortable fit. Some bulk packs also come with ear or nose plugs as an added bonus. Even if kids come with their own goggles, having a spare pair always comes in handy for the summer!
Why Choose Alternatives to Goody Bags for a Party?
Goody bags can sometimes be a controversial topic for parents. All too often, these bags are filled with candy or slime because they’re easy choices, but parents don’t always like their kids receiving these items. It can also be hard to pick out items for goody bags that won’t just immediately get tossed into the trash later.
Alternatives to goody bags that are practical and reusable are almost always appreciated, and they can sometimes be easier to find than the small trinkets used to fill up treat bags. The choice is ultimately yours to make, but if you want alternatives to goody bags, consider individual items that fit with your party theme.
If you’re planning more than one summer celebration, you might also like Everything You Need for a Kids’ Movie Viewing Party for a low-key night-in option, Backyard Water Balloon Games for high-energy outdoor fun, or Fun Fireworks Alternatives for the Fourth of July if you’re looking for festive ideas that don’t involve loud bangs or late bedtimes.
