20 Clever Loot Bag Ideas Under $5
Loot bags don't have to break the bank. We've rounded up our favourite creative and cost-conscious ideas that will leave parents and kids happy.

Photo: Stocksy
A reason to celebrate
Kids’ birthday parties are a lot of fun, but there are a lot of them. Genuinely thank the guests at your child’s next party with one of these creative loot bags. Bonus: They will not break the bank. (Because isn’t that what the clown is for?)
Read more: Birthday party ideas>

Unleash the artist
A new set of paint with 24 colours will give little budding artists something to do during the quiet time that’s absolutely essential after a chaotic birthday party. (The parents will thank you.)
Crayola 24 Washable Watercolours, $5, amazon.ca

Back-to-school cool
Give kids a head start on school supplies with smelly erasers (because are there any other kind?).
Scented Cupcake Erasers 4 Pack, $3, mastermindtoys.com

Let’s bake
Rub a dub dub
Help kids get messy while also getting clean with this fun fingerpaint soap!
Crayola Bathtub Fingerpaint Soap, $4, walmart.ca

Beach bums
You can never have too many beach toys, so a bright-as-anything watering can or toy boat are sure to make waves.
Agglo Watering Can or Beach Boat, $5, canadiantire.ca

Bookworms
No-Spill Mini Bubble Tumblers
The best take-away from a summer party, is the best part of summer itself: BUBBLES! And this loot bag choice ups the ante even further with a no spill container.
No-Spill Mini Bubble Tumblers, $5, mastermindtoys.ca

Let them eat cupcakes
The sweetest of takeaways is literally, sweet. A yummy cupcake wrapped up and placed on this cute stand means they can have their cake and eat it, too.
Vivian Retro Metal Cart Wheel Cupcake Display Holder, $4, amazon.ca

Look at all the colours!
A definite hit for kids and parents alike, this DIY kaleidoscope will mean a fun (and peaceful) drive home.
DIY Paper Kaleidoscope, $5, amazon.ca

Cookie cutters
Find a cookie cutter that goes with you party theme or any fun shapes kids will love!
Mickey Mouse Cookie Cutter, $4.50, partycity.ca

Creative play
Be the talk of the town—in an amazing way—by gifting the parents, er, we mean the kids with a quiet afternoon of dreaming up sidewalk art. Crayola Sidewalk Chalk, $3, toysrus.ca

Stacking up
Another great choice for First Birthday parties, this set of stacking cups (with 7 pieces!) will delight the kids (and help them reach those stacking milestones even quicker).
MULA stack & nest cups, $3, IKEA.ca

Flashing light
Squeals of delight will be emitted from any birthday guest who’s planning a camping trip this summer (or is afraid of the dark).
Metal LED Flashlight, $5, canadiantire.ca

All that glitters
Because kids LOVE glitter, this glue and glitter combo has everything they need for their next sparkly masterpiece.
Crayola Super Sparkle Glitter Glue, $4, walmart.ca

Tools of the trade

SillyPutty
Make the parents just as happy with this old-school gift of Silly Putty. Cue: “Hey kids, make sure to keep that stuff out of your hair!”
Original Silly Putty, $3, indigo.ca

PEZ please
Because they certainly didn’t consume enough candy at the party, this fun collectable PEZ dispenser is a loot-bag must. Providing said candy for the dispenser is at your discretion.
Assorted PEZ dispensers, $4 each, candyfunhouse.ca

Go Green
Show kids how to harness the power of the sun to make this cute little grasshopper go!
Solar Powered Grasshopper, $3, amazon.ca

Snacks to go
Fill this up with Cheerios and Goldfish crackers as the perfect take-away for tiny guests at a First Birthday Party with much less sugar than a real cupcake.
Cupcake to Go, $5, well.ca

Stick-on facial hair
This pack of funky moustaches will delight any little guest because who doesn’t love a stick on moustache?
Moustache Stickers, $2, mastermindtoys.com

Read more:
How to throw a mermaid party
How to throw a monster party
8 worst loot bag ideas ever!
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