Greening Up Parties: Eco-Friendly Party Favour Alternatives

Remember those days leaving a birthday party with a plastic-packed party bag filled with sugary treats and toys destined for the bottom of the toy box or rubbish bin? It's time to shake things up! Nowadays, we're all about reducing plastic waste and making every part of our parties eco-friendly, starting with those awesome party favour bags.

Let's ditch the plastic and dive into some cool eco-friendly ideas that'll keep the kids buzzing with excitement and won't break the bank.

Party Bag Alternatives:

Why stick with the same old plastic bags when you can jazz things up with these fun alternatives?

Fabric Bags: Hand out canvas bags that kids can reuse for play, library trips, or even as their own mini shopping tote. Or go for smaller drawstring bags for that classic party favour feel.

Paper Perfection: Paper bags are an easy and inexpensive option. Plus, turn it into a craft activity by letting the kids decorate their own bags!

Cellophane Chic: Did you know cellophane is eco-friendly and decomposes faster than your favorite leafy greens? Wrap up those goodies in this cool and planet-friendly film.

Eco-Friendly Party Bag Filler Ideas:

Now onto the party favours that will create sustainable options that are sure to elevate your party while hi-fiving mother nature.

Homemade play dough

Get the party started with some homemade playdough! Not only is it super easy to make, but it's also a fantastic way to skip the plastic-packed store-bought versions. Plus, with custom colors and scents, the fun doesn't stop at the party. Check out our recipe to kickstart your playdough adventures!

Ingredients:

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup salt

2 tablespoons cream of tartar

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 cup water

Food colouring (optional)

Essential oils for scent (optional)

Instructions:

In a medium saucepan, whisk together the flour, salt, and cream of tartar.

Add the vegetable oil, water, food colouring (if using), and essential oils (if using) to the saucepan.

Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens into a dough-like consistency (about 3-5 minutes).

Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the playdough to cool.

Once cooled, knead the playdough on a flat surface until smooth and pliable.

Divide the playdough into portions and store in airtight containers.

Origami paper and instructions

Fold, crease, and craft your way to origami masterpieces! It's not just fun; it's also a sneaky way to boost concentration and fine motor skills. Start with a simple frog and watch the kids leap into creativity!

Origami Frog:

Start with a square piece of paper, coloured side down.

Fold the paper in half diagonally to form a triangle, then unfold.

Fold the bottom corners of the triangle up to meet the top point, creating a smaller triangle.

Fold the bottom corner of the triangle up to the top point, then unfold.

Open the bottom flap and fold it upwards along the crease you just made, creating a kite shape.

Fold the top corners of the kite shape down to meet in the center.

Fold the top point of the kite shape down to create the frog's head.

Flip the paper over and fold the bottom point up to create the frog's legs.

Finally, fold the legs outwards to complete the frog!

Chalk

Let the little Picassos loose with some colourful chalks! Outdoor art adventures await as they turn sidewalks and driveways into their own personal canvas. And the best part? It's biodegradable and washes away with water, so you can let their imaginations run wild guilt-free.

Coloured Pencils and Activity Books

Unleash their inner artist with coloured pencils and activity books. Choose eco-friendly choices made from recycled materials, and watch as they doodle, colour, and create their way to endless fun.

Seeds and Paint Your Own Pot

Nurture their green thumbs with seeds and paint-your-own pots! It's a hands-on lesson in environmental love as they plant and care for their little green buddies. Plus, watching their plants grow is a joy that keeps on giving.

Scrunchies and Hair Clips

Add a pop of style with handmade scrunchies and hair clips. From fabric scraps to upcycled materials, these accessories are not only fashionable but can be used more than once. Let them express their unique style while embracing sustainability.

Homemade Bath Bombs

Elevate bath time with homemade bath bombs. Using natural ingredients like baking soda, citric acid, and essential oils, you can craft luxurious bath treats that are free from harmful chemicals. Kids will delight in watching them fizz and dissolve in the water, releasing delightful scents and moisturizing oils. It's a pampering experience that's both entertaining and eco-friendly!

Ingredients:

1 cup baking soda

1/2 cup citric acid

1/2 cup cornstarch

1/2 cup Epsom salt

2 tablespoons coconut oil (melted)

1-2 teaspoons water

Essential oils (optional)

Natural food colouring (optional)

Instructions:

In a large bowl, whisk together the baking soda, citric acid, cornstarch, and Epsom salt.

In a separate small bowl, mix the melted coconut oil, water, essential oils (if using), and natural food colouring (if using).

Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring continuously until well combined. The mixture should hold together when squeezed without crumbling.

Quickly pack the mixture into silicone moulds or shape them by hand into desired shapes.

Allow the bath bombs to dry and harden in the moulds for at least 24 hours.

Once completely dry, carefully remove the bath bombs from the moulds and store them in an airtight container until ready to use.

Board Storybooks

Open up a world of imagination with storybooks that captivate and educate. Whether it's a classic fairy tale or an adventure through nature, these books will keep the kids hooked long after the party ends.

Lastly for those with a sweet tooth, fear not! You can still indulge in sugary treats without harming the planet. Think lollies in cardboard boxes (Smarties or Nerds), foil-wrapped chocolates, or homemade goodies like cookies and sherbet.

So, from squishing playdough to watching bath bombs fizz, these eco-friendly party favours promise endless hours of fun while keeping our planet smiling.