With input from some of my Wirecutter colleagues and fellow parents and caregivers, we made it our mission to round up and test fun, good-quality (but not too pricey) items that won’t feel like clutter-including books, art supplies, activities, tasty treats, and more. Listen, I’ll take the joy! But I also wondered if there might be a better way to approach these party favors-surely it’s possible to find goodie-bag contents that aren’t destined for the landfill. You may be familiar with them too-Mary Poppins–esque sacks overflowing with candy and flimsy, single-use toys that bring joy for barely a moment before becoming trash.
In the past year, my kids (ages 9, 6, and 4) have started coming home from birthday celebrations and other events with goodie bags.
