Lolly Bags Ideas: Party Planning Made Easy

Lolly bags are a delightful addition to any celebration, providing guests with a sweet reminder of the fun they had. Whether you're planning a birthday party, a wedding, or any other special occasion, these party bags can be customised to fit your theme and budget.

When it comes to party favours, the options are endless. In this guide, we will explore traditional sweet party bag fillers to eco-friendly alternatives for all ages, so you can create memorable mementos for your guests.

Choosing the Right Lolly Bags

Whether it's a birthday, wedding, baby shower, or other celebration, the lolly bag should complement the overall theme and atmosphere.

The presentation of the lolly bag adds to its overall appeal. Consider using themed packaging, personalised labels, or decorative ribbons to make the bag visually appealing and cohesive with the event's decor.

Not all lolly bags necessarily have to be bags. For a Hen's event, you can use a champagne or martini glass filled with chocolates. For younger kids' parties, consider a reusable cup with a few lollies or small toys inside. 

It's crucial to be mindful of allergies and dietary restrictions. Offering gluten-free, nut-free, or vegetarian-friendly options ensures everyone can enjoy the treats safely.

Eco-Friendly Lolly Bag Ideas

Eco-friendly lolly bags are a growing trend, especially with more people wanting to reduce waste and choose sustainable options. Use cloth bags, mini tote bags, or drawstring pouches. Personalize them with the guest’s name for a special touch so they can be reused by guests long after the party!

Choose lollies and treats that don’t come individually wrapped in plastic. You can buy in bulk and use small paper sachets or wrap them in tissue.

Avoid Glitter and Foil. These can’t be recycled and often contain microplastics. Natural decorations like dried flowers, paper confetti, or stamped designs are much more eco-friendly options.

Creative Party Bag Themes

Party bags don’t have to be a last-minute afterthought — they can be a celebration highlight! Themed party bags are a chance to reflect your party’s personality and make your guests feel special.
Here are some creative and unique party bag themes that are fun, thoughtful, and memorable:

Mini Spa Day (Perfect for Tweens and Teens)

Pamper your guests with a luxe little treat! Include items like mini face masks, nail polish, lip balm, and a scented tealight candle, all tucked into a reusable pouch or organza bag.

Movie Night Bag

Pack a small bag of popcorn, a fun-size chocolate bar, a drink box, and a pretend movie ticket. It’s a great idea for sleepovers or movie marathon parties.

Eco Explorer Bag

This is ideal for outdoor or nature-themed parties. Include seed packets, a magnifying glass, a nature scavenger hunt card, and a small wooden toy or eco-friendly snack.

Build-Your-Own Lolly Mix

Set up a lolly buffet and let kids fill their own paper or compostable bags. For a sweet finishing touch, add a “Thank You for Popping By!” tag.

Budget-Friendly Loot Bags

Being budget-conscious doesn’t mean skimping on fun. With a few clever swaps and a little prep, you can create party bags that are thoughtful, exciting, and wallet-friendly.

Use kraft paper bags or coloured paper treat bags — they’re cheap, recyclable, and easy to dress up with a sticker or a thank-you tag.

Homemade Treats

If you enjoy baking, whip up a batch of mini cookies, cupcakes, or popcorn balls. Wrap them in wax paper or a small cupcake box for a personal (and affordable) touch.

One Fun Item, One Sweet Treat

Instead of stuffing bags with many items, include just one fun toy (like a mini puzzle, bouncy ball, or slime pot) and a small sweet treat. It's simple, cheap, and kids still love it.

Buy in Advance & Bulk

Buy lollies and party favours in bulk and portion them into small cello bags. Mixed lolly and toy favour bags give you a variety of options, so not every loot bag is the exact same. Spending money on useful, practical fillers seems to go a little further. This includes items such as Bubbles, Cute erasers and pencils, Stickers, and temporary tattoos.

Plan and shop sales or online stores for bulk deals. It’s often cheaper than buying small quantities close to the party date, and you can store leftovers for the next event.

Age-Appropriate Selections

When it comes to party bags, age matters; the best fillers match a child’s stage of development, not just in terms of fun, but also safety and engagement. Here’s a guide to help you pick the right goodies for different age groups:

Young Children under 5 - think safety first! Avoid small parts and opt for soft, sensory-friendly items such as chunky crayons, Bubbles, and Soft finger puppets. 

Primary School Kids love to create, collect, and play games with friends. Items like Slime or putty, Friendship bracelet kits, Glow sticks or Joke books will be great hits!

Tweens are a little too cool for kiddie toys but still love a thoughtful take-home treat.  Lip balm or bath bombs, Phone charms or pop sockets, Keychains or collector cards are great options for this age range. 

Adult treat bags can be a lot of fun and offer some pretty unique party favours depending on the occasion. An edible gourmet treat could include Mini jars of honey, jam, or chutney. For a bit of humour, you could include ‘Hangover Kits’ including Panadol, Band-Aids, breath mints, etc. Mini trivia or conversation cards are a great idea and will help your guests mingle and get to know each other better.

Non-Sweet Fillers

Include small eco-friendly toys or keepsakes like seed packets, wooden puzzles, mini notebooks made from recycled paper, or beeswax crayons.
DIY kits (e.g. make-your-own bracelet, slime, or planting kits) are also fun and sustainable.

Not all party bags need to be packed with candy to be a hit! Whether you’re trying to avoid allergens, limit sweets, or just want to offer something different, non-sweet fillers can be just as fun and exciting.

Ready to Party?

With these tips and ideas, you're well on your way to getting the party started. Whether it's a birthday party, a wedding, or any other celebratory occasion, these suggestions can help make your lolly buffet stand out. 

Looking to bring these ideas to life? Shindigs is here to help!