The summer season is just around the corner. That means school’s just about out – and the entire family is in a party mood! Whether you’re planning a graduation, birthday party, engagement shebang – or, heck, a “just-because” brouhaha – you want your celebration to stand out. Check out these eight great favors, games and other summertime-prime finds sure to have your guests raving about your bash till Labor Day.
Luau Candy Bar Favors
Give your party guests a sweet, tropical inspired treat with a Shindigz candy bar customized especially for your party. Choose from a wide variety of designs – we dug the wild-island surfboards and hibiscus flowers on these – and add your own text or even a photo to personalize it. These fun favors cost around $2 each.
Flip Flop Pinata
Give your summer soiree a little luau lift with a silly flip-flop pinata. A surefire party game, this bright-colored classic, offered by BirthdayExpress on Amazon.com, is a great way to add a bit of beach to your bash – sand optional.
Props on Sticks
The photo booth craze has totally taken over! So why not spice up your party pix with these Props on Sticks we found on Etsy (by a seller named, of course, PropsOnSticks)? Equipped with 31 choices, from silly mustaches to crazy glasses, and made from heavy cardstock, for $35, these fun props are bound to make everybody laugh.
Water Balloon Pumping Station
Let the water walloping begin! This spiffy, three-in-one set water balloon pumping station by Discovery Kids comes jam-packed with 500 water balloons, all contained in a bottle with a handy pump on top. Just fill ‘er up with water and let the kids have it at! Bonus: It even includes a mister setting for a little cool-down in between lobs.
Watermelon Soap
These “Popsicles” look good enough to eat – but don’t! They’re actually darling fruit-inspired (and scented) soaps crafted by another Etsy shop, Sweetbody Soaps. Made of glycerin, they’re available in Neapolitan, Dreamsicle, banana berry and raspberry cream, too – and are great picks for wee ones, the makers say, making bath time way more fun. They’re $5.95 a pop – or ask about bulk pricing if you order six or more.
Wacky Jax
A favor that’s fun to play with and wear? Sounds like a winner to us! Inspired by Chinese Jacks – a non-metal version of classic jacks that was hot on the sidewalks in the ’80s – throwback Wacky Jax kits each include 50 rings (they’re just $4.99). Kids create five jacks by looping nine rings around one center ring. While not in play, hook ’em into a rad bracelet or necklace.
Egg Relay Game
Kids hustling across the yard with raw eggs precariously balanced in spoons? Classic summer outdoor fun, but pity your poor lawn! Enter the Egg Relay Game. Substituting plastic eggs and “wooly” rubbery Koosh ball lookin’ things for real chicken product, this $13.49 set comes with five bright-colored plastic spoons that are perfect for small hands, all providing a tad more balance and tons less breakage.
Birthday Fortune Cookies
We foresee happy guests in your future with these fortune cookies from Beau-coup that are made especially for your festivities. Customize the message and the cookie itself for a creative way to say farewell to your party. These goodies are ideal for bigger crowds on a very special occasion (there’s a 24-minimum order and $40 typesetting fee for the message; each cookie then runs $1.90).