How many items should go in a party bag?

A good party bag has 4-6 small items plus a few sweets. Quality over quantity works best. One or two slightly nicer items (small toy, activity book) plus fillers (stickers, bubbles, crayons) and a bag of sweets is the classic formula.

How much should a party bag cost?

A typical kids party bag costs £2-£5 to fill. Budget bags with sweets and a few small toys come in at £1-£2. Premium bags with branded items or craft kits can cost £5-£10. Most parents aim for £2-£4 per bag, which gives a nice selection without breaking the bank.

What are the best party bag fillers?

Popular fillers include: bubbles, stickers, temporary tattoos, small notepads, crayons, bouncy balls, mini puzzles, and sweets. Avoid very small items for under-3s (choking hazard). Theme-related items are always a hit - dinosaur toys for a dino party, etc.

Do I need to make party bags for siblings?

It is kind to have a few spare bags for siblings who attend. Make 10-15% extra bags to cover siblings, last-minute guests, and any that get dropped or forgotten. Having a couple of spares avoids tears.

Party Bag Calculator — Contents & Quantities

Calculate party bag contents and quantities for each child at your party.

Number of Children

One bag per invited child (add spares below for siblings)

Items per Bag

Typically 4–6 fillers — one nicer anchor item plus smaller treats

Avg Cost per Item

Average price of each filler (most parents aim for ~£2–£5 per bag total)

Bag / Container Cost

Cost of the bag, box or cone that holds the contents

Sweets per Bag Cost

Cost of the sweets or chocolate added to each bag

Spare Percentage

Extra bags for siblings and unexpected guests (10–20% is typical)

How We Calculate This

This calculator works out party bag quantities, contents, and total cost.

Formula

Total bags = children + spares
Total items = total bags × items per bag
Cost per bag = (items × cost per item) + bag + sweets (+ optional cake slice), less any bulk discount
Grand total = total bags × cost per bag

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Adjust quantities based on your guests and event type.