Non-Plastic Party Bag Ideas: How to Go Completely Plastic-Free
Most party bags are around 80% plastic — the bag itself, the toys inside, the filler packaging. If you're looking for non-plastic party bag ideas that actually work (things children want, not just things that happen to be made of paper), this is the guide. It covers the bag, the fillers, the alternatives, and the things worth avoiding.
Start with a non-plastic bag
The most common plastic-free party bag options:
- Paper party bags — straightforward, recyclable, cheap. Work for most parties.
- Colour-in card bags — children decorate their own bag as a party activity, then take it home filled. Eliminates the need for separate party activities and reduces waste.
- Card treat boxes — more structured than a bag, good for buffet-style fillers. Looks better on a table than a flat paper bag.
Avoid kraft bags with plastic handles, cellophane bags, and anything described as "clear" — these are all plastic.
Non-plastic party bag filler ideas
The goal is to replace cheap plastic pocket-money toys with things that get used. Grouped by type:
Things to grow
Flower seed packets are one of the best non-plastic party bag fillers going. They're compact, completely plastic-free, and children genuinely plant them — especially if there's a parent who gardens. Nature-loving seed mixes and single-species packets both work. Zero single-use packaging, zero landfill.
Things to make
Small craft kits punch well above their weight as party bag fillers. Paper plant kits (lavender, succulent, aloe vera) come in FSC card and build into a finished thing children can display. ReCycleMe mini kits turn recycled packaging into a working toy — the eco angle is built in, not stuck on. Both are better received than anything you'd find in a pound shop bag.
Things to play with
Non-plastic doesn't mean boring. Options that work:
- String games (Cat's Cradle sets) — compact, no batteries, actually played with
- FSC wooden puzzles — pack flat, proper quality
- Card magic tricks and illusion sets — for ages 6 and up, consistently impressive
- Foam gliders — not strictly plastic-free but no single-use packaging, immediate play value for under-5s
Things to read or use
A small lined notebook or a card activity sheet is a better non-plastic filler than most people expect. Children who draw will use a notebook. A properly designed activity card (not a flimsy printed sheet) gets kept. Neither costs more than a cheap plastic toy.
Party bag alternatives — skip the bag entirely
The cleanest plastic-free option is to not do a party bag at all. Instead, give each child one quality take-home item at the table: a paper plant kit, a magic trick set, or an activity tin. Place them out as part of the table decoration. Children open them during or after the party and leave with something they'll use. No bag, no excess packaging, no handful of toys that get lost in the car.
This works best for smaller parties (8–15 children) where you have control over the table layout. Budget is roughly the same per head as a stuffed party bag — you're just spending it on one good thing rather than five cheap ones.
What to avoid
The usual plastic offenders in party bags:
- Snap bracelets and rubber wristbands
- Mini slime pots and putty (plastic pot + lid + contents)
- Plastic wind-up toys
- Bubbles in a plastic pot with a plastic wand
- Sticker sheets in a plastic sleeve
Most of these cost 30–50p and get thrown away within a day. Replace the budget with one item that costs £1.50–£2 and you'll get a better response from children and parents both.
Browse our full range of plastic-free party bag fillers, or see all party bag fillers if you want to mix non-plastic and other options by age or theme. For filler ideas by age group, see our eco party bag filler ideas guide.