Party Bag Fillers by Age: Ideas for 3, 5, 6 and 8 Year Olds

Choosing party bag fillers that children will actually use — rather than leave on the floor — comes down to matching the item to the age. A bouncy ball that delights a four year old will be ignored by an eight year old, and a fingerprint forensics kit that captivates an older child is frustrating for a toddler. Here's a practical guide to what works at each age, using real products from our party bag fillers range.

Party bag fillers for under 5s (ages 3 and 4)

Children aged 3 to 4 do best with simple, robust items they can use immediately without adult help. Avoid anything with small loose parts or intricate assembly at this age.

• Bouncy Balls — classic, immediately satisfying, safe and robust for small hands.
• Animal Eraser 4 Pack — practical and appealing; animals are a favourite theme at this age.
• Mini Bubbles — always popular with the under 5s, easy to use independently.
• Unicorn Ball Popper — bright, tactile and simple enough for young children to enjoy straight away.
• Flying Glider — foam gliders are lightweight, safe and very easy to launch.

Keep bags for this age group simple: two or three items plus a small sweet treat is plenty.

Party bag fillers for 5 and 6 year olds

Children aged 5 to 6 are ready for activities they can do at home after the party — craft kits, building sets and novelty toys that give them something to show for it.

• Dinosaur Building Brick Kit — a small buildable dinosaur figure that keeps them busy for an afternoon.
• Sealife Building Brick Kit — same format, ocean theme; ideal for kids who aren't into dinosaurs.
• Dinosaur Glider — foam flying toy, easy to launch in the garden.
• Pocket Kaleidoscope — endlessly fascinating for this age group, compact and well-made.
• Wild Wonders Tattoos — nature-themed temporary tattoos; plastic-free and popular with children who love animals.
• Rainbow Prism Glasses — novelty glasses that split light into rainbow patterns; great for a science or rainbow party theme.

Party bag fillers for 7 and 8 year olds

Older children appreciate things that feel genuinely useful or challenge them — games, STEM activities and kits they can actually complete.

• Sun Print Paper Kit — a STEM activity where children use sunlight to make prints; 8 sheets of light-sensitive paper included.
• Secret Agent Fingerprint Kit — lift and analyse fingerprints; ideal for spy party themes and popular with ages 7 and up.
• Secret Agent Rear View Spy Glasses — glasses with mirrors built in to see behind you; a firm favourite for spy party bags.
• Strange But True Children's Game — a question-and-answer game children can play at home with family; plastic-free.
• Wooden Glider Kits — build-your-own wooden glider from FSC-certified card; eco-friendly and satisfying to assemble.
• Magic Trick Set (15 tricks) — a complete magic kit for budding magicians aged 7+.

For a deeper guide focused specifically on seven year olds — including joke items, spy gear and craft kits — see party bag fillers for 7 year olds.

Eco-friendly party bag fillers (all ages)

If you want to avoid plastic entirely, there are plenty of genuinely good options made from wood, card and natural materials. The eco party bag fillers collection includes Twig Pencils (biodegradable, made from real twigs), Nature Loving Flower Seeds, Wooden Spinning Tops, Decorate Your Own Wooden Keyrings and ReCycleMe Mini Craft Kits — all plastic-free and made from sustainable materials.

How many fillers do you need?

Three to five items per bag is the standard. A good mix includes one small activity or toy, one craft or novelty item, and one sweet treat if you want to include one. Spending around £2–5 per bag on non-sweet items keeps costs manageable for larger parties. It's better to have three items children will actually use than six throwaway pieces that go straight in the bin.

Party bag filler FAQs

What are the best party bag fillers for 5 year olds?

Good party bag fillers for 5 year olds include Dinosaur Gliders, building brick kits, temporary tattoos, Pocket Kaleidoscopes and Rainbow Prism Glasses. Avoid anything with very small parts. Aim for 3 to 5 items per bag that can be used at home after the party.

How many items should go in a party bag?

Three to five items is a good rule of thumb. A typical mix includes one small toy or activity, one craft or puzzle item, one novelty item (tattoos, bouncy ball or similar) and optionally a sweet treat.

What are good non-plastic party bag fillers?

Plastic-free options include Wooden Spinning Tops, Twig Pencils, Wooden Glider Kits, Nature Loving Flower Seeds, ReCycleMe Craft Kits and Decorate Your Own Wooden Keyrings. All are made from wood, card or natural materials. See our eco party bag fillers collection for the full range.

Can I buy party bag fillers online with UK delivery?

Yes — The Party Pirate stocks a wide range of party bag fillers with fast UK delivery. Click and collect is also available from Bath (BA2 5LJ).