If you have ever planned a children's birthday party, you probably know that choosing the return gift can become surprisingly difficult for you.
The cake is usually easy to decide. The decorations can be picked according to the theme of the party. Even the food can be planned with a little discussion between parents and kids. But then comes the question: What should we give the children when they leave?
Chocolates are the obvious answer, and there is nothing wrong with them. But they are also something children have received at most of the birthday parties. By the time they get home, the chocolate may already be finished.
If you'd like to give the children something they can actually use, play with or enjoy later, there are plenty of alternatives.
Here are some ideas worth looking at if you're planning a birthday party and want to move beyond the usual chocolate box.
Why not choose something children can use?
A return gift doesn't have to be very expensive or very elaborate.
In fact, some of the simplest gifts work surprisingly well in return gifts. A child may be much more excited about a colourful pencil pouch, trendy eraser set or a small art set than about something expensive that simply ends up sitting in a cupboard.
There is another benefit too. When the gift is something, kid can use or play with, the birthday celebration continues at home and also for longer time.
That is why stationery, creative activities, puzzles and small toys make sense for birthday return gifts.
1. A colourful stationery set
This is probably one of the safest choices if the children attending the party are school-going.
You may think about the things children use almost every day—pencils, crayons, erasers, sharpeners, rulers and other little stationery items. You may put a few of them together in an attractive set and you have a return gift that is both practical and fun for kids.
The idea is to make it look like a gift rather than a collection of school supplies. Cartoon characters, bright colors and interesting designs can make a basic stationery set much more appealing.
It is also convenient for the person organizing the party. Instead of buying five or six different things separately, a ready-made stationery gift set can take care of most of it.
Best suited for: school-going children, particularly around 5–10 years or even more aged group children.
2. Something to colour
There is a particular reason colouring books continue to be popular with children.
You may give a child a book with interesting pictures and some colors, and they can get started without needing much instruction. Younger children can simply enjoy filling the pages, while older children being more creative can spend more time adding their own ideas to the pictures.
You could pair these colouring books with crayons or another small art item. It makes the return gift feel more complete without pushing the cost too high.
And unlike chocolates, it doesn't get over within a few minutes.
Best suited for: younger children and children who enjoy drawing and colouring.
3. A small DIY craft kit
Some children love making things with their hands. It improves their creativity as well.
For them, a small craft kit can be a much more exciting return gift than another toy. It gives them something to do when they get home and, importantly, there is a little sense of achievement when they finish what they started.
A craft activity doesn't need to be complicated. Simple decorating, drawing, assembling or creating activities can be enough.
If you're buying these for a party, check the recommended age before ordering. A craft kit that is enjoyable for an eight-year-old may be frustrating for a four-year-old.
4. Magic water colouring books
This is a very good option that parents may appreciate just as much as children.
Magic water colouring books allow children to colour using water instead of traditional paints. Once the pages dry, the activity can be used again.
For younger children especially, this can be a nice introduction to colouring without the usual concern of paint getting everywhere including wall and other places.
It is also easy to carry, which matters when twenty or thirty children are taking their gifts home at the end of a party.
If you're looking for something different from an ordinary colouring book, this is worth considering and kids will remember it forever.
5. A pencil pouch they will actually want to carry
A pencil pouch doesn't feel exciting until you see one designed around something a child likes.
Dinosaur designs, animals, cartoons and colourful patterns can turn an everyday school accessory into a fun little gift.
You can give the pouch on its own, or put a few pencils or other stationery items inside it. The second option works particularly well because the pouch becomes the packaging as well as part of the gift.
For a school-going child, it is something they can use the very next day.
6. Stamps and little art accessories
Every child has no liking for colouring book.
Some enjoy adding their own designs to notebooks, cards and drawings. For those kids, something as simple as a creative stamp can be surprisingly entertaining.
A roller stamp with an ink pad, for example, gives children another way to decorate their artwork.
Small art accessories also work well when you are working with a fixed return-gift budget. You don't necessarily need a large kit. One interesting creative item can be enough.
You can also combine a stamp with a small notebook or other stationery item if you want to create a mini art pack.
7. An educational game that doesn't feel like homework
The words educational gift can sometimes make a child less excited about a present.
So instead of thinking about it as “learning material”, you may look for something that is genuinely enjoyable to play and kids do not get bored using it.
Simple phonics activities, matching games, learning kits and other educational games can give children something to explore while they are playing.
This is particularly useful when the children at the party are in the early learning years. The right game can keep them occupied while also giving them an opportunity to practice basic skills.
The key is to choose something age-appropriate. A game that is too easy will be boring; one that is too difficult may simply get abandoned.
8. Building blocks and small construction sets
You may give some children a pile of blocks and they will happily start building without being told what to make.
Building and construction toys are good for exactly that reason. There isn't always one “correct” result. Children can experiment, take things apart and try something else.
A smaller construction set can make a good birthday return gift, especially when the party has children who enjoy hands-on activities.
If younger children are attending, pay close attention to the manufacturer's recommended age and the size of the pieces.
9. A puzzle or brain game
A puzzle is another simple and popular alternative to a chocolate box.
For younger children, it could be a basic picture or matching puzzle. Older children can handle something that requires a little more concentration.
The good thing about puzzles is that they don't have to take up much space. You can also choose different difficulty levels if the party includes children from different age groups.
And there is a small satisfaction in finally solving something that didn't seem obvious at first.
10. Put two small things together
You don't always have to find one “perfect” return gift.
Sometimes two inexpensive things make a better combination.
For example:
- Pencil pouch + pencils
- Colouring book + crayons
- Notebook + stationery
- Puzzle + small stationery item
- Craft activity + colouring materials
- Small toy + activity book
This approach gives you more flexibility with your budget.
It also lets you create something around the party theme. If the birthday has a dinosaur theme, for instance, a dinosaur pencil pouch combined with a few stationery items can make the return gift feel connected to the celebration.
Choosing a return gift according to age
This is one part that is easy to overlook when ordering in bulk.
A return gift that works beautifully for a seven-year-old may not be appropriate for a three-year-old. If your guest list covers a wide age range, you may be better off keeping two different options.
As a rough guide:
3–5 years: colouring activities, simple puzzles, blocks and age-appropriate creative toys.
5–7 years: stationery, colouring books, craft activities and beginner-level educational games.
7–10 years: art sets, construction toys, puzzles, creative stationery and learning games.
10+ years: more challenging puzzles, creative stationery, hobby-related products and activities suited to their interests.
You may always check the recommended age of the product before placing a bulk order, particularly when younger children are involved.
How much should you spend on a return gift?
There isn't really a “correct” or “appropriate” amount.
Your budget will depend on the number of children, the type of party and whether you are planning to give one item or a small combination say two items or more.
If you have 30 children attending, even an additional ₹50 per gift adds ₹1,500 to the total cost. So, it helps to decide the approximate amount per child before you start shopping for return gifts.
For a modest budget, stationery, small activity books and selected art accessories can work well.
With a little higher budget, you can look at activity kits, art sets, educational games or combinations of smaller products.
Also remember to check whether the displayed price is for one item or a pack. This becomes particularly important when buying return gifts in larger quantities.
Don't forget the packaging
A simple gift can look considerably better with a little attention to presentation.
You don't necessarily need expensive wrapping. A colourful paper bag, a small gift pouch or a simple themed package can be enough.
For a themed birthday party, you could match the packaging with the party colours or characters.
And if the gift itself is already colourful—say, a stationery set or a themed pencil pouch—you may not need much additional decoration at all.
A few things to check before ordering in bulk
Buying one gift is easy. Buying 25 or 40 of them requires a little more planning.
Before placing the order, you must check:
Quantity: You must make sure the available stock is enough for the number of children attending.
Age suitability: Don't assume that a product is suitable for all children just because it is labelled as a kids' product.
Delivery time: Give yourself some buffer. You don't want the return gifts arriving on the morning of the party.
Packaging: Check whether you need to arrange gift bags or wrapping separately.
Extra pieces: If your budget allows, keep a few additional gifts. There is almost always a chance that one more child will turn up.
Final cost: Remember to include GST, delivery charges and packaging costs when calculating your actual per-child budget.
Where can you buy useful return gifts for children?
Shopping for return gifts becomes easier when you can find several types of children's products in one place.
Sakuya.in has products across categories including stationery, toys, books, gaming, kids' printables and creative activities. This makes it possible to look at different types of gifts rather than deciding on chocolates simply because they are easy to buy.
You can choose individual products or combine smaller items to create a return-gift pack according to your budget.
The best return gift isn't necessarily the most expensive one
Children don't usually remember how much you spent on their return gift.
They are more likely to remember that they got something interesting to open and something they could actually do with afterwards.
That's why a ₹100–₹200 creative gift can sometimes be a better choice than an expensive item chosen simply because it looks impressive.
If you're planning a birthday party, start with three questions:
How old are the children?
What is my budget per child?
Would I be happy if my own child received this?
Those three answers will narrow down the choices quite quickly.
And if the choice comes down to another chocolate box or a small gift that lets a child draw, build, solve, create or play, the second option is definitely worth considering.