Handmade party treat bags for kids

Yummy-looking heart crayons ...



... plus tiny dinosaurs ...



... in handmade paper sacks = party treats for the preschooler set.

Now, I know dinosaurs and hearts don't usually go together, but in this case I needed a couple things that would appeal to both girls and boys in my son's preschool class.

First, I asked my four-year-old son whether he would help me make the party sacks. I wasn't sure how we would make them, but it had to be something he could do and I didn't want to use tape (too messy and ugly) or staples (too dangerous for little kids). We settled on pink and lime green rice paper (I had lots left over from my wedding!), which we then "hand-stitched" together using contrasting ribbon.



It took us a few sessions to finish 30 bags, but my son was so enthusiastic about the project that he never complained. He just really loved the idea of giving his school friends something he had made.

Then, it was my turn to do a little project I had been wanting to do for a while.



For months, I have been waiting patiently for just the right occasion to make melted crayons. I'm not sure what the appeal was, but I have always loved crayons, even the smell. I've seen these melted crayons many times in round muffin shapes, but really wanted to make them in this heart-shaped pan I had found for 99 cents at the thrift store.



The hardest part was peeling off the paper wrappers. Sometimes, they would slide right off the crayons, but other times, I found myself struggling, wondering why I ever got myself into such a mess. It did feel good, however, to put to use all the broken bits of crayons I'd been saving.



I decided to stick with two colors for each crayon so that the kids could have two colors on each crayon and, well, because I thought they looked prettier. Think of what happens when you blend too many colors while painting. The colors turn muddy brown. I sure didn't want that to happen to these crayons.



Yum! Don't they look like candy? I guess I can't blame my two-year-old daughter for wanting to eat them. Here's my son handing out the bags during the party at his school:



Each bag had a tiny dinosaur, a crayon and a page of dinosaurs for them to color. I had originally wanted also to include a copy of a dinosaur poem, but couldn't find the book at the last minute.



Yaay! My daughter actually did some coloring with these heart crayons, not just try to put them in her mouth.



She actually began using the crayons right after the party and, since then, often pulls them out just to look at them, as though they are her little treasures.




Photobucket

11 comments:

Thrifted Treasure said...

Such lovely gifts, we made round ones a while back and I'm itching to find a rocket or star shaped mould to try next :-)

Creamy White said...

Oh Minnie, how cute the crayon hearts! I'm sure your preschooler had so much fun with his little friends!
Thanks for sahring this cute project. My preschooler her is going to Kindergarten next fall and I'll keep in mind to make this project for his party!
Just lovely Minnie!
Have a warm and peaceful week.
Li :-)

Tina said...

These party bags are fabulous Minnie! I love that you and your son made the beautiful bags together!! I love the crayons too. I made some for our Charlotte for Xmas and she loves them. The children in your son's class are very lucky indeed to have such heartfelt and beautifully made gift bags:) ~ Tina xx

Gracefully Vintage said...

OH My goodness, i love that- im so competitive when it comes to goody bags-treat bags, snack mom, mine has to be the best-most unique or cutest- I LOVE that idea- my little one is 8 now- but I still love it, i think we might have to do it for fun.
Great Blog- just became a follower-look forward to more great ideas
Karryann

Razmataz said...

Minnie, these are really super. I love the smell of crayons too. I also remember picking back the paper with my nails and how difficult some of them were. I wish I had kids...little ones that is.

Kristin said...

yes! the smell of crayons! there's nothing else like it. Great gift bags! I'm going to have to remember that for my someday birthday treats. :)

I also wanted to get that Triple Chipper Cookie recipe for you...

2-1/4 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup butter, room temperature
2 eggs, room temperature
1 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 375. In a small bowl, whisk together dry ingredients and set aside. Combine sugars and butter in a large bowl and beat until creamy. Add eggs one at a time and vanilla and beat until creamy. Add dry ingredients and mix until just combined.

Then add 1-1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1 cup white chocolate chips, and 1 cup milk chocolate chips.

Drop by tbsp onto parchment lined cookie sheets and bake 9-11 minutes, or until golden on the edges.

Makes about 20 cookies.

Enjoy!

Anonymous said...

Hi Minnie,
Wow I think you get the prize for those gift bags, adorable ideas!

It's been a long time since I've had to even think about anything like that...OMG, I am getting old...LOL!

Thanks for your kind comments on my room. If you need to know paint colors, just ask:)

xo
LeAnn

Sheree said...

Such a clever idea! Unlike some of the others, I've never seen nor heard of melting crayons in this fashion! I've been out of the loop on such things for a bit, so thank you for blogging it!

Minnie said...

Hi everyone, thanks so much for your sweet comments. We really enjoyed making these. I'm now on the lookout for other muffin shapes at the thrift shops!

Kristin, I can't wait to make those Chipper cookies. Not good for the waistline but my husband's birthday is coming up so I will use that as my excuse. :-)

My Owl Barn said...

These look so cute! What a great idea!

Unknown said...

this idea is TOO good!!!!