Party bags are one of those “small details” that can quietly blow the budget. You start with the best intentions — a few cute little goodies, nothing over the top — and suddenly you’re $8 per kid deep and still wrapping things at 11pm the night before.
The good news? You can absolutely put together fun, exciting party bags without spending a fortune. In fact, some of the best party bag fillers are the simplest — stickers, bubbles, tiny toys, mini stationery and fidget bits kids will actually use (and get excited about).
Below, you’ll find the best party bag fillers under $2 in Australia, plus easy ways to package them so they look thoughtful (not thrown together at the last minute). Plus, you can tie them together with these FREE lolly bag label printables.
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TLDR: Best Party Bag Fillers Under $2
If you’re short on time, these are the top crowd-pleasers:
- Stickers and temporary tattoos
- Bubbles (always a win)
- Mini poppers and fidgets
- Tiny stationery (erasers, mini notebooks, pencils)
- Mini cars and animal figures
- A treat bag + a cute label to tie it together
How To Build a Great Party Bag on a Budget
If you want DIY party bags that feel fun (without spending big), use this formula:
- 1 “fun thing” (toy or fidget)
- 1 “creative thing” (stickers, colouring, stationery)
- 1 “sweet thing” (small treat or snack)
- 1 “surprise” (tattoos, bubbles, mini stamp)
This mix keeps kids excited and gives parents a chance of not finding the contents shoved under the car seat 15 minutes later.
Need a clearer guide of how many party favours you need? Check out this: How Many Party Bag Fillers Do You Actually Need?
Stickers & Tattoos
Stickers are one of the easiest, most affordable party bag fillers — and kids genuinely love them. Temporary tattoos are another big hit, especially if they match the party theme.
Best options under $2:
- Sticker sheets (animals, princess, dinos, sports, unicorns)
- Puffy stickers (feel extra “special”)
- Temporary tattoo sheets
- Mini sticker books (great for slightly older kids)
Budget tip: Buy multipacks and split them across party bags. One sticker sheet per child still feels generous.
Best for: toddlers through to primary school kids
Here are some options to look at:
Mini Stationery (So Useful for School Kids)
If your party guests are school-aged, mini stationery is an underrated win. It feels “gift-like”, kids actually use it, and it suits almost any party theme.
Best mini stationery party favours:
- Mini notebooks or memo pads
- Cute pens or novelty pencils
- Small packs of crayons
- Erasers (especially themed ones)
- Pencil toppers
- Mini rulers (fun + practical)
Extra cute idea: Add one tiny stationery item and a few stickers — it instantly feels like a “set”.
Best for: ages 4–10
Here are some options to look at:
Fidgets & Poppers
Fidgets are the party bag item kids get the most excited about right now. They’re small, cheap, and feel like a “real present” even when you’ve spent very little.
Cheap fidget favourites:
- Mini poppers
- Stretchy fidget strings
- Mini stress balls
- Squishy toys
- Mini fidget spinners
- “Snap” bracelets (yes, they’re back)
Parent-friendly tip: If you’re doing fidgets, pick ones that are quiet-ish (unless you want 12 kids popping toys in your lounge room for the next hour 😂).
Best for: ages 5+
Here are some options to look at:
Bubbles
Bubbles are a classic because they always work. They’re inexpensive, they suit almost every age, and they instantly turn into an activity when kids are leaving.
Bubble ideas under $2:
- Mini bubble bottles
- Bubble wands
- Giant bubble sticks (if you find them on sale)
- Bubble multi-packs (perfect for big parties)
Best for: ages 2–8 (but honestly, older kids still love them)
Check out these options:
Mini Cars & Animal Figures
Mini toys don’t need to be fancy — little kids especially love anything they can line up, collect, trade or play pretend with.
Low-cost toy ideas:
- Mini cars (great for mixed-age parties)
- Dino figures
- Farm animals
- Sea creature sets
- Mini construction vehicles
- Tiny figurines (like party-themed characters)
Hot tip: These are brilliant for toddler parties where lolly bags aren’t ideal — you can do a toy-focused party bag instead.
Best for: ages 2–7
Check out these options:
DIY Treat Bags (Cheap, Cute + Easy)
DIY treat bags are where you can save heaps, especially if you’re hosting a bigger party. You don’t need elaborate gifts — just package a couple of simple treats nicely and kids will be thrilled.
Looking for more ideas beyond budget options? See our full guide to no lolly party bag fillers for practical ideas kids actually use.
Cheap treat bag ideas:
- A mini snack pack + a few lollies
- Tiny popcorn bags
- A mini chocolate or freddo
- Fruit straps / fruit snacks
- Jelly cups
- Mini pretzel packs
Make it look “done” with:
- a printed label
- a twist tie
- a ribbon or themed sticker
- a thank-you tag
Bonus: A treat bag is easy for parents to manage too — no tiny pieces getting lost instantly.
Party Bag Fillers to Avoid (Even When They’re Cheap)
A few things seem like a bargain, but usually end up in the bin fast:
- Slime (mess!)
- Tiny whistles (chaos)
- Very cheap paint sets (spills)
- Strongly scented items (hit and miss)
- Anything with a million tiny pieces (gone in 2 seconds)
5 Cheap Party Bag Ideas You Can Copy
If you want it super easy, choose one of these mixes:
- The “Toddlers” bag: Stickers, Bubbles, Mini animal or car
- The “School party” bag: Mini notebook, Cute pencil, Temporary tattoos
- The “Fidget fan” bag: Mini popper, Squishy toy, Small treat
- The “Creative kid” bag: Sticker sheet, Mini crayons, Colouring card (printable)
- The “No-lollies” bag: Mini toy (car/animal), Stickers, Mini stationery item
FAQS: Party Bag Fillers Under $2
What can you put in party bags instead of lollies?
Great alternatives include stickers, bubbles, mini stationery, fidget toys, temporary tattoos, small figurines and printable colouring activities. These are fun, low-mess options that kids actually use.
How many items should be in a kid’s party bag?
Three to five items is perfect. One small “toy”, one creative item (like stickers), and one treat (optional) keeps it fun without going overboard.
Where can I buy cheap party bag fillers in Australia?
The best budget spots are usually Kmart, Big W, Target, The Reject Shop, Discount Dollar stores, and Amazon Australia for bulk multipacks.
What are the most popular party bag fillers right now?
Mini fidgets and poppers are a huge hit, along with stickers, bubbles and tiny collectible toys like mini cars or animal figures.
What party bag fillers work for mixed ages?
Stickers, bubbles, mini stationery and mini figurines usually work for most ages. If you want a safe option for everyone, you can’t go wrong with bubbles + stickers.
