Posted by murat ülker
on May 09, 2026
If you've ever spent £40 on plastic goody bags that ended up in a junk drawer by Tuesday, this one's for you.
The smartest kids birthday party craft trick I've seen lately doesn't come from Pinterest or some kids' party blog. It comes from parents who got tired of buying disposable favours. They started ordering blank tote bags, setting them out as the main activity, and letting kids take their own decorated bag home. The activity is the favour. One thing. Done.
It works because kids are weirdly proud of stuff they make. A bag they coloured themselves doesn't get tossed. It goes to school, to the beach, to grandma's house. You'll see it for years.
Here's how to actually pull it off — without losing your mind or your weekend.
Why This Works (When Goody Bags Don't)
Most goody bag stuff has the same problem. Kid gets it, plays with it for ten minutes, forgets it exists. A colouring tote bag is different because:
- The kid is busy for 30-45 minutes during the party (you're welcome)
- They take home something they personally made
- It's reusable, washable, and doesn't add to the plastic pile in your kitchen drawer
- The other parents quietly love you for not sending home another whistle and 47 stickers
- It checks every box people search for these days: non-candy party favour, eco-friendly party favour, and an actual party activity
The bags cost about the same as a stuffed plastic favour bag. Sometimes less. And they don't end up in a landfill three days later.
How to Set It Up (5 Quick Steps)
Step 1 — Order bags 2 weeks early. One per kid, plus 2-3 extras. Siblings always show up. Cousins always tag along. We have a full range of colouring tote bags for kids ready to ship in bulk for parties.
Step 2 — Pick washable fabric markers, not paint. Paint sounds fun until you realise you're spending the next morning scrubbing your dining table. Markers dry fast, don't bleed onto laps, and the bags can be re-coloured later. If your party theme leans more art-heavy, throw in some kids colouring aprons so nothing gets ruined.
Step 3 — Set up one colouring station. One long table. Cardboard slipped inside each bag so colours don't bleed through to the back. Paper towels nearby for the inevitable. A colouring pencil case at each seat keeps markers contained and makes cleanup faster.
Step 4 — Run it for 30-45 minutes. Right after cake works best. Kids are still in one spot and the sugar focus kicks in. Show one example you made earlier and let them go.
Step 5 — Send them home. That's it. The bag IS the favour. Drop a small treat or thank-you note inside if you want, but honestly? You don't need to.
Pick Your Party Format
Two main directions, depending on your party vibe. Both work.
Colour Your Own Tote Bags
Pre-printed designs — kids just fill them in. Best for ages 3-8. View →
Colouring Drawstring Backpacks
For older kids who'd rather sling it on their back. Ages 6-12. View →6 Themed Tote Bag Party Ideas
🦕 Dinosaur Discovery Party
Kids colour dinosaur outline bags with greens, oranges, and browns. Pair with a "dig for fossils" activity in the backyard. Works great for ages 4-7. Look for pre-printed dinosaur tote bags if you don't want kids drawing from scratch.
🌈 Rainbow Art Party
The classic. Plain bags, every marker colour, no rules. Perfect for younger kids (3-5) who just want to scribble freely. This is where blank canvas colouring tote bags shine — no design to follow, full freedom.
🧜♀️ Under the Sea Mermaid Party
Pre-printed bags with mermaids, fish, or shells. Kids colour, then you fill with seashell candies and a small bubble wand. Ages 5-9.
🚀 Space Adventure Party
Bags with planets and rockets. Black, silver, and metallic markers if you can find them. Great theme for a glow-in-the-dark birthday twist. Ages 6-10. Pair with matching space-themed colouring backpacks for older kids.
🌸 Garden Fairy Party
Flower-printed bags, soft pastel markers, maybe some glue and glitter for the brave. Pair with a small terracotta pot and seed packet inside. Ages 4-8.
⚽ Sports Champion Party
Football, soccer, baseball outlines. Team colours. Kids decorate their own "sports bag" to take to practice. Ages 7-12.
Add These to Your Party Setup
Two extras that turn a basic colouring station into a real craft setup.
Colouring Pencil Cases
One per seat. Keeps markers organised and makes a great take-home bonus. View →
Colouring Aprons
Save the party clothes (and your sanity). Especially smart for paint-based parties. View →What to Put Inside the Bag (If You Want To)
You don't have to fill them. The decorated bag is enough. But if you want a small extra:
- A pack of stickers
- A bouncy ball
- A bubble wand
- A few crayons or a mini colouring book
- A handwritten thank-you note from the birthday kid
- A small healthy snack pouch
Skip the candy if you can. Parents will notice.
Budget Per Kid (Real Numbers)
For a party of 10 kids:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| 10 colouring tote bags (Pamusan bulk) | £50-70 |
| Fabric markers (3 sets, shared) | £15-20 |
| Cardboard inserts (free, recycled) | £0 |
| Optional pencil cases (£3/kid) | £30 |
| Total | £95-120 |
That works out to about £10-12 per kid for an activity AND a favour that gets used for years. A standard plastic goody bag with junk inside runs £8-15 per kid. You're paying about the same and getting something the kid actually keeps.
For parties of 15+, the per-kid cost drops further. If you're ordering for a school party, a class celebration, or any group event, our bulk and B2B page has volume pricing for colouring tote bags in bulk.
A Few Things Parents Always Ask
What age does this work for? Kids 4 and up handle it well on their own. Kids 3 and under need a parent helper or a simpler "scribble" version with chunky markers. For toddlers, our pre-printed colouring tote bags work better than blank ones — they have lines to follow.
How long does the activity last? About 30-45 minutes. Younger kids may finish in 20, older kids will keep adding details for an hour if you let them.
Will the colours wash out? With fabric markers, mostly yes. Which is actually a feature. The bag can be re-coloured later. With fabric paint, no. Pick based on whether you want a one-time keepsake or a reusable canvas.
Do I need an apron for every kid? If you're using fabric markers, no. If you're using paint, absolutely. Our kids colouring aprons are sold in singles or sets and they're the easiest way to keep birthday outfits clean.
Can I customise bags with the birthday kid's name? Yes. For custom orders, message us through the contact page at least 3 weeks before the party.
Where do you ship? All across the UK, with bulk ordering that most party orders qualify for easily.
Ready to Plan?
The hardest part of a birthday party is keeping 10 kids occupied without losing your mind. A colouring tote bag activity solves that and gives every kid something they made. Something they'll actually use.
Pick your bags, order 2 weeks early, set up one table, and you're done. No goody bag assembly line at midnight. No regret purchases at the dollar store. Just a real activity that doubles as a real favour.
Looking beyond birthday parties? Our kids colouring activity kits guide covers classroom craft hours, summer camp favours, and family-night kits in one place.
🎨 Shop Pamusan Colouring Tote Bags →
Bulk pricing available for parties of 15+.