Gift ideas for (12) 3 year olds?

[mmommy]

The kiddos in DDs playgroup are turning 3, and I'd like to get each of them something special. The major problem is that there are 12 kids, and we're on a very tight budget with baby arriving any day now. So, its easiest if I just find 12 of one thing online, and buy it all at once.

Last year I got this bundle of 12 pirate costumes (http://www.littletikes.com/kids-toys/black-pirate-costume-12-pack) and it was a HUGE hit with the parents and kids. Then all of the kids were pirates for Halloween and now most of the kiddos use the costume as part of regular dress up play. It was such a big hit that parents have been asking me if I'm going to do costumes for the kids again this year....
Any bright, cheap ideas?

[Jen841]

Bath puppets and bubble bath? Always a hit at my house
Puppets
Sidewalk chaulk
Bubble stuff
Flashlights
Craft stuff - ex. finger paints and finger paint paper
Soccer balls
Kick balls
Big balls
Fat bat and balls
Sand stuff

[AnnieW625]

Books or coloring books from the $1 section at Target.

[misshollygolightly]

For dress-up ideas, how about cowboy hats + bandanas (inexpensive, from Oriental Trading). Or maybe firemen hats? If you have time and basic sewing skills, you could do basic capes in bright colors for use as superheroes/princesses, etc. (You can also buy these...I think some people use them as party favors so surely there are some inexpensive sources out there, but I don't personally have any experience ordering them.)

[cntrymoon2]

That's a fantastic price for the pirate costumes! Kind of a tough act to follow, huh?

Do other parents buy gifts for all the kids, too? What kind of stuff do they give?

I like the sidewalk chalk/bubbles/stickers/play doh ideas. Consumables that aren't edible are hits in my book.

[cntrymoon2]

For dress-up ideas, how about cowboy hats + bandanas (inexpensive, from Oriental Trading). Or maybe firemen hats? If you have time and basic sewing skills, you could do basic capes in bright colors for use as superheroes/princesses, etc. (You can also buy these...I think some people use them as party favors so surely there are some inexpensive sources out there, but I don't personally have any experience ordering them.)

Oohhhh, capes are a great idea!! Halo Heaven sells them, too. Plus then you've appeased other parents who are excited for dress up gifts :)

[ciw]

The link you posted showed 12 costumes for about $12. Is that right? I think you'll be hard pressed to find other quality costumes for birthday gifts for $1 a piece.

These are still pretty cheap thoush.

http://www.orientaltrading.com/superhero-cape-and-mask-set-a2-14_1185.fltr?prodCatId=388676&tabId=1

http://www.orientaltrading.com/pastel-be-a-star-tutu-a2-25_3463.fltr?prodCatId=388676&tabId=1

http://www.orientaltrading.com/hooded-bat-cape-a2-14_1186.fltr?prodCatId=388676&tabId=1


The Dollar Tree often has cheap costumes. I bought DS a knight helmet and armour there which is pretty cute. They often have firefighter hats or construction hats -- which you could pair with a firefighter badge or tool belt. Or you could probably buy cowboy hats and bandanas cheap somewhere.

I think I like the cape idea best though. I'm not sure of the quality of the one posted in my first link but you could also make them or order them from Etsy.


ETA: Okay, guess I was too slow to post, lol! Looks like pp had similar ideas!

[mmommy]

Great ideas, thanks!
I did just get a new sewing machine, so maybe capes are the way to go...
I also really like the hat as a starter for a costume idea...

The other parents all give gifts too, which are run of the mill things like puzzles, etc. They're great gifts, but nobody else did a theme for all of the kids. Nobody else is on our kind of budget either. We live in a HCOL area on LCOL salaries, so these folks can afford "nicer" gifts while I try to do something more thoughtful so folks don't notice its cheap :)

I do highly recommend the pirate costumes BTW. They've held up great!

[ciw]

Another idea....Engineer hats and train whistles

http://www.orientaltrading.com/childs-train-engineer-caps-a2-15_140-12-1.fltr?Ntt=engineer.

http://www.orientaltrading.com/childs-train-engineer-caps-a2-15_140-12-1.fltr?Ntt=engineer

[lucybabymamma]

If you are handy with the sewing machine, maybe a marker or crayon roll, one of those portable rollup car tracks?

[MamaMolly]

I've made capes, crayon rolls, peek-a-boo bags, and first initial t shirts all on a tight budget. I googled tutorials until I found something easy and went for it.

Era: I forgot that I made tagged type first initial lovies for Dolly's baby group essentially for free.