6 Creative Lolly Bag Ideas To Make Your Child's Socially Distanced Birthday Special

Guaranteed to win you "parent of the year".

Due to social distancing, birthday parties look a little different this year...but that doesn't mean they shouldn't be special. Here are six DIY lolly bags to help get the birthday person — as well as the rest of the family — into the festive spirit.

1. Create DIY unicorn lolly bags.

Jen Walshaw / Mum In The Mad House / Via muminthemadhouse.com

An easy way to turn a parent's chore into a child's game is with DIY lolly bags. Set up crafting tables and walk the children through how to make their own unicorn gift bags. Here's what you need:

Materials

– White paper party bags

– Coloured cardboard (we recommend yellow, pink, purple and blue)

– Markers

– Scissors

– Craft glue

– Art supplies to decorate (we recommend glitter and sequins)

Method

1. Taking yellow cardboard, cut out a long, thin triangle. Next, stick it in the centre on the top quarter of the paper bag to form the unicorn horn.

2. Next, cut out flower shapes from the coloured cardboard and stick them onto the top third of the bag, covering the base of the horn. Also, cut long, thin strips from the cardboard, roll them into tight scrolls and glue them onto the centre of the flowers. Repeat this process until you've created a "flower crown."

3. Using markers, draw eyes, a nose and rosy cheeks onto the bag to make the unicorn's face.

4. Using glitter, beads or whatever your heart desires, decorate your unicorn bag to make it sparkle.

2. Or, for the lovers of the sea, DIY treasure chests.

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If your child is more into pirates than unicorns, turn lolly bag crafting into treasure chest making. Here's what you need to make it happen:

Materials

– Plain boxes (or shoeboxes or egg cartons)

– Paint (we recommend brown, black, white and yellow)

– Aluminium foil

– Scissors

– Craft glue

Method

1. Taking your box, paint it in a brown coat and leave to dry. Once that layer dries, add the details of the wood, as well as the lock, in black and yellow paint.

2. Once dry, cut out strips of aluminium foil to glue onto the box to form the steel locks.

3. As an optional step, print out templates of a skull and crossbones and give it to the children to cut out and glue onto their chest. The kids can then use markers, pens or paper to personalise their chests however they wish.

3. Turn lolly bags into butterflies

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Another adorable DIY idea is to turn your kids' party bags into butterflies. Fun and easy, all you need is a few simple materials:

Materials

– Sandwich bags

– Pegs

– Craft glue

– Craft pack

– Markers

Method

1. Using pens, pom poms and wiggly eyes, decorate your peg to create the body of the butterfly. Twist pipe cleaners to form the antennae and glue them behind the end of the peg.

2. Take your sandwich bag and fill them 3/4 of the way with lollies before sealing shut. Then, separating in the middle so that the lollies sit on either side of the bag, twist the bag so that it forms a wing-like shape. Peg the middle to hold it in place.

4. Or, instead of plastic bags, give each child a lolly-filled mason jar.

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For older kids, skip the bags altogether and go straight for mason jars. They're pretty, reusable and super chic. And to get them into theme, all you need are some small toys and a lick of paint.

Materials

– Mason jars

– Small toys for the handle (we recommend cars, dinosaurs, animals or shells)

– Spray paint

Method

1. Unscrew the lid of your mason jar and taking your handle of choice, use a hot glue gun to stick them in the middle of the lid.

2. Once dry, spray paint the lid and handle using a colour of your choice. Wait for the paint to dry completely before filling the jars with lollies.

If you want to save yourself the trouble of filling your jars, set up a candy bar and let your guests choose their own treats.

5. Decorate giant cookies.

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Decorating cookies doubles as both a party game and a lolly bag filler. All it takes is a bit of preparation and some patience!

Materials

– Pre-prepared sugar cookies (made using fun cookie cutters)

– Icing

– Food colouring

– Piping bags

– Decorative gel pens

– Edible decorations (we recommend stars, sugar pearls or pineapple sprinkles)

– Transparent party bags

Method

1. The day before the party, make sugar cookie batter. Cut it into fun shapes using cookie cutters, then bake and allow to cool overnight.

2. On the morning of the party, set up a decorating station for your guests. Prepare bowls of icing using various food dyes for different colours. Put the icing into piping bags and place on the decorating table (along with the icing pens and edible decorations).

3. Give every child some cookies and let them decorate them however they wish. Allow the icing to harden before putting them in the party bags for the kids to take home.

6. Make cake pop bouquets.

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Fun and easy to make — especially in bulk — cake pop bouquets are an awesome, modern take on the classic kid's lolly bag. Here's what you need for them:

Materials

– Cake pops

– Cello wrap

– Ribbon

Method

1. Firstly, make cake pops the day before the party. We suggest making two or three cake pops per child.

2. Next, take cello wrap and cut out medium-sized squares to make your wraping. Place the square over the cake pops, gather the edges in a bundle underneath them, then secure with a ribbon.

Et volia! Your masterpieces are ready for the big day.

When it comes to party prep, Big W has everything you need to make your child's birthday extra special. And thanks to their home delivery service, you can even shop online for all your party needs.