The Chaos and the Clutter

Sharla Kostelyk

Grab Bag Game

dice that each show a 4 rolled sit among candy and small toys

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Create a simple grab bag game for Christmas or your next party. Try it to change up the way you do party favor bags or gift exchanges at your events. In this game, everyone is a winner! That’s what makes it perfect for all ages.

dice and an assortment of small toys and candyGrowing up, there were always loot bag (also known as treat bags or party favors) at our birthday parties. It’s something that I continued doing for my own kids, but I noticed that over the years, they became more expected and seemingly less appreciated by party guests. 

That’s when I began to think of new ways to incorporate that into the event. Sometimes, that meant having an epic Put Away Scavenger Hunt and having the treat bags be the prize at the end of the hunt. This was usually somewhere like in the dryer when they returned the dryer balls or in the garage when they returned the wrench.

Setting up a homemade prize punch game is another twist to the usual favor bags.

This grab bag game is another idea that keeps the favor bags exciting and memorable.dice that each show a 4 rolled sit among candy and small toysIt also creates another party activity that helps pass the time. And if you’re a parent, you know that that can be a very important thing on those party days!

I’ve also included suggestions below on how to adapt the game for adults and how to create a Christmas grab game game or gift exchange version.

How to Play the Grab Bag Game:

Supplies needed:

  • Brown paper bags
  • Permanent marker
  • Candy
  • Small treats or toys (see list of suggestions for bag fillers below)
  • Dice

Instructions:

  1. Put a pile of treats on the floor or in a tray on the table.
  2. Write names on brown paper bags in black marker and put the bags in a circle around the pile down so that names are showing.
  3. Have each person sit in front of their bag.
  4. Take turns rolling the dice.
  5. When you roll doubles, you get to pick a treat from the pile and add it to the bag with your name on it.
  6. When all the treats are gone, the game is over.
  7. Everyone gets to keep their bag filled with treats.

collage of photos of small treats and the treats in a brown paper bag

Variations of the game:

  • For teens and adults, you can play so that on your turn if you don’t roll doubles, the dice pass to the next person. When playing with younger kids, it’s usually best to let everyone continue rolling until they get doubles and then continue on.
  • Tailor the prizes to the theme of the party. For instance if you’re hosting a dinosaur themed birthday party, you can choose dinosaur shaped candy, dino figurines, dino crayons, dino temporary tattoos, etc. You can also use coloured paper bags that coordinate with the party’s colours to go along with the theme and decorations.

Grab Bag Gift Exchange Game:

To play this as a gift exchange game, have each party guest bring one or two items to add to the pile. You can give them a suggested dollar limit or even request that all the gifts be along the same lines such as all gift cards or all books, socks, or holiday ornaments.

The first person to roll doubles will get first dibs on what they most want in the treat pile. The game continues until all the gifts have been taken.

This may of course result in some guests walking away with multiple gifts while others get none. For this reason, this version of the game is best played with adults. It creates a frantic race to roll doubles and lots of hilarious ribbing back and forth!

box of small treats sits on the floor next to three paper bags with names on it

Christmas Grab Bag Game:

It’s easy to create a Christmas version of this game. At your holiday party, you can play either the gift exchange version of this game or the regular version. Make it more festive by using Christmas candy or Christmas themed gifts. 

You can decorate brown paper bags with Christmas drawings or stickers or you can use red and green paper bags to add even more of a holiday feel. 

The great thing about this game is that you can include anyone from preschoolers to grandparents. 

List of suggested favors for kids:

brown paper bag filled with candy and small toys

List of suggested favors for teens and adults:

Suggested favors for Christmas:

Get your free printable Christmas Gift Exchange Dice Game. 

Check out some of our other party games:

Pretend Cotton Candy for Sensory Play

fluffy yarn in pastel colours

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Pretend play meets sensory play with this DIY play cotton candy. It’s easy to make, so, so soft, and offers hours of fun. You only need two items to make this!

My girls discovered this a few years ago. Once they stumbled upon how to make it, they made it in multiple colours and it was perfect for all kinds of play opportunities.

fluffy yarn in pastel colours on a black backgroundHow to make fake cotton candy for sensory play:

Materials needed:

Instructions:

  1. Comb out the yarn with the dog brush until it becomes fluffy and very soft.
  2. Play!

Yes, it’s really that simple.

Making it themselves is part of the fun, so be sure to allow your child the chance to comb the yarn themselves. Adult supervision is recommended for this and all other sensory play. The wire bristles are sharp so use your best judgment when it comes to your child’s age and skill level.

This fake cotton candy looks like the real thing. It is so soft. I wish you could reach through the screen and give it a feel. It has a silky feeling that kids love.

Cotton candy is sometimes also called fairy floss.

It’s perfect for using in sensory bins or pretend play. You could also include it in a play kitchen.This sensory cotton candy would be so cute in a carnival or circus themed sensory bin!

It would also make a unique party favour or cute decoration for a circus or carnival themed birthday or party. 

fluffy yarn in pastel colours

Pretend Cotton Candy Variations:

  • Use different colour combinations.
  • Wind some of the “fairy floss” around a paper straw to give it the look of cotton candy on a stick.
  • Place a ball of the cotton candy in a paper cone.
  • Make a large amount and attach it to clothing and a hat to create a cotton candy costume. 

Sign up for your free Sensory Play Recipes sample and receive our Sensory Solutions and Activities emails.

Check out some of our other sensory play ideas:

Fall Bucket List

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Fall is by far my favourite season. The beautiful colours, the crisp air, and anticipation of change to come.

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” ~ LM Mongomery from the book Anne of Green Gables

For years, I’ve created Summer Bucket Lists for the kids, but only recently realized I should create a fall one too. There are so many seasonal activities that can be done in these gorgeous months.

icons of fall activitiesI chose activities for this list that were a good mix of things you can do at home and things to do in your community. I also tried to incorporate the use of as many of the senses as I could. 

This fall, get the whole family engaged in the season!

Fall Bucket List Ideas:

  1. Visit a local farm.
  2. Go apple picking.
  3. Smell pumpkin spice.
  4. Jump in the leaves.
  5. Drink apple cider.
  6. Roast pumpkin seeds.
  7. Make leaf rubbings.
  8. Bake something with apples.
  9. Have a family board game night.
  10. Go for an outdoor scavenger hunt.
  11. Challenge a corn maze.
  12. Visit a fall festival.
  13. Make fall leaves slime.
  14. Go for a crisp walk outside.
  15. Make a toilet paper bird feeder.
  16. Carve pumpkins.
  17. Eat candy corn.
  18. Bake a homemade pie.
  19. Watch a football game.
  20. Go on a fall picnic.
  21. Eat a candy apple.
  22. Paint with pumpkin puffy paint.
  23. Cuddle under a blanket.
  24. Play with a sensory bin.
  25. Explore pumpkin pie scented moon dough.
  26. Bake pumpkin muffins.
  27. Bake sugar cookies with maple icing.
  28. Go on a hayride.
  29. Host an apple bobbing.
  30. Create a fall sensory bag.

Download your free fall bucket list today simply by entering your email address below. 
Our other seasonal bucket lists:

My Fall Feelings Mini Book

colouring page of girl holding a pumpkin

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This fall feelings mini book allows children the chance to process their thoughts and feelings about different events that happen in the autumn. When kids practise talking and writing about their emotions, they are better able to manage them in a healthy way. coloured page sits on a wood floor

The pages include some common autumn scenarios such as raking leaves, going to the pumpkin patch, and playing in the leaves.

It also gives students the chance to express what they like about fall and what they don’t like about fall. colouring page of girl holding a pumpkinFor some students, it may be easy to think of things they like about winter and they may need some prompting. For others, it may be their favourite season and they may need help to come up with things they don’t like!

My Fall Feelings Mini Book:

Supplies needed:

  • My Fall Feelings mini book printable pages. (download here)
  • scissors
  • pencil or pen
  • markers, crayons, or pencil crayons
  • stapler and staples

colouring page of a grumpy boy

Instructions:

  1. Download the My Fall Feelings mini book.
  2. Print out the pages.
  3. Cut apart the booklet pages.
  4. Let your student decide how he or she feels about each fall activity and draw the corresponding face on the child on that page. Your student can use the Emotions Word Bank for ideas (for words to use and for faces to draw).
  5. When your student has completed the book, stack the pages together with the cover on top and staple on the left side to create a little keepsake book.

collage of colouring pages about fallAfter your child or student has filled out their booklet, it’s a great time to sit down with them and debrief. If there are some seasonal scenarios that seem to have potential to cause them some distress, together you can brainstorm ways they can better manage those feelings if they arise. 

Download your free printable mini book for kids and be signed up for our sensory solutions and activities emails. 

Mini books for other seasons:

Other free emotions printables that are perfect for fall:

Homemade Prize Punch Game

cups covered with bright tissue paper and tied with curly ribbon

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Add some fun and excitement to a birthday party with this homemade prize punch game. This activity is easy to make yourself. It uses inexpensive items that can be purchased at the dollar store.bright colours of paper covers cups secured by ribbon

This DIY punch a prize party game is a welcome addition to any event. It’s a great idea for birthday parties, family game nights, or school or community fairs or carnivals.

This game is based on an old Price is Right game called Punch-a-Bunch. In that game, contestants would punch through for higher ticket prizes, but the concept and fun is the same.cups covered in party tissue paper and fastened with coloured curly ribbon

Homemade Prize Punch Game

How to Make a Prize Punch Game:

Supplies needed:

  • paper or plastic cups
  • tissue paper
  • ribbon
  • tape
  • scissors
  • poster board
  • poster board stickers
  • prizes 

blue party cups, coloured tissue paper, scissors, and ribbon

Directions:

  1. Fill each plastic cup with small items such as toys or candy. (see our list of ideas below)
  2. Cut the tissue paper into squares, large enough to fit and fold over the top of the cups.
  3. Cover each cup with a tissue square. Tie a ribbon around the tissue paper and tie in a knot.
  4. Curl the ribbon ends.
  5. Repeat this process for the desired number of cups.
  6. Decorate a poster board with stickers. Set the cups on top of the poster board.

cups with money and candy in them then covered with tissue paper

How to Play the Prize Punch Game:

There are several ways to play this game. You can choose which one would work best depending on the type of event you’re planning.

  1. Have the birthday child punch the cups for prizes. You can decide how many cups you would like them to punch, either all cups, or as many as the age they are turning. (For example, when my son turned 6, we made 12 cups and he was able to keep the prizes from 6 cups. My daughter is turning 14, so we created about 25 cups and she’ll keep the prizes from 14 of the 25 cups.)
  2. One at a time, have each child at the party punch one cup. They are then able to keep the prize from the cup they chose to punch. This method works very well for classroom parties as well. 

cups with money and candy in them

What Should I Use as Prizes?

Anything small enough to fit inside your cups will work as a prize. It can be fun to use things that go along with your party theme such as candy necklaces and rings and costume jewelry for a princess party or matchbox cars for a car themed party. This doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive. I’ve even included some things on the list that are free!

Here are some prize ideas:

  • candy
  • money (coins or bills)
  • confetti
  • small figurines
  • matchbox cars
  • bubbles
  • costume jewelry
  • crayons
  • small containers of playdough (homemade or store bought)
  • beads
  • small plastic toys
  • trading cards
  • gift cards
  • stickers
  • erasers
  • socks
  • hair accessories
  • makeup or nail polish (think teen girl party!)
  • pieces of paper with affirmations on them
  • homemade coupons for things like a later bedtime or special time with mom or dad

money and various types of candy

Variations on the Punch a Prize Game:

  • Advent Calendar. Use it as an advent or countdown calendar. Number each cup and every day, your child can punch through and take their prize of the day as they count down towards Christmas or another event. Each cup could contain a chocolate, a small prize, or a paper with a holiday activity written on it.
  • Christmas Punch a Prize. Make this a Christmas Punch Prize Game by using holiday tissue paper and filling the cups with holiday themed surprises. Wonderful for all ages!
  • Punch Prize Board. Use hot glue to secure the bottoms of the cups to a foam board. Once dry, prop the board up or hang it.
  • Pair with Another Game. Use the punch prizes to reward the winners of another game such as the winning team in a Minute to Win It challenge.
  • Customize. Depending on the theme of the party or time of year, you can customize your game by changing the colour or design of the tissue paper on the cups, the colour of the cups themselves, the decorations on the poster board, and the prizes inside the cups. 
  • Incentivize it. Set up the punch prize board and use it as a reward for chores being done, goals reached, books read, potty prizes, etc.

cups covered with bright tissue paper and tied with curly ribbon

Check out some of our other awesome party games:

Unique Wedding Songs for the Big Day

wedding chairs on the grass with an alter in the background

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Choosing the right songs for your wedding day set the tone for the entire event. Music creates the soundtrack for the day. That sounds like a lot of pressure. The good news is that it’s the one day you’re allowed to make it about what you want. Find unique wedding songs to help personalize your celebration.

It’s your day. Songs that are personal for you, have history for you as a couple, or fit your taste are ultimately the best choice.bride and groom under a wedding arch as the crowd looks onIf you’re looking for an upbeat, happy vibe, you’ll want to choose songs that fit that criteria. If you’re wanting to set the stage for romance, the right songs will go a long way. Whatever mood you want to set, music is the place to start.

Have you ever had one of those summers where you go to four weddings and all of them seem to play the same exact songs? Don’t choose the hits of the year or songs that are played to death.

Personally, I prefer to find underrated or uncommon songs. I’m a lyrics person, so for me, it’s all about the words.

Whether you’re into lyrics or melody, the following lists will help you find the perfect song for your wedding.

Unique Wedding Songs:

Your Man by Josh Sahunta

I’m partial to this one because we were fortunate enough to have Josh sing this song live as our daughter walked down the aisle in our backyard last year for her wedding. Josh wrote it the year before for his wife to walk down the aisle to at their wedding so you know it’s a special one.

It was a precious moment when Josh sang this as our oldest daughter walked on the grass towards her soon-to-be husband.

“Sometimes, I feel I’m dreaming
You’re too good to be true
I’d spend all of my hours
Just to prove it to you

And I would wait my whole life just to hold your hand
And do it all again just for you to understand
That I won’t leave your side if things don’t go as planned
I give all I had ’cause I will be your man…”

man holding a guitar standing on the grass

Start the Day by Aaron Howard

This song to me is relationship goals. Listen to the lyrics and you’ll see what I mean. A marriage built on this foundation will be a strong one. 

My husband and I were at a small bar in Arizona for our anniversary and Aaron was playing cover songs. We soon discovered that the other two couples there that night were also celebrating their anniversaries which were on the exact date of ours! Upon hearing the story, Aaron sang us an original he had written inspired by an elderly couple he had seen walking hand in hand, seemingly still very much in love. This was that song.

The Story by Brandi Carlile

There’s something so raw and earnest about this one. It’s endearing in a bit of an angsty way. Perfect for a unique couple. Great for a mature relationship as well.

I Love You More by Avery Anna

“I love you more than any storm that’s coming. Let the sky keep falling. Yeah, the world’s got nothing on us.” This song makes you feel as if together, you can take on the whole world.

That’s What Love Is by Alexandra Kay

This song pays tribute to the road and hardships before getting to the wedding day as well as touching on the journey yet to come. “Here’s to the nights that we spent crying. The weight of the world hanging on our shoulders…Felt like the rain would never quit. But you took my hand and we slow danced through all of it.”

Never ‘Til Now by Ashley Cooke and Brett Young

If you’re someone who never pictured yourself settling down and then you met the one you can’t live without, this is the tune for you.

Stuck Like Glue by Sugarland

Looking for something upbeat, fun, and even a bit cheeky? This one is great, especially for long time couples who are finally tying the knot.

Fall Into Me by Forest Blakk

With lyrics like “I’d fall for you twice if that’s what you wanted. I’d give you my life from now till forever. I’m falling in love with you over and over again.”, it’s easy to see how this one made our list.

I’d Leave My Happy Home for You by Josh Sahunta

“You take me deeper than possessions. This love is my confession to you. And all this time I’ve been searching for an answer and you’re the one my heart is running to.”

Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles

This iconic song is great for getting toes tapping and smiles broadening.

All I Want Is You by U2

I couldn’t create a list of love songs without including at least one from U2. My husband is a huge fan so this is my little nod to him. Hopefully your marriage ends on a happier note than the music video!

I Want It All by Kat & Alex

The fact that these two are real life sweethearts who recently married just makes this song that much sweeter!

When I Found You by Jasmine Rae

Obviously written specifically as a wedding song, this one isn’t as obscure as some of the others, but it’s worth a look. After all, finding someone who helps you find yourself is really what it’s all about. “When I found you, I found my safety and I let it change me and open my world. When I found you, I found myself.” 

Because You Loved Me by Celine Dion

This was the most popular wedding song in 1996. It’s not heard often at events anymore, but its message still holds up. It can also be used as a father-daughter dance. You can find other songs for the father-daughter dance here. 

Carefully choose unique wedding songs for your ceremony, walk down the aisle, first dance, and reception. Consider your own favourites or melodies that hold special meaning for you because of the memories behind them.

Older Love Songs that Stand the Test of Time:

  • How Long Will I Love You by Ellie Goulding (originally by the Waterboys)
  • Only Wanna Be With You by Hootie and the Blowfish
  • Signed, Sealed, Delivered by Stevie Wonder (great for while you’re signing the marriage papers)
  • Have I Told You Lately by Van Morrison
  • When a Man Loves a Woman by Percy Sledge

What unusual or uncommon song did you have at your wedding?