This is our guide to the party favours UAE parents can order today, by age, theme and budget. The best party favours in the UAE are small, useful and right for the guests’ age: a mini puzzle, a fidget toy, a craft kit or a magic trick that children will actually play with after the party. A sensible budget for return gifts is roughly AED 15 to AED 60 per child. Below you’ll find budgets, how many to order, ideas by age and theme, and 15 real picks from Toy Souk.
All prices are the price at time of writing and are shown in AED.
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What makes a good party favour or return gift?
Good party favours UAE parents hand out at the end of a party share a few simple traits.
Whether you call them party favours, party favors or return gifts, the goal is the same: a small thank-you that each guest takes home. The ones that work best tick four boxes.
- Small. It should fit in a party bag or a child’s hands on the way to the car.
- Useful. A toy they will play with beats a bag of bits that ends up in the bin by Monday.
- Age-appropriate. Check the age on every product page. A favour for 7 year olds may not suit a younger sibling who comes along.
- On theme. If the party is unicorns, space, cars or art, a favour that matches makes the whole day feel planned.
Toy Souk helps parents pick the right toys for birthday parties, from the main present to the return gifts, so this guide focuses on small toys that fit all four rules.
Party favour budgets per child in AED
A clear budget makes party favours UAE parents order for a big group much easier to plan.
Set a per-child budget before you shop. It makes choosing much faster, especially for a whole-class party. Here is a simple way to think about it:
- AED 15 to 25: one small toy per child, such as a mini magic trick, a buildable figure or a whistle.
- AED 25 to 40: a fidget toy, a craft kit or a small puzzle that keeps children busy for longer.
- AED 40 to 60: a “proper” mini gift, like a pocket puzzle game or a ball maze. Good for small parties or close friends.
As a quick example, 20 guests at AED 20 each comes to AED 400. Dropping to one toy plus a handwritten thank-you tag often looks just as good as a bag full of extras.
If you are also buying the main present, our guide to birthday gifts under 100 AED has more ideas in a slightly higher price range.
How many party favours should you order?
Ordering party favours UAE guests will take home is mostly a counting job.
Start with the guest list, then add spares.
- Class parties: if you invite the whole class, count the class list, not just the children who have replied.
- Siblings: younger and older siblings sometimes come along to parties. Two or three extra favours avoid awkward moments.
- Spares: add around 10% for late RSVPs, a broken item or a teacher who helps out.
- The birthday child: they will want one too. Count them in.
For a class of 25, that usually means ordering 28 to 30 favours.
Order a few days before the party
Timing matters when you buy party favours UAE children will open on the day.
Toy Souk’s shipping and delivery page lists delivery within the UAE as 2 to 5 days, so order at least a week before the party to leave time for packing. Orders above AED 100 are listed as free delivery (per vendor, within the conditions on that page), which a bulk favour order will usually pass.
Plan a little earlier around busy times such as Eid, National Day and the run-up to the winter break, when many families are hosting parties and buying gifts at once.
Party favours UAE: ideas by age group
Under 3s: check the age on the product page
For toddlers, keep it simple and chunky. Small parts are a choking risk for young children, and the American Academy of Pediatrics advises parents to avoid toys with small or detachable parts for little ones. Always check the age on the product page before buying for under-3s.
Scratch Europe Wooden Cars (AED 19.50). These Scratch Europe Wooden Cars are little wooden vehicles in four versions: an ambulance, a fire truck, a taxi and a police car. They are recommended for toddlers from 12 months. Check the product page for exactly what is included at this price.
Fofa Mini Puzzle Set, Farm Animals (AED 29.80). The Fofa Mini Puzzle Set includes three farm animal puzzles (cow, horse and sheep), each with 6 large chunky pieces sized for small hands. It is compact, so it travels well in a party bag.
Ages 3 to 5
Preschoolers love a bit of surprise and anything they can squeeze, blow or make “magic” with.
Magic Mini Mysteries Magic Bottle Set (AED 15). The Magic Mini Mysteries Magic Bottle Set has a witch character, hat and pet. Children press the lid button to drop the accessory into the bottle, then turn it over to see it stick back to the lid. For ages 3 and up, and the lowest-priced pick here.
Cute Steamed Bun Squishy Toy (AED 29). This slow-rising squishy bao bun comes in its own miniature steamer basket, which already looks like a little gift. It is sold as one piece in a random colour, for ages 3 and up.
PlanToys Whale Whistle (AED 23). The PlanToys Whale Whistle is a whale-shaped wooden whistle made for games, parties and sports, and it helps children develop breathing control. It suits ages 3 and up. Made from sustainable rubberwood with non-toxic, water-based dyes and formaldehyde-free glue.
Ages 5 to 8
From 5, children enjoy building something, learning a trick to show their family, or a toy they can fiddle with.
Zpiiel ZooZ The Giraffe (AED 19.50). With Zpiiel ZooZ The Giraffe, children build a giraffe with ball joints that make it moveable. Every box includes a fun fact about the animal, and it combines with other Zpiiel packs. Recommended from 5 years.
Clip Toys Magic Hat Set (AED 25). The Clip Toys Magic Hat Set packs classic tricks inside a magic hat: cups and balls, a coin that enters a glass, a magic spring and a mind-reading trick. Listed for school age children (5 to 12).
Mindware Sensory Genius Sensy Pops (AED 27.50). Sensy Pops is a pocket-sized fidget puzzle with a popper, a textured border and a silicone maze to push the ball through. It clips onto a keychain or backpack, so it doubles as a keyring-style favour. From 5 years.
Ages 8 to 12
For this age, look for party favours UAE children aged 8 to 12 can keep using after the party.
Older children can spot a “little kid” favour a mile off. Brain teasers and skill toys go down much better.
Mindware Sensory Genius Jacob’s Ladder (AED 27.50). The Jacob’s Ladder is a classic folk toy that performs tricks and optical illusions with every turn of the hand. Recommended from 5 years and enjoyed by older kids and adults too.
Smart Games IQ Arrows (AED 55). IQ Arrows is a one-player pocket puzzle with 6 arrow pieces and 120 challenges from easy to expert. It has a transparent lid, so it works on car journeys too. Recommended from 6 years, and a strong pick for older guests.
For more low-cost ideas across all ages, see our guide to affordable toys in Dubai.
Themed party bags: unicorn, space, cars and art
These are party favours UAE parents can match to four popular party themes.
A theme makes choosing easier, because it narrows the list straight away. Here are four popular ones.
Unicorn party favours
The Scratch Europe Heart with Unicorn Contour Puzzle (AED 39.50) has 30 pieces that make a heart-shaped unicorn. It is made from FSC cardboard and paper printed with soy-based ink, for ages 3 and up. Pair it with the Magic Mini Mysteries bottle for a magical bag.
Space party favours
The Fofa Double Space Maze Puzzle (AED 43.24) is a double-sided, space-themed ball maze. Children tilt the board to roll the ball along the paths, building coordination and patience. It is compact enough for a party bag.
Cars party favours
For younger guests, the wooden cars above are an easy match. For a game prize or the birthday child’s own bag, the Carrera Pull N Speed Mario Kart 8 Luigi (AED 45) is a collectable die-cast toy for ages 3 and up.
Art party favours
The Mini Round Magnetic Drawing Board (AED 30) lets children use a magnetic stylus to pull metal beads into the grid and doodle patterns, with no mess. It comes in a random colour, for ages 3 to 12. For school age guests, the Clip Toys Stamp It All Fashion Design Kit (AED 25) lets them craft their own fashion designs. Browse more in our arts and crafts category.
Packing tips for party bags
A little planning keeps the party favours UAE guests take home neat and ready to hand out.
- Pack by age. If ages are mixed, sort bags into two piles and label them, so a toddler doesn’t get an older child’s bag.
- Name tags help. Writing each child’s name on the bag avoids swaps and makes it feel personal.
- Skip the chocolate in summer. In the UAE heat, sweets can melt in a hot car. A toy-only bag travels better.
- One good toy beats five small ones. It is less waste, and parents tend to appreciate it.
- Pack the night before. Party mornings are busy. Line the bags up by the door, ready to hand out.
Planning the main gift as well? Our guide to birthday gifts for kids in the UAE covers bigger presents by age.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I spend on party favours in the UAE?
A budget of around AED 15 to AED 60 per child works for most parties, depending on the number of guests. For a large class party, a single toy at AED 15 to 25 keeps costs manageable without looking cheap.
What is the difference between party favours and return gifts?
They mean the same thing: a small thank-you gift each guest takes home. Parents in the UAE use both terms, and “party favors” is simply the US spelling of party favours.
How many party favours should I buy for a class party?
Count the full class list, add the birthday child, then add two or three for siblings and around 10% spare. For a class of 25, that is usually 28 to 30.
What are good return gifts for toddlers?
Choose chunky toys designed for their age, such as large-piece puzzles or simple wooden cars. Always check the age on the product page, as many small toys are only suitable from 3 years.
How early should I order party favours?
Toy Souk lists delivery within the UAE as 2 to 5 days, so ordering a week before the party leaves time to pack the bags. Order earlier around Eid, National Day and the winter break.
Can I order party favours online in the UAE?
Yes. Toy Souk sells party favours from brands including Scratch Europe, Fofa, PlanToys, Mindware, Clip Toys and Smart Games online and delivers across the UAE.
Need help matching party favours UAE guests will play with to their ages and a theme? Ask Buddy the Bear, Toy Souk’s AI toy advisor, for ideas within your budget.
