Cute Pool Party Favors for Kids That Aren’t Candy or Junk
Pool party favors can be tricky because so many of them end up being candy, tiny toys, or random plastic pieces that kids forget about as soon as the party is over. If you want something cute, useful, and still on-theme for a summer pool party, ocean animal erasable pens are such a fun idea.
Disclosure: This product was provided for me to try. This post may contain affiliate links.
These BUNMO Ocean Clickers erasable pens immediately made sense as pool party favors for kids. They come in a set of 12, each pen has a different ocean animal on the clicker, they write in blue ink, and they have a firm built-in eraser tip so kids can erase mistakes without needing a separate eraser.
They feel playful enough for a pool party, but they are also practical enough for writing, drawing, journaling, summer activities, and even getting ready for school.
Why These Ocean Pens Work as Pool Party Favors
When you are planning a pool party, it is easy to default to the same party favors everyone uses. Sunglasses, beach ball toys, candy, stickers, bubbles, straws, and small plastic toys are common because they are easy to toss into goodie bags. The problem is that a lot of those favors either get eaten right away, break quickly, or end up forgotten.
That is why I like the idea of using these ocean animal erasable pens as pool party favors. They still fit the pool theme because of the sea creature designs, but they are not just decorations or one-time toys. Kids can actually use them after the party.
The set includes a dozen pens, which makes it easy to split them between guests. Each pen has a cute animal topper on the clicker part, so it feels more special than a basic pen. Some are colorful, some feel more playful, and the whole collection has that fun ocean look that works for a summer party, beach party, luau, or kids pool party.
The blue ink also fits the pool party theme really well. It feels bright, clean, and summery, especially if you are using blue, pink, beach ball, or ocean-colored decorations.
A Cute Grab-and-Go Pool Party Favor Station
One of the easiest ways to use these as pool party favors is to place them in a glass, jar, or cup on the party table. Instead of hiding them inside goodie bags right away, let them become part of the pool party setup.
You can add a small sign that says:
“Write a note before you leave, then take a pen home.”
This turns the favor into an activity. Guests can write a quick birthday message, doodle a little picture, sign a card, or leave a favorite pool party memory before they take their pen home. It gives kids something simple to do while they are drying off, eating snacks, waiting for cake, or taking a break from the pool.
It also makes the favor table look cute without needing a lot of extra pool party decorations. Add the pens to a clear glass, place them near the cups, plates, napkins, or snack table, and they become part of the party setup.
If you are already decorating with beach ball items, inflatable toys, tropical decorations, or using pool party birthday decorations on a splash-themed birthday table, the ocean animal pens blend right in.
How to Use Them in Pool Party Goodie Bags
If you prefer traditional goodie bags, these pens are easy to add. You could put one pen in each bag with a small thank-you note, a sticker sheet, or a simple summer activity page.
Because the set comes with 12 pens, it works well for smaller pool parties. You can use one dozen for 12 guests, or buy more if you are making bulk pool party favors for a bigger group.
Simple Pool Party Goodie Bag Idea
A simple pool party goodie bag could include:
One ocean animal erasable pen
A small note from the birthday child
A beach ball or beach-themed sticker
A snack or treat
A mini activity page
You do not have to overfill the goodie bags. The pen already feels like a useful favor, especially because kids can keep using it after the party. That makes it a good option if you want pool party favors that feel cute without buying a bunch of tiny toys.
Why They Are Better Than More Candy
Candy is easy, but it is not always the best pool party favor. It can melt outside, parents may not love extra sugar, and kids usually eat it before they even get home.
These pens feel like a better balance. They are still fun for kids, but they are not messy, sticky, or gone in five minutes. They can be used for drawing, writing, schoolwork, journaling, activity sheets, or little notes.
The erasable feature also makes them more fun than regular pens. Kids can write something, erase a mistake, and try again. That is especially helpful for kids who get frustrated when their writing or drawings are not perfect.
The eraser tip is built into the pen, so there is no separate eraser to keep track of. It is firm and different from the normal pink eraser kids are used to seeing, which makes the pen feel a little more special.
A Pool Party Favor That Doubles as an Activity
Another reason these work well as pool party favors is that you can use them during the party before guests take them home.
Easy Pool Party Activity Ideas
You could set out paper and have kids:
Write a note to the birthday child
Draw their favorite pool toy
Make a summer bucket list
Write their favorite pool party snack
Draw a beach ball, sunglasses, or a splash picture
Make a little ocean animal doodle
This is nice if your pool party has moments where kids are out of the water. Maybe they are eating, waiting for sunscreen to dry, drying off with towels, or taking a break in the backyard. Having a simple table activity gives them something calm to do without needing another full game.
It also works well for younger kids who may need a break from the pool but still want to feel included in the party.
The Whole Box Makes a Cute Summer Birthday Gift
The entire set also makes a cute summer birthday gift. Since it comes with a dozen pens and extra refills, it feels more like a complete gift than a single small favor.
This is a good idea for a child who loves school supplies, drawing, journaling, writing notes, or collecting cute pens. It still feels summery because of the ocean animal designs, but it is also practical for school.
That is one of my favorite things about this set. It works as pool party favors now, but it also helps kids get excited for school later. It is not a random toy that only makes sense for one day. It can go in a pencil case, desk drawer, homework basket, travel activity bag, or summer journal.
If you are putting together a summer birthday gift, you could pair the pens with a notebook, activity book, or blank journal. The pens already write in blue ink, and the set includes black ink refills too, so kids can keep using them for a while.
How to Style Them for Pool Party Photos
If you are taking photos before the party, these pens are easy to make cute. Place them in a clear glass, colorful cup, or small basket near the pool. Add them next to beach ball decorations, blue plates, napkins, cups, straws, or a summer party sign.
For a backyard pool party, I like the look of keeping them near the snack or favor table instead of spreading them everywhere, close to where you might set out your pool party invites or other paper goods. That way guests can easily discover them and know they are meant to be taken home.
You can also place the glass of pens on a small party cart if you are using one for supplies. Add the pens next to sunscreen, towels, snacks, cups, pool toys, or even your pool party theme cake toppers so they feel like part of the whole pool party setup.
If you are doing a luau, beach, ocean, or under-the-sea theme, the animal toppers make the pens feel even more connected to the party. They are colorful enough to look cute in photos without needing a complicated display.
Simple Pool Party Extras That Match the Theme
You do not need a huge setup to make pool party favors feel special. A few simple pool party supplies can make the table look more finished.
You can add blue cups, colorful napkins, beach ball decorations, inflatable pool toys, or a small sign near the favor station, similar to other fun summer party decorations. Sunglasses are another popular pool party favor, but if you already have a lot of plastic toys or accessories, the pens are a nice way to add something useful.
For snacks, keep it simple. Poolside snacks should be easy for kids to grab and not too messy. Fruit, crackers, pretzels, sandwiches, popsicles, and water bottles all work well for a summer party, and it can be helpful to plan a few splash-worthy pool party snacks ahead of time. If adults are staying too, you can add a small snack tray or drinks nearby.
The favors do not have to match every single decoration perfectly. They just need to feel like they belong. Since these pens have ocean animals and blue ink, they fit naturally with a pool party, beach party, luau, or splash-themed birthday.
Pool Party Favors FAQ
What are the best party favors for a pool party?
The best party favors for a pool party are items that match the summer theme and are easy for kids to take home. Popular pool party favors include sunglasses, beach ball toys, water toys, stickers, towels, and goodie bags with small treats, especially if you are planning a themed event like a Blue's Clues pool party.
But I think the best pool party favors are the ones kids can use after the party too. That is why these ocean animal erasable pens are a cute option. They are fun, useful, easy to display, and simple to split between guests.
What can I give instead of traditional party favors?
Instead of traditional party favors, you can give one useful item that still feels fun. A cute pen, activity book, small craft, journal, or rainbow party favors that will dazzle your guests can feel more thoughtful than a bag full of tiny toys.
For a pool party, these ocean animal pens work because they match the theme but are not only for the pool. Kids can take them home and use them for school, drawing, journaling, or notes.
What are simple poolside snacks?
Simple poolside snacks include fruit, crackers, pretzels, sandwiches, popsicles, snack cups, and water bottles. The best pool party snacks are easy to grab, not too heavy, and not too messy around the pool.
If you are setting up a snack table, keep the pool party favors nearby so guests can grab snacks, write a note, and take a pen home before they leave.
How do you decorate your pool for a party?
You can decorate your pool for a party with colorful towels, beach ball decorations, balloons, banners, pool floats, themed cups, plates, napkins, and a simple favor station. You do not need to overdo it.
A glass of ocean animal pens on the table can be part of the decorations and the favors at the same time. It adds color, gives guests something to do, and makes the party table feel more complete.
Final Thoughts on These Pool Party Favors
If you want pool party favors that are cute, useful, and not just another piece of candy or tiny plastic toy, these BUNMO Ocean Clickers erasable pens are a fun idea. The ocean animal designs fit the summer theme, the blue ink feels perfect for a pool party, and the built-in eraser makes them more exciting for kids to use.
You can place them in a glass for a grab-and-go favor station, add them to goodie bags, use them for a note-writing activity, or give the whole set as a summer birthday gift. They are playful enough for a pool party, but practical enough for school, journaling, and everyday writing afterward.
Happy Hosting! 😊🎉
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