Best Promotional Items for Kids: Fun Giveaways That Boost Brand Awareness

Promotonal items are one of the most effective tools in marketing, especially when it comes to attracting families and children. Whether you're organizing a school event, a community fair, a corporate family day, or simply looking to make your brand stand out, promotional items for kids can be a powerful way to engage your audience.

Not only do they make kids happy, but they also leave a strong emotional impression on parents — your actual buyers. In this blog, we'll break down some of the most popular and effective kids promotional items, along with tips on how to use them for your brand's advantage.

🎈 1. Balloons: Colorful, Affordable, and Eye-Catching

Kids love balloons. Whether they're latex, foil, or LED-lit, balloons bring life to any event.

Branding Tip:
Print your logo or slogan in large, bold letters on the balloon. Use helium-filled balloons at events to make your brand visible from a distance. You can even create balloon arches in your brand colors for photo ops.

Great for: Store grand openings, parades, trade show booths with kids

🪀 2. Yo-Yos: Classic Toy, Timeless Appeal

Yo-yos are an old-school toy with an evergreen charm. They're small, portable, and fun for both kids and nostalgic adults.

Branding Tip:
Choose brightly colored yo-yos and print your brand name on the central disc. These are especially great for events where kids will use the toy while walking around — spreading your brand with every flick of the wrist.

Great for: Schools, family festivals, and educational giveaways

🐷 3. Piggy Banks: A Gift That Teaches Value

Piggy banks are a smart way to appeal to both kids and parents. They promote saving habits while giving you long-term visibility.

Branding Tip:
Customize piggy banks with your logo on the side or bottom. Choose eye-catching colors or animal shapes. Tie in a campaign theme like "Save More with [Your Company].”

Great for: Banks, credit unions, financial literacy campaigns for schools

⚽ 4. Balls & Beach Balls: Playful, Active, and Always a Hit

Whether it's bulk bouncy balls or colorful beach balls, balls are high-energy, high-visibility promo items that keep kids moving.

Branding Tip:
Beach balls are ideal for outdoor branding. Use contrasting colors for your logo so it's visible while the ball spins through the air. For sporty events, offer foam or rubber balls in branded mesh bags.

Great for: Summer camps, sporting events, poolside promos

🃏 5. Playing Cards: Small in Size, Big in Branding

Playing cards aren't just for games — they're mini billboards. With custom backs, they provide repeated brand exposure.

Branding Tip:
Add your brand story or fun facts on the card backs. You can even create branded games for kids, like matching or memory cards.

Great for: Restaurants, waiting areas, travel kits

🥏 6. Frisbees & Flying Discs: Outdoor Fun That Flies

Frisbees and flying discs are active toys that get kids running and laughing — all while showing off your logo mid-flight.

Branding Tip:
Choose large, flat discs that give you a good surface area to print. Use bright neon colors to attract attention outdoors.

Great for: Park events, community BBQs, summer brand activations

🧸 7. Stuffed Animals: Soft, Cuddly, and Memorable

Stuffed animals are soft, snuggly, and always loved by children. They also tend to stick around, meaning your branding lasts longer.

Branding Tip:
Embroider your logo on the toy's chest, or attach a branded tag with a QR code linking to your website. These are perfect for building emotional connections.

Great for: Hospitals, charities, and brand storytelling campaigns

👉Want more tips on this item? Check out our promotional stuffed animals guide! 

🧩 8. Games and Puzzles: Stimulate Minds While Promoting Your Brand

Interactive and engaging, games and puzzles are great for keeping kids entertained while promoting cognitive development. This category includes:

• Mini board games (tic-tac-toe, snakes & ladders)

• 3D puzzles

• Card-based logic games

• Travel games

Brand Tip: Customize the game box or pieces with your logo. These make excellent giveaways for educational expos or learning centers.

Great for: Educational expos and learning centers

😌 9. Stress Balls: Squeezable Fun With Lasting Brand Impact

Stress balls aren't just for adults. Kids love squishy textures, and they're safe and quiet to use.

Branding Tip:
Use fun shapes (like animals, stars, or fruit) and add your logo with permanent ink that won't wear off. These are often kept in backpacks or on desks — great visibility.

Great for: School giveaways, dentist offices, therapy centers

🔄 10. Fidget Toys: Trendy, Fun, and Highly Engaging

From spinners to pop-its and cubes, fidget toys are more than just a trend. They're tactile, portable, and addictive — in a good way.

Branding Tip:
Print your logo subtly on high-use areas. Create limited edition colors or tie them into a reward program — "Collect all five!”

Great for: Classroom kits, booth giveaways, tech company events

🔗 11. Jump Ropes: Encourage Activity and Promote Healthy Play

Jump ropes are an affordable way to promote active play and healthy habits.

Branding Tip:
Customize the handles with your company name. Include an insert card with jump rope games or challenges — branded as "Jump Into Fun with [Your Company].”

Great for: Fitness brands, wellness campaigns, school programs

🧠 12. Rubik's Cubes – Challenging and Iconic

A Rubik's cube (or cube-style puzzle) is a classic brain-teaser that appeals to older kids. They're portable, long-lasting, and engaging.

Branding Tip:
Customize with your logo subtly on one center square, or go full-color with a brand-themed design across all sides. Promote your brand as one that values intelligence, play, and creativity.

Great for: STEM education programs, tech brands, math contests

🌟 13. Glow in the Dark Toys: Nighttime Fun with High Impact

Glow-in-the-dark items — like bracelets, sticks, or balls — are great for night events and sleepovers.

Branding Tip:
Include your logo on the glowing surface, or package the items with a glow-themed message like "Let Your Imagination Shine.”

Great for: Halloween events, camping programs, music festivals

🚀 How to Maximize the Impact of Promo Items for Kids

Giving away promotional items to kids isn't just about handing out free toys — it's a strategic opportunity to leave a lasting impression on the entire family. Here's how to make the most of your investment in promotional products for kids:

1. Match the Item to the Event Context

Choose products that fit the environment and activity level of your event. For example:

• Outdoor events: Opt for flying discs, jump ropes, or beach balls.

• Indoor settings: Puzzles or playing cards keep things calm.

• Educational venues: Consider piggy banks, bookmarks, or flashcards.

📌 Why it matters: Kids will use your giveaway more if it fits the moment, which means more exposure for your brand. 

2. Design with Both Kids and Parents in Mind

While kids are the end users, parents are the decision-makers. Go beyond flashy colors:

• Use safe, non-toxic materials — especially important to parents.

• Include educational or developmental value — like toys that promote learning or creativity.

• Make sure your branding looks trustworthy and family-friendly — clear logos, warm colors, no aggressive sales language.

📌 Pro tip: Subtle messaging like "Fun starts here" or "Growing together" adds emotional appeal.

3. Leverage Photo Opportunities

Create branded items that look great in photos — both for your event recaps and for parents' social media.

• Think colorful balloon arches or branded plush mascots.

• Set up a photo booth or backdrop with your logo and encourage parents to snap a picture of their kids using the item.

📌 Bonus: Add a social media hashtag to the item packaging — like #FunWith[YourBrand] — to track your brand's online presence.

4. Ensure High Visibility of Your Brand

The best promo item is one that keeps promoting your brand after the event. Make sure:

• Your logo is clearly visible on the item, but tastefully integrated.

• Packaging (if any) includes your website or QR code.

• You're using brand colors consistently — visual association builds recognition.

📌 Extra tip: Items like yo-yos are great because they're used in motion — meaning your logo moves, attracting attention naturally.

5. Think Long-Term: Usefulness = Longevity

The longer an item stays in a child's toy box, the more often parents see your brand. Invest in items that are:

• Durable and reusable (plush toys, Rubik's cubes)

• Age-appropriate and not easily outgrown

• Unique enough to stand out but practical enough to keep

📌 Insight: A cheap toy that breaks easily can actually hurt your brand perception. Quality matters.

6. Track the ROI (Yes, Even for Freebies)

It's not always easy, but you can measure impact:

• Use promo codes or QR codes on packaging to see who visits your website.

• Ask customers where they first heard of you — it might be that plush bear from a community fair!

• Encourage photo shares and reviews for a discount on future purchases.

📌 Why it matters: Tracking helps you refine your promo strategy and justify the marketing spend with real data.

🤝 Why Choose Zhorya for Your Kids' Promotional Products

At Zhorya, we specialize in creating fun, safe, and effective promotional toys for kids. With over 1.7 million toy products in our catalog, we offer one of the most comprehensive collections in the world — including plush toys, stress balls, puzzles, glow-in-the-dark items, and much more.

Whether you're looking for bulk promotional giveaways or branded toys for a large-scale campaign, Zhorya delivers quality, customization, and competitive pricing. We work with businesses worldwide to supply toys that leave a lasting impression on young hearts — and their parents.

📌 Final Thoughts

If you're looking to build brand awareness, generate goodwill, and engage both kids and parents, choosing the right promotional items for kids is key. From simple balloons to custom Rubik's cubes, the possibilities are endless. Just make sure your items are fun, functional, and on-brand.

And when you're ready to source these items in bulk, remember that Zhorya is your trusted partner in delivering fun that works.