Is this appropriate for a party favor at my 3 year olds b-day party?

Question

It is an indoor swim party with Nemo as the theme. I was going to give each kid a real goldfish and goldfish bowl. Of course, I would keep the fish in its store bought plastic bag during the party and just insert the bag in the bowl and place each bowl at the seat each kid will sit at. What do you think?

Answer 1

I think its a wonderful idea. It isn't cruel!! And who ever said its a hassle for the parents to keep it alive, come on now, a gold fish needs only food and a change of water maybe once a week or every two weeks. I would however provide a small amount of food for their new friend too. I would take a plastic sandwich bag and cut the corner off of it and put a few pinches of food in and tie it with a ribbon and there you have it, fish, bowl and the food. I think its a great gift and starter for children learning about life. Why is everyone calling a simple fish a pet. Please people! How can you classify a fish as a pet. You don't have to do anything but feed it and change the water, a whopping 5 minutes to change the water every two weeks at the most, and about 5 seconds to feed it. You don't have to walk it, pet it, change its food and water every day, take it to the vet, and it certainly won't shed on your furniture or clothing and won't mark its territory in your house or neighborhood or sniff the crotches of people who visit your home. You people act like ONE fish is going to cause you pain and agony and a change to your daily life.

Answer 2

I think that is such a great idea. I would imagine that you are skeptical because parents may not like the idea, but I don't think you need to worry too much about that. I think the parents would be pretty impressed by such a favor, and if they don't want it, they can find someone else to give it to...the child will not be so attached to it, so it won't be such a big deal, and any objecting parent could let their child no right away. You made need to have a few back up favors in the event that the parent refuses to take the fish home. This way the child doesn't feel like they are leaving empty handed.

I do think providing the fish with food would be the nice thing to do. You don't need to give everyone a bottle, but you could divide food up in a plastic baggies for everyone to take home as well. This would please the parent who has no desire to stop at the petstore on their way home to buy the fish dinner.

I really think you should do this. I don't know how much it will cost, but after thinking about it, it may actually end up cheaper than buying actual goodie bags. (what will you do with the left over fish if you have no shows?)

I don't know why people may call it inhumane...most fish lovers I know go buy goldfish to feed to their other fish...this is why they are so cheap...atleast you would be giving the poor fish a chance...and as for the parent that would not be pleased if their child came home with a new pet fish...so what! you are not trying to please the parent, and if they are upset, then more than likely your life won't be to impacted by it. What are they gonna do...tell their kid not to play with yours because you gave them a fish...are they gonna isolate you from the PTA...or carpool. If anything like that occurs, then this is one of those parents that you didn't want in you or your child's life anyway...you and your friends can laugh about it later.
Its a tiny little fish...not a puppy.

Answer 3

I would not be very pleased if my 3 year old came home from a birthday party with a new pet fish, I understand your good intentions but I believe a pet fish is something a parent should decide that their child is ready for.

For my son's 3rd birthday I filled a small goodie bag with a few "treats". Since you are doing a Nemo party, how about some Goldfish crackers, gummy fish or worms, a small toy or book.They have really cool fish at the dollar store that grow when you put them in water.

GOOD LUCK and have fun!

Answer 4

It sounds like something I would have thought of ! I wouldn't do it though unless you want to discuss the idea with all of the parents first because it's really obligating them to deal with the feeding and cleaning of the bowl. Just imagine a kid taking home his fish and it dying just a few days later...not good unless your the one who's decided your child is ready to learn that lesson. If you do decide to go for it, I wouldn't get Goldfish, I would get Beta fish, they're easier to take care of.

Answer 5

It's a cute idea but you have to think about the parent that will have to be now taking care of this party favor. What about little fish bowels filled with gold fish crackers or candies & tie celiphan around them with ribbon?

Answer 6

Fabulous!!!

For the woman who would not be pleased if her three year old came home from a party...back up...came home from a party? Is her three year old child attending parties alone?

Come on guys, children love animals and a goldfish is the easiest, cleanest, safest way to teach responsibility to a veyr young child. If she were giving a bunny away I would object, but a goldfish is perfect.

You go girl!

Answer 7

I think its a really neat idea. If you are skeptical about it, ask a few of the parents of kids who are coming to the party. If you were sending home an animal that needed a little more "attention" I might object, but I think its really creative. Good Luck!

Answer 8

The kids will get very exited.On the other hand it will be a hassle for the parents to keep the fish alive.

Answer 9

I wouldn't do the goldfish thing because little kids are very curious and they might have a tendancy to want to free the goldfish.

Answer 10

I think it sounds great. I don't really know if 3 year olds will be the one's taking care of the fish, but it's not like you are giving them a cat or dog for their parents to take care of. I hope the party goes great!