ideas for small treats (not food)?

DD has a brilliant treats tin for complete rows of stickers (given for super behaviour/being helpful/going to bed without a strugle etc) with bubbles, little books, crayons, whistles (bad idea) stickers,and so on. (DGSs are nearly 4 and 2 1/2.) I often like to take a little present such as Gruffalo claws bath mitts or bubbles or a cheap sticker book and the most recent was "magic" Spongebob Squarepants bath flannels in a tiny cube (S'burys) for £2 each. Went down well.

Fake tattoos. They can put one on grandma too. I had a mermaid on my ankle once. Fortunately it washed off quite quickly.

Lots of the same as above. Also cheap little hair clip, bobbles etc. 4 year old GD's hair is growing for the first time! X

Our GS (aged 5 going on 25) loves being taught 'old fashioned' games like nought and crosses, done with real paper and pencil, not on a device! He stayed with us a couple of weeks ago and got a huge kick out of being taught a simplified version of Battleships......again drawn on paper.

Funny you mentioned that-it was immaculate one day,covered in sand the next!

Send him round joanna - ours is still covered in Sahara!

As well as all the above, ours all like the appropriate-age comics as none of them have them at home. DGD2 (aged almost 3) like to sit on the potty to read hers!!

DGS aged 7 likes to clean my garden table with Mr Sheen and a duster!
Then I have to go and admire it.

The three DGDs under 7 all like a new tub of Playdough.

or even

Mine likes to bake [smle]

A drawer full of bits of paper, wrappings, pens and pencils, What, in Play School days they put in the useful box. Plus cheap craft kits from places like Wilkinsons.

I never buy sweets as a visiting treat, although Christmas, Easter and days out usually include a sweet or ice cream treat

(there isn't one for surprised!)

Be wary of the Works - I just had to return some pastels as several were the same colour....

The Works is my second home they have some great bargains.

All of the above. DD and I rotate toys between our house and theirs. I have craft stuff and bubbles in permanent supply.
5 yr olds favourite at the moment is to help DH with the garden. He asks to 'Go and tend my garden' He has his own small veggie plot. Their garden is all laid to lawn as the large dog would destroy it

stickers. cheap sticker books. books [clean] from charity shops.pens of any kind, especially metallic ones. small notebooks.any craft type thing, including cheap balls of wool to use with children's knitting needles [they can make little scarves for their toys.]Also for 'finger knitting.'

It depends on their age of course. DGD2 (2) loves chasing bubbles around the garden. I buy the long bubble containers, about 99p.
Books - The Works is good for books and craft things, unfortunately we don't have one near but I buy some and keep them on one side for treats and to keep them occupied when they come here. Playdough is not expensive, we don't have all the extra paraphernalia at our house and they seem happy with some shape cutters and cake cases.

Stickers and sticker books for DD, Lidl sometimes have small items and also packs of coloured paper. I also print off Disney scenes which they like colouring in.

I wish I had known about the volcano while DGS was staying! Must remember that for next time.

I keep a supply of cheap books purchased at bargain book shops, charity shops. I also have a cache of small, inexpensive toys when I see them. My 5 year old grandson loves the Oxford Reading Tree stories so is always happy to receive another one. My 8 year old GD loves pencils, erasers, sharpeners.

Vinegar, bicarb and food colouring for 'scientific experiments'. Give them plastic tumblers on a tray and send them into the garden! You can add extras to make rockets and volcanoes, under supervision.

Less messy would be long balloons attached to a string between two points by a threaded drinking straw and self adhesive Velcro or double sided ticky tape. Blow up the balloon, holding closed with fingers or a clothes peg . When released it can travel a long distance by rocket power. You can attach paniers made from paper to see how much it can carry.

For my GCs, a treat always involves doing something with them rather than just giving.