I prefer not to give handouts-- help me think of small gifts for local children?

-Colorful pencils or pens
-Halloween-sized or "penny" candy
-Keychains
-Stickers
-Small rubber bouncy balls
-What about picture-postcards from Boston, NY, or California?

Maybe some of these are too heavy to lug around? Any other ideas?

Problem with balloons and rubber bouncy balls is the choking hazard (I'm an early childhood special ed teacher). I don't like to give money or candy, but have had good luck with stickers and little rubber finger puppets (my favorites are little frogs). If you're not venturing to really hot areas crayons and small pads of paper are popular. Before my next trip I'm going to buy a small polaroid camera that spits out instant photo stickers, because seeing their images on the back of my digital has been the most popular conversation starter of all with kids in my recent travels in Honduras. Happy trails!

Where are you going? I might have an impact on what you take. Some things are available in some places.

In Africa I took bright colored/printed fabric ribbon for the girls to put in their hair.

In China I gave stickers and balloons -- blown up and with the parents permission.

In Mexico I give the children glow in the dark light up bracelets. They LOVE them!

Well, for this trip I'm going to Mexico. But I'd like to make it a habit of all my travels.

The glow-in-the dark braclets is a fun, easy idea. The ribbon too-- inexpensive and lightweight!

The glow braclets are so much fun. I buy them on Ebay for about 3 cents each and give them away by the hundreds. We go to Mexico for Carnival and they are great for that. I also gave them out at home this year for Halloween instead of candy. BIG HIT!

Oh, please do not give out candy! Dental care is expensive and not readily available to many kids.

My personal feeling is that it is more effective and appropriate to donate money to local charitable organizations that are set-up to help the poor and understand the culture and the needs. Or donate your time by volunteering at a school or orphanage.

I do not believe in randomly handing things out on the street, which does not give a very good message imo (encourages begging, could be interpretted as 'ugly american', etc.)

Good point on the candy suze. I also make it a point not to buy stuff from the kids when in Mexico, at least during times when they should be in school.

I like the idea of some fun things though. Don't know of a kid anywhere that wouldn't get a kick out of those light up bracelets. Getting things that are needed is always good and talking to a church would be a good idea to see what is really needed and to be sure that the people who really need it get it but sometimes you just have to have a little fun to bring out the sunshine.

Some of the smaller towns in Costa Rica are trying to build up libraries for the kids and adults and I like to bring books to donate.