Gift-giving should be easy, especially when you’re giving a gift to a child, right? Whether it’s your own little boy or girl, or the child of a family friend or relative, there are so many options to choose from.
Here’s the thing, though – many kids already have lots of toys and other goodies to keep them occupied. You want to give a gift that not only is fun to use, but also provides value in other ways, like creativity and education.
In other words, you want to give a meaningful gift, and not one that will just end up gathering dust in the corner of the room.
To help you make some smart picks, we’re here with a list of wonderful gifts that you can give to the young ones in your lives this year. Whether it’s a birthday, a holiday, or just a random token of appreciation, all of these gifts will be appreciated by kids and parents alike.
Let’s get started!
Real-Life Experiences
As more parents try to move away from clutter and adapt to a more sustainable world, it makes sense that they’re giving kids the gift of an experience rather than the same old toys and trinkets.
There’s always a time and place for giving an action figure or a dress-up doll, but the point is to change the way we look at gift-giving and cut down on the sheer number of items that we collect in the toy chest.
Kids may not understand at first that going to the zoo or a sports game is a gift in itself, so this will also help them make more sense of the world around them.
There are also many free gifts that simply nothing but time, and that’s valuable as well. You can create a scavenger hunt or treasure map around your house or neighborhood and help them solve puzzles and problems to earn a present at the end – always a fun experience for the whole family.
This will also help kids understand the value of delaying gratification and putting in the effort to get something that they want. An essential lesson worth teaching early on!
Plan a trip that is kid-focused, or try camping outdoors for the first time in the yard for an exciting adventure that doesn’t even require a trip in the car.
These experiences are the thing that your child will remember most of all as they grow older – much more so than any particular toy or item.
Creative Inspiration
Playing with standard toys can be good for passing some hours now and then, but some of the best gifts make children think outside the toybox and inspire them to create new things just using their imagination.
Any sort of building blocks or construction set is great for young kids who are starting to think with more spatial reasoning, and puzzles can also help them make sense of big-picture problems and solve them one piece at a time.
It’s also never a bad idea to give the gift of art supplies, whether it’s the stuff you need to make watercolor paintings, scrapbooks, homemade jewelry, or anything else you can think up.
Even if your child is still too young to make a cohesive creation, simply giving them the materials to work with will allow them to think more creatively and turn their imagination into reality.
Just keep in mind that some of these arts and crafts kits can get a little messy, so it might be worth waiting for warmer weather to use them outside or in the yard.
Games and Activities
What’s the best part about giving the gift of a card game or board game? The fact that the whole family can get involved and join in on the fun!
Classic board games are still very popular, and they make for a great diversion away from things like TV, video games, and other activities that keep kids glued to screens.
For young kids, learning a new game is a joy because they discover a way to interface with adults and other children in a positive, fun way.
They learn the details of the game and practice what it means to “wait your turn” and “play by the rules.” These might seem like obvious things to us grown-ups, but it’s something that every kid needs to learn!
Parents will also enjoy playing board games that they grew up on and pass these traditions down to the next generation. Solve problems together, celebrate wins, and enjoy some healthy competition – this is what it’s all about.
Learning About the World
It’s never too early to start teaching kids about things like social responsibility, the environment, and how to be a good global citizen.
A great gift in this category could be something like sponsoring a animal in some other part of the world, like a giraffe, hippo, or tiger. You can tell your child about the animals, what significance they have, and why it’s important to protect them. This will help them understand the world outside their own four walls and think beyond themselves.
You can also give a gift that illustrates ideas about caring for the earth itself, whether it’s a compost pot, small houseplant, some seeds for the garden, or some other sustainable activity kit.
Don’t make these things too complicated, of course – a plant shouldn’t require much attentiveness, for example. Still, allowing your child to watch it grow and water it occasionally is a great, hands-on lesson about the power of nature.
Of course, books are never a bad gift, especially if they teach a worthwhile lesson and come with eye-catching illustrations. Parents will soon discover that their kids like reading the same books over and over, so they better be good!
Don’t shy away from gifts that teach something new, because it’s never too early to start learning about the world.
Everyday Essentials
From a kid’s perspective, receiving gifts like clothes or wearable gear isn’t the most exciting thing in the world, but we know firsthand that parents appreciate these gifts a lot.
From the time they’re born to the age of six and beyond, kids are growing at a rapid rate, and it can seem like their outfits only fit for a few months at a time. Therefore, giving the gift of quality, sustainable clothes is a blessing that every parent will love.
Kids will also reach a certain age when they start to understand the significance of dressing for themselves, and this is an opportunity to give them some high-quality garments that they take pride in and care for.
Once your kids get enjoyment from picking their own clothes, let their choices tell a story. Teach them about what goes on behind the scenes when making the clothes. Or the responsibilities that go into keeping their favorite outfit looking clean for longer.
Sentimental value is the key to giving a great gift, so any of these options will be suitable for the young ones in your life. Keep this list close by so you always have the perfect kids’ gift for any situation and age range.
Sources:
60 best gifts for kids 2020 - Awesome gifts for children of all ages | USA Today
The Most Meaningful Gifts for Kids Who Have Everything | Happy You, Happy Family
Leave a comment
This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.