Finding Christmas presents and birthday gifts for kids who have everything can be difficult. If it is your niece or nephew perhaps you haven’t been to their house to what they already have, or maybe you just had your fourth boy and your house is filled to the brim with toys and you don’t need anymore. Wait until you reach the age when toys don’t even matter and all they want is the latest gaming technology or money. This list is for all these reasons and more. It’s not a gift list about brands and you won’t even find a mention of Lego. Instead, we have created for you what we hope will be a timeless list of present ideas that will cater for babies right through to teenagers. We hope that this Christmas or birthday gift list is as relevant today as it will be in 50 years time.
Non-Toy Christmas trend
We think toys are important to children, so this is not a list about not buying toys for Christmas. An opinion piece written by Latrobe University says, “Play is not limited to any one setting or one product or type of product. The potential for play is anywhere and at anytime”, and “The potential to improve the learning, reading, and experiential processes through play, toys, and games is great”. And we agree. Toys and play matter.
Timeless gift ideas
- Fishing rod and kit
- A Magazine Subscription
- Nightlight (they aren’t just for babies)
image courtesy of www.http://www.mynightlight.com.au/
- Two man tent
- Circuitry kit
- Musical Instruments (ukulele, harmonica, electric keyboard, xylophone)
- Finger puppets
- A loom set
- Kaleidoscope
- Craft supplies
- Magician kit
- Pool toys
- Etcha Sketch
- World globe
- Dress ups
- Flower Press
- Hoola hoop
- Tea set
- Doll House
- Child Sponsorship
- Cricket Set
- A fish and fish tank
- Journal
- Sewing machine
- A snow globe
- Jack in the box
- A torch
- kayak
- Skipping rope
- Lava lamp
- A hamper of goodies (like a quality party bad in an old school basket wrapped in celophane
- Marbles
- Experiences
- Camera
- Kinetic sand
- Trampoline
- Pick up sticks
- A terrarium
Credit for image and this gorgeous Terrarium http://www.thesoulpantry.com.au/
- boogie board
- A big world map for their wall
- A watch
- Piggy bank
- Stationery
- A cookbook
- Bean bag
- Bunch of flowers (special for tween/teens)
- I-tunes voucher
- Tee-pee
- Basketball hoop
- Chess Set
- a slip n slide
- Bubble blowing machine
- Binoculars
- Science Experiments
- Music Player
- Sunglasses
- Play Dough and playdough tools
- A multi tool
- Walkie Talkies
- Sand pit
- Rollerskates
- Telescope
- Microscope
- Indoor bowling pins
- Ant farm
- Popcorn maker
- Puzzles
- Scooter
- Bug catcher
- Origami or Paper plane kit
- Season Passes to zoo
- Rock tumbling kit
- outdoor chalk
- A yoyo
- Craft box subscription
- Air drying clay
- Where’s Wally books
- Metal detector
- Their first wallet
- A fossil
- Fun t-shirt
This cool shirt is made by https://www.themountain.com/ google for Australian stockists
- Paint supplies
- Board games
- A compass
- Soccer ball or other ball
- Horse riding lessons
- Rubix cube
- A gardening package
- A tool set (tool belt + hammer and nails)
- Jewellery making kit
- Metal detector
If you can think of anything else we should add to our gift list then please note it in comments below.
Reference: Auerbach, Stevanne, Smart Play/Smart Toys: How to Raise a Child with a High P.Q. California: Educational Insights, 2004.
Belinda
A couple of things to add could be Story time books, plush toys and comforter toys will always be timeless, a treasure box, a few forever toys