Gift Ideas for Children

A few weeks ago, Steady Mom wrote a post titled “5 Gifts No Child Should Be Without.” While she gave no explanation on WHY children should have these types of toys, I must say that I agree that her list of categories. The types of gifts she lays out all strengthen a child’s creativity, imagination, and intellect. They develop large and small motor skills and critical thinking. Plus, they are all FUN to play with and play is a critical element in a child’s development.

I have put together a list of toys, games, and other items that meet the criteria on her list. This list is as much to guide my own buying this Christmas as it is to share with you. Please be aware that all links are affiliate links, which means I receive a small payment on every purchase to keep this little blog running.

Something To Build With:

The Melissa & Doug Wooden Blocks provide kids with hours of building fun. The 60-piece set allows children to create towers and towns, roads and playgrounds. Simple wooden blocks are a fabulous tool for enhancing creativity, motor skills, and critical thinking.

It’s no wonder LEGOs have been around for ages. They are a timeless toy that kids of all ages enjoy. The LEGO Duplo Building Set is a great beginner set. For more experienced LEGO builders, try the DeLorean Time Machine Building Set, the Minecraft Village, or the Creator Construction Hauler.

Another classic building toy that has stood the test of time is Lincoln Logs. The Lincoln Logs Classic Edition Tin is 86 pieces of fun to keep kids building for hours.

K’NEX Building Sets are another fun building set for children of all ages.

Something To Dress Up With:

All kids love to play dress-up, and the Melissa and Doug dress-up costumes are perfect for girls AND boys. These are available in MANY styles including Fire Chief, Veterinarian, Chef, Hair Stylist, Waitress, Construction Worker, Cowgirl, and Astronaut.

And for the SEC fans in your life, check out the Alabama Crimson Tide Cheerleader outfit or Auburn Tigers Cheerleader outfit. Other cheerleader outfits available are LSU, Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee. And for the football players in your life, try a jersey from
Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee, LSU, and Mississippi State.

Something To Create With:

There is no shortage of products to help children create. Whether your kids are crafting gurus, painters, mixed-media specialists, or seamstresses, there is an abundance of resources available to inspire creative ideas in little minds.

The Duct Tape craze has hit our home, so Tape It & Make It: 101 Duct Tape Activities looks enticing. And don’t forget the Duct Tape. It is available in bright colorful patterns like Zig-Zag Zebra, Zig-Zag Zebra, Retro Owls, Hello Kitty, Candy Dot, and even Duck Dynasty.

My girls love to sew, but I am not a master seamstress. In fact, I don’t do much sewing at all. I’m hoping Sewing School: 21 Sewing Projects Kids Will Love to Make will be a fun book for them to work through. And for the more advance sewers in your home, the Brother XL2600I Sew Advance Sew Affordable 25-Stitch Free-Arm Sewing Machine is a bargain.

We love some Play Doh around our house, so the Fun Factory Deluxe Set will keep my little one busy with creativity.

I had a spirograph design set when I was little and it was one of my favorite art projects, so I know my girls would love the Spirograph Design Tin Set.

For the Star Wars fan in your life, what about the Star Wars Thumb Doodles or the Star Wars Origami book.

And, of course, you can never go wrong with a good art set like the Art 101 Kids Mega Paint Set.

Something To Pretend With:

This Pretend and Play Doctor Set by Learning Resources is one of the best I have seen. It includes LOTS of pieces with which to pretend.

The Learning Resources Teaching Cash Register teaches math, service, and basic business skills. All great lessons for little ones to begin learning.

One of our sweet neighbors gave my oldest daughter a Melissa & Doug Band in a Box when she was born, and eleven years later we are still being treated to band performances with these instruments.

Any budding cooks in your home? The Kidkraft Vintage Kitchen might be the cutest play kitchen I have ever seen! Love the retro design. It is available in pink, white, red, and blue. With these great colors, toy kitchen are no longer just for girls!

The Melissa & Doug Wooden Project Workbench looks just like the real deal. Teach kids the basics of using tools and woodworking with this fun set-up.

And I LOVE her last category – Plenty of time and space, both outside and in, to play with the above (This is perhaps to most important gift we have to offer our children!)