Birthdays come every year and parents often wonder what the best kinds of gifts are. Aunts and uncles, grandparents, and friends may want suggestions on what to buy to help celebrate as well. Birthdays are unique, and each child has different interests. But there are a few things that work well for most any child. Below is a list of the top eight best gifts to give.
Building Toys
Children are very creative by nature and love playing with things they can build. Wooden blocks are great for all ages. Who does not enjoy making a tower and watching a toddler playfully knock it down? As children get older, they enjoy making more extensive creations with blocks and will build houses, towns, roads, castles, and more. The options are endless with blocks. They come in all different shapes and sizes and provide hours of fun.
Water Toys
Children are fascinated with playing with water. They love the simplest bath toys such as boats, animals, or foam letters. Children also love playing with water outside in the summer. Toddlers would enjoy a small pool or a water table. Older children often love playing with squirt guns, water balloons, or fun pool toys. A sprinkler is also a great water play option. Running under a sprinkler in the grass on a hot day brings loads of fun.
A Watch
Birthdays are unique, and kids like getting gifts that are all their own. Kids watches are one of these items that makes the child feel special. The watch may have the child’s favorite cartoon character on it, or it may be their favorite color. Surprising them with a watch they can wear on their wrist is a great personalized gift, and it also helps kids learn to tell time. Most watches are digital now, and it is easy for children to read a digital watch. But analog watches are also an option, and kids may also enjoy learning to read an analog watch as well. They can learn responsibility by being on time while enjoying something that is intended just for them.
Books
Giving the gift of literacy is priceless for any child. Books are an important part of childhood, and there are many great options. For the young baby or toddler, a board book that is more durable may be a great choice. Books that tell stories like the Little Red Hen, or The Ugly Duckling are great for parents and caregivers to read to children. Some books are great for helping them learn to count or learn the letters of the alphabet. Older children may enjoy chapter books with mysteries, fairy tales, or historical fiction. Books bring parents and children together when they take time to read them with each other.
Arts and Crafts
Arts and crafts are wonderful gifts because children can be creative in many ways with just a few simple art supplies. Each child enjoys making different things, and having a good assortment of crayons, colored pencils, paints, markers, pens, and pencils, will assist them in their creativity. Construction paper, lined paper, white or colored paper, scissors, and tape provide endless fun for children. Small children love to play with stickers, play dough, or finger paints. Older children may enjoy a paint-by-number activity, activities with beads or thread, or an art kit with pastels. Arts and crafts make great gifts because children use what they have, and then they need more!
Experiences
Some children already have a lot of toys, so giving the gift of an outing or activity is perfect. This gift could mean taking a one-time family trip to the beach or mountains, a theme park, a museum, aquarium, or National Park, or it could mean allowing the child to take ongoing lessons in martial arts, swimming, music, kids 4 wheeler, cooking, or horseback riding. Kids love being active and learning things outside their natural environment. This type of gift is sometimes overlooked but is so valuable.
Outdoor Gear
Outdoor gear such as water bottles, hats, a nice jacket, and backpacks are also great gifts because they are personalized gifts. Kids love having their very own water bottle or hat. A new backpack will belong to just them and they will love taking it with them on trips and events. Sports equipment like soccer balls, bicycles, scooters, jump ropes, and playground balls are other great gifts to help kids stay active outdoors. Little children love to play with chalk outside, and older children may want to try roller blades or skateboards.
Games
Board games are also great gifts for children and help them build social skills. Games such as checkers and chess help them use their critical thinking skills. Other games work on learning group participation skills or strategy. Taking turns, learning that you do not always win, and using mathematics or reading skills are all a part of learning how to play games. Board games are also a ton of fun with friends or family and can come with a lot of laughs and good times.
These eight gift ideas are fun, personal, and educational. Most of all, it is important to enjoy each birthday and celebrate with your kids, because they each are special!
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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