8 Great Gift Ideas for the Kids in Your Life
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Hoxton/Tom Merton
For kids, it really is the most wonderful time of the year. But, for the grown-ups who have to shop for holiday presents, now is about the time when panic starts to set in. Grandparents, aunts and uncles are expected to arrive with gifts that not only please mom and dad, but also some very particular children. While it’s natural to reach out to mom and dad for ideas, parents have their own shopping (plus working, cooking, cleaning, shuttling, refereeing, etc.) to do. Here are eight ideas that will spare both gift-givers and parents from having to add one more thing to the holiday to-do list:
There’s a reason this tub of sticks has been around for more than 100 years–there’s something satisfying about the wood fitting together so perfectly.
Fun fact: Did you know they were invented by Frank Lloyd Wright’s son?
Kid-friendly hand drones will likely be one of 2019’s hottest gifts, and it’s no wonder; they are easy to use and self-flying with the ability to avoid obstacles. This one also features a cool design that evokes a UFO and is easily charged by plugging it into a USB port—meaning no batteries, which will make both parents and kids happy.
You can only play so many games of Go Fish. This game was dreamed up by a 6 year old who couldn’t sleep (really!), and the award-winning game-maker Gamewright brought it to life with whimsical drawings of royals like the Ladybug and Pancake Queen. While playing, kids will tap into their basic math and strategical thinking skins.
Don’t ask me why it’s fun to stomp on an air pump and launch something high into the sky. It just is. This award-winning toy has three different stunt planes that were designed by aeronautical engineers. Kids can change the launch angle and other factors to see how it affects the plane’s tricks, which teaches them about trajectory and velocity in the sneakiest way possible. Plus, it gets kids outside and doesn’t require batteries or charging.
There’s literally no age when getting mail ceases to be exciting—anything other than bills and junk, that is. These boxes arrive once a month, or just once if you so choose, packed with an age-appropriate activity like making a pinball game or a tin-can robot. Each one is designed to encourage creativity and S.T.E.A.M. (science, technology, engineering, art and math) skills, and certain ages have different categories from which to choose, such as geography, art, engineering and science.
The riddles in this book, written by Jean Marzollo, direct children to look among the two-page spreads of charming yet jumbled Christmas-themed scenes for something specific. Parents can use the book as a bonding opportunity by racing with their child to find different items.
Sure, a pile of random Lego blocks does wonders for the imagination, but some families prefer kits over chaos. Following the instructions page by page teaches so many skills and builds confidence when kids can look at and interact with the final product. Plus, it’s something families can do together, providing valuable one-on-one time while working as a team. The sets come in several themes, such as elves and Star Wars—but if you’ve got a Harry Potter fan to shop for, you can’t go wrong with this Hogwarts clock tower.
These gorgeous duvet sets are a really cool way to make bedtime fun. You’re your kid’s head hits the pillow, they’ll be transformed into–or swallowed up by, in the case of the shark–whatever is printed on the matching duvet cover and pillowcase.
