So I’m sat here, hot chocolate in hand, Christmas songs playing merrily and enjoying a rare moment of peace. I thought I would take the opportunity to put together a little gift guide for children – I’m thinking of ages one to about six or seven years old.
Lots of these are things we’ve got over the years, or are on my list of things that I think would add a little magic to the season.
When it comes to a gift guide for children, we all know that the best memories will be the belly-laughs from time spent together as a family, but it really is wonderful to see a grin spread from ear to ear when we give them something they love.
We don’t tend to go overboard with what we get them (it will be more than some families, and less than other families!) a gift guide for children is perfect for those just wanting to pick and mix a few ideas.
I have always loved the concept of:
‘Something they want,
Something they need,
Something to wear,
Something to read.’
We often add a few extra bits that we’ve collected throughout the year… things we know will bring them joy.
I hope this helps you find something your little ones will love!
The yoto player
Available HERE Possibly the most wonderful purchase I have ever made as a parent! It’s a kid-friendly screen-free audio player that my 1, 3 and 11 year old all use. You can build up a library of story ‘cards’ available from their story (quite a few are going in stockings this year!) but it also has podcasts, music, white noise.
Both of my younger kids have one and they’re fantastic – I don’t know how the laundry would ever get done without it!
The Worst Witch is next to be added to our collection, and will be followed by the Disney range.
Board games
Family game nights are a huge thing in our house – they’re always accidentally hilarious. I’m currently introducing Killian (3) to the magic of THIS board game as it’s based on one of his favourite books – definitely a winner!
foodie play
What can I say… they get it from their momma! I can safely say that THIS ice-cream play set is one of the most played with things we’ve ever owned. I have spent many an exhausted morning lying in the middle of their bedroom floors, being fed various wooden ice-cream combinations!
Disney sets
Giving me huge waves of nostalgia remembering those 90’s days filled with Polly Pockets, only these are for the children’s favourite Disney characters – available HERE. I secretly quite enjoy a cosy afternoon playing with these too, actually. Always a bonus!
Adding some of their favourite characters to bath time is always met with squeals of delight, so THESE are perfect
mess-free art
Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE the children getting dirty. Almost all of our days ends with bright-eyed muddy children! But – I really don’t relish spending three hours cleaning various art supplies off the ceiling/walls/floor/cat. THIS is ideal for miniature artists to practice their skills all day without it causing you any extra work.
Alternatively (or additionally, in our case) THIS is a game-changer for in the car or even when they can’t sleep. ‘But I’m not sleepy…’ has often been solved by a lamp and a picture suggestion.
family play
I have two sons and two daughters – every single one of them has LOVED playing families. My lot are quite obsessed with Dinkum Dolls HERE we already have three and the collection will definitely keep growing! Killian literally won’t go to bed without his ‘baby Nova’ (he named it after his baby sister) and loves changing their clothes.
I won’t lie, it’s a huge plus for me when the children fall in love with aesthetically pleasing toys. I like my home and it’s got all of the ugly things that children insist on picking as favourites – so when they pick something pretty I do a little dance!
sticker books
What’s the phrase… ‘Silence is golden, unless you have a toddler… then silence is suspicious!’
There is one and only one exception to this: when they have been given a sticker book. No gift guide for children would be complete without mention of this lifesaver!
I have just wrapped up THIS one for Nova (1) and THIS one for Killian (3)
fancy dress
This seems to be the key to happy children!
Nova’s day is made is she can prance about the grocery store dressed as her favourite Frozen character (which changes from Elsa HERE to Anna HERE daily)
cuddly toys
It’s categorically impossible for any child to be handed a plush cuddly toy and not be happy. They’re simply wired to love each and every one of them! This year we’ve gone for a classic one HERE and will undoubtedly be having to set it a place at the table for months to come!
I can’t resist swooning over a small human snuggled up with a cuddly toy though, it’s just a warm, soft and sweet situation.
puzzles
Forever a classic and something that the whole family can get involved in. Watching my pyjama-clad toddler in front of the fire, proud as punch that he’s putting a jigsaw together all by himself has me fall head over heels in love with motherhood all over again. My three year old has loved THIS one since his birthday, and has THIS one wrapped up under the tree for Christmas.
retro classics
I love to introduce my little ones to things that kept me happy when I was their age, and they love hearing tales of my childhood while we play. The ones where I was getting up to no good are always their favourites! But this year we’ve got THESE tiles stashed away and THIS to build ready for Christmas Day and a few tales of havoc at the ready.
Just thinking about it has me excited – December really is the most wonderful time of the year, isn’t it?!
Books books books
It may come as no surprise that my kids get quite a few books for presents. I really do love raising readers though… books are treasure. Each one has the thoughts, feelings and adventures of other people in all kinds of worlds.
I have listed our favourites HERE and tell you why we love them IN THIS POST
And there we have it: A Gift Guide For Children. I hope you’ve found something that will bring a little extra happiness and wonder to your family this season!
I always love your ideas, so if there’s something that you think is missing from this list please let me know in the comments –
Love, Helen
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