12 non-toy gift ideas for kids

Many parents may agree that when it comes to Christmas gift options for kids, toys are usually the first things that come to one’s mind. However, there can be something such as “too many toys,” and parents (and other adults) would do well to review their gift lists carefully before deciding on their final choices.

In fact, many experts have been saying this for quite some time now: having too many toys is not beneficial to children.

Take for example, Dr. Steveanne Auerbach, author of Dr. Toy’s Smart Play: How to Raise a Child with A High Play Quotient. Dr. Auerbach, as quoted in the article “Too Many Toys!” by Deborah Bohn, says, “If you overbuy (toys), your child will become overloaded and over stimulated.”

Alternatively, Dr. Auerbach advises parents to engage in “creative interactive play” with their kids.

Child development worker Chari Lerner, on the other hand, says children “get overwhelmed and over-stimulated” by too many toys. Lerner came to this conclusion after conducing a US government-funded study of the effect of “inundating children with toys.”

Suffice to say that it might be best to reconsider giving toys to the children in your life this Christmas (and on other occasions as well). So what are our other options? Here are some suggestions:

1. Art supplies

Well-known artist Pablo Picasso once said, “Every child is an artist, the problem is staying an artist when you grow up.” Encourage kids’ creativity and artistic skills by giving them their own set of art supplies, like non-toxic tempera paints and painting tools from Ma’am and Moms.

2. Books or magazine subscriptions

Encourage reading among the kids in your life by gifting them with well-loved books. Opt for classic, award-winning titles instead of the common “character-themed” books. You might also want to support our local publishers like Tahanan Books, which produce beautifully illustrated children’s books.

Alternatively, you might want to get them subscriptions to children’s magazines like Sofia the First, Disney Junior or 2015 Catholic Mass Media Awardee for Best Children’s Magazine Mustard.

3. Subscription boxes

Subscription box services are fairly new here in the Philippines but are becoming more and more popular. Basically, a subscription box contains products that are sent to a customer on a regular basis. Examples of subscription box services that cater especially to kids are Explore Sandbox Adarna’s recently-launched BuriBox.

4. Tickets to a show

There are quite a number of entertaining shows lined up this holiday season, so why not give the gift of a fun experience by getting the kids in your life tickets to one (or more!) of them? Examples of such shows are Disney On Ice and KidsFest Manila 2016.

5. Access to enrichment classes

Enrichment classes are usually educational and fun, so gift certificates or vouchers, or free entrance to such classes can make for good non-toy presents for kids.

6. Woodworking kits

Both boys and girls usually enjoy working with “real” tools, especially when they can “create” things out of materials like wood. Child-friendly “woodworking kits” enable them to do just that while being 100% safe too. For examples of such kits, you can visit The Discovery Depot at www.thediscoverydepot.com.

7. Classical music CDs especially for kids

Expose kids to the beauty of classical music and wonderful stories via Maestro Classics, a series of CDs featuring music inspired by classic children’s stories and performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra. One such story is Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton — the CD is available on www.thelearningbasket.com.

8. Gardening “kits”

Kids usually love it when they are allowed to grow their own plants, so gardening tools are a great option for gifts. Create your own “gardening kit” by buying basic gardening tools and a packet of easy-to-grow seeds, or go one step further by letting kids discover the joys of backyard farming at places like Jensen Kinder Farm, which also sell gardening kits.

9. Outdoor exploration tools

What kid doesn’t enjoy exploring the great outdoors? Items like magnifying glasses, flashlights, binoculars, telescopes, compasses or even simple things like rainboots and raincoats can help encourage a love of the outdoors.

10. Science kits

Most toy stores offer science kits that help encourage hands-on learning and are also fun to use. Examples of well-loved science kits are those that have kids make volcanoes, “create” robots, or replicate the solar system.

11. Costumes for pretend play

Kids love to play pretend, so you can’t go wrong by supplying them with costumes and other accessories for pretend play. Little Human & Co.’s reversible play capes and masks are fine examples of fun costumes for pretend play.

12. Educational videos

Videos that help make learning fun and/or help encourage good values are also good non-toy gift options for kids. Suggested titles include The Magic Schoolbus and Cherub Wings.

Obviously, the aforementioned items aren’t the only non-toy gift items one can purchase for kids. There are certainly more things out there that children will appreciate receiving — all you need to do is to do a bit more research and perhaps think “out of the box.”

Of course, what matters most is the intention behind each gift you give. So try to make sure that every present you choose is meaningful and will provide enriching experiences to the receiver.

Now it’s YOUR turn! Do you have any non-toy gift suggestions to share? Leave a comment and let us know!

Reference:

Hollis, Liz. (2007, January 20). When toys take over. [Website article]. Retrieved from http://blog.apastyle.org/apastyle/2010/11/how-to-cite-something-you-found-on-a-website-in-apa-style.html