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One of the most played with gifts I ever gave my son and daughter was a kitchen set with a grocery cart and food and a tool bench with moveable parts. We did a lot of non toy or homemade items this last Christmas and are hoping to do it again this year with even more experience type gifts. One thing I did for my 3 younges and great neice was to make stick horses. While it’s still a toy it really gave them something they had to use their imagination with. I also made quite a lot of felt food for their kitchen set. One gift they all received from their aunt, I even received a larger version of it, was a homemade flower press.
I want our children to know that there is more to giving than just toys. I know that it’s fun for kids to have new toys, but I don’t want them to stop appreciating what they are being given, because it has become so routine for them. I love finding meaningful Non-Toy Gifts for kids! Of course, toys are wonderful… educational, creative, opening up a whole world of play, but today I am sharing the best non-toy gifts.
Arts and Crafts Gifts for Kids
Just depending on what your child is interested in, you can always stock them up on something new they love to do. My daughter always wants to decorate her room a bit differently. Save these new comforter requests or art to hang for a gift-giving moment.
You can also find one that sends them not only monthly but quarterly if you want them more spread out. Some monthly subscription boxes to consider are crafts, books, clothing, and STEM. Non-toy gifts are the perfect option to shift from stuff and material gifts to give. We know kids love toys and we love giving them things that they feel they just can’t be without.
Dress Up Clothes
For us, I have realized that even these items don’t work for us, so I guess I am sticking to an experience, which is they are going to the snow for Xmas. They have a couple other gifts, but they are quite small, and I am sure going to see some disappointment. But this list just reminds me that they really don’t need or want another physical item. My 4 year old did ask for a plastic toy that I tried to avoid buying… but it seems like she is very serious about it after a month of waiting for her want to fade. My kids don’t do Santa but we donate every October and they know they are helping their community.
The Kids Cook Real Food eCourse was designed by Katie Kimball, a mom of 4 who saw the value in teaching her little ones to cook early on. She shares the methods that worked for her family in this well-organized eCourse. The videos are also high-quality and are very interactive. If you’re good with wood, you could make frames, decor, or furniture. My father-in-law took 2×4’s and cut them into different sized blocks, sanded them, and gave them to my son one year. Another mom said she refinished a vanity for her sister and she absolutely loved it and still does.
Book a sailing trip/cruise
They have adorable portable boomboxes that include a cd player and a radio. Journaling is a wonderful tool for self-discovery.It’s a place where your child can express their thoughts, emotions, and dreams without judgment. You can find journaling sets for kids with different designs, characters, and colors that match their personality and taste to make it a special gift just for them. It sparks the imagination and promotes critical thinking. Plus, once they have the kit, they can find unlimited rocks outside to paint!
Add everything to a pot with some dirt and seeds, and they can grow something fun right away. There’s no better family activity than camping under the stars . This sundome tent from Coleman can fit 2-6 people depending on which size you choose.
Lessons & Classes
If your child wants to change up their room decor, save it for their birthday. If your family likes to travel or has an upcoming trip this year, consider giving your child their own luggage, toiletry bag, and even travel pillow. You can also order a personalized luggage tag to make it a bit more special. Filling up your child’s dress up wardrobe is an inexpensive gift that isn’t a toy. Try adding to their dress-up clothing some aprons, shoes, boas, hats, scrubs, and all sorts of other items they would enjoy dressing up with.
Paint sets are one of the most classic non-toy gifts for kids. I don’t know a kid who doesn’t enjoy a good watercolor project. Some sets even come with coloring pages children can work through and they’re usually pretty affordable, too. From impactful donations made through charitable organizations to once-in-a-lifetime experiences, we’ve curated ten truly meaningful gift ideas . Read on to find a present that reflects what the holiday spirit is really about.
These are all wonderful ideas for young children, as well as, grand-children and even adult children. Wishing you and your loved ones a very blessed Merry Christmas. Kresha is the mother of four super-cool kiddos, the wife of one handsome organic farmer, a former opera singer, and an avid researcher. She and her husband share a passion for living life thoughtfully and intentionally in response to God's grace in their lives and she loves to share good meals around a very large table.
Are you trying to find the perfect gift that isn’t a toy? Whether you are buying something for your little one or your favorite niece or nephew, there are many excellent non-toy gifts for kids to choose from. I agree with you – I don’t particularly like to use stock images, but sometimes I do it because I don’t have proper images for some of my articles. However, I’ve removed all stock images and added a couple of my own. 🙂 I also added an infographic with all the gift ideas in the end, so you can stroll down and see everything at once. My children are grown, and I now have a granddaughter.
Each box comes with all of the materials and instructions to build a fun and engaging project that will teach them to be creative problem solvers. Get your child a personalized book with their name in it! They’ll love seeing their name right on the cover or inside pages. There are also companies that can illustrate your child or a significant other right into the storyline and artwork of the book. Socks and shoes are another practical gift that will get tons of use.
Great for Legos or sets of small toys that the kids like to play with, the swoop bag makes cleanup and storage so simple. Do they need a lamp , a comforting night light, a loud alarm clock, sleep training clock , or a shelf? Perhaps they’ll appreciate an organizing system for their art or hobby supplies or a jewelry box to stash their treasured baubles. Many older kids enjoy displaying their LEGO creations on a shelf where younger siblings can’t reach.
