Anna Maria Richards
Giving a child a gift requires more thought than it used to as fads, technology, and social media have greatly influenced kids on their tastes and preferences. Moreover, parents often resort to giving children expensive material gifts, believing that the more pricey an object is, the more meaningful and memorable it is for their little ones. This is the reason why so many children today own gadgets such as smartphones and tablet computers, and 53 percent of children have their own smartphone by the time they are 11. To nurture the values that parents want to instill in their children, it’s important to make a conscious decision to give kids meaningful gifts instead of giving them in-demand or expensive presents. Doing so helps children know what truly matters, and that the best things in life don’t have to cost a fortune. Here are a few thoughtful and meaningful gift ideas for kids.
Gifts that spark creativity
Some of the best gifts for children are those that spark creativity as these presents can help kids develop their skills. Lego sets and children’s chemistry kits are classic toys that can foster a child’s creative spirit, but if you want to give something a little more personalized, try putting together a kit or gift basket that contains arts and crafts materials. For instance, a DIY slime kit may contain glue, glitter, baking soda, and clear plastic containers with lids for storing the finished product. Meanwhile, a coloring gift basket may include a 48 to 72-pack of crayons or colored pencils, gel pens, and a few coloring books.
Presents that will foster a child’s imagination
Gifts that foster a child’s imagination are those that allow little ones to indulge in pretend play, such as toy kitchen sets, tea sets, and baby dolls. If your child already owns these types of toys, you can get them a toy karaoke machine so they can unleash their inner rockstar, or get an aspiring photographer a kids camera so they can take pictures and videos. You may also go all out and put together a present based on what your child wants to be when they grow up. For example, if your little one dreams of becoming a doctor, you can give them a toy doctor’s kit, complete with a child-sized doctor’s coat with their name on it. If your child’s ambition is to become a hip hop dancer, you can get them some cool clothes and shoes to dance in, plus some dance lessons to help your child be one step closer to their life goals.
Things that evoke specific memories
Presents that evoke specific or special memories can strengthen your bonds with your child, so consider giving them these types of presents for the holidays or their birthday. Let’s say you’ve both attended a recent concert of a certain band. If your child is a fan of this band, you can get them official merchandise, a DVD of their last concert tour, or a CD of their greatest hits. This type of gift will remind your little one that you respect their interests, and that you’re ready to bond with them over anything that captures their attention.
The best presents for children don’t have to break the bank. Consider these meaningful gift ideas to show your kids how much you love and care for them — they’ll treasure these gifts, as well as the memories attached to these toys and gifts as they grow.
