Gift ideas for children?

[justginger]

DH's sister has four children - the most perfect children you can imagine. Kind, inquisitive, intelligent. Really, really great kids. And really great kids deserve really great Christmas presents.

They are 8 (girl), 6 (boy), 2.5 (girl), and just turning one (girl). Suggestions? I've got the oldest girl some Berenstain Bears books, and a box set of Dr. Seuss books for the boy. But that's not all they need, surely. I find myself only considering the gifts I loved as a kid - all science, nerd stuff! Grow your own crystals, ant farms and bug jars, seamonkies, lab kits, etc.

What do you buy the children in your life?

 

[Dee*Jay]

DH's sister has four children - the most perfect children you can imagine. Kind, inquisitive, intelligent. Really, really great kids. And really great kids deserve really great Christmas presents.

They are 8 (girl), 6 (boy), 2.5 (girl), and just turning one (girl). Suggestions? I've got the oldest girl some Berenstain Bears books, and a box set of Dr. Seuss books for the boy. But that's not all they need, surely. I find myself only considering the gifts I loved as a kid - all science, nerd stuff! Grow your own crystals, ant farms and bug jars, seamonkies, lab kits, etc.

What do you buy the children in your life?

I heard a rumor you might have access to some kittens...

 

[justginger]

Well played, my friend, well played. Unfortunately they live on the opposite side of the country to us. I can't imagine my saintly SIL loving the idea of taking a kitten on the plane, when she's already toting 4 children.

Then again, the oldest did have a white kitten that disappeared about a year ago. Sad story, really, probably stolen. Maybe it's time to do a bit of liaising with SIL and see if I can find them one from a shelter in their neck of the woods.

 

[erinl]

Ginger--

If you think they might have any interest in the kind of toys you liked as a child, then I would get them something like that. I personally think gifts should be personalized like that-- getting the latest greatest toy does not usually make the most meaningful gift.

 

[marymm]

Well, if you have books already for two of the four children, I'd suggest finding appropriate books for the other two as well - maybe a picture book for the 2.5 year old and a cloth book for the 1-year old?

 

[Deactivated member 42515]

It's hard to get children gifts these days! I remember when I was little and I got a barbie and I was happy! DH's side of the family is the only one with kids right now and all they want are SUPER expensive things. Things like a Louis Vuitton purse or Louboutin shoes, or a Gibson guitar, or a freaking car! But then again, DH's sister made them like that. And they are teenagers...

DH's other nephew has loved legos since forever. Its amazing what that kid can do with a box of legos! This year he made our center piece with leftover pieces and WOW, I don't know how he does it! The patience that requires! I just don't have it

Some gifts I have given to children are:
Girls: Disney Princess items, playing house things, Dolls, a fake makeover kit, cute pajamas, shoes. One time I took a friend's kid, with permission of course, to get her ears pierced. But you say you live far away... hmmm

Boys: Lego sets, action figures, video games (I got the Lego Lover Skylanders Giants this year. Supposed to be super popular? I dunno, I'm not a 9 year old boy ) ipod, magazine subscription.

 

[justginger]

Legos! Great Idea - nephew is going through a pirate stage at the moment, so a pirates Lego set would be awesome.

 

[Rosebloom]

I love getting natural and open ended toys. We don't have anything battery operated and only a few plastic toys in our house. Our favorites are wooden blocks, "magic" silk pieces of fabric and wooden clamps that can be a cape, tent, ocean, kite, etc, our play kitchen, balls balls and more balls, clay and paints, real but small scale tools and cleaning supplies (seriously my son could hammer, sweep and scrub all day!), neutral doll house like structure that can be a fire station, office, hospital, horse stables, etc, musical instruments and books galore. If you search for Waldorf or Montessori toys you'll find of lots of this kind of thing.

I have absolutely no problem with plastic battery operated toys and my boys play with them at other kids houses (and love them). But for us this path made sense. And my older son is gentle, very creative, and has a great attention span which may have been influenced by his play things. Who knows. (The other son's just a baby so jury's out there!).

You're a great aunt!

 

[justginger]

Rose, they live a household that functions much like your's, I think. Lots of role playing and sensory toys. Their only access to video games is a Wii and they have an hour or two of games as a family on Saturday nights (complete with popcorn). Other than that, they are battery-free as well.

Am off to have a look through Montessori toys.

 

[hawaiianorangetree]

If you wanted to stick to the book theme, I'd suggest The Very Hungry Catterpillar or a collection of the Hairy Mclary from Donaldsons Dairy books as well.

I have to agree with purchasing gifts that speak to you as a child. We recently bought a friends 2 year old the exact same Fisher and Price cash register that I had as a child and she loved it! I was so excited to see it in the shops I knew straight away that it was 'the one'. We could have gotten one that beeped and flashed but the old school one was that much cooler (and less breakable!). (And I could show her how to use it. )

 

[lizzyann]

Love Melissa and Doug puzzles! Excellent quality and great skill builders!

 

[justginger]

If you wanted to stick to the book theme, I'd suggest The Very Hungry Catterpillar or a collection of the Hairy Mclary from Donaldsons Dairy books as well.

I have to agree with purchasing gifts that speak to you as a child. We recently bought a friends 2 year old the exact same Fisher and Price cash register that I had as a child and she loved it! I was so excited to see it in the shops I knew straight away that it was 'the one'. We could have gotten one that beeped and flashed but the old school one was that much cooler (and less breakable!). (And I could show her how to use it. )

I've already got diamond studs lined up for the oldest - she's allowed to get her ears pierced at 10 (just like Auntie Ginger), and I'll be the one taking her.

 

[Loves Vintage]

Love Melissa and Doug puzzles! Excellent quality and great skill builders!

I agree! Melissa and Doug puzzles are awesome, for us, starting at age one, and still going strong! You could also check ebay for vintage toys, perhaps something from your childhood. That would be sweet!

 

[tammy77]

What about a Highlights subscription if they don't already have one? My 7 & 9 year old love theirs!

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Books are always gifts we give. Plus DVDs.

 

[justginger]

What about a Highlights subscription if they don't already have one? My 7 & 9 year old love theirs!

This is a great idea - I'm not sure if you can get it in Australia. I'll definitely have to check, loved reading them at the dentist when I was little!

 

[Loves Vintage]

Oh, and I've seen gift sets too, on ebay. The Very Hungry Caterpillar with the stuffed animal. Those are cute!

An easel for the 2.5 yr old, but perhaps they have one already?

 

[MichelleCarmen]

DH's sister has four children - the most perfect children you can imagine. Kind, inquisitive, intelligent. Really, really great kids. And really great kids deserve really great Christmas presents.

They are 8 (girl), 6 (boy), 2.5 (girl), and just turning one (girl). Suggestions? I've got the oldest girl some Berenstain Bears books, and a box set of Dr. Seuss books for the boy. But that's not all they need, surely. I find myself only considering the gifts I loved as a kid - all science, nerd stuff! Grow your own crystals, ant farms and bug jars, seamonkies, lab kits, etc.

What do you buy the children in your life?

From my experience, Legos have had the longest playing time/making them most worth the investment. My younger son has been playing with them for over 5 years. He has a huge collection now and, now that he is older, he even makes his own sets with little booklets describing how to build them. They are worth the $. If you get something like the crystal or lab kits be sure to check reviews on Amazon. We've had a few duds along the way.

 

[justginger]

DH's sister has four children - the most perfect children you can imagine. Kind, inquisitive, intelligent. Really, really great kids. And really great kids deserve really great Christmas presents.

They are 8 (girl), 6 (boy), 2.5 (girl), and just turning one (girl). Suggestions? I've got the oldest girl some Berenstain Bears books, and a box set of Dr. Seuss books for the boy. But that's not all they need, surely. I find myself only considering the gifts I loved as a kid - all science, nerd stuff! Grow your own crystals, ant farms and bug jars, seamonkies, lab kits, etc.

What do you buy the children in your life?

From my experience, Legos have had the longest playing time/making them most worth the investment. My younger son has been playing with them for over 5 years. He has a huge collection now and, now that he is older, he even makes his own sets with little booklets describing how to build them. They are worth the $. If you get something like the crystal or lab kits be sure to check reviews on Amazon. We've had a few duds along the way.

Yes, I've checked a few out with disappointing reviews. One that looked good was for the girls though - a beauty chemistry one where you make your own scented soaps, scrubs, lotions, nail polish, etc. I thought we could have a fun girls day with something like that.

 

[JaneSmith]

Tegu blocks (wooden building blocks with magnets to hold them together), National Geographic little kids magazine subscription, magic school bus books, garden root viewer (looks like an ant farm but you plant peas and watch the roots form), Haba baby toys (wood with baby safe paint, cool geometric shapes for babies to play with and gnaw on), kid safe microscope with pre-prepared slides of various things to look at, stuffed toys, clothes, zoo membership, dress up outfits.

I love sciencey kids toys too.
I really dislike when the toy store has the pink and blue aisles with the stereotypical toys divided up accordingly, so I try to do any shopping sans kids and buy 'boy' and 'girl' toys no matter what gender of child I'm buying for. I especially dislike when a toy is made in its original colour for boys, and pink for girls. Gah!

 

[justginger]

Tegu blocks (wooden building blocks with magnets to hold them together), National Geographic little kids magazine subscription, magic school bus books, garden root viewer (looks like an ant farm but you plant peas and watch the roots form), Haba baby toys (wood with baby safe paint, cool geometric shapes for babies to play with and gnaw on), kid safe microscope with pre-prepared slides of various things to look at, stuffed toys, clothes, zoo membership, dress up outfits.

I love sciencey kids toys too.
I really dislike when the toy store has the pink and blue aisles with the stereotypical toys divided up accordingly, so I try to do any shopping sans kids and buy 'boy' and 'girl' toys no matter what gender of child I'm buying for. I especially dislike when a toy is made in its original colour for boys, and pink for girls. Gah!

My favorite - I read Ms. Frizzle til my eyes went blurry!

 

[Rosebloom]

If you wanted to stick to the book theme, I'd suggest The Very Hungry Catterpillar or a collection of the Hairy Mclary from Donaldsons Dairy books as well.

I have to agree with purchasing gifts that speak to you as a child. We recently bought a friends 2 year old the exact same Fisher and Price cash register that I had as a child and she loved it! I was so excited to see it in the shops I knew straight away that it was 'the one'. We could have gotten one that beeped and flashed but the old school one was that much cooler (and less breakable!). (And I could show her how to use it. )

I've already got diamond studs lined up for the oldest - she's allowed to get her ears pierced at 10 (just like Auntie Ginger), and I'll be the one taking her.

Ok you are the best aunt ever!!! I really hope my sister has a girl because I have two sons and four nephews and I'm dying for a girl to play with!

 

[Rosebloom]

Rose, they live a household that functions much like your's, I think. Lots of role playing and sensory toys. Their only access to video games is a Wii and they have an hour or two of games as a family on Saturday nights (complete with popcorn). Other than that, they are battery-free as well.

Am off to have a look through Montessori toys.

Family game night is a fantastic idea! One that I will be stealing I think! DH loves video games and we hadn't figured out how to deal with that when the boys got older. Love this approach!

 

[justginger]

Rose, they live a household that functions much like your's, I think. Lots of role playing and sensory toys. Their only access to video games is a Wii and they have an hour or two of games as a family on Saturday nights (complete with popcorn). Other than that, they are battery-free as well.

Am off to have a look through Montessori toys.

Family game night is a fantastic idea! One that I will be stealing I think! DH loves video games and we hadn't figured out how to deal with that when the boys got older. Love this approach!

I love the family approach to the video games as well - they play games like bowling and tennis in turns. The kids love it because it's enough of a technology fix, plus when they're playing they have Mom and Dad's complete attention. It's not something given to them to play solitarily, busywork to occupy them and keep them quiet. It's more of an interactive family board game night.