Don’t want to buy just another talking toy, but want an awesome gift? Here are some thoughtful, useful, and high-quality kids’ gifts.
I’m not so great at buying gifts. Unless a gift is special or significant somehow, I don’t think it’s worth it. We actually downsize toys here, not amass them, so when I’m shopping for a gift for my kids or someone else, I really do want it to be a useful or sentimental gift.
One of my dearest friends in Australia had the most interesting things and, because she is generous, would pass them down or around after her kids had grown out of them. My kids inherited many things I would never have considered buying (or even knew existed!) but for which I was so grateful.
Enough chitty-chat-chat, here are some useful, sentimental, or just plain cool kid gifts I’ve seen around or gotten myself that I recommend.
1. Wooden toys
A few months ago I came upon the site Uncommon Goods and clicked around for a long time. They have a lot of interesting toys and useful (but pretty) practical things you can use throughout your day with kids. Below are the periodic table blocks, Hebrew alphabet blocks, and foreign language blocks.
2. Cool stuff for eating
These plates are fun and I’ve been itching to buy a few, but it’s hard with 4 kids who will all want the same plate. And I don’t want to buy 4 of the same plate. #4underproblems.  Below is the construction plate and utensils, the Ms. Food Face Plate, and the Garden Plate and utensils. There’s a lot more cute stuff at Uncommon Goods and you can click here for Baby Gifts, Baby Shower Gifts, and Gifts for Kids.
3. Snail Mail
My daughter has been getting Hooray Mail for the past few months and loves it. It’s a nice surprise in the mail and a fun activity to do together. I think this would be a fun gift to give a friend and their child as well. It’s inexpensive and sweet! Katie also has an ebook called 11 Secrets to Connect With Your Kids While Doing Everyday Life as well.
4. Cute Night Lights
My kids absolutely loved this nightlight. I say loved in past tense because they loved it so much my husband has to fix it. They have a lot of cute shapes, are inexpensive, and light up in different colors on rotation. They are called Kinderglo night lights and here is a super cute photo gallery with kids and their night lights. I think these would be good for a toddler who has trouble calming down to go to sleep or is scared of the dark. If you are going to purchase one use my discount code (AMFFH2015) for 20% off!
5. Knowing My God Series Starter Set
I’m a big fan of purposeful reading, particularly as it relates to faith, morals, and manners. We have read these books quite a few times and they are good for babies and toddlers. I’d take a book over a onesie any day! You can find the Knowing My God Series here.
What is your go-to gift for babies, toddlers or preschoolers?
Very informative post…,I enjoyed reading this post!! It’s amazing,Thanks so much for sharing such an wonderful well-researched list., i’m very confused on what kind of gifts to buy for my nephew and I was looking for some useful toys which can encourage him in learning, these toys are really the perfect gifts for him. Hope he would love to play and learn with them.