Tis the season for....
Trying to find gifts that these amazing kids are actually going to want to play with!
If you are looking for ideas that are not game play gift cards or something that will end up getting shoved under the bed or "accidentally" thrown away, I've compiled a great list of ideas for you! All the titles and images are linked to make it easy to get to!
This has been a really fun one! You choose a bracelet, get to sponsor an animal (polar bear, sea turtle, shark or elephant!) and then they send you the bracelet and a QR code to be able to follow where your animal is at. Our shark, Chum, is currently off the coast of Virginia! Super cool mission and lots of pretty bracelet designs! These run $15 but there is a coupon for 10% off right now!
My seven and nine year old have done several classes and have had high reviews of them! I've been impressed with the teachers and how the classes have been set up. Outschool has classes ranging from cooking to art to science to dance to learning about cultures to anime. They have prices for every budget (we've done some that were just $8!) and offer one time and subscription classes. Some fun upcoming class ideas just perusing the catalog:
Probably one of my best things I've found as a parent is that having toys available that kids may not "like" but encourage creativity is really key to encouraging creativity. There have been so many times that lo and behold, my kids have started playing with things like this castle block set, even though they are 7, 9 and 14. It's fun to see what they end up making, especially when they were so sure they did not like it at all! Some of these gifts would be great to buy now and break out later when the boredom hits. Wooden toys seem winners through the years for retaining their quality and play value.
These run $47.99
These are great for encouraging STEM play! Toys that encourage open-ended play are fantastic for fostering creativity and discovering science. These run $39.95
There is something about growing things that is so fun!
If you have a budding plant lover, this would be a great gift!
These normally run $45.00 but are on a lightning deal for $38.24 right now!
I got this a few months ago and put it in my kids' bedroom doorway. It has been a huge hit.
If you have busy kids, this is an easy great gift! They love competing to see how many pullups they can get, and some days use it as a "swing" with their arms.
They hold a lot of weight so it would work for parents too!
These run $26.99
My oldest absolutely loves this series (and so do I). They also just came out with a graphic novel set of the first four. Target has these available in store! It's a great deal on the first five books.
These run $28.48
8:: Herve' Tulle Books
This game is just all around a blast! You get to flick penguins to try and get fish. One person is the chaser trying to tag the other penguins! Highly highly recommend it!
If you are local, Blue Highway Games in Queen Anne carries this (and the original Ice Cool) as well as a ton of other games and puzzles. This runs $27.77.
I'm signing my kids up for this (shh don't tell them!)
It's such a great way to learn about other cultures.
This runs $29 a month for a fun box of snacks from another country!
If your kids love science and magic, this would be an excellent gift idea!
This runs $14.08.
Not for your kids. To give a family in need in another country.
A duck provides food and a way to make money too!
This runs $30
13:: Tickets for an experience
A lot of them have free or donation-based admission.
If you have an EBT card, many offer free or greatly discounted admission.
Some local suggestions:
Center for Wooden Boats (you can book one of the wooden boats to go out on South Lake Union!)
MOHAI (Museum for History and Industry)
Anacortes Community Theater (they run free showings for the last rehearsal!)
If you have a Harry Potter lover, the Seattle Symphony is doing several showings of the movie with the symphony providing the soundtrack! More info here.
Geocaching Premium membership. We love geocaching and the premium membership is well worth it! Our goal is to find enough caches to be able to be a cache owner! We have found a guitar pick from Abbey Road Studios and some super neat trinkets!
And lastly, gift certificates to support local stores.
It's the gift that supports local jobs and keeping places alive!
And, if you need some really awesome budget-friendly ideas, we are a big fan of coupons here.
Make them out for different activities in the year the kids can redeem. Think outside the box! I always include things like a hug, getting to stay up late and other things that don't cost anything.
If you need a template, I got you!
You can download and edit it here!
Merry Christmas!!
Wishing you many happy memories!
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