Enriched Family Holiday Gift Guide for Kids 2019
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Holiday Gifting for Kids: Educational and Experience Gift Ideas
The holidays are a wonderful time to find thoughtful gifts for our loved ones, but this time of year can also be overwhelming. With this thought in mind, I have created the second annual Enriched Family Holiday Gift Guide (for kids - up to tweens/teens). In this blog post, I’ve updated last year’s post and included some new ideas. I’m sure y’all already know the list of toys that your kids are clamoring for, so I have focused instead on educational and experience gifts, along with some great book ideas. I have tried to include gifts at a variety of price points. Please note, I have included links to Amazon (when available) simply for ease of finding and pricing the various gift ideas (not affiliate links). Many of these gifts can be found locally as well. I have girls (ages 7 and 10), so some of the gift ideas are informed by their interests, but most suggestions would be great for both boys and girls.
Photo by Adi Goldstein on Unsplash
Coding Classes or Camps
I try to expose my kids to coding and STEAM skills as much as possible. Why not consider gifting your kiddos with a local coding class or camp?
In Austin, check out Code Galaxy (West Lake Hills, Downtown, or at Zilker Elementary), My Coding Place (Far West Austin), or Code Ninjas (locations in SW Austin, North Austin, Pflugerville, Round Rock, and Cedar Park).
Other Experience Gift Ideas
Encourage your budding artists, dancers, equestrians, musicians, sports enthusiasts and so on, by gifting lessons or classes in the art forms, STEM topics, or athletic pursuits the kids in your life are most interested in exploring? These are great ideas for grandparents and family members to gift!
Here are a few local, Austin experience gift ideas to consider:
Family Series Package to Zach Theatre
Family Membership to the Science Mill (in Johnson City)
Family Membership to the Wildflower Center
Family Membership to the Bullock Museum
Coding Gifts: Artie 3000, Sphero Bolt, Sphero Mini, Kano Computer Kit, & Lego Boost
Image from Amazon
You design the code, and Artie 3000 draws the lines! Ages 7+
Image from Amazon
Though I included the Sphero BOLT and the Sphere Mini in last year’s gift guide, I think they are cool enough to include again this year.
Sphero Bolt: This cool, app-enabled robotic ball can be driven and coded, providing endless opportunities to be creative and have fun while learning. Ages 8 and up.
Image from Amazon
If the Sphero BOLT is a bit too expensive or you are worried about making such an investment not knowing if your kid(s) will really enjoy coding, check out the Sphero Mini. It is also an app-controlled robotic ball. It can be driven, used for gaming, and for coding. Ages 8 and up.
Images from Amazon
Make a computer. Learn to code. Play. Create a real, working computer. Ages 6 to 14. This looks amazing enough to repeat from last year.
Image from Amazon
Inspire kids to bring their LEGO creations to life with the LEGO BOOST Creative Toolbox, the fun and easy entry to building and coding smart toys for boys and girls aged 7+. By downloading the free LEGO Boost app and following the step-by-step instructions, kids can learn how to master programming robots all by themselves. Inside are instructions for Vernie the Robot, the M.T.R.4 (Multi-Tooled Rover 4)—a robust, versatile rover with 4 different tool attachments including a spring-loaded shooter, the Guitar4000—a musical instrument with pitch bend and sound effects, Frankie the Cat—an interactive pet that plays, purrs, and expresses its mood, and the AutoBuilder—an automated production line that actually builds miniature LEGO models!
Graphic Novels & Other Books
My girls are super into graphic novels these days. I’ve included a roundup of some of their favorites, as well as some additional book selections.
All Images from Amazon
My girls absolutely love Raina Telgemeier’s books. This box set of four award-winning graphic novels about family, friendship, and the highs and lows of growing up would be a great gift idea for tweens and teens.
This collection of the first five books of the New York Times bestselling Wings of Fire series is a great bet for kids 8-12.
This naked-eye astronomy book looks amazing (also includes things you can see with binoculars and telescopes).
Best Friends along with Real Friends are wonderful graphic novels for late elementary schoolers and early middle schoolers (ages: 8-12).
The Emmie & Friends series, including Invisible Emmie, Positively Izzy, and Just Jaime, deals with middle school drama and friendship issues, for kids ages 8-12 years.
I loved playing Cat’s Cradle when I was a girl. I thought this would be a great joint gift for my daughters. Book here. String here.
A History of Pictures for Children. Art history for kids ages 10-14.
Legend of the Star Runner is a solve-them-yourself mystery adventure for kids ages 8-12.
Girls Who Code: Learn to Code and Change the World is on my list for my older daughter this year. This New York Times bestseller is part how-to, part girls-empowerment, and includes interesting history and facts about coding. Ages 10 and up.
The Confidence Code for Girls. This empowering, entertaining guide from the bestselling authors of The Confidence Code gives girls the essential yet elusive code to becoming bold, brave, and fearless. Ages 8-12.
Minimalist Gift Ideas
Let’s face it, many of our children are fortunate enough to have a lot of stuff. Before the holidays, I always try to make it a priority to clean out and organize my kids’ rooms with them. We always set aside a pile of gently-used toys and clothes to donate to other children. I hope this is a reminder to my kids about the importance of gratitude and recognizing the needs of others. Included below are some ideas for a more minimalist approach to the holidays.
One thing they want, one thing they need, one thing to wear, and one thing to read. Many grandparents love showering their grand babies with love and gifts at the holidays. If you want a nice way to suggest keeping things minimal, while still creating room for the generosity of grandparents and other family members, try this approach that I read about in an article in Mother Magazine last year: Suggest that grandparents or other family members think about getting the children “one thing they want, one thing they need, one thing to wear, and one thing to read.” Great idea!
Consider a subscription to a Toybrary. Yes, you heard that right. You can check out toys at our very own Toybrary Austin - a toy lending library for children ages 6 months to 5 years old. Check out this piece on the benefits of a toybrary, including less expense, less waste, and less clutter. Consider asking a grandparent to get your child(ren) a subscription or get it for them yourself!
Encourage your child to cultivate skills such as patience, goal-setting, and saving with Goalsetter or Littlefund. These savings platforms allow children to set savings goals for specific adventures and experiences. For example, a college fund; a museum membership; a family trip; et cetera. Then, once your child’s account and goals are set up, you can share the information with family and friends who might want to “gift savings towards your children’s goals and dreams” (Littlefund).
Subscription Gift Boxes for Kids
I love a subscription gift box, as do my kids. There is something so fun about the surprise of the first box and the anticipation of next. There are a million subscription gift boxes out there for all ages and interests. Here are a few of my family’s favorites and those on the wish lists this year:
Little Passports - Design your gift box based on the child’s age and interests (including science, US travel, and world travel and cultures).
Green Kid Crafts - Eco-friendly, STEM science and art boxes for a variety of ages.
Lillypost - Board and picture book box for kids newborn to 7 years old. You can feel extra good about this gift box - for every box they ship, Lillypost donates a book to a child in need.
Kiwi Co Crates - Hands-on science and art projects for ages 0-16+ (you choose the crate that best fits the child’s age and interests).
Little Sous - A great gift for your budding chef.
Can’t get enough subscription gift box ideas? Check out ThriftyCrates’ roundup of the best subscription boxes (not just for kids, but you can do a search and find for “kids” if you just want to focus on kids’ boxes).
Fun Stocking Stuffers
Long Range Walkie Talkies (put one in each siblings’ stocking)
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Happy gifting!
Esha/Enriched Family
Enriched Family is a unique, custom research, coaching, and consulting business dedicated to providing families with the information, tools, and systems they need to live more organized and joyful lives. Services include: Custom family-focused research (child care, education, health and wellness resources, camps, and enrichment activities), family organization solutions (stuff and systems), and productivity coaching for busy, professional parents (planning and prioritizing, productivity consulting, scheduling, and time management coaching).
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