April and May are huge months for our family. It’s a 2 month time period when 3 of our 4 kids have birthdays. While it’s an amazing time to celebrate and love everything our children have accomplished this year, it’s also secretly a time of scrambling for presents, birthday party plans, and more, times 3!
Every parent knows the frustration of a child receiving an expensive gift and quickly losing interest in it. A friend of mine’s six-year old son got a Nintendo DS from his grandparents a few months ago, and he’s played on it for about 7 and a half minutes since then! Here are some suggestions for some inexpensive gifts that will hopefully make an impact on even the most capricious child, and if not, at least it didn’t cost too much!
The truth of the matter is that children remember experiences way more than material items, so whenever possible, gift an experience! Of course, some experiences can be pricey, so instead of reaching for your wallet and heading to the nearest amusement park, here are some less costly options: Museums often offer discounted or even free days, see what’s offered in your area! When the weather permits, explore a park or playground that you haven’t been to before.
Plan a quick scavenger or treasure hunt with some cheap toys from a dollar store or some candy as a prize- remember it’s the experience that’s the gift! Go fishing! Give the child a cool card or ticket to let them know about the gifted experience, and take lots of pictures while you’re doing it- then you can even put together a scrap book with the child as a bonus gift!
If you’re really looking for a regular stop and the store and pick something up kind of gift, here are some inexpensive ideas for those as well:
- Art supplies- the creative kid can always use a box of crayons, set of paints, or a sketchbook- and they’ll think of you while they work on their latest masterpiece!
- Mr. Potato Head- for younger kids, this classic toy is so versatile, it’s sure to get played with and maybe even handed down when it’s done being used by one child!
- Yo-Yo- at any age, this one can be tricky to figure out, and even tougher to master- so children that love a challenge will get a kick out of picking this up again and again!
- Puzzles and games- there are a lot of fabulous reasonable priced choices for various skill levels in the puzzle and games isle at the store!
- Books- books can really range in price, but especially if you have a discount book store near you, a book can be a super gift even if you’re not buying for a big reader. Think outside the box- there are how-to books, books for collectors, activity books, and more- that would suit children with lots of different interests.
There are lots of inexpensive gifts out there that children will appreciate receiving for years- and to really make it memorable, sit down and check out the gift along with the child!
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