I am all about simplifying and cutting down on the amount of “stuff” and excess in our homes and our lives. Why, because the more stuff we have, the more stressed everyone is. If you’re with me here, this time of year can make you either feel a bit anxious and overwhelmed or a bit like Scrooge.
We know that for most of us, the kids have way, way, way too many toys. Studies show that too many toys are plain and simply not good for kids. See what happens when kids have too many toys.
At the same time, it’s Christmas and come on, one of the best parts of Christmas is giving gifts. But, boring gifts are no fun, especially for kids. So what do you do?
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15 Fun Non-Toy Christmas Gifts For Kids
I put together a list of some really fun non-toy Christmas gift ideas for the kids in your life that they will absolutely love. The best part is these gifts will not create a ton of clutter.
1. Piggy Banks
There are many ways to go here: you can give a traditional piggy bank or a fun bank that is specific to their own special interests.
But, I love love, love, this bank. It has three separate slots. One for money they can spend, one for giving, and one for saving. This really teaches such an important lesson in financial responsibility at a young age. You could make it extra fun by including a little bag of your loose coins.
2. Outdoor gift ideas
In this media-driven age, the reality is that kids do not get outside nearly enough. So why not help them out and give them a fun reason to get outdoors a little bit more? There are so many fun outdoor gifts you could give, here are some suggestions to get the ideas flowing:
3. A Beanbag Chair (that actually hides all their stuffed animals).
Oh my gosh, I totally love this. This is one of the most brilliant products I’ve seen. Whoever created this is a genius! This particular beanbag chair is specifically designed to hold as many as 60 stuffed animals! All those stuffed animals can have a place to live. Very cool!
4. Buddha Board
With the Buddha Board your favorite kid can literally “paint” for hours, and the best part, there’s not a single piece of paper lying around afterward. How cool is that, the benefits of hours of creativity without any of the clutter! Plus, you can save only what you want to save.
5. Art and Craft Supplies
5. Art and Craft SuppliesAn art and craft supplies kit is always a hit. You can also fill a basket with arts and crafts supplies you know your favorite kids will use. I know my kids went nuts over stickers, markers, fun paper, and sparkly anything.
Art and craft supplies are great for growing the imagination and are loved by kids of all ages.
6. Fun Bath Supplies
There are so many fun products to choose from:
color-changing water
crayons that write on walls
bubble bath
Wash Cloths
With each of these gifts, the kids will feel like they are getting toys, but they won’t clutter up the whole house!
7. Special Christmas Tree Ornament
Since their very first Christmas, we have given my kids a special dated Ornament. It is so fun to pull them out each year and they always insist on hanging their own ornament. When they are ready for their own homes they will have plenty of ornaments to start their first tree with.
It is a great tradition I am so happy we started. Why not start your own tradition this year?
8. New Bedroom Decor
Again, this is an area where there are so many options to really give a personal gift that will be loved. Look for things that will match their special interests. Here are some ideas to get you thinking:
bedding
posters
alarm clock
lava lamp
pillows
rug
9. Science Kits
A science kit can provide hours of fun and be very educational at the same time. My kids always had a blast with these kits.
10. Magic Kit
Another great option is a magic kit. Kids love performing, this is a great way to have them put on a show for the entire family.
11. Gift Cards
Gift cards are always appreciated especially by older kids. They love video game gift cards, their favorite fast food restaurant or even an Amazon card would be fun.
For the little ones, a gift card to their favorite ice cream shop put inside a cute little purse or wallet with the promise of a special date would be wonderful.
12. The Gift of Reading
12. The Gift of ReadingBooks are always a great gift for kids of all ages. If you really want to cut down on clutter a Kindle Fire or a Kindle Paperwhite would be the perfect gift. You could even give a Kindle Unlimited Subscription, there is even a free 30-day trial. There are over 1 million titles offered with the subscription as well as 1000’s of audiobooks.
To make the gift extra special consider a special soft cuddle blanket and a fun mug for hot chocolate.
13. Board Games & Puzzles
Both games and puzzles are terrific gifts, that the whole family can enjoy. Here are some of our favorites to consider:
14. For The Cool Kid
Do you have a cool kid on your list? Consider these gifts, guaranteed to be a giant hit:
Sunglasses every kid I know loves wearing them.
Temporary tattoos are another item the cool kid will be thrilled to receive.
Picking out some semi-permanent hair dye in a fun color will be a blast, It won’t last long, it usually washes out after a couple of shampoos, but provides tons of fun.
16. Musical Instruments
Personally, I think nothing beats the gift of music. Learning to play and appreciate music has so many benefits for kids. Get them started with one of these musical instruments:
Drum Pad (that can be silenced)
If you’re looking for more ideas for experiences instead of physical gifts be sure to check out these minimalist Christmas gift ideas.
I would love to know what you would add to this list. Let us know in the comments.
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