How to gift the kids of a minimalist parents or kids who seem to have everything. Here are some unique gifts that are not toys!! I have divided this list of 27 gift ideas into two main categories:
But First, Talk To The Parents
When giving gifts we want to give from the heart and if we truly want their well being we will give appropriate gifts. Knowing not just what the kids want but what the parents allow is important. Your niece might tell you she wants a toy microphone and speaker but will that annoy her mother…? your sister…? Yes it will. So I bought it for her. Do as I say, not as I do.
Sometimes we can get carried away and give gifts that the parents were trying to avoid bringing into the house. Gifts like Lego are great if they already are a Lego family and some families are not. Some families are not into Disney princesses or barbies and for some those are perfect gifts. Know the kids and know what the parents are okay with introducing into the family.
When you want to gift a need, ASK to make sure they parents/child need this item. Do they need clothing? or do they not want anymore. Do they need more art supplies? or do they have enough. Do they need more books? What do they need? Don’t just assume everyone needs new shoes or more markers.
No Clutter Gifts
These gift ideas are here and gone again. Perfect for the kids who has everything or for the minimalist family. Gifts that will make the day special without the fuss of finding a place to keep store it.
Balloons
Balloons are fun and don’t last forever. They make a day/week special.
Bubbles
My kids love bubbles they are typically a one afternoon outside fun. Nothing I have to find space and it gets them outside.
Bubble Bath
My girls love bubble baths. I do not buy bubble bath regularly but they become great stocking suffers or birthday gifts for fun bath time.
Flowers
Those little girls feel so loved when given a sweet little bouquet of flowers! They light up when the flowers are for them. Household plants or garden plants or even seeds can be just as fun for your kids to take care of and watch grow.
Foods, Snacks, Treats
Candy, snacks, favorite foods are another fun gift to give. Be sure to make sure over sugar someone else’s kids and ask the parents if they have suggestions or restrictions that they give their kids when it comes to food.
side story: For my oldest sons first birthday his aunt got him a banana. He was so excited he cried when I tried to get him to open the next gift. We had to take a break and let him eat his banana before moving on with the party! It was hilarious and has become a tradition with our family to give a banana for the first birthdays.
Ice Cream Money/Gift Card
My son was so excited when he got a card from his great-great Aunt with $5 in it specifically for ice cream. He love’s going out for ice cream at our local creamery and it made for a great gift.
Tickets to Events
Museums, plays, movie theater, aquarium, zoo. These are great gifts to talk to the parents about first. If you are giving the gift of an event make sure its something the parents approve of. Also don’t leave out the parents from experiencing the adventure with their kids. Don’t take your grand kids to the zoo for the first time without the parents.
Scavenger Hunt/Treasure Hunt
Adventure! You can make up your own scavenger hunt or treasure hunt that geared to your child or check out these 35 awesome scavenger hunt ideas for kids. Some treasures can be toys that they can keep or candy and treat that goes away when finished.
Sidewalk Chalk
My two oldest boys just spend hours outside with chalk, making rocket ships, race car and car tracks, numbering all 84 squares in the side walk to the corner of the block. A great gift that once is done its gone
Water balloons
Great for summer birthday gift. On a hot day the kids can have a epic battle while cooling down in the water. One used they are done.
Less Clutter Gifts
Most of the gifts on this list take up some space but not a lot and not always for long. Too much of a good thing can get overwhelming at times. When shopping for a minimalist family or a kid who has everything already ask yourself if they will use this gift or if it will just become another thing to store. Giving from the heart is giving something they will use.
Audio Books
For the younger kids who can’t read yet, audio books are a great gift. Starting that love for reading early can be done with audio books. Listening to a book in long car rides, or during quiet time/nap time while they color or play with legos is a great way to introduce a love for reading. You can get gift cards for amazon to use towards audible or purchase a monthly subscription for someone. For other audio books apps check out Everyday Reading’s review.
Board Games
Even with our 3 and 4 year old we like to introduce board games, even if we don’t play exactly by all the rules with the little ones we have a lot of fun.
Books
One of the best gifts you can give is books. Books form people and character. A love to read can produce a love for knowledge.
Camping Gear
If the family is a camping family items like a compass, flashlight, binoculars can be really fun to receive as gifts.
Clothing
Something practical can also be special. A sweet little dress, or cool new pair of rain boots can become a very special outfit
DVD’s
In a world of streaming this gift my seem out dated but my kids love being able to pick out what they want to watch by looking through their DVD’s. I feel more comfortable that ad’s I don’t approve of aren’t randomly popping up and shows they are not allowed to watch aren’t an seen as an option. They also get to take their favorite movies to their grandparents and cousins house for fun movie nights.
Flower/Plants
Those little girls feel so loved when given a sweet little bouquet of flowers! They light up when the flowers are for them. Household plants or garden plants or even seeds can be just as fun for your kids to take care of and watch grow.
Fun Money
I remember getting $2 dollar bills in Christmas stockings or for my birthday, they are rare and exciting and you want to save them instead of spend. My brother in law once made a treasure map and hid a treasure chest full of $3 works of pennies that his son and my sons (ages 4-5) got to split up between them. They love the adventure and 100 pennies is a lot of money for a little boy.
Piggy Bank
Now what to keep your treasure in? A piggy bank! It doesn’t have to be a pig, there are lots of cute ideas out there. I personally like the ones that easily open so that my kids can count their money over and over again (homeschooling points) or the ones they can see through and see grow as they save their money. Kibelly Wooden Banks are a great example.
Photo Album
My daughters loves looking though my wedding photo albums and their baby albums. You can create personal photo books at Shutterfly, Snapfish, Mixbook, Chatbooks or even Walmart for less than $10.
Personal letters from you can be very special especially if you live far away or like to travel. Postcards, birthday cards, drawings and art can be very exciting to receive in the mail. Sending mail monthly can be something those kids can look forward to
Subscriptions
There are lots of wonderful creative kids subscriptions you can sign up for. Magazines like National Geographic Kids, Highlights, and more. Activity boxes like KiwiCo, Little Passports, Highlights High Five and Lovevery. Something new every month that produces creativity and learning.
Scavenger Hunt/Treasure Hunt.
Adventure! You can make up your own scavenger hunt or treasure hunt that geared to your child or check out these 35 awesome scavenger hunt ideas for kids.Some treasures can be toys that they can keep or candy and treat that goes away when finished.
Art Supplies
Acrylic or Watercolor Paints
Fun fancy paints for older kids a great way for them to feel older and take seriously their art projects. Don’t forget a few nice paint brushes that go with out fun paint.
Art Paper
Water color paper, thick card stock, sketch pads for artists of all ages.
Coloring Books
Coloring books for any age! There are so many different types of coloring books out there I’m sure you can find something they will love.
Journal
A journal can be a great way to encourage creative writing or simple finding words to express yourself. For younger kids you can get a drawing journal or a journal with prompts.
Photo Album/Scrapbook
You can make your own photo album as a gift or but a blank album that the kids get to fill in themselves. Print pictures for them and let them make their own memories.
Science Projects
Like Doctor Jupiter’s Science Kit, or Stem Robotics Kids or a gardening Root Viewer Kit. There are lots of different ways to experiment and grow your kids knowledge while having a lot of fun!
Sidewalk Chalk
My two oldest boys just spend hours outside with chalk, making rocket ships, race car and car tracks, numbering all 84 squares in the side walk to the corner of the block. A great gift that once is done its gone.
If you have any other disposable, non clutter gift ideas please share in the comments! I know you all have great ideas out there!