4 Gift Ideas for Your Kids that May Not Be on Their List

We love a good outing in our household. For many years, my girls stayed home with me exclusively, and I was always looking for something inexpensive to do. Yes, there is the park, play dates, and, of course, enjoying the great outdoors of our backyard. But, sometimes, you just need to get out of the house a little bit, if not for the children, your sanity. We are fortunate to have many family members who love to shower our kids with gifts during the holidays and birthdays. My youngest’s birthday is Christmas day, so her gift load can be overwhelming.

That’s why we love the gift of an outing or experience; here are a few of my favorites to receive and give.

• Trip to the Zoo
• Movie Passes
• Theme Park Tickets ( many theme parks are free for children under 5)
• Children’s Museum
• Jump or Adventure Park
• Art, Paint, or Craft Studio
• Children’s play or musical

Depending on the age of your children, they may need help to grasp the concept of future enjoyment, especially when opening tangible gifts. I like wrapping the tickets or gift cards in multiple boxes with fun paper, making it a game, and then sharing the excitement when they discover the destination!

2. Subscription Boxes

Who doesn’t love getting little gifts all year round? I instead receive a small donation at Christmas in exchange for little packages greeting me monthly in my mailbox. After the hustle and bustle of the holidays fade away and the cold, dark winter months drag on, give a bit of sunshine through the snail mail. I understand that a subscription box can get expensive, so I would encourage you to ask grandparents or other family members to go in together for these gifts. You could also do one subscription box for multiple children. Here are a few of my favorites.

• KiwiCo (science, art, different projects)
• Tonie Characters (need to have a Tonie box; highly recommend if you don’t have one)
• Little Passports (mix of crafts) 
• Literati (calling all bookworms)
• Stitch Fix (for your Fashionista)

3. Games

Remember board games? I am kidding, but seriously, when we were kids, we always played board games. And not just board games, card games, even made up our own! In the digital age, many kids need to put these timeless treasures on their Christmas list, but many great options exist. Playing board games together offers numerous benefits; it gets our children from behind the screens, interacting with others, and using their brains in a new way.

We are game people, so I have multiple suggestions for a great game night. Want to elevate your time together? Create a “game bucket,” and fill it with popcorn, drinks, and candy!

Ages 3-5 years old:

• Pretty Pretty Princess ( great for young girls)
• Hi Ho The Cherry O
• Hungry Hungry Hippos
• Princess Matching Game
• Yeti in My Spaghetti
• Operation

Ages 5-10 years old:

• Chutes and Ladders
• Sorry
• Connect Four
• Checkers 
• Uno
• BattleShip
• Guess Who

Ages 10+:

• Rummikub
• Chess
• Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza
• Avocado Smash
• Exploding Kittens
• Clue

Family Games:

• Pictionary
• Categories
• Taboo
• Ticket to Ride

Outdoor Games:

• CrossNet (4-player game, like volleyball, but for individual players)
• Horseshoes
• Ladder Golf
• Cornhole

My girls love a good camp, and so does this mom. Sending your kids to camp provides a new opportunity for your kids as well as gives you a little free time. As much as I would love to send my children to every camp they want to attend, it’s not financially doable.

Last year, I had the girls write out a list of camps they would like to attend in the upcoming year. Camps are offered year-round, during the holidays, spring break, and summer; think beyond June-August. Then, I had them rank their preferences, and lastly, we listed the length, location, and price of each camp.   After reviewing our calendar and discussing, I noted their selections and started a “camp fund.” When family members asked for gift ideas, I shared about the camps the girls would like to attend.

Some members might choose to fund the entire camp; great! Others might contribute towards the price, which is terrific! There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, so make it work for your family. I am looking for camps to attend. Here are a few suggestions.

• Ask your student pastor what they have planned for the kids this year. Many times, they already have camp events on the calendar.
• Winshape (Chick-fil-A sports camp, available in many cities)
• Check out your local Fine Arts Center. Many times, they offer camps throughout the year
• YMCA ( year-round options)
• Sports Camps ( local colleges or universities will have previous camps on their website for you to browse and get an idea of length and price)

The good news about these gift ideas is that they can also be used for birthdays or other celebrations. I wish you a Merry Christmas, and may you experience the joy of giving this holiday season.

Photo credit: ©GettyImages/paulaphoto

Laura Bailey is an author and Bible teacher who encourages women to understand what they believe, why it matters, and how to apply biblical truths to their lives. Her recent book, Embracing Eternity in the Here and Now, explores how the timeless truths of Ecclesiastes help us live more peaceful, purposeful, and plentiful lives today.

She lives in Upstate South Carolina with her husband and three young girls, where she serves as director of women's ministries at her church. Her passion is teaching the Bible to women, equipping them to live with an eternal perspective. Invite Laura to speak at your next event or learn more: www.LauraRBailey.com connect on Facebook and Instagram.