It’s one of the most joyful (and expensive) times of the year! Holiday toy lists are growing, and it can get very overwhelming to decide what to get a loved one, especially the little ones. As a mother of a five- and three-year-old, I can tell you firsthand the lists continue to grow. After each holiday season our playroom seems to be filled with all the toys, but after just a few weeks, sometimes days, those toys are no longer played with.

Why not change it up this year — give the gift of an experience or a toy that can help our children learn and grow!

Below are some ideas for different age groups:

Ages 0-1

We can’t forget about our littlest loves! Although they may not be old enough to make a holiday toy list, Beright Wooden Baby Walker doubles as a push and pull activity, and it offers an activity center that helps develop motor skills.

Ages 2-4

This age is so fun and offers a variety of different options for mentally stimulating toys that never get old.

• Wooden blocks
• Name or mini puzzles can help your loved one learn to spell their name. Below is a great option to help learn shapes and colors, too.
• Balance bike: this is a great way to help with gross motor skills and help transfer your child to a bike without training wheels. Not to mention, an opportunity to get outside and burn energy!

Ages 5-10

• Bracelet making kit, great opportunity to use creativity and fine motor skills!
• Magna-Tiles (this can go to multiple age groups)
• Art cases and crafts are opportunities for creativity
• Roller skates
• Science kit, give the gift of STEM
• Instead of a joke book, why not give the gift of facts so we can all learn something new!

Ages 11-15

As our kids get older it is harder to keep the screens away. This is where experiences can come in. Make a lasting memory by taking them on a short overnight trip, a concert or just having a special day with them doing all their favorite things.

Other ideas:

• New bike or any sort of athletic gear that they may be interested in
• Tennis shoes
• Kindle
• Age-appropriate games for a family game night!

Age 15 and older

Same goes for this age group, experiences go a long way.

Other gift ideas:

• Membership to an exercise class like, yoga
• New tennis shoes, cold weather athletic gear to help our loved ones get outside in the winter months
• Fitbit/or any digital sports watch
• Jigsaw puzzles
• Kindle

And finally, some experience ideas:

• Membership to your local zoo
• Membership to your local children’s or art museum
• Money towards an activity like gymnastics, dance or taekwondo

If you are really struggling on how to go about holiday shopping this year, I recently heard a saying that was helpful to me when it comes to buying for kids: “Something they want, something they need, something they wear and something they read.” We hope this offers some fun and healthy holiday gift ideas!

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