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Gifts for Kids

They say that the holidays are for kids, and there’s some truth in that. Children are easily caught up in the excitement and magic of the season: delicious smells, treasured decorations that transform a home or a neighborhood into a dwelling place of light and beauty, mysterious boxes and closets that are strictly off limits, and their own first adventures into the art of gift giving are just a few of things that set the season apart. In choosing gifts for kids, the hope is that the gift will still be in “rotation” long after the holidays are gone.  So how do you choose such a gift?

Children are constantly bombarded with tempting possibilities. They see what their friends, siblings and cousins favor. There’s also advertising and packaging that hope to attract a child’s attention and desire. With adults, careful listening can point the way to the perfect gift. But with children it’s a bit more difficult. A child’s enthusiasm often waxes and wanes in response to cues in the environment: “everyone” at school has one or wants one, the siren song of advertising may have made another conquest, or faced with a request for a suggestion, the first thing that pops into a young person’s head, whether they really want it or not, is what comes out.

Given the mutability of kids’ wish lists, how do you select a great gift? Take a good long look at the child’s true interests. What do they choose to do for fun? How do they play? What are they curious about? What are their dreams? As much as they may enjoy it, watching TV and playing video games doesn’t count. The best gifts inspire creativity and exploration. The goal is to find the sweet spot where interests intersect with activity, both mental and physical. 

Celestron UpClose G2 8x21 Roof Binoculars

Do you know a child with a budding interest in birds or wildlife? The Celestron UpClose Roof Binoculars can help them hone their skills of identification and observation. They’re a good size for small hands and can be easily tucked away in a backpack or on a shelf close to a window, ready at a moment’s notice. The binoculars have multi-coated 8x optics for a wide field of view and come with a soft carrying case and strap. Forget the toy binoculars. Give them the real deal and throw in a bird identification guide as well.

This Is How We Do It by Matt Lamonthe

Reading expands horizons. It offers glimpses into other lives, other ways of being in the world. It fills in some of the gaps between us and helps us to communicate with one another. This Is How We Do It takes young readers on a trip around the world to see how seven kids from Italy, Japan, Iran, India, Peru, Uganda and Russia spend their days. It’s a window into traditions other than our own that also shows how much we have in common, like school, breakfast and playtime. Suggested for Kindergarten through 3rd grade.

Chronicle Books Cat Cafe 500-Piece Puzzle

Whole Earth has a selection of beautiful puzzles for all ages from the simplest for very young children to1000 piece puzzles for the devotee. We even have two-sided puzzles if you’re looking for a new challenge. The Cat Cafe puzzle from Chronicle Books combines kitties and desserts in the colorful, quirky art of Kat Uno. Puzzles can also be fun for friends and family during the holidays. Spread the pieces out on a table and watch the image slowly come together through the cooperation of many hands.

Fjallraven Kanken Mini Backpack - 7L

With the Swedish mantra in mind, “Straight backs are happy backs,” Fjallraven created the first Kanken in 1978 to spare the backs of school children. Simple, stylish and functional, the Kanken Mini is proportioned for small children. Whether they’re traveling, hiking or going to school, kids have things they need to carry too. If your child is ready for a real backpack, one made with quality materials, thoughtfully designed and just their size, the Fjallraven Kanken Mini may be just what you’re looking for.

Toysmith Get Outside GO! Spring Ring Game

Sometimes kids need a little encouragement to get outside and play. Spring Rings can help! The large springy disks and rubber and splash balls are all you need for some free-form fun. Spring Ring “catch” (or is it “volley”?) is can be enjoyed by all ages and fitness levels. It’s excellent for developing hand-eye coordination, but the kids won’t notice because they’re having such a good time. Take it to beach, camping or backyard parties. You’ll be glad you did!