Knowing what to buy the kids this Christmas can be really hard, especially if they haven’t asked for anything specific, or they already seem to have everything and you’re running out of unique ideas. Whatever the reason, if you’re looking for some inspiration for what to buy the kids this Christmas then check out our list of suggestions below that range from birth through to teenagers.
From birth to age 2
A Soft Toy
Babies and toddlers love to experience the world through their senses, especially touch which is why soft toys are always so popular. They offer comfort, joy, sensory opportunities and the introduction of imaginary play. One toy brand that we are particularly fond of is Lamaze and they have the perfect gift for babies and toddlers this Christmas, the My Friend Jasmine Doll. Not only is she beautiful, colourful and super soft she also comes with crinkly legs, different fabrics and a rattle for extra play options and additional sensory benefits as well as a a clip so that she can be securely attached to the pram or car seat when out and about.
Bath Toys
Bath time is a super fun time for the under twos. They love to splash and experiment with water so bath toys make great gifts. This Peppa Pig one is sure to be a big hit with both the boys and the girls as it features Grandpa Pig and Peppa on board the boat. Both the characters are removable for play and both can be used as squirters too. The deck is also removable and can be used to sift and sieve water and transfer it onto the moveable steering wheel in the middle of the boat, offering lots of play and explorative options for little ones.
Bath Products
Talking about bath time why not treat your littlest one to some lovely bath products. ORGANii are a sustainable family care brand of clean and effective, organic and natural, vegan and cruelty free products that are formulated for skin health. They have lots of beautiful products to choose from or you could pick the baby bundle as it makes a lovely gift set.
Babby Carrier
Most babies under 2 love to be carried but this isn’t always easy if you need to use your hands, so a baby carrier is ideal. If the parents don’t already have one or could do with an upgrade, then I recommend the Babybjorn Harmony 3D mesh carrier which has a wide seat area and adjustable head support, and it is made of cool mesh with soft jersey details. This baby carrier is suitable from birth and can be used to carry baby in 4 different positions. It is available in 6 colours including the very cute Dusty Pink pictured below.
Geomag blocks
The award winning Geomag brand is one most people are familiar with but usually for their building sets that are aimed at older children. They do, however, also have a range perfect for those aged 1-5, the Geomag Magicube sets. These blocks are bright, colourful, chunky and easy to build with as they are magnetic blocks. They are great for helping improve finger dexterity and hand eye coordination and they are also eco friendly as they are made from 100% recycled plastic.
Books
Books make beautiful gifts for all ages. They are not just the gift of a story but the gift of time to spend together as you read and explore another world, opening your imaginations to different possibilities. The Little Duck with all the Luck by L.K Brodie is an exciting tale about a lucky little duck and his brothers and sisters. “These six little ducks, live together with their mother beside a small baby pond near some large bushy
trees. One sunny morning, mother duck gathers her little ducklings around to take them out
on their first big adventure. What sort of wonderful sights might they see along the winding path, far beyond their small baby pond. And, what might the lucky little duck learn about himself, as he sets off on an exciting, fun filled adventure…?”
What makes this book even more special for little ones are the gorgeous illustrations by Kiran Akram, perfect for teaching children to recognise ducks, colours and simple shapes.
The 3-4 year olds
For those aged between three and four you can usually start to focus on their likes and dislikes a little bit more, such as favourite cartoon characters, animals or careers. That being said lots of people will do the same and the child may well end up with duplicate gifts or something they may soon go off if they get bored of that particular theme. For that reason I have chosen a few different ideas that I think all 3-4 year olds will love.
Wooden Toys
I am a big fan of wooden toys. They are more eco-friendly than plastic ones and they also look nicer and seem a little bit more special when bought as a gift. Here are two that I particularly like for pre schoolers.
Kidoki Teeter Totter shapes
This wooden game is just adorable. The shapes and colours will really appeal to the children and the activity of getting the pieces to balance are great for developing fine motor skills and hand eye co-ordination, not to mention when everything falls down it usually results in giggles. The Teeter Totter shapes is also a relatively small game and doesn’t require much room to play which makes it a great one for taking with you when visiting friends or family or going out for a meal to keep them occupied at the table.
Educational fun
Another way to avoid the cartoon themes and duplicate gifts is to look at educational games which, trust me, will definitely be appreciated by the parents.
Froggy Feeding Fun
One of my go to places for educational toys for my children and God children is Learning Resources, they have so much choice and the quality is brilliant. This Froggy Feeding Fun game is perfect for those aged three and over. The idea of the game is to roll the dice and then catch that number of flies, simple, yet effective. Playing this game will help your child develop their fine motor skills as they manipulate the frog in order to catch the flies, recognise the numbers on the dice and count the correct number of flies, all whilst having fun.
Headphones
If your three-year-old is a fan of music, youtube, or cartoons then wireless headphones can be a great gift for them and a sanity saver for the parents too. The Buddyphones wireless headphones give you the peace of mind that they can’t accidently get themselves tangled up in wires as well as reassuring you that they won’t damage their ears as they have a safe audio option. It also means that when screen time is a must, like travelling on long journeys, you don’t need to listen to Peppa pig or Cocomelon on repeat. The Buddyphones POP wireless headphones come in four different colours each one with an additional four designs that can be swapped on changed on the outside of the ear covering, so there is something for everyone from animals to DJ’s, patterns to plain colours.
A book
Books are perfect for all ages and one of my book recommendations for those aged between 5 and 8 is Meli & Mac rendez-vous with a Flamingo. A lovely story that also helps children to learn some simple French phrases in a fun way.
Adventure isn’t far away when they stumble across a lost flamingo who speaks French. Can they help Freddie find his way to the flamingo festival of the year? Join Meli and Mac for some flamingo fun in Serendipity Forest – and use the translation guide to learn a little French along the way!
Clothing
Blade & Rose
If you are wanting to buy clothes for your 3-4 year old (or other ages) then again I urge you to check out Blade and Rose. Not only do they have the festive range featured above but they also have lots of everyday designs including this lovely unicorn set. Their leggings are so soft and comfy and don’t restrict movement at all so great for those that love to run, jump and climb all day long.
Or, if you ‘re looking for more substantial winter wear, like a coat, then Spotty Otter is the go to brand this year. They have a fabulous range of coats in an array of colours that are not only warm and water proof but also fun. My favourite is the Forest Leader Insulated Printer PU Jacket which is fleece lined and available in ages 1-8 and comes in a choice of two colours.
Games
Who doesn’t love a good game at Christmas, especially one the whole family can enjoy. Walk like a chicken is aimed at those aged 3 and over and promises to be lots of fun. Hilarious hide & seek activity game for the whole family, complete with funny walks. Race to find tokens in this totally wacky preschool game for 2 or more players. Have an adult hide the pieces around the house or yard, then start the scavenger hunt. But there’s a clever catch – whatever token you’re looking for, that’s the way you have to move! From hopping like a kangaroo to zooming like an airplane, you’ve never looked so silly! With 18 funny cards, this smart game is a great way to get little ones active.
The 5-8 year olds
The 5-8 year olds are our infant aged children. School is now a big part of their life and so too are their friends, so getting the right presents can sometimes be easier as they are full of tales about what their friends are asking for. But if you are still stuck for ideas here are a few suggestions.
A scooter
Scooters are great unisex gifts. Kids can use them on their own or when meeting up with friends and practising tricks, skills and racing each other. They have even been know to make the school run a lot easier too! The Xootz Stunt Scooter -Shred 2.0 Teal from Skates is perfect for those aged between 6 and 12, it is lightweight has a 360 degree bar spin and is great for beginners.
Speaker
For those aged between 5-8 music is usually becoming a thing. They start to develop their own sense of style, likes and dislikes and you’ll often catch them repeating the lyrics to their favourite songs, so getting them a speaker for their own room makes perfect sense. This means they can sing, dance and learn the lyrics to their hearts content without taking over the family rooms.
Planet buddies is a brand we have used before and can recommend. They have Bluetooth speakers available in two designs; Olive the Owl, pictured below, and Pepper the Penguin. Both have 4 hours of play time, a 33ft wireless range and connect easily to most mobile devices. As well as creating great products Planet Buddies is also a really worthwhile company to support this Christmas as they are environmental conscious and dedicated to raising awareness of endangered animals all over the world.
Geomag set
Geomag sets never get old, I mentioned their younger range earlier but here I would like to recommend their older sets. They are brilliant for keeping children engaged for hours at a time. Geomag have loads of sets to choose from and like lego, it doesn’t matter if they already have one set another set will still be loved and used too as they all build something different. This Geomag Mechanics Challenge strike! set is the construction platform that combines the forces of magnetism with a world of mechanical construction, i allows the child to build something that once completed they can actually continue to play with.
Boards games
Board games are another great gift idea for those aged between 5-8. Especially if you opt for games that you can enjoy as a family. Board games offer lots of benefits to kids including fun and family time but also lessons on turn taking, being a gracious winner and loosing without a tantrum! Lessons that may take a while to learn but will be worth it in the end. Here are a couple of recommendations for games this Christmas.
Peek-A-Zoo Bingo Game
The Peek-A-Zoo Bingo game by Kikkerland is perfect for those aged 5 and over. The aim of the game is to identify the animal peeking through the whole and be the first to complete a line to win. It’s a fun game that will help children improve their animal recognition, reflex and attention skills all whilst plating with their friends or family.
Match the Mermaid
Match the Mermaids is a game aimed at those aged 4 and over. It is a memory game where the players must tun over two cards at a time and try and match the merfolk. However, unlike some memory games the matching cards aren’t identical, instead they are similar with two merfolk’s from the same region so you really do have to pay attention. This game is beautifully illustrated and for the older mermaid lovers it also comes with a lovely little booklet that tells you all about the mermaids.
Dream Big Bingo
The Little People, BIG DREAMS range is simply brilliant. If you aren’t familiar with it then it;s a range dedicated to teaching children all about aspirational people in an easy to understand way. They cover lots of genres from scientists to pop stars, historians to footballers and everyone in between. They aim to educate and inspire the next generation through reading and play. They now have the Dream Big Bingo game available to purchase which is a great way to have fun and teach your children at the same time. The game comes with 6 double sided bingo boards, 30 chips, 60 tokens, 1 cloth bag and a lovely little booklet about the people. The idea is to be the first person to match the characteristics to your character to be the winner.
Princess Castle
This is a beautiful gift idea. The Princess Castle is a build it yourself 3D ice castle that comes complete with over 30 press out and play models. Your little one can build the castle and prepare for the royal ball then get the guests to dance the night away. It also com with a beautifully illustrated 32 page book that sets the scene for the ice castle and all the people that reside there.
Clothing
If you are looking for some clothes for the 5-8 year olds in your life then have a look at Helly Hansen. They have lots of options, some that are aimed more at girls, some aimed more at boys and lots of unisex options too. We love these Daybreaker lightweight fleeces that are so bright and colourful with 7 different colour combinations to choose from.
Cadburys Chocolate
Another popular option are sweet treats and Cadburys chocolates have got to be up their with the best of them. Especially when it comes to Christmas selection boxes. Cadburys have this awesome double deck selection box available which is crammed full of all the Cadburys favourites as well as an extra selection box hidden inside.
Books
Books make great gifts for all ages in my opinion and on that I think would be lovely for the 5-8’s is A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Not just any copy of the Shakespeare classic though, the beautifully illustrated one that also plays gorgeous music by The Story Orchestra. It is a wonderful way to introduce your child to the classic, one they may well return to in high school, in a way that is easy to understand. Throughout the story you will see a musical note, if you press this you and your child can bring the story to life as you hear Mendelssohn’s music fill the room. If A Midsummer Night’s Dream isn’t the one for you then have a look at some of their other incredible titles including; Peter and the Wolf, The Nutcracker and Swan Lake.
The 9-11 year olds
Nine to 11 year olds, the juniors, the tweens, call them what you will they are by far the hardest age to buy for in my opinion. Too old and too cool for most toys but most likely too young for the things they actually ask for. But fear not we do have a few suggestions.
Jewellery
Jewellery can make for a very special gift and a thoughtful keepsake and Little Stars specialise in jewellery for children with pieces that are small enough to fit but still mature and stylish enough to make them fel grown up when wearing it. They have a number of beautiful pieces to choose from for both boys and girls and many of the options can also be personalised.
One of my favourite pieces from their collection is the India Necklace, as it is a simple yet stylish heart pendant on a chain, not too big or heavy for children but still big enough for them to know their friends can see it.
Personalised light
As they are starting to find their style and interests a personalised light from Laser Made Occasions might be just the thing. You can pick a design you know they will love such as a football shirt, a cricket set, musical instruments, animals and so much more and then have it personalised with their name. This can then be displayed in their room where they will be able to use a remote control to change the colours to match their mood or interior.
Clothing
A lot of children between the ages of 9-11 start to take an interest in clothes. They know what they like, prefer brands over high street makes and like to have a say in what they wear. If this sounds like the child you are shopping for this Christmas then Helly Hansen is your friend. they have a great rage of quality clothing that are also stylish and popular. This coat would make a particularly good gift, it’s the Kids Shelter Outdoor Jacket 2.0 and is available in ages 1-12 in 6 different colours. Features include
- HELLY TECH® PERFORMANCE
- YKK® Zipper
- 2-layer construction
- Adjustable cuffs
- Brushed tricot chin guard
- Brushed tricot inside collar
- Detachable hood
- Durable Water Repellency (DWR) treatment
- Elastic hem
- Fully seam sealed
- Hand pockets with YKK® zipper
- Reflective design details
- Internal hanging loop
- Reflective Helly Hansen (HH) logos
- Neon Colour Brim
- YKK® Zipper
- PFC-free DWR
Badminton Set
For kids that love to be active this Yonex badminton set from BadmintonHQ is the perfect gift. It comes with 4 rackets, a carry case, 2 shuttlecocks and a travel net with 4 durable steal frames. Whether they want to play with friends or family this travel set it perfect for the back garden, local park or even to take on their holidays with them.
Games
One hilarious family friendly game is What Do You Meme? (family edition). You will all be presented with the same photo and using the cards you have you need to battle to select the funniest caption to create the best meme. With 300 captions and 65 photos there are so many potential combinations to be made that you are sure to have hours of fun playing this.
Karate Cats & Kung Fu Dogs
Another game aimed at the over 8’s is Karate Cats & Kung Fu Dogs. This game is a furiously fast card game where you will need to have your wits about you to be able to get rid of all your cards the quickest and karate chop any piles of three when needed. This is a game that is sure to end in laughter and lots of martial arts practice.
For a more festive game then how about Christmas-opoly by Cheatwell games. All the fun of the original game but with a holiday twist where you have the opportunity to own the North Pole, Santa’s workshop and Hot Chocolate Highway, just watch out for those Bahumbugs along the way.
Books
If the child you are shopping for is less into group activities, games and sports and moe in to reading, art and being alone then how about a book. There are so many to choose from with hundreds of different catergoies that you are sur to find something that they will enjoy.
One fantastic suggestion we have is the Illumipedia by Carnovsky. It is jam packed full with over 400 species from across all 6 continents for you to explore with your magic three colour lens. This book is fun, educational and simply impressive, it’s a great way to explore the world from the comfort of your own home.
Sweets
Most kids love sweets and whether you buy these as their main gift or as an add on they will be sure to put a smile on their face. Swizzels would be our sweet of choice, not only do they have all the nostalgia of party bags from the 90’s but they also taste great, are vegan friendly and have a great choice for everyone.
The high schoolers!
If you are shopping for a high schooler then I wish you the best of luck! Aside from all things electronic, gaming or make up related we have come up with a couple of other suggestions for you.
Clothing
Teenagers are often starting to become aware of their own style, they know the brands they like (and don’t like), what’s cool and what isn’t but they don’t always have the funds to back this up. So, whilst gifting clothes may seem a bit boring, if you get the brand and style right chances are your gift will be one of their favourite and definitely one of the ones they get the most use out of. One brand that is popular at the moment is Helly Hansen who have a range of products covering all budgets from beanies to coats and everything in between. We particularly like these Crewline polo shirts that are available in sizes XS-2XL, so perfect for teenagers and you can choose from 4 different colours.
Mobile Phone
Once the kids hit high school a mobile phone is top of their list if they haven’t already got one, and to be fair now they are traveling to and from school alone, going out with their mates after school and at weekends and maybe even going to extra curriculum clubs without you to chances are they will need one for safety reasons. If you are thinking of treating your teenager to a phone then I can recommend the TLC 36O. You can purchase it on a contract or as sim only whatever works best for you.
The TLC 360 is great for teenagers as it has
- 6.52″ V-Notch screen
- 2 day battery life (usage dependant)
- Tripple rear camera
- 5MP Front camera with HDR and Auto Capture
- Face recognition
- Fingerprint sensors
Phone accessories
If you are buying your teenager a phone this year then accessories will make for great stocking fillers, table gifts or gifts from family members.
A phone stand
Another great gift idea for the tech savvy teenagers is a phone stand and this one from Kikkerland is perfect at only £10. It enables them to use their phone hands free, perfect for streaming or taking endless selfies, it can be adjusted up to 45 degrees, has space to connect the phone charger and an anti-slip weighted tray at the bottom for bits and pieces like their headphone case.
Headphones
A gift that can be just as much for you as for them is headphones, especially if they have just got their first phone and want to listen to youtube shorts on repeat! If you are thinking of headphones as a gift then we can recommend the Canyon True Wireless Headset. These wireless headphones are designed for those who are constantly on the move and love to listen to music in high quality playback. The latest version of Bluetooth 5.3 ensures stable pairing both with the audio source and between the right and left earbuds. They also have an operating time of up to 7.5 hours and they can be paired with a second BT TWS speaker for immersive stereo sound experience. The headset also allows you to receive phone calls and use voice assistant without touching your smartphone. Available in a range of colours you will be sure to find one your teenager loves. Available from Game and Morrisons.
Jewellery
If you are looking for a gift they can keep then jewellery is a lovely idea, especially as more and more boys are also wearing chains and earrings these days too. One of my favourite places to go for jewellery is Bloom Boutique as they have some gorgeous pieces that are really unique as well as some lovely personalised pieces too. Their jewellery makes great gifts and is a lot more affordable then it looks. If you are shopping for a teenager then how about these Stirling silver heart climber earrings? They give the illusion of have having multiple piecing’s when in fact you only need one to wear them and they are very Emily in Paris too!
Futliit back pack
The Futliit back pack is a revelation! It has been designed with a group of teenagers to ensure it meets their requirements as well as having LED lights on so that it can double up as a piece of visibility equipment when walking in the dark, keeping both child and parent happy. The lights can be turned on from a button on the strap so in the light it looks like any other school bag but when it gets dark it can be turned on very quickly with no need to remove the bag to look for switches.
Stationery
Now they are in high school they will most likely be in need of fancy stationery, so how about some top of the range, great quality, colourful pens and highlighters like these ones from Stabilo. They have a great range with loads of colours to choose from but we are particularly loving the swing cool pastel highlighters and the pen 68 brushes that are fibre-tip pens with flexible brush tips.
Calendars
Now they are at high school chances are they have a busy schedule and lots of important dates to remember with sports fixtures, band practices and exams, so how about a calendar. You can get them one from Danilo in pretty much any theme you can think of from football teams to flowers, films to musicians and so much more. They even have different style so you can get them the traditional wall style or pick up a desk top one for when their room.
Games
You’re never too old for a family games night so how this great game by The Happy Puzzle Company that will really make them think is Lost 4 Words. This one is suitable for those aged 10 and over and requires the players to find the single word that can be placed before or after each word on the card to create four new words. You need to have a good vocabulary and be a quick thinker for this one but be warned, all those words you thought you know will suddenly vanish fro your memory when the clock is ticking.
If you are buying for a child at the top end of this age range then how about a more (im)mature game aimed at those specifically over 16 like We’re All Gonna Die by Ginger Fox Games. A game where team work and collaboration is of paramount importance if you want to cheat death!
Sweet Treats
Most kids love chocolate, sweets and popcorn and those that do will probably love festive ones even more. But as a high schooler they are probably a little to cool for the off the shelf regular range so why not treat them to some fancy pop at home novelty chocolate spouts instead. These cool bottles from Popcorn Kitchen contain gourmet popcorn kernels you can pop yourself at home along with oodles of Belgium chocolate drops and some delicious chocolate ganache sprouts
Chocolate
You’re never too old for a selection box and this Favourites selection by Cadbury is going to be a massive hit with the teenagers this year. It only costs £6.49 and contains
- Cadbury Dairy Milk Chocolate Bar 119g
- Cadbury Dairy Milk Chocolate Giant Buttons Bag,
- Cadbury Dairy Milk Chocolate Fingers Box
- Cadbury Twirl Bar
It can even be personalised if ordered from the website.
I hope this has given you some ideas for what to buy the kids this Christmas regardless of their age. But most of all I hope you all have a wonderful festive time and if you’re still stuck for ideas for the teenagers the check out this gift guide for more ideas on what to buy those tricky teenagers this Christmas.
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