Christmas Gift Ideas for Children of Every Age and Stage
As a parent, aunt, or relative wishing to give a child the perfect gift, it may be hard to choose something that they can play with while also contributing to their brain development. Fortunately, there are so many ideas to choose from nowadays!
Other than safety, we also need to keep in mind that the toy must be age and development appropriate. We have listed down some gift ideas and tips on how to choose the bests for the children:
Infant birth to 12 months
Babies follow moving objects and bright colors. They are happy with things that they can grab, move, and chew on. And for this, textured balls, rattles, squeeze toys, soft dolls, and large board books will make such great gifts.
Starting seven months, they will go from rolling and sitting to crawling and standing. Toys that can make them move, such as big wooden cars to push and pull, are ideal, as well as blocks and cubes to build up!
Toddlers 1-4 years old
With toddlers, expect rapid movement, experimentation, and curiosity. They enjoy manipulating their surroundings so toys like an activity board, clay, construction, miniature furniture, and drawing materials will be interactive and fun.
This is also the age when they develop three-fingered grasp, which can be practiced with toy scissors, wind-up toys, beads, and storybooks. These things will help them learn how to grip small objects with their fingers, as well as start in holding pens, scissors, and other toddler skills.
Also read: Educational Apps for Little Kids
Middle Childhood 8-11 years old
Children at this age are starting school and are adjusting to social rules outside of the house. Social games such as board games, puzzles, and do-it-yourself kits are very interesting to them. Big outdoor games and sports are also ideal as gifts.
Also read: Discovery Kids: Sparking Curiosity and Encouraging Exploration
Young teens 12-14 years old
Now grown up, they are curious, adventurous, and social. At this age, they start having abstract thinking, and even mood swings. They have developed likes and dislikes so it would help to know what shows or characters they are into.
Books and video games can keep them grounded and entertained.
Safety
Make sure that the toys are non-toxic, washable, lead-free, and shatter-proof. There must be no sharp parts and splinters or where the child can be pinched.
Electric toys must also have a label saying it is UL-Approved, which means that it has passed a series of safety tests such as choking and flammable hazards.
Also read: Listicle: Toy Stores in the Philippines
What will you get for your young loved ones this Christmas? We’d love to hear in the comments below!
Images from Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Etsy.
