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Non-Toy Gift Ideas

By November 14, 2019January 5th, 2023Lifestyle
Gift Ideas

I feel like my home is bursting at the seams with toys. We seriously have toys hidden in every nook and cranny of our house.  About twice a year we do go through them and try to donate the ones that the kids don’t play with anymore.  But no matter how many we get rid of, the house still feels cluttered. That’s why this holiday season I’m looking for non toy gifts ideas.

Even though I know that some of the kid’s gifts will inevitably be toys, they don’t all have to be.  Some of our favorite gifts over the years have been non-toy gifts.  These gifts can come in the form of almost anything – from experiences, to classes, to even things like jammies and slippers.  Below are some of our absolute favorite non-toy gift ideas.

Our Favorite Non Toy Gift Ideas

Classes

Classes or lessons can be for something the kids are already interested in, or something that may pique a new interest. Last year we gave our daughter horse back riding lessons, and to this day she says it is one of her favorite gifts she has received. Our kids have also loved other classes like painting and cooking.

Tickets

These can be to an event or a show or even the movies. I love giving tickets as gifts, because it gives the recipient something to anticipate. Our son is really into Mystery Science Theater 3000, so last year we gave him tickets to go see the show live. It was so fun seeing his face when he opened the gift.

Experiences

Websites like Groupon and Living Social are great for trying out new experiences. Last year we gave the kids an indoor skydiving experience that we found on Living Social. It was a great way to try something new, and a fun way to bond as a family. Some other ideas for fun experiences are ceramics nights, a planting parties, and a painting night.

Subscriptions

You can get a subscription to just about anything these days. Subscriptions are not limited to magazines. Although, there are still some great magazine subscriptions out there for kids. Some other monthly subscription ideas we like are Kiwi Crate and Little Passports.

Kits

These can be for science, cooking, sewing, magic etc. Lean in to whatever your child is interested in at the time. Last year my son got a microscope along with a science kit, and has spent many hours looking at cool objects under the microscope.

Travel Gear

There is some nice about having your own luggage and travel gear. Hey, it may even inspire your kids to help pack when it is time for your next trip. If nothing else, maybe carrying and keeping track of their very own gear fosters them taking responsibility for themselves.

Rain Gear

Why not brighten those rainy days with a cute umbrella and matching boots and coat. This is one of the few clothing gifts kids might find fun.

Butterfly Hatchery

This one is neat because you buy the hatchery, then you send in the included card for the caterpillars. Once they arrive you sit back and watch the transformation. Always a fun one for the kids.

Jammies and Slippers

A few years back we started our family Christmas pajama tradition. Elf on the Shelf brings them and then we open the pajamas on Christmas Eve. The kids know the jammies are coming and now love to see what style we will all get each year.

Outdoor Gear

I love this one because it gets them outside and active. Some of our favorites in the past are roller skates, scooters, bicycles and helmets.

Books

This one is good because it keeps them reading, and anything that fosters reading is a good thing. If you are looking for something really unique you can get them a personalized book. My kids both have books featuring themselves in the story. They also each have a book featuring their pets.

Games

I love getting board games that we can all play together for family game night.

Blankets

Blankets are a great gift. My kids are always curled up under a cozy blanket in the wintertime. If you want to go one step further, another option is a weighted blanket. Weighted blankets have been shown to lower anxiety and help you sleep better.

Bath Accessories

Let’s face it, kids are stinky! My kids love having their own soaps, bubbles, shampoos, and the like. Further, these things reinforce the importance of hygiene.

Headphones

These are great. Kids can learn to love music without blaring it throughout the house. Headphones also come in handy for audio books and are especially useful if your child is doing immersive reading. Be sure to keep comfort in mind while selecting them.

Memberships

These can be to a museum, zoo, aquarium, amusement park, or other experience. Not only are they fun, but they give the kids a sense of belonging.

Arts and Crafts

Art supplies aren’t only for the budding artist, they can be an avenue to discovering whatever creative itch your kiddo my not even know they have.

These are just a few ideas that have worked great for us in the past.  I hope you can find something on here that will help you avoid falling victim to toy overload this Christmas.  Below you can click and shop some of our favorites.  Happy shopping!

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