This is a sponsored post and I received several items mentioned here as review items. All opinions are my own.
As you know, our firstborn son just turned the unthinkable age of... FOUR!
Which meant a birthday party and all that fun. Birthday parties mean birthday gifts, and you know I prefer birthday gifts that aren't toys... but I suppose a toy or two will creep in, as long as it's not the "battery-operated" variety!
Here's what our son received for his fourth birthday, which I think makes a great gift guide for boys (or girls!) so I'm sharing it with you!
Books are great gift ideas for boys!
Especially for boys, gifting books sends a powerful message - "Reading is important!" and "Reading is fun!" And if you share with the child how the book you're giving was a favorite of yours when you were his age? Well, that's like super-gifting!
Here's four books I recommend for four year olds:
One Busy Day - A Story for Brothers & Sisters by Lola M. Schaefer. I loved (was moved to tears by) the prequel: One Special Day, so I was delighted to receive this book for our son. The story is beautifully told cleverly through the pictures, but the brief text also shapes the story nicely. Spencer's not that interested in playing with his little sister (most older siblings can relate!). But... with a little imagination and a lot of love, Mia might just be able to show Spencer that it's a lot more fun to be busy together. I love the message of this book!
Usborne's Illustrated Stories for Boys - I picked this book because it included some classic retellings and modern stories about robots and such - we're just getting into it but the illustrations are great for younger kids!
Big Rig by Jamie A. Swenson - Can my little boy have enough truck books? NO, if he doesn't have this book about Frankie the truck with a big personality! The illustrations are bold and vibrant, and I love the sound-effects! Both my boys spend long moments exclaiming over Dinosaur Land at the end of the book!
Curious Critters Volume Two by David Fitzsimmons - After seeing this book, I want to get Volume One! Close-up animal photos illustrate with riveting, colorful detail. The North American critters are specific: bluegill, striped skunk, cave salamander. The narrative for each animal is told from the creatures point of view, and depicts their "personality." View sample pages at www.curious-critters.com.
Unique clothing CAN be a fun gift (and practical!)
Instead of the typical socks and t-shirts we usually gravitate towards when buying children's clothing, try something different. Like gifting a unique children's accent piece, such as a bowtie or suspender set, or nifty hat. Choose classic styles in modern prints and patterns to add charm! Or go classic with plaid neck and bow ties. For comfort and coziness, pick out a pair of adorable wool indoor shoes came in adult sizes! I love wool, and recommend shoes that are felted with a non-slip suede outsole.
Toys for creative play
Yes, I said toys, but the kind that let's kids have creative freedom, encourages inventive play and movement, and can be shared!
Safari Ltd - What kid doesn't like animals? I bet you'll be hard pressed! From TOOBs full of miniature animal replicas, to jumbo animal figurines, children can build a zoo, engage in storytelling, create elaborate scenes and more. (After I build a cake with those cute little animals first!). Each figure is life-like with detail and design to scale! I see these toys having imaginative play and educational uses as well!
Wooden Train Set - Every kid should have a wooden train, I think! Choose a small and simple train set that provides kids a set of tracks, trains, and a few accessories.
Preschool Gear is always needed, and it's pretty cool too!
Swim Goggles - Giving the gift of swimming lessons is a fantastic choice at this age. Kids generally find it fun to get in the pool and splash around, and you're also teaching them a skill they can enjoy for life (as well as keeping them safe!). Swim goggles are better than masks, as they allow children to learn to "block" the water from going up their nose, versus masks that give a false sense of protection (then when they leak, kids get panicky over the water coming in!).
Volume-Limiting Headphones - Did you know that children shouldn't be listening to audio at the same volume that adults do? Their eardrums are still developing and delicate, so decibels higher than 85 can permanently damage their eardrums. It's best to find a pair of volume-limited headphones so the kids can't turn up the volume louder than necessary. After some online research, the Kazoo MyPhones came out ahead of the others as being the most truly volume limited, as well as sturdy for kids. Don't you love the Frog design! A headphone set is a great gift because it can allow children to listen to audiobooks when you're cooking or cleaning and can't read to them!
What's your favorite gift idea for boys?
I have used Amazon affiliate links in this post. All opinions are my own.
Great post! I must get my kids those headsets!
Great post! I must get my kids those headsets!
Great post! those headphones are really cool. Might have to get two for my kids.
Great post! those headphones are really cool. Might have to get two for my kids.
I love the Volume-Limiting Headphones, they would be a great gift for my grandson.
I love the Volume-Limiting Headphones, they would be a great gift for my grandson.
I love the animal toys on the cake.
I love the animal toys on the cake.
I think books are always a wonderful gift idea (for me too!). One thing I would suggest is pretend play toys. Between Christmas and his birthday in the past couple of months my 2 year old son got a play kitchen and workbench and he loves them! It's so much fun to be like mommy and daddy!
I think books are always a wonderful gift idea (for me too!). One thing I would suggest is pretend play toys. Between Christmas and his birthday in the past couple of months my 2 year old son got a play kitchen and workbench and he loves them! It's so much fun to be like mommy and daddy!
I would like to get the book One Busy Day – A Story for Brothers & Sisters for my grandson and granddaughter. Thanks for all the great ideas, I loved the cake with the wooden train, so creative, I would really like to do one for my grandson on his next Birthday.
I would like to get the book One Busy Day – A Story for Brothers & Sisters for my grandson and granddaughter. Thanks for all the great ideas, I loved the cake with the wooden train, so creative, I would really like to do one for my grandson on his next Birthday.
I love the volume limiting headphone we really need a set of those
I love the volume limiting headphone we really need a set of those
I think the necktie and bowtie are adorable! I also love the suggestion of books for gifts. My children love books.
I think the necktie and bowtie are adorable! I also love the suggestion of books for gifts. My children love books.
As a mom of one boy, I think your books and gift selections are outstanding. It's really not hard to pick out great books for kids of all ages and I wish more people would give it a try! Also, Melissa & Doug toys are fantastic but not always within everyone's price range, that's why I liked that you added in the Safari toys too, your lust hS something for all boys and for all price ranges, kudos to you both! Just found the blog, LOVE IT!
As a mom of one boy, I think your books and gift selections are outstanding. It's really not hard to pick out great books for kids of all ages and I wish more people would give it a try! Also, Melissa & Doug toys are fantastic but not always within everyone's price range, that's why I liked that you added in the Safari toys too, your lust hS something for all boys and for all price ranges, kudos to you both! Just found the blog, LOVE IT!
At Safari Ltd. I like the Mega Toobs: Pets Mega Toob ($17.84)
At Safari Ltd. I like the Mega Toobs: Pets Mega Toob ($17.84)
My son has really been interested in trucks, I think he would really like the Big Rig book.
My son has really been interested in trucks, I think he would really like the Big Rig book.
I love the frog earphones, my nephews would love to wear these around even if they were not using them for their intended purpose!
I love the frog earphones, my nephews would love to wear these around even if they were not using them for their intended purpose!
The volume limiting headphones would look great for my daughter,she loves listening music,plus it would make great birthday gift for her.
The volume limiting headphones would look great for my daughter,she loves listening music,plus it would make great birthday gift for her.
I like the gifts of books idea, my son loves books and he just started to read. I would love to include a little note to gift books for his next birthday.
I like the gifts of books idea, my son loves books and he just started to read. I would love to include a little note to gift books for his next birthday.
Books are always a winner i feel. My son loves books especially anything with flaps to turn over or different textures or stickers.
http://www.experiencedaysdiscounts.com
Books are always a winner i feel. My son loves books especially anything with flaps to turn over or different textures or stickers.
http://www.experiencedaysdiscounts.com
I like the Safari
toy for my grandson
I like the Safari
toy for my grandson
um those outfits are absolutely adorable. My kids never have an opportunity to get dressed up anymore. Our church here is not formal at all - not even really at holidays so boo hoo.
um those outfits are absolutely adorable. My kids never have an opportunity to get dressed up anymore. Our church here is not formal at all - not even really at holidays so boo hoo.
I think the volume limiting headphones would be a great for any tech savvy boy!
I think the volume limiting headphones would be a great for any tech savvy boy!
I'd maybe add a special trip you wouldn't normally go on...aquarium, train museum, etc.
I'd maybe add a special trip you wouldn't normally go on...aquarium, train museum, etc.
The volume limiting headphones are great!
The volume limiting headphones are great!
I'd love to win the Safari prize.
I'd love to win the Safari prize.
I love the headphones. I think that is a great gift idea because most children have some kind of electronic device for playing games or listening to music.
I love the headphones. I think that is a great gift idea because most children have some kind of electronic device for playing games or listening to music.
I think some type of building blocks or large snap together blocks are always a hit with little boys.
jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com
I think some type of building blocks or large snap together blocks are always a hit with little boys.
jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com
My favorite item is the moccasins! I think art supplies are great gifts too (paint, chalk, crayons, etc.)!
My favorite item is the moccasins! I think art supplies are great gifts too (paint, chalk, crayons, etc.)!
I absolutely love the cake with the Safari animals! If I could bake a cake like that, it would make decorating it so much easier!
I absolutely love the cake with the Safari animals! If I could bake a cake like that, it would make decorating it so much easier!
I've been wanting to get our 5 year old a necklace like the ones on Safari.
I've been wanting to get our 5 year old a necklace like the ones on Safari.
Love the wool moccasins!
Love the wool moccasins!
Lately we have really been into Legos! That is all we talk about 🙂
Lately we have really been into Legos! That is all we talk about 🙂
I enjoy giving children books as gifts
I enjoy giving children books as gifts
I like the headphones idea as it's not something that I would have thought of getting my son, but I think it's something that he would like.
I like the headphones idea as it's not something that I would have thought of getting my son, but I think it's something that he would like.
My favorite gift idea from this list is books, specifically the Curious Critters Volume Two book! Boys love critters!
My favorite gift idea from this list is books, specifically the Curious Critters Volume Two book! Boys love critters!
My boys would love the headphones! I would also add Legos! My boys can't get enough!
My boys would love the headphones! I would also add Legos! My boys can't get enough!
I really love good books for gifts. My grandchildren love to be read to!
I really love good books for gifts. My grandchildren love to be read to!
I really like the Volume-Limiting Headphones,,they are cute an love the colors
I really like the Volume-Limiting Headphones,,they are cute an love the colors
I love the headphones. That's something I've been thinking about getting for my kids.
I love the headphones. That's something I've been thinking about getting for my kids.