7 Great Non-Toy Gift Ideas for Kids

Does it seem like birthdays and Valentine’s Day and Easter all come hard on the heels of Christmas? You just figured out what toys to get rid of for the Christmas influx… and here come more “gifting” holidays! I’m in a constant struggle to keep the clutter down in our home. So I’m always searching for non toy gift ideas for kids! 

As much as I love toys (the non-battery ones!), I do sort of dread the sudden influx that happens multiple times a year. So I’ve brainstormed my favorite non-toy gift ideas that I’m always hoping people get my kids INSTEAD of toys. Here they are! 

Amazing Non Toy Gift Ideas for Kids:

Clothing – Kids always need new clothes. With children’s fashion designing such cute styles, it’s easy to get adorable, yet fantastically useful gifts for kids. A nice outfit that speaks to a child’s interests or style will be very well-received by kids. They LOVE being able to wear their favorite animal, team, or color! Don’t forget shoes! A fun pair of shoes is also exciting for children as well! Go for quality, versus licensed product styles, and parents will thank you!

Food – If you don’t have kids, you probably don’t realize that a small box of organic snacks is nearly $5! Kids can rip through those in a day or two! A fun gift is to stock a basket or other useful container (backpack? lunchbox?) with healthy snacks like organic crackers, fruit leathers, granola bars, and other low-fat, low-sugar snacks. Again, parents will thank you, and kids will be delighted by a pile of (not-so-sugary) treats just for them!

Experiences – Enjoying a local museum or kids’ play place as a family gets expensive. Many families I know simply don’t go because of the cost. And even when we can’t use any of the stuff, parents still get charged, and sometimes at a higher price! Makes no sense. A great gift is to buy a family pack or season pass to an area fun spot like a children’s museum or kids’ gym. Parents can wait for a rainy day and the child will enjoy their birthday present long after their birthday. Or, ask parents what lessons and trips their kids will be taking and get an item specifically for that event: sunglasses for a beach vacation, a mess kit for a camping trip, etc. Time spent together is the most valuable gift of all!

Accessories – Kids enjoy a bubble bath, bandaids, hair ties, shoelaces, stickers, and other consumable items that let them express their style and have fun! For a child, a set of themed items can be more exciting than ONE BIG present! And you’ll enjoy creating a gift basket assortment with a specific child in mind.

Artwork/Decor – How about an enlarged print of a favorite vacation spot, animal, or other interest? Maybe a great snapshot you’ve taken of the family or child? A framed baseball you caught at the last game might interest a sports fan, and a stretched canvas print is fun in any room! Added bonus – since it’s on the wall, it doesn’t get underfoot, and can be enjoyed every day!

Craft supplies – Children consume so many crayons, papers, stickers, paints in their pursuit of the perfect creation! Stock them up with some new craft supplies, maybe special items with glitter, or a craft kit.

Subscriptions – Consider a magazine subscription for children! Educational magazines like Cricket, Family Fun, and others will be a fun treat each month for both parent and child to enjoy together. And afterward, the pictures and pages can be used in craft and art projects! Sometimes these even come with online versions with added features!

Notice none of these non-toy gift ideas for kids will sit around the house adding clutter. I enjoy gifts kids can use daily, or make into a project, or that have a personalized touch like being handmade or sharing an experience with an aunt or uncle.

What are your ideas for alternative gifts for kids?