15 Thoughtful Non-Toy Christmas Gift Ideas for Toddlers, Babies and Kids

This year has absolutely flown by – but if you can believe it, it’s coming up to that time when we have to start thinking about Christmas presents for our friends and family.

When you think about buying gifts for babies, toddlers and children, toys almost always come to mind first. What child doesn’t love opening a brand new toy? But if there’s one sentiment that applies to almost any kid out there, it’s that most of them probably have too many of the things (and their parents would agree).
If you’re looking for some fabulous non-toy gift ideas for the little ones in your life, we don’t blame you. Here are 15 great gift ideas for babies, toddlers and older children that don’t involve toys, and which they are bound to appreciate – as well as Mum and Dad!

Non-Toy Gift Ideas for Babies

If you’re buying a gift for a newborn baby, think about the essentials. In the first couple of months, the little bundle of joy wouldn’t really appreciate toys anyway – so it’s best to choose gifts that are useful for both the child and the parents who are taking care of him. And even in the later stages of babyhood, infants don’t really need that many toys to have a good time. Here are some great gift ideas that aren’t toys:

• Baby blanket. Every newborn child needs to be wrapped in a soft blanket that will keep him warm and cosy, especially during the cold winter months. You have a lot of options when it comes to baby blankets depending on the gender of the baby, the quality and type of cloth, and of course, your budget. Some stores will even offer to customise these blankets with the baby’s initials or full name for that added personal touch.

• Memory book. The arrival of a baby is such a special occasion for any family and for sure, the parents would want to document every milestone and precious moment they have with their little one. So, why not give them a memory book where they can store photos, memorabilia and messages that they collect as their baby grows? You can also add a personalised Christmas card to congratulate the new parents on the arrival of their little bundle of joy.

• Play gym. Babies are very curious human beings who love to explore their surroundings. Most experts these days don’t recommend just the regular toys for these little ones. Instead, you can gift the baby with a play gym that has all the basic items that he needs to enjoy “playtime with purpose.” You can choose from a wide variety of play gyms depending on the child’s developmental stage.

• Humidifier. Taking care of a baby these days has become more challenging because of the pandemic. So, if you’re going to give a gift that parents can really use to protect their little one, it would have to be a humidifier. This device can be placed in the child’s nursery where it can help purify and moisten the air, soothe any congestions and even kill bacteria and viruses that could harm the baby.

• Baby books. Research has shown that reading to a child every day from an early age is a fantastic way of encouraging brain development. And babies understand what you are saying sooner than you’d expect – long before they start to speak themselves. A collection of baby books (such as alphabet books and picture books) would be a fantastic gift for any infant.

Non-Toy Gift Ideas for Toddlers

As the child grows into being a toddler, your options for gifts also expand. But aside from the usual toy options, you can also choose one—or more—of these nifty gift items that are very beneficial for toddlers:

• Story books. Toddlers are more curious to learn about the world they live in and books are very attractive to them. Even from a year old, toddlers are able to follow simple stories and this can really help to improve their imagination, memory, patience and learning. You can choose from a wide variety of books and themes to encourage the little one’s interest in the world.

• A tipi or tent. Since toddlers are all about being adventurous, you can’t go wrong with a tipi, tent or playhouse, if you’re feeling a bit more generous with your gift. The little ones love to play pretend and having a tent inside their playroom will allow them to entertain themselves for hours, which can be extremely handy for the parents!

• New clothes. Toddlers outgrow their clothes faster than their parents could imagine, so any new clothes given to them would be a welcome surprise. Choose clothes that their parents wouldn’t usually purchase, but make sure to go with the right size so the little ones can wear them longer. You can also shop for shoes and accessories that toddlers would really love.

• Hair accessories. If you’re buying gifts for a girl (or a boy with long hair), then you can’t go wrong with a bunch of hair accessories that will really be useful to keep their hair tidy, especially since toddlers can be very active. You can choose from bows, clips, head bands and other accessories that could match different types of outfits.

• Flash cards. Flash cards help immensely to increase a toddler’s vocabulary and speech skills. You can buy (or make!) flash cards on a huge variety of topics, such as animal species, countries, vehicles, colours and shapes, and so on.

Non-Toy Gift Ideas for Older Kids

Of course, you can’t forget about the pre-schoolers and older children on your holiday gift-giving list. Here are some simple gift ideas that would come handy for children at this age:

• Bath time products. Practical gifts are always welcome for both children and their parents. Since these little ones are already very active, they’ll need to bathe regularly – and older children should start learning as soon as possible about the need for good hygiene. You can choose from a wide variety of bath and body products for children, especially organic ones that are safe for their skin. You can even buy washcloths, towels and other bath time accessories to complete your gift.

• Summer lessons. You don’t always need to go for material gifts, especially for children at this age. You can offer to pay for dance, music, sports, cookery, baking, or art summer lessons, which will really help them grow and discover their talents. Gifts like this are very helpful for parents who want to send their children to these extra-curricular, but they can’t afford to do so. Try to tailor these lessons to the child’s specific interests so they aren’t wasted.

• Zoo or museum memberships. Children have been forced to stay at home for more than a year, so it’s time to reward them! A gift of membership to your local zoo, aquarium or museum is like giving the gift of a day out a hundred times over. Membership gifts are very easy to purchase and they won’t add to any clutter, which make them such amazing presents for children of all ages.

• Books. Although technology has taken over most of how children learn these days, it’s still very important to instil in them a love for reading real books. You have a wide variety of titles, themes and genres to choose from when it comes to buying children’s books. To make sure that you’re giving the right gift, you can ask the child’s parents about his interests to help you out in selecting the right tiles for him.

• Board games. Play is very important for children of any age – but rather than a plastic toy with sounds and flashing lights that the kid will lose interest in almost immediately, board games are a fantastic alternative. Board games help children to prepare for real-life situations by teaching then the valuable skills of patience, perseverance, turn-taking, dealing with disappointment, and losing (and winning) gracefully. Educational board games also help to teach children skills like telling the time, counting, and using money.

Don’t Forget the Christmas Cards!

As the holiday season kicks in, you’ll start to see more people creating their holiday gift list and buying them slowly before the rush fills shopping centres around the country. Planning your gift items ahead of time will allow you to really enjoy the process of gift giving, and not stress over your orders being delayed or your gifts not being wrapped properly.

Of course, you can’t forget to include some thoughtful Christmas cards for the child and his parents. This British tradition has been around for many years, and you’ll want to keep it alive by continuing to give children Christmas cards that they will surely cherish for a long time.

At Charity Christmas Cards, we offer a huge selection of high-quality Christmas cards with a variety of themes and designs, from traditional and religious to quirky and cartoon. All of our templates are completely customisable with your own wording and details, and will come complete with envelopes.
And as an added bonus, every card sold will include a donation to charity – for a simple and effective way of giving back to the community at Christmas time. What are you waiting for?