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\u2014or more\u2014of these nifty gift items that are very beneficial for toddlers:<\/p>\n

\u2022 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\u2019s interest in the world.<\/p>\n

\u2022 A tipi or tent. Since toddlers are all about being adventurous, you can\u2019t go wrong with a tipi, tent or playhouse, if you\u2019re 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!<\/p>\n

\u2022 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\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Hair accessories. If you\u2019re buying gifts for a girl (or a boy with long hair), then you can\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Flash cards. Flash cards help immensely to increase a toddler\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Non-Toy Gift Ideas for Older Kids<\/h4>\n

Of course, you can\u2019t 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:<\/p>\n

\u2022 Bath time products. Practical gifts are always welcome for both children and their parents. Since these little ones are already very active, they\u2019ll need to bathe regularly \u2013 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.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Summer lessons. You don\u2019t 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\u2019t afford to do so. Try to tailor these lessons to the child\u2019s specific interests so they aren\u2019t wasted.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Zoo or museum memberships. Children have been forced to stay at home for more than a year, so it\u2019s 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\u2019t add to any clutter, which make them such amazing presents for children of all ages.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Books. Although technology has taken over most of how children learn these days, it\u2019s 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\u2019s books. To make sure that you\u2019re giving the right gift, you can ask the child\u2019s parents about his interests to help you out in selecting the right tiles for him.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Board games. Play is very important for children of any age \u2013 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.<\/p>\n