Non-Toy Gift Guide
Most parents probably feel like they are swimming in toys.
Some of my favorite things to gift my own kids or others for birthdays and holidays are gifts that aren't a toy, instead a practical and often sentimental item that I know will get a lot of use. This is especially true when buying things for a younger sibling who already has plenty of hand me down toys at their house. We polled the community after the holidays on what some of your favorite gifts your kids received are that aren't a toy - there was a mix of both products and experiences submitted and here is a round up of the top ideas! Outside of the products pictured some good ideas include shoes, books and art supplies!
Non-Toy Gifts
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Once kids outgrow the Anywhere Chair, a bean bag is often the next best chair for older kids! Pottery Barn has so many options to customize - all different fabrics and colors to choose from.
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State Bags is known for their high quality bags and they have the cutest carry on luggage options for kids, they come in 2 sizes and tons of fun and unique prints.
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There isn't anything much cuter than a toddler in a cozy bathrobe. These ones are plush and come in a few options with critters on the hoods!
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Wonderbly is a brand that makes the most adorable customized books for any occasion from a birthday to holiday! This search and find book is their most popular that I have gifted several times to kids. A book where they are looking for themself!
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We all know kids go through so many water bottles or need multiple of them for home, daycare, school or on the go! A personalized one makes a great and useful gift.
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A Highlights Magazine is so nostalgic to me! This would make such a great gift for a kid, there is a version for 3-5 year olds and 6-12 year olds.
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Every kid needs a piggy bank and how cute is this wooden letter one? It has the option to be customized with their name on it too!
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I bought this toddler tower last month after so many of you recommended it and so far I love it! It is a fraction of the price of the other towers, folds up compactly so it doesn’t take up a large footprint in your space, is very sturdy and has an optional safety bar you can pull down to box your kids in! Both of my toddlers fit in it at the same time!
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A piggy bank is a great gift that will come to great use throughout the years for kids, my daughter owns this ceramic one. It comes in a few colors!
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Every kid needs one of these adorable plush Anywhere Chairs. Kids feel so special and look adorable hanging out in them and are very practical for many years. I suggest the regular "kids" size. These make a great big gift!
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When your kids outgrow hooded baby towels, Pottery Barn Kids has the best assortment of hooded towels for kids. The quality is amazing and they come in so many fun prints and can be personalized so they make a great gift.
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This Lands’ End tote bag is amazing! Durable, versatile and so affordable - it is the perfect bag for your kids when going to the beach/pool or to pack up their stuff when going to someone’s house. It can be personalized too, so I suggest buying one for each kid or giving it as a baby shower gift. I also had a friend who just bought the smaller size for her dog- such a good idea! There are 4 internal pockets, plus an external one to keep you organized. It comes in 4 sizes and a handful of colors for only $30-$50 per bag + monogram for an extra $8.
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Pottery Barn Kids has the most adorable hooded beach towels for kids. The quality is amazing, they can be personalized with a name so they make a great gift and they have tons of fun prints and characters to choose from.
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Bauble Bar has the best custom baby blankets, lots of adorable patterns and colors available.
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We have these personalized stools for both our kids and love them. This is my Mom's go to gift when my friends have babies and they are so fun and useful! You will need stools all around the house for washing hands, reaching things and my son literally learned to spell his own name thanks to this.
Experience Gifts
These were great ideas submitted through the community!
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This Etsy shop makes fun white boards that help kids practice tracing their name as they get to the age where they start to learn how to spell and write. In my experience, this starts after their 3rd birthday, so it would make a great gift when they are 3 or 4!