7 Gift Giving Ideas for Children
I think it’s safe to say that my kids could open up their own toy store. Books, action figures, board games…you name it, they have it, and in multiples. I’m not kidding; when we finally get a house, we want an extra room just for their toys. I’m even open to my kids sharing a room to make this happen.
My 7-year-old’s birthday has come and gone, and can you guess what was given to him?A few articles of clothing and yes, even MORE toys.
As much as we appreciate everything our kids get from others, with Christmas just having passed and Easter well on its way, they don’t need any more toys. I know we are partly to blame for this, as we too went overboard on the gift-giving this year. I guess you could say I’m a glutton for punishment, and my punishment is having mountains of toys I don’t know what to do with. I’m not lying when I tell you my boys have two entire boxes of toys still sitting in their room unopened.
That’s not even the worst part. The kicker is that we like to buy gifts for most occasions; birthdays, Valentine’s Day, Easter, Christmas…but this year I’ve gotten smarter, and as long as I have cooperation from all parties involved (*hint* *hint* grandparents, aunts and uncles) these particular holidays and special occasions will be about memories and providing for their futures, not for right now.
Here are 7 Gift Giving Ideas for Children
1. Donation to a charity or an organization of the child’s choice in their name
Although they are little, you’d be amazed what big hearts they have. Someone we knew lost everything in a fire and the first thing my son said to me was “Mommy, give them everything in
my piggy bank.” Knowing that he was helping someone in need would be gift enough for him.
2. Family Outings
Tickets to an event coming up, one of their favorite places to visit. The gift of memories lasts a lifetime.
3. A Staycation
Yes, I know that’s more for you than them, but if you find a place with a pool you are pretty much the greatest parent ever. Bonus points if it’s in the winter.
4. Family Vacations
Disneyland, Legoland, anywhere other than their hometown, where they can explore and try new things that will surely put a smile on their face.
5. Pay for an organized sport or after school activity
Signing your kids up for a sport will cost you $100 right from the start (and that’s just the registration fees), not including equipment costs, uniforms or any travel fees for away games. In
an organized sport there are always unexpected fees, family and friends can help you with the expected ones as gifts.
6. Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP)
Putting money towards an RESP is a great way to help save for your children’s education. The money you put into the plan will be tax-sheltered until the your child is ready to use it. Best of
all, when they finish school they won’t have a mountain of debt to work off. RESP companies like Heritage can help you get started, so check them out!
7. Cold hard cash
Money can open up many doors for kids. They can choose to use this gift on any of the above.
What suggestions do you have other than clothes or toys to gift to a child? Have you ever considered an RESP?
111 Comments
kathy downey
Thanks for the ideas
Amanda Komoski
You’re welcome!
kathy downey
Have not ever considered an RESP,maybe I should
Amanda Komoski
Yes, you should 😉
loucheryl
I honestly LOVE the idea of an RESP as a gift. My boys receive so many toys. This would be something wonderful for their futures.
Amanda Komoski
Providing for their future is the best gift of all. It saves them stress in the future.
krystyl olson
for my 11th birthday, my mom took me to the mall under the illusion that we were going to the food court for lunch on my birthday …. we got my ears pierced too ! when I was 16 my stepmom and I went out for slurpees and ended up getting my eyebrow pierced|! ….for Christmas this year, we folded up pieces of paper with wicked illustrations (my mom is an artist) and attached them to the christmas tree with Ribbon - one was for the aquarium, the observatory, the zoo, and science center.
Amanda Komoski
And I bet you remember those days a lot clearer and cherish those memories more than some toy!
Nikki
When I was growing up, my grandparents would take the $30 that they would have spent on a gift and instead put it into a savings account. When we were 18 we were able to use that money and put it towards our first car!
Amanda Komoski
I love that! It’s a gift that everyone contributed too!
Juliee Fitze
I have never bought a RESP but that is a great idea for my grandkids. I do give them money for their piggybanks.
Laurie P
You’ve covered some great suggestions! We do a lot of family outings.
Amanda Komoski
Thank you! I’m done with toys and materialistic objects (at least a lot for gifts, a few is okay). My kids just have too much.
Victoria Ess
RESP contributions are a great idea. I tend to always do gifts but for kids in the family, I have given money.
naiddia p
I am fine with the kids getting money and then depositing it into their bank accounts.
Suzie M
Kids do have so much now, when they were little , I always gave $ to go into the bank for education. But now they expect more but do love to give the gift of an expeirence to share with their parents
ivy pluchinsky
I am going to start putting money in her bank account instead of gifts.
Lori Jackson
Educational books, music lessons, crafting class or gift them into a sports program to keep them active!
Brenda Witherspoon-Bedard
I like to give books - I dont think any child can have too many books
Amanda Komoski
If you seen my son’s bookshelf you’d know I feel the same way.
Jenness M
My daughter is an animal lover so we “adopted” an orphaned baby elephant at the DSWT in Africa for her. She loves the updates they send about her elephant.
Amanda Komoski
Wow, that is amazing! What a unique and wonderful idea!
Nate Fuller
My dad puts away money every xmas and birthday for all the kids future university, i am a fan of cool bedding for gifts. Spiderman sheets never hurt anyone!
Amanda Komoski
I love bedding even for myself!
Silvia D
I have not yet considered a RESP but we do gift money for their savings bank account. On each birthday we also give each a coin set/ collection of that year.
Ashleigh Swerdfeger
Yes- movie or entertainment certificates, seeds, scarapbooks
Amanda Komoski
Ooh seeds, I’m guessing you’ve got someone with a green thumb in teh family!?!
Belinda McNabb
I think an outting as a gift for the family would be a fun gift. Tickets to a park, zoo, event
Amanda Komoski
Fun for the whole family!
Jenny
money for their savings account
Carole Dube
Yes, I have considered an RESP for my granddaughter gift. My daughter already have a RESP for her, so I give cash for gift and my daughter put it’s toward the RESP
Brenda Penton
We do family outings instead of buying toys.
My kids have had a RESP since they were born.
Courtney
I’ve never given a RESP but I’ve given money to be contributed to one
Michelle Policelli
we do Family Outings and sometimes give them cash
Tina L.
I usually give them a giftcard as they like the experience of shopping and paying for their own items. Also they can save up for a larger purchase if they like.
Heidi C.
My grandmother used to gift us with Canada Savings Bonds and small stock shares when we were growing up. It wasn’t much but it did help pay my school loans when the time came. Gifts that involve saving in some way are always appreciated!
Amanda Komoski
My mother-in-law did the same for my boys.
Tracy D
She would rather have time, so activities anywhere is a great gift, we love the wildlife park.
Amanda Komoski
Memories are the best kind of gift.
Lynda Cook
Some pretty great ideas, I normally do gift cards and money, never know what to get anymore, the kids have so much nowadays
Amanda Komoski
So true!
Jennifer P.
We love to give books, as well as gift certificates for fun activities such as a movie, bowling etc.
Amanda Komoski
Those are always fun!
Andrea
Yes, an RESP are always a good gift! 🙂
Amanda Komoski
Agreed!
JaimeeM
My son is turning 5 this year, and I HATE toy gifts. Hell play with them once, and it goes in a box until 2-3 months later when he decides he wants to play with it again. I like the idea of RESP gifts.
Joy D
Movie pass, coins from the year of their birth.
Amie
I like to give a piggy bank , usually I get a nice one that they will have for life , and I fill it part way with change “D
andrea amy
I have never considered an RESP although its a great idea. I hate when people buy my kids toys. I have 5 kids, so we already have everything. An RESP would be nice 🙂
Amanda Komoski
I know what you mean I only have the two and I feel the same.
Florence C
I put money in my grandchildren’s bank accounts. I send family movie tickets.
Amanda Komoski
Movie tickets are great too!
jan
RESP are our gift of choice for family members’ children
Amy Heffernan
I also like to give gift cards for places of attractions.
Lee-Ann
I love giving books. =)
Amanda Komoski
Yes, one can never have too many books.
Taylor Hawkins
Money, or donations in their name (to WWF for example)
Carol M
Tiockets for an activity like bowling or paintball. I have given an RESP to a godchild.
Carey Hurst
I only ever give toys, candies, etc. Why give up a right of passage fo a child and take away the gift giving. Its like we are to worried about the future and forget to focus on just letting kids be kids. I have been asked only to donate to an RESP and I refuse and bring a gift. Their kids let them be kids .
Amanda Komoski
I get that, I really do. I felt the same way at one point and than I had children of my own and they have far more toys than any child needs. I’m going to say there are at least 20 toys sitting in boxes in my sons room from his birthday in January and Christmas that are unopened and not even thought of. Personally, if the money that people spend on gifts is going to go to waste because the toys just sit there I’d much rather the money waste away in an RESP.
dawn rader
RESP’s are a great idea! my neighbour does them for her grandchildren! I wish I wold have thought of it sooner.
joy
i have never thought of gifting an RESP - good idea - my mother in law used to give my daughter Canada Savings Bonds (along the same line) - a donation to a charity (like a Humane Society or Wildlife preservation) is nice too.
Mel Borhi
It really depends on the gender of the child and age I would suggest a dollhouse for girls and a toy train set for boys
michelle tremblett
We have gifted a savings bond before, But I generally stick to toys and cash. I love the idea of gifting donations in a childs name but also giving a little gift with it so the child still has fun 🙂
Amanda Komoski
Of course, I’m not saying take the fun out completely but a inexpensive toy can go a long way too.
Judy Cowan
One thing my mom did for me was to help me create a Hope Chest. Once I was old enough to understand, for every special occasion one of my gifts was something for my “house” when I grew up. We packed these all away and even though I didn’t always appreciate it at the time, when I moved into my first apartment I was so happy for all these items and it was so much fun to unpack the boxes. An RESP is a good idea too.
Amanda Komoski
Aww… I love this! I wonder if my sons would appreciate something like that?!? I think I may have to find out 😉
Jonnie
I like to gift kids with books and personalized blankets. An RESP would make a great gift as well!
wobbles13
i like to give out little plants that they can nurture and grow
Amanda Komoski
Something that they can be proud they helped to create. I like that idea!
Julie F
Thanks that is a good idea, I had never considered giving RESP’s as gifts
Elena
I’ve given gifts of tickets to the local indoor play gym or things like that where you can bring a child to keep busy.
lynn clayton
i ask for donations to his college fund and i also ask for tickets to events or movie certificates. that way he can have trip out. this year my mom is getting him a museum membership which is great and educational too
Amanda Komoski
Wow, that is a great idea!
charityk
i like gifts like taking kids to the museum or something like that
Robyn Bellefleur
I sometimes give movie passes, but I think a RESP would be a great idea.
Krista M
Though I don’t mind my kids receiving toys, I do prefer people buy them books, educational games, or crafts. I think when buying gifts, people don’t usually think to invest in the kids’ future with RESP’s, but it’s one awesome idea.. the smartest idea.
Amanda Komoski
It is a great idea but everything you mentioned is also great to prepare for their futures through learning.
nicolthepickle
I like to give gifts to my children, but just one, I know how too many gifts is a bad idea. I’ve never considered an RESP, but I think an outing is a wonderful gift and books. They’re well used at my house and never wasted.
Wendy hutton
opening a saving account for them, years ago people used to buy savings bonds as gift
Lisa Neutel
i think an RESP is a great gift for children or money in a savings account
Bailey Dexter
It depends on the each child’s need when I am looking for a gift. Sometimes I buy family show passes and treats other I love to pick up a want item that is not a need, this way they get something that maybe is out of the families reach.
Rebby
I think an RESP is a great idea. Any money as a gift is a great idea as long as you teach them to manage it!
Athena
I think it’s a great idea.
Cheryl
I like the idea of an resp but I think as they get older it’s really unrealistic! I’m all for them having toys to play with, my kids aren’t spoiled by any means but for now I let them have toys, let kids be kids. They are only young for so long
Amanda Komoski
I agree, kids should be kids but when is enough too much? My kids are spoiled and I’m not ashamed to say that they DO NOT need anymore toys until they can can part with the ones that they have.
LILLIAN BROWN
We do family dinners and the kids love gift cards
SueSueper
I never considered RESP as a gift. Always put into my kids RESP as a parent.
I would gift books and try to get them into reading.
Stephanie LaPlante
A magazine membership is always fun.
Amanda Komoski
There’s so many neat ones for kids these days.
Sarah Stickney
RESPs as a gift sounds great
mongupp
I love to gift experiences such as tickets to musicals or museums.
Amber Y
Outings and events are always a nice gift. Taking them to the circus or a movie. I’ve gifted money for an resp before also.
andie
We’ve given money to put towards their RESPS. I love to give practical items, but get them with their fave characters on them to make it a little bit fun!
Katrina
I always ask for $10 for my daughter’s RESP. Every little bit helps.
Monique L.S.
I like to give arts & crafts things.
Debbie W
I’ve bought coins, 1 ounce of silver, and another time a bunch of us collected and bought a bond.
Tricia Hope
I have started a tradition with my grand daughter that I plan on contnuing with her siblings and cousins.I purchase a coin or set of coins for her every year.
mags
haven’t thought of resp but hubby has been saving expansive (not expensive) collection of memorabilia…
michelle
I have done RESP’s for my nephews, I normally get a small toy to go along with it.
My one nephew is really into cooking so I get him small kitchen things, he’s 4 and loves the slap chop I got him for Christmas
Sarah at Journeys of The Zoo
Both my kids have an RESP and we donate every year. I’ve given my kids visits to attractions as a gift.
Besos, Sarah
Journeys of The Zoo
Rick F
Something that will appreciate with age. Coins, stock, etc.
kristen visser
I have never given an RESP ! I love to give books and write a little note in it for them
Amanda Komoski
That’s a sweet sentiment!
Jessica
I like to give giftcards… But an RESP would be a good gift.
Nicole
We have an RESP for our son. For gifts we usually go with an experience type gift such as movie passes, tickets to a show or mini getaway.
Robyn L
open up a bank account in their name; pay for one semester of University for him/her.
Amanda Komoski
That is a great idea also!
Erica Seaman
I like to give Movie gift cards, a resp would be a great idea.
Elizabeth Matthiesen
giving money towards a RESP is a good idea but not much fun for the child so I’d also give a book and hope they enjoy that.
Amanda Komoski
Reading and education go hand in hand so that’s a great idea!