Finding unique and affordable gifts for kids can be a lot of fun. Kids are often more expressive and still have more free time to enjoy their hobbies, and don’t yet have the cash to buy things they want, so as a general rule, they tend to be a bit easier to shop for than adults.
I tend to try and support small businesses when it comes to both buying for myself and gifting. That said, I find so many small businesses now also offer products for sale through larger retailers like Amazon which allows me to both support them and take advantage of my free shipping through their Prime membership. If you want to save on shipping this year (and enjoy many other perks too) i invite you to check out the offers available to sign up for Amazon Prime. Depending on your location and the time of year, there may even be a free trial available!
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Here are some (15 to be exact) creative and budget-friendly ideas to spread some extra cheer to the kids you care about this Christmas:
1. DIY Craft Kits:
You can purchase or create DIY craft kits that include materials for making jewelry, painting, or crafting. Kids love to express their creativity and having a craft to show for it at the end is even better! If you’re looking for some examples (to purchase, or create your own version of) check out our DIY Craft Kits page or have a look at some of the options on Amazon!
2. Personalized Storybooks:
Look for affordable personalized storybooks that incorporate the child’s name into the storyline. It adds a special touch to reading time. These tend to be available as special order only due to the customization so make sure that you plan ahead and allow adequate time for production and shipping! Check out our Personalized Storybooks post for a variety of small businesses that offer this, or have a look at the options already available on Amazon.
3. Educational Games:
Choose age appropriate educational games that make learning fun. Look for options that promote problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity. Kids often need to try a lot of things to find what interests them most. Educational games can be a great way to get a feel for their interests and talents while also helping them learn something along the way. Later on they still see the benefits of that learning as they become able to expand their knowledge and relate those interest to other topics that they also need to learn about.
Check out our Educational Games page for some popular options and ideas on how to make your own on a budget at home!
I’m a big fan of homemade educational games, but if you prefer to purchase, or even just need some ideas I invite you to check out these educational game options available on Amazon.
4. Glow-in-the-Dark Stars:
Create a mini galaxy in a child’s room with glow-in-the-dark stars and planets. They’re affordable, easy to apply, and create a magical atmosphere at bedtime. One of the best parts is they can often be reused in a variety of ways down the road for the next youngster in your house (or passed down to family or friends when you’re finished).
Your mini me’s next bedroom galaxy is a great stocking stuffer – affordable, a fun activity together, and small enough to slide right into that stocking for Christmas morning! I don’t have a great DIY option for this one, but lucking setting up a whole galaxy is both fairly cheap and takes up very little storage space. Check out some of the most popular options on Amazon.
5. Seedling Kits:
Encourage a love for nature with seedling kits. Kids can grow their own plants or herbs, fostering a sense of responsibility and curiosity. What better way to give them a sense of accomplishment, responsibility, patience, and appreciation for growth over time than to let them plant, care for, and grow their very own plant.
Seedling kits for kids are one thing i really do recommend reading through some reviews for (or checking out our article on seedling kits for kids where we already scoped out those reviews). It’s a fabulous gift but you don’t want to set them up for failure with sub par seeds so be sure to go with a reputable option. Here are some popular and well liked seedling kits for kids available on Amazon.
6. Reusable Sticker Books:
Sticker books are a lot of fun for kids but they can get messy so I recommend you opt for reusable sticker books. These generally come with both the benefit of multi use and easier removal without complete destruction when they inevitably end up in places they shouldn’t be.
There are many books available where kids can create scenes, stories, and adventures using stickers that can be peeled off and repositioned. For some examples and recommendations you can check out our reusable sticker book page, or jump right to finding the one that best fits the kid in your life on Amazon.
7. Puzzle Sets:
Invest in age-appropriate puzzle sets as an activity that you can do together, and use to keep children occupied and entertained when you need a few minutes to yourself. They come in various themes and difficulty levels, promoting cognitive development and problem-solving skills. Puzzle sets serve as both a great bonding activity and self entertaining time filler. If you’re looking for specific recommendations check out our puzzle sets page, or if you already know what things interest your kid have a look for the best puzzle fit for them on Amazon!
8. Character Toothbrush and Toothpaste Set:
Make dental care fun with a toothbrush and toothpaste set featuring the child’s favourite cartoon character. This gift it multipurpose serving as both a fun surprise for your kids while also filling a necessity – they’ve gotta brush their teeth so why not turn it into an adventure with their favourite character!
A cartoon toothbrush and paste set is a great way to combine both necessities and gifts, while savings some money and finding fun presents that will fit inside a traditional stocking! Check out our character toothbrush and toothpaste set page for some examples, or just head over to amazon and pick out your nightly adventure!
9. Magic Markers or Crayons:
Another stocking stuffer that is both small enough to fit in a traditional stocking and functional enough that it’s sure to be used by kids! Get a set of unique markers or crayons that allow children to create magical effects like colour-changing or scented drawings. The magic marker options are plentiful on Amazon, or check out our Magic Markers and Crayons article to see some other options.
10. Mini Gardening Kit:
Introduce kids to gardening with a mini kit that includes seeds, a small pot, and soil. It’s a hands-on way to teach them about plants and growth. During the cold winter months in Canada a little spring growth starting inside can be a great way to brighten the dark winter days! Come summer you can take the opportunity to teach your kids all about transplanting to the outdoor soils as well! Have a look at our article on Mini Gardening Kits or go pick out yours on Amazon.
11. Board Books:
Invest in board books with colourful illustrations and engaging stories for younger children. These are durable and perfect for little hands. Skip the paper cuts and ripped pages for board books that stand the test of time (and dirty little hands)! Another great thing about board books is that they’re often cheaper than their counterparts! Amazon has some great board books available for kids! If you need help choosing, a few recommendations can be found on our Board Books page.
12. Character Socks or Pajamas:
Find affordable socks or pajamas featuring the child’s favourite characters. It’s a practical yet fun gift. Socks are a staple that I often include in both birthday and Christmas gifts. They’re a great way to add a fun personal touch while also covering a necessity. If you’re wanting to go a little bigger a set of pajamas generally gets lots of use as well! Check out our character socks and pajamas page, or have a look at what’s already available on Amazon.
13. Outdoor Adventure Kit:
Create an outdoor adventure kit with items like a magnifying glass, binoculars, and a nature journal. It encourages exploration and outdoor play. Spending some time in nature is great for development, and a good skill for kids to learn enjoying while young – it’s also great for regulating the adult nervous system! You can check out our Outdoor Adventure Kit page for some DIY ideas. If you’re not feeling putting your own kit together there are some great pre-made and matching options available on Amazon.
14. Origami Kits:
Introduce the art of origami with affordable kits that include colourful paper and simple folding instructions. This is a great DIY one if you don’t have anything to spend – look up some patterns on the internet and colour some printer paper you’ve already got around! It’s also super affordable to purchase a ready to go kit with paper and instructions though – Amazon has plenty of great options!
15. Customized Water Bottle:
Personalize a water bottle with the child’s name or favourite colours. It’s a practical gift that promotes hydration. Many kids love having a personalized item to carry with them, and it saves you the hassle of trying to figure out which water bottle belongs to them in the crowd of gym glass bottles! Find something fun that they want to carry with them already and you’re one step closer to keeping them well hydrated! Check out out Personalized/Custom Water Bottle Page, or head over to Amazon to get your custom bottle started!
Remember, the thought and effort you put into selecting a gift make it special, regardless of the price. Additionally, consider the child’s interests and age when choosing a gift.
Being on a tight budget it no reason that the kids in your life can’t have a wonderful Christmas or Holiday season this year! Homemade gifts can be even better than store bought ones when you start early and put some thought and effort into them!
If you’re looking to save some extra cash I always recommend planning ahead and watching for big sales at times of the year like Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Boxing Day. Major discounts can also be found after the related season comes to a close and I always recommend keeping an eye out for Amazon Prime Day Deals as those can offer big savings too!
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.