T’s Holiday Gift Guide For Kids

Today’s guide is for the children in your life.

I’ve put kids presents together rather than separating into boys and girls as I think that’s a pretty fluid concept in children. I’ve split ths gifts into three age brackets (0-2, 2-5 and 5-12) instead of by price category. The age guides are only rough, especially having no children of my own, and I certainly don’t stick to them myself. I’d recommend looking at the adult guides for kids over 12.

Have a look back over past guides for men and women.

If you have anything to add to the list, and I could have kept going on putting this list together for days, leave it in the comments!

Age 0-2:

Teddy Bears – Always a hit. There are a huge variety of styles and sizes are available. I buy a teddy for my nieces every year (even though the eldest is now 6). I recommend buying the softest one you can find and be careful about removeable eyes for any kids under 2. Giant soft ones are available at K-Mart and I’ve bought a giant elephant and a giant monkey for my nieces this year from Kmart. Price: $5 – $30

Plush Animals at Kmart. Price: $9

Paints – I’m talking big bottles of primary colours here, we’re not talking pissy little tubes. Key words to look for are “non-toxic” and “washable”. They will get it all over themselves, their clothes, and possibly eat it. Available at supermarkets, Kmart, Target, art stores (I particularly like Riot Art & Craft), $2 shops or online at Amazon here. Price: $5 – $20.

Washable Paint. Riot Art & Craft. Price: $20

Clothes – Kids grow so fast at this age the poor parents have to keep buying clothes every 5 seconds. For this age, stick with singlets, leggings, unitards and easy to clean items. Cotton is good in small children as it’s less likely to irritate. Available at Kmart, Target, David Jones, Myer and kids clothing stores. Price: $5 – $15

I want a baby just to buy this hat. Pumpkin Patch polka dot bakerboy hat. Price: $20

Bath toys – Little kids love playing in the bath. When looking at bath toys make sure they’re durable and have no small parts. Available in most retailers or online at Amazon here. Price: $5 – $15

Squirt bath toys from Amazon (link above). Price: $8

Whiteboard/Blackboard – You can get easels that have whiteboards and/or blackboards. Great for amusing kids who are just learning to draw and haven’t yet confined themselves to paper. Available at Office Works, Kmart, art stores, $2 shops or Amazon here. Price: $20 – $50

Easel with Whiteboard & Blackboard. Price: $20-50

Cardboard Cubby House – I saw this at Riot Art & Craft the other day. It’s just a big cardboard cubby house that is plain white with doors, windows, etc, and the kid can paint it themselves. Available online at Amazon here. Price: $30.

Paint your own Cubby House. Price: $30

Shaped Pillows – Kids like comfort, both physically and mentally, and I know my niece went through a phase of not going anywhere without her heart shaped pillow. Available at Kmart, Target or specialty stores, check the homewares department in kids bedding, or online at Amazon here. Price: $10 – $30

Heart Pillow. Price: $10-30

Clear Plastic Tablecloth – My mother in law got me on to this one, it’s just clear plastic you can put down on the ground or over tables to ensure paint and other mess doesn’t go through. If you’re giving paint, I recommend giving this too. Available at Spotlight by the metre. Price: $10-$20/m

Clear Plastic Table Cloth. Price: $10-20/m

Bugaboo Stroller – Technically for the parent, but a huge help for any new mum. The bugaboo stroller is the most expensive, but is commonly known as the Rolls Royce of strollers. Look for a stockist near you or buy online at Amazon here. Price: $600 – $1,000.

Bugaboo Cameleon in Sand Box. Amazon (link above). Price: $880

Age 2-5:

Paddle pop (popsicle) sticks – Big packs of paddle pop sticks are great for kids who are a bit arty, especially ones who are still learning how to make things. Available at art & craft stores, Kmart, $2 shops or online at Amazon here. Price: $2 – $5.

Paddle Pop Sticks. Price: $2-5

Doll Stroller – What little kid doesn’t want to walk their doll around in a stroller? Or pet, for that matter. Always a winner, a doll stroller not only provides amusement it also doubles as a more stable way of standing for little ones still learning to walk (tip: If being used in this way, don’t buy one that can fold up). Available at multiple retailers or online at Amazon here. Price: $20 – $30.

Graco doll stroller. Amazon (link above). Price: $30

Stickers – Stickers are a great and inexpensive way for kids to amuse themselves and be creative, for younger kids pick bigger stickers, for older kids you can move more into Scrapbooking gear. Available at stationary stores, Kmart, Target, Myer or the supermarket. Price: $0.50 – $10

I picked monsters for the boys. Price: $0.50-10

Craft boxes – You can get big boxes of random coloured paper, glue, pom poms and all sorts of fun things. Great for random craft, there are eyes and all sorts of things in there. Available at art & craft stores or online at Amazon here. Price: $15 – $30

Craft Boxes. Price: $15-30

Dinosaurs – There is something fascinating about dinosaurs for little children. Dinosaur toys, stickers, exhibitions, they amaze and delight kids. Dinosaur toys are available at Kmart, Target, National Geographic, ABC shops or online at Amazon here. Price: $2 – $30

Dinosaurs! Price: $2-30

Age 5 – 12:

Makeup brush set – A makeup brush set is a great way to let a girl (or boy) enjoy the sensation of “doing herself up” without actually needing to use much (if any) makeup. It’s a fun way to experiment and enjoy the sensation of the brushes running over your skin. Great for kids who like to copy what mum does but you don’t want to give them any makeup or for older kids who are starting to wear it and don’t know how. Look at Priceline and Chemists for some cheap sets or you can buy them on Amazon here. Price: $10 – $20

Shany Brush Set. Amazon. Price: $13

Cross Stitch – I know it seems kind of out of date, but I remember aboslutely adoring these as a kid. It refines their motor skills as well as providing hours of entertainment and something you can put up on the wall when they’re done. Available at Lincraft or online at Cross Stitch Kits. Price: $10 – $30

Kids Cross Stitch Kit. Price: $10-30

Disposable palette – Wonderful for kids who want to feel like a grown-up artist but make too much mess to bother cleaning a palette every time, this is an artist style palette with grease-proof paper layers you can just pull off and dispose of. Available at Art & Craft stores. Price: $3 – $10

Disposable Palette. Price: $3-10

Clothes – Kids never stop needing clothes and as they get older they learn to appreciate them. This is always my fall back gift for when kids are at that difficult age to buy for (8-12). Available at Kmart, Target, David Jones, Myer and kids clothing stores. Price: $5 – $50

Pumpkin Patch Audrey Spot Tea Party Dress. Price: $50

Paint brushes – As the child learns to paint and wants to move away from using their fingers or other things, a paint brush set is a wonderful gift. I found one in particular at Riot Art & Craft where the brushes are stored inside an apron! Brushes available at Kmart, art & craft stores, newsagents or online at Amazon only. Price: $10 – $30