Are you stuck for decent Christmas (or even birthday) present ideas? I’ve found by the time you buy all the ‘classics’, there really isn’t too much room for the branded toys (think Dora, Peppa Pig, Cars etc etc). See Language Means Play to see why branded toys do not promote imaginary play. So take a look at these ideas and see if there is any good inspiration for your kids’ presents!
I mostly haven’t listed brands so you can shop around for yourself according to your budget. You can do the rounds via the usual stores – Big W, Kmart, Target etc, but also don’t forget toy stores, specialty independent toy stores, online toy stores (google ‘children’s toys online Australia’ or ‘educational toys Australia’), markets, op shops, and eBay. Sometimes the more ‘fancy’ the toy (with lights, buttons etc) is not necessarily the better toy.
Look out for my other lists, from birth to toddlers, as I have listed toys from when the age they may first be used, so some might be included in these lists..
Here we go..
– sport sets – eg. golf, t-ball
t-ball
– child’s globe
– animal sets – bugs, underwater animals, safari animals, dinosaurs
– activity books
– model cars
– Hyperdash
Hyperdash
– Thick paintbrush + bucket – painting house with water
– Art supplies – think paint, crayons, pens, pencils, water colours, chalk etc
– Magnetic fishing set
– Floor puzzles
– Jigsaw puzzles
– Felt board
– Threading set
– Magnetic letters/numbers to add to whiteboard/easel
– Flower press
– French knitting doll
– Mr Potato Head
– Wooden train set
– Lego sets
– Dominoes
– Cards games – UNO, Go fish, snap
– Lotto game
– Polly Pocket
– Egg and spoon set
– Thick paintbrushes and bucket (for painting water on house/fence etc)
– Kid knife set/apron for cooking in kitchen
Kiddie Food Kutters
– Balance bike
– Frog hoppers (google these)
– Early board games – eg. Ravensburger brand (like Snail’s Pace Race), Giggle Wiggle, Pop up Pirate, My First Guess Who, Uno Moo!
– ‘Tap Tap Hammer and Nails’ (hammer, nails, corkboard and shapes to hammer on – google it!)
Tap Tap
– Pool toys
– Boogie board
– Remote control toys
I’m sure you can think of other classics I’ve forgotten – please list any more great ones! Or alternatively, post them on I Raise My Kids’ facebook page 🙂
(And my disclaimer : I have two boys and work with more boys than girls, so I’m sure some classic girls’ toys could be missing! ;))