What can I give my child instead of toys is a common parental query on search engines. Whenever we think about a child playing, we associate the play with toys. Parents buy their children toys so they can have fun. However, they are unaware of the fact that so many non-toy things are laying around them at the house. Such objects include a money box, a new stationary, an umbrella or so.
This blog post will share some great toy alternatives. And before we discuss these non-toy alternatives, let’s be clear that we are talking about children 5 to 12 years of age.
Arrange for Travel Supplies
Whenever your kids are traveling with you, one of the best things you can do for them is bring them their separate travel supplies. A toiletry or travel bag with things like a toothbrush, a compass, a comb, and more is necessary. Giving your child their own travel supplies trains the child to be independent.
Next time, when you travel to their grandma's house or go for a long drive trip - provide children with travel supplies. A small kit of travel supplies not only makes kids up and going for an adventurous trip but also takes away fears of the unforeseen with a sense of independence. Moreover, encourage trip photos for fun, so kids have beautiful memories and feel excited to go again the next time.
Also Read: Travelling with Toddlers - A Complete Checklist
A Money Box is a Good Idea
As a parent, you can help your kid jumpstart with the know-how of managing finances by gifting them something like a wallet or a coin container. These two gifts are good things to teach a child how to save and spend money.
The end goal is to teach the child the importance of budgeting, and you will love this coin container which looks like an ATM. It has rollers that smoothly grab the note and roll it inside. Moreover, it has a password pad, so only you and your child can access the saved money.
Get Them a Colorful Umbrella
Children love things that are functionally useful and beautiful. A small-sized umbrella is a great toy alternative gift you can give your junior. Not only is a colorful umbrella intriguing for children, but it is also a great utility when it’s raining outside.
Your junior will know how to use an umbrella and feel excited to use their own umbrella when it’s time to go out on a rainy or sunny day.
Go for Learning Books
Another non-toy alternative is to get the juniors a book they can learn something from. There are several types of books for kids. It is up to you what you want them to have, being a parent! Below are a few popular types of books you can consider:
- Coloring and drawing books for children to show their creativity and be good at drawing and coloring.
- Phonetic learning audiobook that teaches children numbers, letters, spelling, puzzle solving, vocabulary, and more with attractive colors and audio.
- Non-fiction books that show facts about the world and geography in a fun way.
- Fiction books like comics and series such as Harry Potter and more.
Also Read: How to Make Homework Fun for Kids? A Parental Guide
Have Something for the Junior in the Kitchen
Giving your junior an apron is a cute idea if they want to help you in the kitchen. By providing your child with a small apron and cooking supplies, you give them that sense of excitement and fun that comes with being a partner in cooking projects.
This way, whenever you bake cookies or make burgers, your kiddo will take out their kitchen supplies for the cooking project. Moreso, you can also get them a cookbook written especially for children.
Consider Special Learning Gifts
The more a child learns about useful things, the better it is for building big brains! You can consider special toy alternative gifts that help build your child's cognitive ability or help them learn the basics of their religion.
Some Pakistani parents find it hard to teach young children the basics of religion. In terms of teaching your child the religion’s basics in a fun way, you can give your junior an interactive educational Islamic tablet.
This is an innovative way to engage juniors and help them learn basic things like kalmas, namaz, surahs and duas. The specially crafted design of such tablets is intended to grab the fascinated attention of children and develop their interest. From English and Arabic language to interactive lighting, such educational tools prove to be useful.
Gift Arts and Craft Supplies
This is another way to help your junior have fun and bring out the creativity inside them. Arts and crafts supplies such as stickers, glue sticks, cart papers, ribbons, cardboard material, scissors, and other such supplies are good toy alternatives to gift your child.
By making unique crafts, your kiddo will develop the capacity to brainstorm and think creatively. Not only making art is a quiet activity, but it also helps children to be hardworking, calm, and patient - abilities that turn them into productive human beings as they grow up.
Also Read: Colour Learning & Sorting Games for Toddlers
Concluding the Post
There can be a lot of things you can give your junior as a way to benefit them, rather than mere entertainment. However, the 7 gift ideas mentioned in this blog post are some of the best non-toy gift ideas that will help in the mental growth and development of your child in a fun and positive way.