This group of kids is where it gets fun or difficult to give toys or any type of gift. They are growing out of some things. They desperately want gifts that you aren’t ready for them to have like phones and their own personal lives. When is the right time for all that stuff? I’m not going to preach about all that. You make the decision on those things. I’ll let you know what we have liked, what drives us nuts, and what we regret getting.
Toy regret is real. Karaoke machine that sings Moana songs on repeat? Dear god what was I thinking? Recorders for 3 year olds? Nope. Popping walk along toy for the toddlers? Why?! I refuse to include those toys in my lists. They may be popular but I don’t hate you all out there.
Like my other lists, Gifts for 0-3 Year Olds and Gifts for 4-7 Year Olds I encourage you to shop local if possible. We love Smart Center Market. They have great FREE programs on Saturdays at 1pm and they have so many amazing toys, gadgets, books, and more. Several of the items on this list are available there. I know because I was just there last night and I’m sure we will be there this weekend at some point. Just because there’s a link to check out a product doesn’t mean that’s the only place to get it.
I feel like toys in this age range are either cool as all get out or get used as babysitters. It’s tough making sure you temper technology with hands on learning. I try to make sure that if they are using screens that at least they are doing something educational part of the time.
Snap Circuits Toy by Elenco
Coolest. Toy. Ever. Seriously. I would play with this forever with the kids. They are electrical components encased in plastic with snaps on them so they can snap together on a board and snap together to complete electrical circuits. There are a bunch of different sets but you can start with the beginner set for around $20-30 and it will entertain your kids for hours. A very cool feature is that you can buy upgrade kits to get the bigger sets if they like them instead of having to buy each separate set. It is capable of making sounds so that’s kind of annoying but the trade off is worth it. It can be as simple as making a light turn on with a switch or as complicated as triggering different events in sequence. The instructions are written and there are pictures so it’s very accessible.
I know for a fact that these are available at Smart Center Market. They have some of the variations also like the Snap Circuits Lights, Motion, Alternative Energy, 300, 500, and 750 Extreme project sets.
I’m putting this in the 8-12 bracket but we’ve had them since the kids were 4-5 years old. Most sets don’t have small parts but they do have batteries. Just don’t lick the batteries folks.
Burrito Blanket
Is she serious? Uh, yeah. Do you know how funny your kids will think this is? Do you know how I know? It’s because I’m just an overgrown kid and I think this is awesome. Now, I haven’t field tested all or any Burrito Blankets so I can’t recommend any particular tortilla cover however, I can tell you this is not a soft taco blanket, which in theory would be much smaller. Burrito means “little donkey” , you know, burro=donkey. From what I gather the wrapped burrito resembles the wrap that donkeys would carry. Taco means “light snack”. Thus I conclude that this large blanket must be a burrito and unless you want cold toes, stick with a burrito blanket. Are you still reading?
National Geographic Kids Magazine
Everyone loves mail and not every gift has to be a toy, right? Kids especially love getting mail. This magazine is geared towards kids so, of course, some of the grittier topics from the adult version are not covered. This magazine contains information on animals, science, technology, archaeology, geography, and pop culture, plus jokes, games, and activities. My kids will keep a used car flyer just to say they got mail so this is a big winner in my books.
If you don’t want more clutter, the Ohio County Library has these in the kids section as well as magazines like Muse, Ranger Rick, American Girl, and more.
Since we are on the subject of National Geographic, they have a whole line of cool stuff for kids to do like the DaVinci Battalion where your kids can build three functioning wooden models: Catapult, Bombard and Ballista. Everyone trusts their kids with that knowledge. There’s a Geode pack where you break open geodes. It includes safety goggles but not the possible emergency room visit so please supervise this one. Remember, being destructive is okay as long as it’s science.
Nintendo Switch
I do not like video games. I think they are a waste of time. Mostly. We did buy a Nintendo Wii for the games the kids have to get up and move around to play. I think those are awesome. I did not want to know anything about the Nintendo Switch. Ignorance is bliss. I was fine with staying a grumbly old naysayer. Then I saw a bunch of kids up and playing a game where you actually had to move. Dang it.
So what does the Switch do? It has a dock for home so they can play on a regular TV. The Switch can be used on the go with it’s own screen. There are two controllers that detach AND it can be linked with up to 8 other Switches so a bunch of friends can play. I don’t want to like you Switch, but I kind of do.
Am I going to shell out $299 for this? Nah, I’d rather spend that on experiences like museums and science centers but that’s a part of what we like to do. I even asked my son what he would prefer and he said he would rather get to chose 3 day trips than a Switch. Wild.
Man, gifts are getting expensive in this age bracket.
Tell me in the comments about some of the ones that have been a hit at your house and any you have loved for older kids. It’s a jungle of toys out there!
