*This is a guest post. The opinions expressed are that of the author and do not necessarily reflect my own.
Who doesn’t like receiving a gift? Better yet, what kid doesn’t like receiving gifts? Giving gifts can be almost as fun as actually receiving one. Figuring out what gift to give is where the challenge lies. To overcome this challenge, we spend time with our intended gift recipient. We discover likes and dislikes in order to find the ideal gift. Oftentimes, what we think is the best gift may not be the right gift for that child. This guide to 7 Perfect Birthday Gifts for Your Kid will prepare you for the world of options available for any child on your gift list.
Gift of Story
Stories have been passed and gifted for centuries. The original gift is still a solid choice for a perfect birthday present. The magic of storytelling is never more prevalent than when a child is young. It’s their first experience to people, cultures, and places that they’ve never heard about before. Reading helps developing empathy and understanding the world around them.
Stories that you enjoyed as a child provide a great way to share yourself and your history. Loved reading Robin Hood as a kid? It has been rewritten for every single age range from picture books for the young children all the way to the unabridged edition for older children. Remember the Little Golden Books series? Classic tales brought to life with illustrations in easy to access pages. Give a piece of yourself with a book.
Artistic Expression
Artistic expression and appreciation can begin with even the youngest children. Studies have shown that art plays an important role in child development. Motor skills are developed through the motion of holding a crayon or using a pair of scissors. New vocabulary is introduced when learning about shapes, colors, and techniques. Visual-spatial skills are fine-tuned through the recognition of texture and three-dimensional objects. Art requires decision making through creative expression which can develop deeper critical thinking skills.
Inspire the young artist in your life with unique project kits and art supplies. There are literally hundreds of ways to engage in creative expression from painting to jewelry making, coloring books to string art, and drawing kits to photography–there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Scientific Discovery
Human beings are innately curious creatures. Children are naturally inquisitive–absorbing all of their surroundings as they develop their understanding of the world. Scientific inquiry is a powerful way to help build those connections and gain an appreciation and understanding for the natural world.
According to the National Science Foundation, giving children the opportunity to express scientific inquiry is essential to their development. There are many gifts your kid will love that can inspire scientific discovery–microscopes, butterfly nets, and miniature bug habitats can drive the curiosity and get the scientific juices flowing.
The Little Engineer That Could
Anyone who has spent time observing children at play has noticed the fascination with building things. Whether it’s taking something apart to see how it works, building and assembling, or designing an idea–engineering is a powerful way to express learning. Engineering develops science and math skills and allows children to apply their understanding of the real-world and how it relates to their life.
Bring out the inner engineer with fun DIY kits that allow children to assemble anything from balloon powered vehicles to solar powered bugs. There are a variety of kits available for purchase to engage children in engineer design and thinking.
Puzzles and Games
There is something satisfying about solving a complex riddle or becoming the victor in a well-played game. Games have always been a part of human life–as a way to pass time, challenge thinking, and have a good time. Solving puzzles and playing games can improve the development of physical needs like fine and gross motor skills. It can also develop cognitive skills relating to memory and problem-solving. Emotional skills can also be fine-tuned by developing patience and accepting outcomes.
The games and puzzles available are endless–from cooperative games to games of strategy or luck. There are games that inspire creative expression–like role playing, or there are those for the more logical and analytical–like chess. There are games where the child will build things. Other games and puzzles are made to aid in learning. Puzzles and games are the ultimate gifts for the child who is a thinker.
Spark the Imagination
Imaginative play is an impactful way to engage children in active learning. Children discover knowledge in a variety of ways. One of these ways is through kinesthetic learning. Actively engaging in the learning, getting hands dirty, and imagining that you’re the character are just a few examples of how these learners interact with their environment. Children who engage in theatrical play are practicing perspective taking and this can lead to developing the ability to empathize with others.
Dress-up, props, and puppet theater setups are just a few ways to engage creative play. Packages and kits exist for a wide range of interests, as well. Look for items that invite the expression of stories.
Take a Trip
It’s understandable that when we think about gifts for kids, we think of a physical object being handed to the child. Sometimes the greatest gifts don’t involve an actual gift. Taking a trip can lead to long lasting memories and learning opportunities. It is the gift that truly keeps on giving.
Going out to discover the world is a transformational experience for children. Museums, planetariums, national parks, and many other opportunities await. Whether it’s a day with Mom or Dad, a baseball trip with grandparents, or ice skating adventures with Uncle Jimmy–trips can be a bonding experience that children will hold on to for a lifetime.
Choosing the perfect birthday gifts for kids doesn’t have to be difficult. If you’ve spent time around your intended gift recipient, simply think about what you’ve observed. Are they obsessed with arts and crafts? Do they love video games? Reader, actor, or budding scientist?
Knowing what the child likes makes your job a whole lot easier. If you’re buying a gift for a child that you are less familiar with this guide to the 7 Perfect Birthday Gifts for Kids will give you the head start for your next purchase.
About the author:
Luiza Kensell is the creative mind behind TenGiftIdeas.com. She is a crafty person and a great storyteller. In her spare time, she spends time with her family and friends and she likes to travel as much as possible. She strongly believes handmade gifts are the most thoughtful ones and she loves giving and receiving them, also.