It can be a challenge if you don’t have children yourself to know what to buy a child. If you’re looking for ideas on what to buy as a gift for a child, then this article can help. We have a few tips that can help you choose the perfect gift.
Consider the age of the child
Your gift needs to be age-appropriate; most items usually have handy age ranges. These can guide you when choosing a gift for a child. Don’t buy anything out of their age range; a gift suitable for an older child might not be safe for a younger child. The same goes for choosing gifts for older children. Avoid baby toys and gifts that are suitable for very young children, they won’t be interested in these types of toys, and your money will be better spent elsewhere.
Gifts that develop skills
Parents will appreciate you buying gifts that will help their child develop skills. When they’re young, gifts that help with motor skills are well received. When the child is a bit older and has started school, the gift could help them to improve their reading and writing skills. These gifts can still be fun and entertaining for the child, but they might also help them to develop key skills for their age group.
Find out their interests
Children tend to go through stages; for a few months, they might be really interested in cars, and then as they grow older, they might develop more of an interest in animals or cuddly toys. Before buying a gift for a child, find out what their current interests are, and speak to them or their parents to discover their interests and what they would like to receive as a gift.
Avoid duplicates
To avoid buying duplicates, check what toys the child already owns. If a child has a particular interest in a character, they may already have several toys with that character. You can ask their parents if they already have an item before you purchase it. If this isn’t possible, take a look at the toys they have yourself or keep the receipt in case you need to return the item.
Create a box of useful items
If you’re buying gifts for a new baby, you might struggle to find one single gift and instead choose to create a box of useful items. A personalised gift box is a very popular gift to welcome a new baby into the world. You can add their name to the outside of the box and fill it with useful items such as dummies, muslin clothes and small items of clothing. The parents can keep the box to store memories or keepsakes of their child as they grow and develop.
Think sustainably
When purchasing gifts for children, it’s also important to think about the planet. Plastic is bad for the environment and can’t easily be recycled. Look for companies that offer gifts made from recycled materials or materials that can be recycled. Far too often, children will grow out of toys quickly, and they will be dumped in a landfill, contributing to the pollution of the planet. Another alternative is to look for second-hand toys. You can get a great range of second-hand toys online and from charity shops. This may also give you more money to buy a larger gift or several gifts. Always ensure all second-hand items are in good condition before being given to children as gifts.
Choose gifts that will last
When choosing gifts for children, think about how long they’re likely to keep them and use them. A book is a great gift that a parent can read at a young age, and then the child can take over and read the book when they develop these skills. Building gifts are also suitable for both young and older children. All children like to use their imagination to create things using building toys such as legos or magnetic building blocks.
When you get a gift right, it can last a child for many years. If you’re unsure, speak to their parents and ask what the child would like to receive or what items would be useful.
WordMaster 