The Non-Toy Christmas Guide for Families

With our first child, we definitely went overboard with Christmas every year. My husband and I both grew up in houses where Christmas was celebrated to the fullest, so, of course, we wanted to do the same for our kids.

Not long after we had our 4^th child, we moved from Oklahoma to Indiana. And the amount of toys that filled the moving truck was…embarrassing. We had more toy boxes than clothes, dishes or anything else combined!

That’s when we decided we needed to make some changes in the area of gifts. Since we homeschool, we wanted to give our children experiences over toys and things. But we also wanted to give some fun, non-toy gifts too! So each year we offer a non-toy Christmas guide for the grandparents and family to help us make more memories through experiences.

Whether we intend to or not, we can all go a little overboard with the Christmas gifts. By the time the year is done, we are left with a pile of toys and other Christmas gifts that will find their way into the Goodwill pile before the end of next year. Whether you’re trying to clean out the house, teach moderation or moving more toward a minimalist lifestyle, I hope this non-toy Christmas guide gives you some great ideas for your kids this year.

Non-Toy Gift Guide for Preschoolers (2-4)

Playdough – This is perfect for improving their fine motor skills and dexterity. Print out some playdough mat pages and let your little ones work on letters, numbers, and more while having some fun!

Floor Puzzle – Even if you don’t have a playroom, floor puzzles can be great fun! We own several, including the alphabet, numbers, United States map and more! My kids love putting the oversized pieces together and learning at the same time!

Nightlight – This toddler-friendly nightlight is the perfect addition to any room. The soft white glow is perfect to help them feel safe without keeping them awake. And the star projector is a fun way to bring the “outside” in while they drift off to sleep. What’s even better is the timer that will automatically turn off without disrupting their sleep.

Kinectic Sand – While I’m not usually a proponent of sand in the house, I do think it is great for kids to play with and enjoy. They even have sets for boys and girls.

Sticker Books -These reusable sticker books are not only fun for little ones, but educational too! These are great for your child’s development of fine motor skills, as well as spatial awareness and matching.

Non-Toy Christmas Guide for Young Kids 5-7

Kids for Cooking Class – Whether you have a budding chef or just want your kids to be able to cook their own meals, I highly recommend a cooking class. Kids Cook Real Food is an online cooking class that will teach your children from the basics of knife skills to more advanced meal preparations, all for a reasonable price. They open their courses several times a year, but you can check out their free 10 Snacks your Preschooler Can Make Today and get started with their Knife Skills mini-course.

Velvet Coloring Posters – If your children like to color, they are sure to love these fun velvet coloring posters. These put a new spin on coloring pages and can make some fun “artwork” to put up in their room too!

Audiobooks – Audiobooks are great for several different reasons. Whether you have a struggling reader or you’re taking a long trip, audiobooks are a great way to bring everyone together around a good book.

Kid-Friendly Waterproof Camera – Do you have a little one fascinated with taking pictures? Maybe they love adventure and you want to capture their perspective? This waterproof camera would make the perfect gift for them (and you)!

Kids Learning Watch -This watch includes several learning games as well different ways to tell time. Your young learners will love this new accessory!

Non-Toy Christmas Ideas for Elementary Kids 8-10

Fun Fuzzy Socks – If your kids get cold feet during the winter months, pick out some cute fuzzy socks for them to slide around the house.

Book light – Do you have readers that just can’t put down that book – even at bedtime? Get them a fun book light to use as they wind down for sleep.

Sleeping Bag – Even if you don’t go camping, kids love a good sleeping bag. They are perfect for sleepovers with friends or a stay with grandparents. You could even host your own campout in your living room with the whole family in their sleeping bags.

Nightlight – Whether your child is afraid of the dark or just likes the design they make on the ceiling, this kid-friendly night light is perfect for your budding astronomer or night sky fan!

Fishing rod – Do your kids love spending time outside? Even if you’re not an avid fisherman, just taking time to relax at a local pond is a great way to bond with your kids and slow down together.

Non-Toy Christmas Ideas for Preteen 11-12

Magazine Subscription – My kids love getting their LEGO magazine every quarter, but my oldest has now outgrown them. Now he is more interested in Popular Mechanics. There are quite a few options perfect for your preteen!

Board Games – We love playing games in our house and board games are definitely a favorite. Not only are they a fun way to spend some family time, but they can be educational too.

Piggy Bank – Do your kids make an allowance doing chores? Help them learn how to save their money for bigger and more expensive items, rather than spending it right away by giving them a piggy bank.

Subscription Box – Subscription boxes are a fun, non-toy option for kids. There are quite a few different companies, but I love that Kiwi Co. box offers not only age appropriate options, but also different subjects!

Dare to Dream Craft Kit – This is the perfect place to capture your own personal vision. Collect and display all things uniquely you. Wooden planks come ready to assemble and paint. Arrange the clothes pins and sweet embellishments to suit your style. Learn Decoupage art and complete your mixed media look. Girl, you got this! includes all the hanging cord and assembly hardware needed!

Flashlight – My kids have always loved having their own flashlight. Even if they’re not afraid of the dark, they enjoy using them any chance they get. Plus, they’ll come in handy for campouts and maybe a little reading time in bed.

Sewing Machine – One of our daughters loves making clothes for her dolls out of scrap material. She loves creating something out of nothing. So a simple starter sewing machine was the perfect gift for her!

Non-Toy Christmas Ideas for Teens 13+

Wallet – As our kids have grown, they want to keep track of their own gift money, so a wallet makes perfect sense. Whether you pick one out for them or let them choose, they will feel more independence just being to hold on to their own cash.

Digital Camera – If you have a budding photographer, they will love having a great camera. Or maybe it’s time to upgrade? Check out this camera to help them hone their photography skills.

Event Tickets – Whether it’s for a concert, theatre performance or sporting event, there is probably an event your teen would love to see! Surprise them with tickets and a night out with just the parents.

Kindle Unlimited Subscription – If you have a voracious reader, I highly recommend getting them a Kindle Unlimited Subscription! This is the perfect compromise to almost daily library trips, piles of books showing up and a child that loves to read! Plus, you get a 30-day FREE trial, so you can check it out together first!

Wreck this Journal – This journal allows kids to create, explore and share whatever they want in a unique way – their way. Cut, paste and glue, write in calligraphy or draw about your week and express your feelings without worrying what others think!

Adult Coloring Book – Even my little ones love the intricate coloring pages of adult coloring books. You can choose from animals to flowers to faith scriptures to geometric and so much more! There truly is something for everyone.

Headphones – As a traveling family with 6 kids, headphones are a life saver! While we continue to monitor and give time limits on their devices (even in to the teen years), they must wear headphones anytime they are playing a game, movie or listening to music.

Toolbox and tools – Whether you have boys or girls, your teens need to have a proper tool box and tools so they can learn to do simple repairs. You never know what that might spark in them!

Family Gift Ideas

These non-toy gift ideas are perfect for the whole family, especially families with kids of all ages. These will be so much fun and everyone will have a great time all while spending quality time together, even your older kids will enjoy them!

Even before we lived on the road, we preferred family gifts at Christmas time from our family members. With 6 kids, toys and “junk” pile up quickly. Not to mention they got so much for their birthdays, we didn’t need twice a year – times SIX!! So we started asking family for experiences and gifts we could use as a family. Some of our favorite homeschool years have been those when we had family memberships gifted for Christmas. Memberships are a great way to spend intentional time with your children as well as add in fun to your learning!

Museum & Zoo Memberships

Our favorite membership to use while traveling is the ASTC for Science Centers & Museums. The membership includes children’s museum locations around the country as well as science centers. We used it several times on our travels up the East Coast and plan to use it during our winter in Florida.

You can also find memberships to your city or state zoo, a children’s or art museum, and aquariums. Many of these offer special sessions throughout the week for homeschoolers and families. Taking a trip during the week is a great way to avoid crowds and have a day away from the usual learning environment. If you travel and want to visit more than your local zoo or aquarium, be sure to check out the AZA – the Association of Zoos & Aquariums.

Season Passes to an Amusement Park

Last winter we were able to visit the LEGOLAND Florida resort and our kids had a blast! They would be perfectly happy with a season pass to this park! If you live near a LEGOLAND® Discovery Center, they are great for exploring, building, and learning! We visited one a couple years ago near Chicago and my kids had an absolute blast! Tickets can be pricey, but getting a season pass might be worth it if you could visit a couple times a month.

Subscription Box for the Family

Subscription boxes are another great option for families. If you want your kids to take more responsibility in the kitchen, join a meal plan box. This is a great way to try some new recipes and get them excited about cooking all at the same time! If cooking isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other monthly subscription options out there the whole family can enjoy.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to purchasing your family’s favorite things, keep in mind these different ways to give them the perfect non-toy gift. From educational gifts that peak a child’s interest to sports equipment, the most fun gift can sometimes be the smallest one. The ideas above are a wonderful way to get practical gifts that are just perfect!