Gift Ideas for 6 Year Old, Other Then Toys

Yvette,

I agree with you, we don't need more toys either. Some suggestions, beyond the wonderful ideas already posted:

- what about bike decorations (my kids love the streamers, spoke pegs, stickers, horns, etc.)
- what about a "theme" for the birthday like arts n crafts, camping, gardening or swimming/beach? My kids have LOVED getting a whole slew of "toys" that have a theme because then we have a whole 'set' for the summer. We've had an art cabinet stocked for YEARS just from one 2 yr old party. I loved that we didn't get 15 different toys (read junk) with 6000 pieces to keep track of.

If you decide to go with a "theme" for the party, like gardening, you can do a make-your-own potted plant. My friend did this for her son's 5th birthday. The kids loved decorating a small pot, putting in the dirt, and planting a seed. Her "give aways" were a pair of gardening gloves, and a hand small rake and shovel for each kid, along with their potted plant. My kids still love their gardening supplies and can't wait to break them out each year. She had a "bug" cake and sent out bug invitations. It was super cute and the kids just loved it. (She did the whole potting party in her open garage, complete with folding tables and chairs for easy clean-up.

Incidentally, my kids and I just had a great Mothers Day weekend digging in our garden. They loved pulling out their bag of garden tools, digging in the dirt, finding worms, using a 'bug catcher' to hold their finds, planting new herbs, veggies and flowers with me. They screamed with delight everytime they found another worm (we had a whole family with names and everything). It's great to have the help in the garden, not having to worry where they are or what they are getting into while I'm trying to "work". We even had an outdoor picnic afterwards and talked about all we did. It's great fun and the "toys" aren't junk - it's a really useful set of tools that's teaching them something.

I hope this suggestion helps or gives you some ideas.

Let us know how it goes!

Sara

If parents ask you could suggest that they go with tickets to things like the movies, sci tech / childrens museum etc. you can't really go wrong with books. library books are great but i have a bunch of books that are my favorites i have purchased them and sold them and repurchased them because they are like old friends. i read them over and over.

Does he like CD's, like stories on CD? Or art supplies?

If he doesn't really need anything more, you could do a book drive instead for his class or a local kids charity.

HAppy Birthday!

I've learned that kids want to get and give toys no matter what you have in the house! My stepdaughter begged for Webkinz and freaked out with excitement over them, and then shoved them in her closet and never plays with them. So I usually try to clean out her old toys before Christmas and her birthday so we can make room for the new stuff. We donate her toys.

I have suggested art projects and science projects and those seem to make her excited (because they are toy-like) and she can actually learn something. She put together a car, got a set of magnets, made pot holders and bracelets. I like the education angle!

I like the idea of magazine subscriptions. My stepdaughter got a rock wall climbing pass and loves that! Also gift certificates to movies are great. Movies are so expensive and she loves being able to pick out what movie she wants to see with us.

How about say he is saving for something... and you could name something you think he would like (a telescope, outdoor tent, etc) and ask for gift cards for a particular store that would sell this/these items.

OR-
magazine subscriptions? There are lots of good science/nature/craft subs for kids, or Highlights, etc

ask them to chip in for a membership to something- a museum, a park district class, club dues, etc

Or something like a trip, pool pass, hot air balloon ride....

Hi YS!

For our daughter every year we give her a Family Membership to Brookfield Zoo. We make so many memories there and always have a blast! Maybe there or a museum would be a nice idea. We also pair it up with a stuffed animal so she has something to open besides the membership cards....she would not understand what they are! lol

Or, how about a pool pass maybe for the family? Given with some pool toys it would be a nice gift!

What kinds of things does he like? Is there any programs in your area that offer educational classes for them?

Good luck and Happy birthday to him! Many blessings to you all!

Is there something he wants to do at the Park District? One thing my sons always loved was when someone "gave" them a program they wanted to do from the park district book. An art class, a swimming class, etc. Then they loved McDonalds or Burger King Gift Certifictes so they could "buy" their own lunch, or what about a new backpack for school next year or for summer camp? Or sports equipment....
Hope some of these ideas help.
R.
Your Thirty One Consultant
http://www.mythirtyone.com/yourbaglady