Gifts for Kids With Too Many Toys

Buying gifts for the children in your life is not always easy. Whether you are buying for your own children, your grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or friends you have a vested interest in purchasing gifts that will be used and appreciated. Buying gifts for kids with too many toys doesn’t have to be difficult. Use our list as a springboard to find the perfect gift idea.

Make sure you check out our other gift guides listed at the end of this post as well!

Experience Gifts for Kids with Too Many Toys

Museum Membership. Art museums, children’s museums, and science museums within driving distance will all offer one-year family memberships. These will save you money if you make a certain number of trips to the museum, and as a parent having a membership makes it easy to commit to go and go often. Hands-on displays at these museums are invaluable for kids who are growing and learning through play.

Zoos and Aquariums. Just like museums, the zoos, aquariums, and animal parks close enough to make a day trip will have a membership deal. Memberships are a great gift from grandparents that will use literally all year long. Up close and personal

Classes. If your child has a special interest in art, dance, gymnastics, or science you can find classes at the local museums and rec centers that your child will love. Not only will they enjoy these classes, but they will also be learning at the same time.

Real Musical Instruments and Lessons. Give the gift of music with an instrument and lessons. You can start with a recorder, piano, or even violin.

Where to Shop for Kids with Too Many Toys

Museum Stores. Zoo Stores. Aquarium Stores. I have found that museum stores are often the best at curating really unique and interesting toys, games, and books that teach and inspire as much as they are fun.

Hobby Stores. A good hobby shop will have unique and curious items you won’t find anywhere else, like puzzles, brainteasers, specialty gifts, and fun art supplies.

Specialty Art Supply Stores. Your closest university town probably has a well-equipped art supply store with all kinds of interesting and useful art supplies for your child to experiment with.

Independently Owned Bookstores. The ladies and gentlemen who own these stores know exactly where to find the best books that no one else carries. They also often stock unique gift items you won’t find anywhere else.

Useful Gifts for Kids with Too Many Toys

Physical Fitness Gifts

Pikler Triangle. This wooden climbing toy is amazing because it helps your child in so many ways. It will improve muscle tone, balance, coordination, gross motor skills, fine motor skills, spatial awareness, and more. And it’s fun. It’s also great for getting exercise when you can’t get outside.

Plastic Slide. The taller plastic slide can also be used indoors on rainy or cold days and is great for helping kids learn to use their bodies.

Swing. Even if you don’t have room for a swing set, you can often find a place to hang a single swing from a deck or tree limb. You could also get a cocoon swing to hang indoors. Cocoon swings provide great sensory feedback and stimulation. A tree saucer swing is also a fun idea.

Gifts that Encourage Independence

Plastic Kitchen Knives. These utensils will allow your child to slice bananas on their own without any worries for safety.

Preschool Clocks. These image-based clocks help preschool students figure out how the day flows and manage their own expectations of what is happening next using adorable animals instead of confusing numbers.

A Watch. Preschool watches are image-based just like the clocks and slightly older kids can have a watch with numbers on the face to help them keep track of their daily routine and begin to grasp a sense of time. We aren’t suggesting perfection or strictness here – just a simple introduction to the concept.

Watering Can. Preschool kids love to help water the plants and will love it even more if they have their own watering can.

A Camera. Inspire your kids with a different view of the world through the lens of a camera with a child-sized and child-proof camera.

Educational Gifts for Kids with Too Many Toys

Science Kits. Build a volcano, grow a crystal, or shoot a rocket together.

Art Kits and Art Supplies. Learn a new art or give the gift of art with a multitude of kits and supplies such as oil pastels, paper, coloring pencils, watercolors, and yarn.

Costumes. Children can learn about empathy and the world around them through pretend play — pretending to be someone or something they are not. Costumes are perfect for pretend play. This is also why puppets are a good idea.

Puppets. Folk Manis puppets are my favorite because they look so realistic and inspire great conversation and pretend. Have your children give puppet shows!

Books. Good books are always a great gift idea. Your child can leave home with a small collection of the best books to share with his or her own children someday!

More Gifting Ideas

Learning Gifts for Preschool and Kindergarten Children

Nature Gifts for Kids: A Nature-Inspired Gift Guide

Gifts for Kids Who Love Science