Like Amanda, I love giving gifts! The thrill of the hunt, knowing that the gift I picked out for a friend fits them perfectly… as I watch my boys grow, picking the perfect gift for them is just as much fun! And finding gifts that are meaningful and long-lasting, inspiring and educational… again, I love it!
We are also in the same boat as Amanda with our toys situation – although we don’t have a playroom for all the toys, they are everywhere! And Donovan’s birthday is 4 days before Christmas, with Elias following soon after. The season of giving can be overwhelming around here!
But with gifts like these Top NON TOY Gift Picks for Boys of Any Age, we’ll be adding to their fun and excitement without adding more toys!
1. Abacus
Seriously. How much more educational can you get while still being fun? (Or am I the only one who thinks this is fun?) I remember playing with an abacus when I was young – and it wasn’t all about counting to me – my imagination ran crazy with it, making patterns that had nothing to do with numbers.
2. Inflatable earth and planets
Elias and Donovan are already crazy about space and the planets. Not only can you play ball with the planets, you could hang them up in a bedroom (I’ve had this in mind since I hung the maps in Elias’s room). Easy and educational!
3. Colorforms
A blast from the past! An activity that just oozes creativity – and it is endless, because Colorforms can be used over and over again.
4. Dominoes
Blocks and manipulatives at the same time, plus they help kids learn numbers and can actually be used to play dominoes when the kids get older! With a huge set like this one, you could also make some amazing domino-toppling-courses (or whatever you call the domino effect with actual dominoes!).
Another classic! Helps with fine motor skills, and lets creativity explode for years!
6. a parachute
Remember this from gym class? I actually started getting sad about homeschooling my boys at one point, because I thought they would miss out on some of the best memories I have about grade school – playing with the giant parachute. Turns out you can get these for your kids on your own! And they come in all kinds of sizes, for any number of children! You bet that my boys will be getting one of these soon.
7. a wagon
Look at this Radio Flyer wagon – it has all terrain wheels! Perfect for a backyard – heading down to the park – pulling along side a creek on a little hike…
8. drawing books
My brother and I both loved Ed Emberley’s drawing books when we were kids – here are several that I’ve found online… and as kids get older, they can move on to books like this one from Lee J. Ames.
9. Play-Doh
Kids of ALL ages like this! ehem… and look at these great accessories that you can get, too. Or you can go with old kitchen utensils – they work just as well at cutting and smooshing and rolling and pressing and playing.
10. memberships/lessons
Two years ago, my parents gave us a membership to the Children’s Museum of Richmond. What a fabulous gift! We enjoyed a year of new experiences, full of learning and fun. We’ve also been thinking about enrolling Elias in some sports classes – either a mixed sports class at the local gym, or a martial arts class at a local studio. As kids grow older, you can give them music lessons or art lessons, too! Check out children’s museums and science museums near you, and contact local gyms and studios to see what type of specials they might be running through the holiday season.
What’s your favorite NON-toy gift for a boy? Please share in the comments!
Did you miss our Holiday Gift Guide: Non-Toys for Girls? Take a look there, and come back for more… we have a couple more gift guides up our sleeves for you!
Also – if you have a Holiday Gift Guide on your blog, click over to our first gift guide and link up with us, so we have a huge long resource list – and we can all go shopping together!
Janna says
I still enjoy giving the Dangerous Book for Boys.
I do love Colorforms and I’m going to check out that solar system! Thanks!
.-= Janna´s last blog ..Top Ten Tuesday =-.
Vanderbilt Wife says
Colorforms!! I had completely forgotten about those!!
I think all these gifts are girl-appropriate too. I would have loved any of them when I was a kid.
I didn’t know you were in Richmond! I grew up there and love their children’s museum. We even had our wedding reception in the Science Museum of VA!
.-= Vanderbilt Wife´s last blog ..Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Christmas Music =-.
vanessa@silly eagle books says
I love the inflatable earth and planets!
.-= vanessa@silly eagle books´s last blog ..easy christmas gifts you can make [for kids} =-.
Christine says
So, educational gifts aren’t real toys? Who knew!
.-= Christine´s last blog ..Top Ten Tuesday – Thanksgiving Edition =-.
oh amanda says
I love the abacus! And the colorforms. I think I might get those for Lydia. Very cool.
.-= oh amanda´s last blog ..Top Ten {Tuesday}: Christmas Albums You Probably Don’t Own (But Should) =-.
Stephanie says
I know this is the “boys” list, but I have to say that my 3-year-old little girl would be thrilled to receive anything on this list. 🙂
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday: O, Happy Day =-.
TOYS FOR BOYS says
Wow..these are really awesome and peaceful non toys gifts for boys. Some from these enhances creativeness and some can gain knowledge to small childes. As Abacus is a knowledgeable game but Colorforms,parachute and drawing books are for creative boys.