AA Gifts & Baskets Idea Blog

Archive for the ‘Kids’ Category

Girls may be sugar, spice, and everything nice, but they are also tremendously active, energetic, and curious.  Next time you need to get a gift for the special little girl in your life, consider an activity gift basket made just for her.  Not only is it a thoughtful gift, it will keep her entertained and stimulated for hours.  Whether for a birthday, Christmas, or even just a long car trip, this basket full of goodies is sure to be well received.  Here are some tips for making a great activity basket.

Two important aspects to consider when making your activity basket is the age of the child, as well as her interests.  You don’t have to center the basket around a particular theme, but the age is important because you can add books or games that are geared towards her developmental stage.

If you were going to make an activity basket for a young toddler, for instance, you may go with a baby book gift theme and include board books, books with different textures (such as cloth books), teethers, rattles, musical toys or those with lights and songs.  A child at this age is still very much fascinated by lights and sounds and is entertained by trying to work them.  Books, plush toys, and bath squirters are all great additions.  If you want to drive her parents crazy, also include a variety of small instruments, such as maracas.

An older child will benefit from activities that engage her artistic and intellectual sides.  Say you are assembling a basket for a four, five, six, seven, or eight year old (plus or minus a few years, depending on the child).

Here are some activities to include:

• Coloring and drawing.  Children love to express themselves through art, so supply them with a drawing pad or coloring book.  Crayons and markers are great for coloring, and they can also be used in the car if the child is taking a long trip.
• Paint, brushes, paper, stamps, ink, and other art materials.  You could create an art activity basket by including pipe cleaners, glue sticks, glitter, sparkles, pom-poms, googly eyes, and other goodies.
• Books.  While they may have graduated from board books, children of this age still find a lot of entertainment and stimulation in books.  Try pop-up books, picture search books, sticker book, and activity books with puzzles, mazes, and other interesting, challenging tasks.  You can use the opportunity to get them “school books” too, or workbooks suited for their particular grade.
• Friendship bracelet kits.  You can find kits that include instructions and the embroidery thread needed.
• An inexpensive mp3 player loaded with favorite songs.  Mp3 players can cost as little as $20, so to make a birthday or Christmas present even more special, this could be an excellent addition to an activity basket.  They are especially wonderful for long car trips.
• Card games, such as easy addition War, Old Maid, and Go Fish or board games like Disney Yahtzee or checkers.
• Sports or physical activity equipment.  You could include a jump rope, playground ball, Velcro catcher’s mitts and ball, badminton set, and other fun activity-inducing treats.
• Bath supplies, including bath crayons, bath stickers, a special kids’ shampoo and conditioner, fun shaped soaps, and squirters.

You can design your activity kids gift basket around a theme, such as princesses, Dora, sports, or friendship, or you could just include items you know your little girl will love.

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Themed parties are always so much fun. Everyone gets into the spirit when there’s one cohesive décor and everything works together. Before you select a theme for your child’s birthday party, read a few friendly suggestions.

• Let your child guide the theme. If they love Hershey bars, who’s to say they can’t have a Hershey chocolate themed party including a Hershey's candy bar cake? Even if you had your heart set on Strawberry Shortcake, your little lady may want baseball or soccer as her theme. Your child will love her or his party if it goes along with their tastes and likes. Put your own suggestions to bed and let your child decide (within reason).

• Suggest some ideas for your child to select from. If you know your child loves fish, ask if she wants a Nemo birthday party, a Mermaid birthday party, or a SpongeBob birthday party. She may surprise you and want a Starfish party, but guiding her along will help her to visualize what she sees as the perfect event.

• Don’t go crazy with the theme. If your son loves monkeys, go with a jungle theme and include monkeys. Don’t feel you have to have a monkey on every napkin, cup and surface that isn’t nailed down. Suggest the theme with a monkey cake, some stuffed jungle animals and maybe some cake plates that feature monkeys.

• Where you have the party will also have an impact on the theme. If you’re already having it at a kids’ place or themed restaurant, you don’t need to add much more. Maybe select a color for the plates and cups and napkins if you’re bringing them. Otherwise, just let the venue provide their normal birthday party fare and don’t step in.

• Small children have no idea what a theme is. If you’ve got one under three, they probably won’t know the difference between a Star Wars party and a Lego party. You can do either and make him happy. It’s having family and friends around—and lots of cake—that matter at the younger ages.

• Before planning a theme party for a tween or teen, ask them specifically what they want. There’s nothing more embarrassing to a young person than having a theme that’s too kiddie-like. Don’t have a Tweety birthday party for a 13 year old. Cars in general for a boy or flowers for a girl should work just fine. If they happen to love a character like Hello Kitty and are still happy to show it, then by all means, have a Hello Kitty party.

• Don’t make kids come in costume to match your theme. They may not want to get dressed up, depending on how old they are. You can suggest to any moms that you are having a themed party and if they want to dress up, it will add to the fun. Or, give out cowboy hats for a Western party or masks for a Super Hero party. Limit the dressing up to a simple item that you provide.

• No matter how good your theme is, the party needs a specific start and end time. Never leave a birthday party time open on the invitation. Writing “3:00 till ??” can mean you’ll have people there well through dinner time.

Little girls are so sweet. When your little lady’s birthday comes along, what can you give her that she will really ooh and ahh over? If you’re an auntie or uncle that wants to really gift her with something special, take the time to find out what young ladies like these days.  What you end up buying will depend on her personal likes and her style. But most little girls will like at least some of the following ideas.

High Tech Barbie

Believe it or not, Barbie is now a video camera. There is now a regular sized Barbie --with her impossibly small waist and high-heeled feet -- that is actually a working video camera. It’s kind of fun to imagine a little one spying on her little brothers with her undercover Barbie. If she is a Barbie fan, you simply must add this to her collection.

Hello Kitty

Hello Kitty, the adorable little cat character, has just turned 25. You probably remember Kitty from the first time around. She’s made a big comeback and little girls are falling in love with her for the first time. Kitty accessories come in the form of CD players, walkie talkies that text, mp3 players, shoes, socks, boots, you name it. You can find Hello Kitty’s charming little white face on just about every item merchandisers can stock on their shelves. Get her a whole Hello Kitty outfit or just one plush Hello Kitty doll. Of course, you’ll want to wrap her gift in Hello Kitty wrapping paper and tie a Hello Kitty balloon to the package.

Tea Party Accessories

Little girls are still at that age where they like to play pretend. Today’s tea sets are colorful and still engage the imagination even in today’s high tech world. Buy your little one a tea set and then offer to have tea with her and her stuffed dolls. She’ll love playing dress up with you. You can give her some costume jewelry you no longer use, a pair of gloves, an old evening bag, and she’ll be the best dressed hostess. Other ideas along these lines are gifting your young chef with a play kitchen complete with pretend food. There are sushi sets made entirely of plastic, baked goods, pasta, and more. Play food has gotten so realistic it’s hard to tell it from the real thing.

Little girls are all different. So if you have a tom boy on your list, don’t be afraid to ask her mom and dad what she’d really like. It may be the new Razor scooter or a new catcher’s mitt. No matter what she is into, you can find a really cool gift to wrap up and surprise her.

You might also gift a little one with your time. Take her out for ice cream with all the toppings or a day at the zoo with whatever she wants (within reason) from the gift shop. These types of experiences will last in her memory well after Barbie loses an arm or Hello Kitty’s bow falls off. Make it special by suggesting someplace your little darling has never been. Treat her to a grown up lunch and you’ll be on her “best birthday gift giver ever” list for sure.

If a child in your life is sick, you’ll want to give them something to cheer them up and make them feel better. A broke arm or a case of the Chicken Pox can really get a youngster’s spirits down. When you show up with a get well gift for kids, the day is instantly brighter.

Some good ideas for gifts in the hospital are board games and toys that don’t make a lot of noise. A stuffed animal is always welcomed, but just check with the nurses as some floors can’t have stuffed animals due to infection precautions. But most times you’ll be invited to come in with your furry gift. Balloons also make kids smile. Most kids don’t really care about flowers, but a balloon is big time fun. Choose a shiny Mylar one in a fun shape and you’ll see the mood lifting.

Before you bring over candy or cookies or other goodies, check to see if the child has a restricted diet. For tonsils, ice cream is still the best remedy. Ask what flavor is the child’s favorite and then bring over a carton.

Other fun gifts for a bed-ridden child are DVD's they can watch to pass the time. Buy something that they don’t already have and is popular at the time. You may have to ask mom or dad if they already own a particular title. Show up with microwave popcorn and juice and you can make an afternoon of movie watching with the child.

Even if a child is older, you can still surprise them with a fun toy. Many games of mind skill will allow them to still rest in bed while playing. You can also be the hero of the day and show up with a new Wii or Nintendo game. Again, find out what the child already has.

While adults might like a good novel, check to see what the child enjoys reading before showing up with a book. You might think that a child would like a particular author, but you may be way off on their reading level and interests. Give them the book they really want by asking ahead what’s on their wish list. Often you can surprise them with several books in a new series and they’ll be entertained for hours.

It’s not a bad idea to bring over a new pair of comfy pajamas. If the child has to stay in bed, they might as well have new pjs. Bring slippers too so they’ll be ultra-snuggly. If you’re unsure of sizes ask or buy a bigger and a smaller size and you can always return one.

Sometimes all you need to do is show up to brighten a sick child’s day. Make them a homemade card with glitter and ribbons and hand deliver it. Include photos or make a little book for them to read that includes a story about a girl or boy with their name. They’ll love hearing a story with their own name in it. It’s the little things and the thought that counts sometimes. Don’t feel like you have to show up with an expensive item just to visit a sick child. You will be a welcome sight whether you come bearing candy baskets or not. And if you’re far away, be sure to send something in the mail as children love getting mail.

Reading to your child everyday is one of the most important things you can do for your child - and it should start even when they're a baby! A baby listens to everything that is said to them and stores it away.  You can broaden their vocabulary more quickly by reading stories and poetry. In fact reading to your child everyday can very easily develop into lifelong enjoyment of a fantastic hobby for your child.

You might think that your child is not interested in reading, but there are several ways to spark their interest with a little patience and injection of fun into the process. If kids feel like they are being forced to read, then they will dislike it. But if you start the process at an early age, reading can become second nature to your children. Giving book gifts is another way of reinforcing reading as a pleasurable experience.

Make sure you are aware of your child's interest, and choose books accordingly. A field trip to the library is a great idea, then they can choose their own books. You may be surprised to find what your child wants to learn about!

Praise and compliment your child's reading abilities, to build their confidence level and increase their enjoyment of reading. If reading makes your child feel good, they will continue to do it!

One of the most successful techniques for teaching your child to read is the show and read technique. This is where you read to your child while pointing at each word as you read so that your child can see the words and repeat them. Doing this on a daily basis will not only help your child learn to recognize words, but it helps with their memory skills as well!

When a child sees a word and hears it being pronounced at the same time, they will in time learn to recognize the word, how it is said, what it means and how to use it in a sentence. This can take many repetitions, but they will get there.

Remember - reading is one of the best gifts you can give your child, because that skill will help them develop into a successful student and adult!

There are plenty of get well gift baskets on the market, but if you have the time you could create a personalized basket just for them to cheer them up and make them smile.

Any kind of container will do for the basket. You could choose a small laundry basket or plastic bin.  Check the kids bedroom/storage area of a store like Target or Walmart for fun totes, baskets, etc.

First of all, let's think about food. There are plenty of healthy snacks that kids love like fruit snacks, crackers and granola bars.  Fresh fruit and drink pouches could also be included.  And if you really want to put a smile on their face, you could add their favorite candy!

Reading books and activity books make great gifts to put into the gift basket. A coloring book could keep them busy while they're stuck in bed.  Don't forget the crayons if you go for this option.

Playdoh and clay make great activities for a sick child, especially as they have the time to put some thought to it (and can get some help from you). Some masterpieces can be created, in this time of illness, to put in a place of honor for all to see.

There are plenty of children's movies on DVD that you include in the gift basket. Or maybe a tabletop game like chess, mini monopoly or scrabble that you can play with your child while they are ill.

Last, but not least, don't forget the cuddly plush animal - an essential friend in the recovery process!