Toys can be an important part of child development both physically and mentally and can truly inspire their imaginations. (My thoughts turn to all of the things that my son has built with his Lego set as I’m writing this!) But, kids crave quality time with their parents and loved ones and can benefit so much more from educational experiences and practical gifts!

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So, when the grandparents ask for Christmas ideas for the grandchildren this year, use this list to come up with some wonderful options that won’t clutter your home or get lost in the back of a closet or under a bed.

Non-Toy Gift Ideas for Kids

As an added bonus, all of these ideas cost under $50, and most of them are significantly cheaper than that. So, they won’t break the bank, and they are either priceless experiences that will be treasured for years to come or items that will be used again and again!

Gift Cards / Tickets

• Bookstore or e-book store (i.e. Blue Manor, or Amazon)
• Museums
• Miniature golf
• Zoo
• Bowling
• Local ice cream shop
• Sporting event
• Train ride
• Theater play
• Horseback riding
• Concert
• Rock climbing
• Aquarium

Memberships / Subscriptions

• Zoo passes
• YMCA
• Children’s Museum
• Adventures in Odyssey
• Magazines (i.e. Answers in Genesis, Highlights)
• Educational or game websites (i.e. ABC Mouse)
• Sponsor a child

Lessons

(These can be more expensive, but you could always buy one month as a trial before making a longer commitment.)

• Instrument
• Voice
• Dance
• Martial arts
• Knitting / Sewing
• Cooking
• Sports
• Horseback Riding
• Art / Pottery
• Rock climbing

Outdoor Gear

• Camping (i.e. sleeping bag, flashlight, survival kit, etc.)
• Hunting (i.e. bow and arrow, slingshot, clothing, etc.)
• Fishing (i.e. rod and reel, bait, hooks, etc.)
• Pocket knife
• Winter clothing and accessories

Educational Gifts

• Books or e-books (Keep the Blue Manor e-books in mind!)
• Watch
• Craft or Science kits (i.e. Kiwi Crate)
• Basic tool set (Every little man needs one to help around the house!)
• Sewing accessories
• Art supplies
• Piggy bank
• Recipes and Cooking tools
• Magnifying glass or Binoculars
• Plants or Seeds
• Microscope
• Gardening tools
• Educational apps for phone, tablet, or computer
• Chalkboard or whiteboard

Christian/Inspirational Gifts

• Journal
• Bible
• Wall decor
• Bible cover
• Music (Useful for both Christian and academic education)
• Videos (i.e. Nest, What’s in the Bible?, Creation Adventure, Answers in Genesis)

My Dad made this sign in order for us to cherish a precious moment that my husband and son had while talking and praying at bedtime one night. My son’s face lights up every time he sees it and tells us what it says!

Practical Need Gifts

• Clothing (This could include dress-up items as well, though not as practical.)
• Bedding
• Favorite Snacks

Grandma combined practical and dress-up and got this guy a Spiderman sweatshirt. Here, he is SO excited because he is watching monster trucks with Daddy as a birthday present!

Fun Non-Toy Gifts

• Puzzles
• Family games

Homemade Coupon and Voucher Ideas

• Family camping trip
• Fishing trip with Mom / Dad
• Cooking time with Mom / Dad
• Family movie night with their choice of movie
• One chore performed by Mom / Dad
• Stay up 30 minutes past bedtime
• Trip to the library
• Special reading time with Mom / Dad
• Crafting or Project time with Mom / Dad
• Date night with Mom / Dad to restaurant of their choice

The coupons and gift cards for fun outings or experiences are my favorite options for both birthdays and Christmas! My children always end up appreciating our special times together or special time with grandparents so much more than toys, and they talk about them for years afterward.

I find that keeping the new toys to a limit each Christmas really helps with making sure that the holidays are truly all about the true Reason for the season and all that God has done for us.

Of course, remember to include something to unwrap with some of these ideas so that the kids have something to open that is more than just a piece of paper! For example, for the movie night coupon, you could wrap up some popcorn, or for a dance lesson, you could wrap whatever dance shoes may be required. You can be as creative as you want!

Do you have any great non-toy gift ideas to add to this list? Comment below! Please share any thoughts or experiences you and your family have had as a result of exchanging non-toy presents at Christmas as well.

The post The Ultimate Non-Toy Gift Idea List for Kids first appeared on True Aim.

There are two sides to this topic. How to make toys last longer, physically, and how to ensure your children will be interested in them for years to come.

We have 4 children and rarely ever buy new toys. That’s because we do 3 things that help make our toys last longer, and ensures our children still enjoy them year after year.

How to Make Toys Last Longer

These aren’t just frugal tips, but ways to preserve those favorite toys that you may want to give to your grandchildren someday.

1. Maybe you’ve already heard of rotating toys, but it really works. Toys that you rotate last longer and children won’t loose interest. Simply create two piles, one with toys that are classic, like building toys, art supplies, and Fisher-Price Smart Stages toys and the other pile with toys that your children loose interest in quickly, like dolls, stuffed animals, and figurines.

Put all the toys into medium sized bins and leave 1-2 bins from each pile out. Then store the rest out of the sight of your children. Rotate your toys every 1-4 months. Classic toys will require less rotating.

2. Buy toys that last. Think quality over quantity. This is easier said than done. The most difficult age to buy toys are the baby stage. They grow and develop dramatically in the first 2-yrs of life. It’s important to offer lots of learning content in these early years. So, try to find toys that will grow with your baby.

That’s why we love how Fisher-Price has added Smart Stages to their Laugh and Learn line.

This new feature allows their toys to grow with your child. The three settings match your baby’s developmental levels.

First you’ll set your baby’s age and then use the controls on the front to pick a level. Each level offers new learning content to keep your children engaged.

Level 1 – Explore – is for 12 months and covers first words and the sounds spark baby’s curiosity. Level 2 – Encourage – is for 18 months and asks simple questions and gives directions to follow. Level 3 – Pretend – is for 24 months+ and it engages with imaginative fun and early roll play.

My baby is on Level 1. He is more interested in moving the toy back and forth than listening to what it says, but he is learning simple cause and effect even if he doen’t understand the concepts just yet.

I watch another baby sometimes and can change the level for her since she is a little older. She loves level 2 because of the songs and questions.

Even my 2-year-old stays engaged with level 3 and my 4-year-old loves to use it as a chair for her baby dolls. It really is a versatile toy that I can see us using for years to come.

You can find Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn Smart Stages products at major retailers like Walmart, Amazon, Target, and Toys-R-Us. Save up to $5 on any Smart Stages Laugh and Learn Toy with a coupon from Coupons.com.

3. Finally, keep indoor toys in and outdoor toys out. My kids love to bring toys outside, but they get muddy and damaged from the weather. So, we bought some real tools, like shovels, watering cans, and small buckets for play outside.

They will last a lot longer and are useful. We also encourage our children play with nature; dirt, plants, and rocks make great outdoor toys.

Do you have any tips for preserving toys? Leave a comment below!

The post 3 Ways to Help Toys Last Longer first appeared on True Aim.

Use these gifts as tools to teach common values like; respect, determination, patience, empathy and more.  However, only through real-life experiences will children begin to internalize good character.  The list of unique gifts below contain affiliate links.  Thank you for supporting True Aim!  For more information read my full disclosure.

Character Building Books

These engaging stories with valuable truths inspire readers to a higher standard of virtuous living.

1.  The Children’s Bible (Ages 4+) – A family favorite with realistic pictures and an accurate account of the most important stories from the Old and New testament.

2.  Pilgrim’s Progress (Ages 8+) – One of the popular books of all time, this is a tale of a dangerous journey.  It is an allegory for the journey that every Christian must take.

3.  The Golden Treasury of Bible Wisdom (Ages 12+) – This is a collection of topical bible verses and commentary on each.  It addresses important topics like faith, family, giving, peace and more.

4.  Aesop’s Fables (Ages 5+) – More than sixty classic tales like the Boy Who Cried Wolf and the Tortoise and the Hare, that teach valuable lessons.

5.  Help Me Be Good Series (Ages 2-5) – These short stories had a big impact on me when I was little.  They illustrate in simple terms behaviors that children need to avoid and why.

6.  A Christmas Carol (Ages 5+) – This Christmas story is all about compassion and what real riches are.

7.  The Chronicles of Narnia (Ages 6+) – A mystical land that teaches valuable lessons.

8.   Bedtime Bible Promises (Ages 0-5) – A board book with sweet illustrations and rhyming explanations of scripture verses.

9.  Blue Manor Kid’s Bible Book Set (Ages 2+) – Filled with 5 eBooks that help teach your children the most important lessons in the Bible.  Memory verses and activities included!

Movies that Teach Values

These movies set themselves apart from other shows by the great life lessons they teach and the values that they inspire.  They encourage family unity, righteous living and compassion for others.

1.  Animated Bible Series (Ages 3+) – These powerful, accurate and realistic Bible stories aren’t just for children.  The 30 minute movies each come with a downloadable activity book.

2.  The 10 Commandments (Ages 6+) – Timeless and enthralling, this is one of those movies you can watch over and over again!

3.  The Sound of Music (Ages 3+) –  The story of a woman’s determination, the joy of children, and bravery.

4.  It’s a Wonderful Life (Ages 6+) – What can a small act of kindness do for someone?  Take a journey through a man’s life and see how those small things make a big difference!

5.  A Little Princess (Ages 4+) – A kind heart is what makes a girl a princess, that’s what your little girls will learn in this magical story.

6.  Little House on the Prairie (Ages 3+) – Hard work, courage, and family values; this is the movie that kicks off the whole series and it shouldn’t be missed!

7.  Swiss Family Robinson (Ages 7+) – The Robinson family is shipwrecked on a remote island and must work together to survive.

8.  Anne of Green Gables (Ages 6+) – The classic tale of an orphan trying to find her place in the world.  She learns humility, manners, and what true friendship is.

9.  The Inn of the Sixth Happiness (Ages 8+) –  Based on a true story where a woman so passionate for spreading the gospel to China, she gives and risks everything to make a difference.

10.  The Ultimate Gift (Ages 13+) – A selfish young man learns what’s really important in life and changes his character for the better.

Toys and Games that Build Character

1.  Outburst! Bible Edition (Ages 8+) – A fun way to remember/review Bible facts and help you navigate your Bible.

2.  Real Tool Set (Ages 5+) – Teach your children a valuable skill and they will flourish with the responsibility and work.

3.  Slackline Classic Set (Ages 7+) – Get outside and practice balance, courage, and determination!

4.  Katamino (Ages 3+) – A brain teaser perfect for all ages.  This is a beautiful 1-2 player puzzle that helps build problem solving skills and determination.

5.  Magic Set (Ages 4+) – 20 different tricks to learn that help boost public speaking skills and confidence!

6.  Potholder Loom (Ages 6+) – Patience is needed for this craft, but when children complete one the satisfaction of a job well done is priceless.

7.  Broom Set (Ages 2+) – Children thrive on being helpers.  The work builds health habits and makes them feel needed.

8.  Perlexus Rookie (Ages 6+) – Multitasking, focus, determination; all skills that are needed to solve this puzzle.

9.  Chess (Ages 4+) – This is the easy way to learn how to play chess.  This classic strategy game teaching valuable planning and critical thinking skills.

10.  Outdoor Fort Building Kit (Ages 5+) – Teach your children basic shelter building skills and independance with the help of these handy connectors.

For more ideas and activities on teaching values to your children, please checkout my Values for Children Series!

How do you build character in your children?  Please leave a comment!

For more  ways to instill values in children, like me on Facebook or follow me on Pinterest!  Thanks for your support.

If you like games, here’s another great list!

Check out these amazing gift guides for kids!

The post Values for Children: Character Building Gift Guide first appeared on True Aim.