Gifts that will make memories and foster your kids Creativity
Last year I may have gone overboard and bought a few toys that I thought my kids would like. They liked them¦ for a whole 5 minutes! Then, they never played with them again. Throughout the year we’d see these unused toys all over the house. They soon became clutter and brought no enjoyment. Finally, we donated it all and simplified our toy room and kept the more loved ones. We noticed our kids ages 3 to 8 had more fun playing with each other and for longer when they used open-ended toys. Items that bring creativity and experiences that make memories are my favorite things to give! If you are looking for something meaningful to keep your child entertained and will allow their creativity to blossom, here’s a few ideas this Christmas season!
1. DUPLO® Blocks
These LEGO® DUPLO® Blocks are our favorite. I love when my toddler and 5 year old show me what they have made. It always blows me away with how creative they are! From Giraffes to rocket ships to Airplanes and robots, it always brings a smile to my face. The pieces are also big enough for the kids to pick up on their own, win win!
2. Ikea Train Sets
Seriously, you can’t have enough of these Train Sets! There are three different sets you can get, just tracks, just trains and the full assorted set. Our kids and friends love setting these up and playing for hours! Another plus is, it’s easy to clean up for them! (You can sense I don’t like to clean up toys, haha!)
3. Magnatiles
It’s amazing what kids can do with these Magnatiles. Build a house, a turtle or a pizza! Just a few things our kids have made. These pieces are safe for all ages and they are easy to store. Let their imagination and building skills be put to the test as they build!
4. Thanksgiving Point Family Pass
One of the best values in the Valley! Whether you’re in Utah County or Salt Lake County, take a moment to check out Thanksgiving Point. We live very close to it and it’s a pass we get yearly. They offer a variety of venues to choose from and we love them all. Farm Country, The Butterfly Biosphere, The Curiosity Museum, The Museum of Ancient Life, The Gardens, and the Cafe at the tower. These are some of our favorite family memories; Visiting a venue on a Friday night and stopping by the cafe for Dessert or dinner if I didn’t want to cook, (We are thinking of you, mom). If you’re looking for something closer, check out the Aquarium in Draper, Ut! They have the best indoor playgrounds in my opinion with ample seating for parents!
5. Snapology of Lehi
Well of course we have to talk about us! Our students have an amazing experience in Snapology classes. It’s even better when they sign up with siblings, cousins or friends as many of them do! Our own kids still rave about the robotic summer camp they attended this year! We have a variety of programs to choose from like Engineering, Robotics, and fun themed classes like Pokemania, Star Wars, Minecraft and more in Utah and Salt Lake county! Sign your kid(s) up for programs starting in January! They will love you forever!
6. STEM box subscription from Kiwico or Otter box
Okay, they have got to be one of the coolest things! Sign up for a subscription that works for your family! Kiwi Co focuses on STEM projects while Otterbox focuses on a variety of STEM and Career projects. You can’t go wrong with either. You’ll get a new project delivered right to your door. Your kids will have a blast tinkering and learning without any effort on your part!
7. Loose LEGO® Bricks
Hear me out, we love the LEGO® sets, we’ve bought too many to count. With that said, most sets contain unique pieces. I always recommend the large loose classic brick sets to allow your child to create on their own, plus you won’t go crazy trying to keep it together. If you have young kids, you’ll thank me!
8. Gabb Watch
Our daughter has been begging for a Gabb Watch! Depending on what activities your kids have, this will be a great option to stay connected and receive the peace of mind that your kids are safe. My kid is only in 2nd grade but there are times when they go to a friend’s house right after school with a buddy and I need the peace of mind that everything is okay. If your child is doing more activities, this might be a great option to look into! Not only will it bring you peace of mind, but it will keep your child safe from the harms of social media. If you’re local, you probably know Collin Kartchner and what he stood for. He leaves a great legacy behind to protect our young kids. So if you’re kid is on the go, consider this!
9. Getoutpass
We have family and friends who have gotten this pass and they love it! There are a variety of venues to choose from for a great price! They even include Lagoon and that is already 65 a ticket! Try a new activity each week with your kids or even a date night! You can’t go wrong with this amazing deal!
>
10. Wooden Balance Board
This Wooden Balance Board will be timeless! I bought this two months ago and I am just waiting for Christmas morning when it can be opened! Your kids can use this for anything! Turn it into a slide, a bridge or whatever their heart desires! It’s the perfect toy that can pass down from sibling to sibling.
