FARGO -- This holiday season, skip the overpriced or noisy toys and get the kids something they can enjoy and learn from – they probably have enough “Frozen” toys already.
Here are five ideas for presents that’ll win over the pickiest children while still challenging them to be creative, learn something new or feed their burgeoning reading habit.
1. Reading material.
Study after study shows the importance of fostering a kid’s love and enthusiasm for reading, and there’s no better practice than providing them with lots of age-appropriate material.
Maybe you can find one of your personal favorites from your own childhood to give to a niece, nephew or grandchild – they’ll love knowing it came from you, and maybe they, too, will fall in love with the story.
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Or, visit a bookstore or do a little searching to find some good new selections they’ll want to read over and over again.
2. A monthly gift.
Here’s an easy way of getting kids to read without making it feel like homework.
Buy an annual subscription to a magazine that suits their interests – who doesn’t enjoy getting something fun in the mail every month? – or get a digital subscription so they can read their gift on a tablet or smartphone.
3. Bored? Try a board game.
Whether they love the challenge of assembling a jigsaw puzzle or want to try their hand at being a real estate tycoon via Monopoly, there are board games and puzzles out there for everyone.
Buy something age-appropriate – small pieces could be dangerous for young kids – and use your imagination here.
4. Arts appreciation.
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Put together a craft box or supply kit full of the basics, such as markers, crayons, colored paper, scissors and glue, for hours of entertainment they can enjoy throughout the year.
For the more advanced future artists out there, consider going to an arts supply store to get higher quality supplies, such as pastels, paint or an easel.
5. For the whole family.
This one could be enough to cross an entire family off the shopping list this holiday season.
Get an annual membership to the local zoo, museum or fitness center, or pick up gift certificates for a big day at the movie theater or go-kart track for a memorable family outing everyone can enjoy.
