Clutter-Free Kids Gifts

It seems like so many holidays mean more stuff.  You know the feeling.  You bring home a bag of chicks, bunny ears and coloring books.  And then you have to find somewhere to put it. {sad face}  Christmas means the same — just no bunny ears and chicks (insert elves and hats).

Celebrating a holiday together as a family (especially one as meaningful as Easter) can be so fun.  But, finding places for all the crap things you buy/bring home is less fun.

Lately I’ve really tried to focus on things I don’t have to find room for.

My kids don’t play with toys the way I envision it.  Sometimes I buy things just to have things — which, essentially is just a huge waste of money (and time).

Clutter-free kids gifts:

Buy a Class

I have a friend who runs amazing after school classes.  They are so much, and it would be easy to give a summer or after school class as an awesome gift.  Maybe ask around for summer classes in your area.  It’s kind of a gift that keeps giving in that you get a few hours of freedom in the summer. 🙂

Stickers.

Ok, you might have to find a place for them — but they are kind of amazing. 🙂  We L-uuuuv Piptsticks.  What a fun thing to get in the mail every month!  Their stickers are all different and very fun (and not commercial).  Did I mention Princess P goes crazy for them (because she does).  We’ve made a spot for sticker sheets in her homework focus bin.

Kiwi Co

Yes, you might have to find a SPOT for it, but they stay nicely self-contained in the boxes they come in.  I got a full year for both princess P and Mr Middle and they both REALLY like them.  Kiwi Crate for the younger one, and Tinker Crate for the older one.  They also have Koala Crate for really small ones, and Doodle Crate, P will graduate to that in a few years. 🙂  Like all subscriptions, this spreads it out over a few months.  Do not miss my whole post ALL About subscriptions for kids.

Just lately I am LOVING Green Kids Crafts kits.  TONS of learning, and really fun activities.  I would totally check it out and see which one your child would like more (or get both).

Plan an experience together.  

Some of my favorites are

• Dinner and a movie
• We have a really cool ceramics painting class that P loves to go to.
• Skating/bowling/laser tag
• Hiking
• Bike ride to a favorite park — even pack a lunch!
• Plan a vacation (you can find some of my best travel/vacation tips/spots here)

A treasure hunt.  

I have heard of a lot of families who do a basket at the end of a super long yarn trail.  I think that’s SUPER fun.  That way you don’t need all the candy in the eggs, but still have the fun of a hunt!  PLUS, just put one of these things at the end. 🙂

Get Tickets

There are SO many cool performances anymore.  There’s something like Disney on Ice or tickets, the circus or to a local play.  I am sure you could find something cool in your area that your family could enjoy!  So often I just GET tickets to something like this, but using it as a gift ups the excitement and gives them/you something to really look forward to!

Passes

Maybe consider membership to a local museum, etc.  We have passes to a local observatory.  It has been REALLY fun and has allowed us to visit other museums for free when we go on vacation!  You can often find a groupon for them!  Be sure to check out my post about museum memberships!

Anyway, giving gifts doesn’t have to be a time of stress to find where to put all the junk.  It can be a really fun experience for both you and your kids and build great bonds.

Think of a clutter-free gift next time you’re giving!  What clutter-free gifts have you given your family?

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