I tend to be a practical gift giver, choosing gifts that are fun but also useful and helpful to our home. As a homeschool family with four kids, I like to strategize my gift-giving when I can! As I come up with them, I’m thinking about how it might contribute to our day. What is something that my kids will enjoy but it will also help me in our daily routines?
Anyone can benefit from looking through this list, not just homeschoolers. However, this won’t be your typical, socks and underwear and candy-filled stocking. I’ll be adding some ideas that will be fun for kids but helpful to mom (or dad) during a homeschool day.
I’ll be thinking of educational tools to help us learn, activities to entertain my little ones, and fun, educational games or activities my older children can enjoy on their own or during a quiet time.
I have four children. The oldest is 8 and the youngest is two, so these ideas could be for a variety of ages. I’ll also point out that I am by no means purchasing all of these things! A stocking is only so big and I have a budget to keep in mind. This is more of a brainstorm list to share with others.
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For your little ones (under 4)
Water Wow – We have a couple of these. Not only are they entertaining. They have lasted over the years.
Stamps – They come in a wooden box, but open them up and throw them in the stocking with a small stamp pad. My little ones love using stamps!
Dot Markers – same idea as the stamps. If the box doesn’t fit, open it! I got one box to split between my youngest two.
Flashcards: Alphabet, Numbers, Shapes… (We have a few of these. I don’t use them to drill my toddlers, we just get them out for fun! Sometimes we match or just talk about them. I enjoy having them.)
Play Doh – If your play doh is anything like mine it’s all mixed up or dried up. Now is a good time to stock up on a few fresh ones 😉
For your bigger kids (4-10)
LCD Writing Tablet – this would be fun to do math problems or write sentences, an easy way to mix things up. It could also just be used for quiet time, car rides, or just for fun. The one I’m linking is the smaller version (8.5 inches) so it slides nicely into that stocking!
Cat’s Cradle – I’m not sure if I want this for them or for me – hello childhood! (LOL)
Dice Game – We use dice all the time. I love how this set can be used as regular dice but it’s also a game in itself.
Flashcards/Card Games – I love card games, and they’re great for learning but also for family fun! There are so many out there. Here’s a few that stick out to me:
- Guess in 10: Animal Kingdom
- Phase 10
- Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza
- Charades for Kids (We own this and play it all the time! Even your non-readers can play)
Clicks Markers – I’m so pumped about this. This is a definitely-getting item for me. We are always losing marker caps and drying out markers. I’m so excited to try these out!
Chapter Book – Check out a few of our favorites here
Book Light – All 3 of my girls have one of these and use it every night before bed!
Bananagrams – I’ve heard great things about this one. They also have a “My First” version for early readers that I am considering.
