Family Gift Guide - www.simplelifemessylife.com

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For Christmas, I always wanted to get one big gift for my kids that was a “family gift.” Something that everyone could have fun using together. Now that baby J is here, this is the first year that we’ll actually be able to do that!

Since buying a gift that spans multiple ages can be tricky, I wanted to gather together some ideas for those of you that do the family gift too. I hope you find the perfect gift!

Gifts for the Younger Ones

1. Foamnasium Gymnasium

I had to put this on the list first because this is the gift we decided to go with for the boys this year!

If you read my previous gift guides (here and here) then you’ll know that I was debating whether or not these would be worth the price. We finally decided to go for it and bought this set and also this tunnel.

I am super excited and I think my boys (almost 4 and 6 months) are going to love them and play with them for years!

2. Radio Flyer Full Size All-Terrain Steel and Wood Wagon

If we hadn’t received a hand-me-down wagon (like this one) recently, then a wagon would definitely have been on our list of gifts to consider.

A friend of mine has this all-terrain model and I love it. The big wheels are awesome. My family had a Radio Flyer wagon when I was growing up and, I assure you, it was very well loved and used!

3. LEGO Education DUPLO Brick Set

Although the package says that Duplo are good for up to age 5, I know from personal experience that kids even older than that enjoy playing with these awesome blocks.

If you are looking for a classic building toy that your kids will use for years and years, this is it!

4. ThinkFun Zingo

Looking for a fun and easy game to play with your little ones? Give Zingo a try!

It’s a fast paced version of bingo that is perfect for kids up to about age 8. Although I’ve played it before, it is not a game we currently own – I’m going to have to change that soon though!

 

 

5. Fisher-Price Imaginext Eagle Talon Castle

The Imaginext play sets are so. fun. There are so many different ones to choose from, but I thought this castle looked like something I know my son and his friends would absolutely love.

This also reminds me of my childhood and the hours and hours my sisters and I spend playing with our doll house (similar to this one). Toys like these that involve the imagination are ones that kids will continue to come back to for a long time!

6. Wooden Train Track 52 Piece Pack

When we bought K his train set, we decided to go with this off-brand set of just plain tracks. That way, we got more for our money and he didn’t have to worry about fitting together weird specialty parts. I have never regretted this decision and these tracks have gotten tons of use over the last few years!

I anticipate them continuing to be used for a long time. Baby J already likes to play with them – well, chew on them at least! Just pair them with a pack of trains (like these) and it will be a perfect gift!

7. Melissa & Doug Deluxe Standing Easel

Do you have some little art lovers in your house? Then an easel might be the perfect gift!

We have an easel and it gets used at least every week, if not every day!

Don’t forget the paint!

 

 

 

8. Costumes/Dress Up Clothes

Boys, girls, young, and old – everybody knows that playing dress up is tons of fun!

What a fun gift it would be to get a big bin full of dress ups, old costumes, play silks, props, and Goodwill finds! It would provide hours and hours of imaginative play!

9. KidKraft Vintage Kitchen

On the topic of pretend play, how cute is this play kitchen?! I know that if we had room for one, my kiddos would love having a play kitchen.

Who knows? Play kitchen now, cooking your meals when they get a bit bigger? A mom can dream, right?! 🙂

 

 

10. Movies

Get together a movie (or two, or three), pair it with some new jammies and a big popcorn bucket and some candy and you’ve got a super fun gift and family night in the making!

 

 

 

 

 

Gifts for the Bigger Kids

11. Nerf Guns

Looking for a fun gift that will get the whole family playing together?Pick up a couple of these and some extra darts and have an epic nerf battle on Christmas morning!

 

12. LEGO Classic Large Creative Brick Box

You can never go wrong with more Lego!

I love this box because it supplies all the pieces your kiddos need for open ended building. And, just like the box says for ages 4-99, it’s perfect for the whole fam!

 

13. Apples to Apples Junior

Looking for a fun game to spice up family game night? Try Apples to Apples Junior! Super silly and will get the whole family laughing – if you’ve never tried it, I recommend giving it a try!

 

 

 

14. Skywalker Trampolines 12-Feet Jump N’ Dunk Trampoline

Our neighbors have a trampoline and it is one of the kids favorite things to do! It is such a fun way to get out all that extra energy!

I think this trampoline looks extra fun with the sweet attached basketball hoop. If you live in a mild climate like us, it might be the perfect outdoor addition!

 

15. Flexible Flyer 60″ Flexible Flyer Sled

Do you live somewhere a bit more wintry than us? Then perhaps a great family gift would be something that gets you outside enjoying that pretty snow!

This old fashioned style sled looks like tons of fun and *almost* has me pining for winter weather. Add some new mugs and a bunch of hot chocolate and you’ll have an awesome gift!

16. Wii

While I am usually not a huge fan of video games, I am kind of on the fence about the Wii. With more active and kid friendly games, if I’m ever going to spring for a video game system, it’s probably going to be a Wii.

If we ever live somewhere where there is a more harsh winter, I’d definitely look into one for some winter entertainment. Maybe it’s a good gift for your family this year!

17. Puzzle

Is your family a fan of being a little more low-tech? What about a big puzzle?

Cozy up around the dining room table, maybe with a plate of Christmas cookies, and put together this cute doggy picture. Just make sure to grab one of these so that you can put it away until you’re ready to work on it again!

18. Lifetime Pro Court Height Adjustable Portable Basketball System

I have so many memories from my childhood of playing basketball with my dad in the driveway. Playing one on one, P-I-G, and just shooting hoops – so much fun was had.

A basketball hoop is definitely something that we will want to purchase when our boys are older!

 

 

19. Book Series

Does your family enjoy read-alouds? Then what about a great book series for your family gift?

I found this nice set with both The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, but there are plenty others you could choose from!

 

 

 

20. Star Wars: The Complete Saga

What about movie night for the big kids (and the kid at heart!)? We are in full on Star Wars obsession over here with the new movie being released soon! This complete set would be an awesome gift for any Star Wars loving family.

 

 

 

 

Do you do “family gifts”? What’s on your list?

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2 Comments

  1. Danica Middlebrook on November 22, 2015 at 11:48 pm

    This is something that I have tried to do for our “Santa” gift – the gift the kids get Christmas morning. Even when we just had one … the gifts she got were ones that could be enjoyed by all. Since her brother joined us, we did a playhouse (a felt one that goes over a folding table) and a play castle (think doll house type thing) and this year we are doing dress up. Love doing the “family” gifts.



    • Liz Millay on November 23, 2015 at 12:20 am

      Those are great ideas! We did the same thing where our son got gifts like this even when it was just him – Little People Nativity, train set, and Zoob building set. So fun!