education.com

Great Birthday Gifts Under $25!

by Lisa M. Cope

After attending several birthday parties in a row, it’s often a struggle to come up with original gift ideas. The last thing most parents want around the house is another plastic toy that breaks or gets thrown aside after a few uses. So why not give a toy that stands out, not because of a series of useless bells and whistles, but because it encourages learning, creativity, and confidence.

Here are a few gift ideas, all under $25 and all gender neutral, that require hands-on exploration and learning:

4 and older
Alex Finger Crayons ($15.00)
These unusual crayons are shaped like ice cream cones and designed to fit over a child’s fingers. What kid wouldn’t feel creative with a set of these on their digits? The package includes 24 stackable crayons perfectly sized for little hands and fingertips. Go to www.momastore.org.

A Better Breed of Crayon ($21.95)
When is a crayon not really a crayon? When it’s almost a pastel. These better breeds, unlike regular crayons, go on paper “silky.” The colors mix like oil pastel and can be wet-brushed for watercolor-like effects. The twist-up tube means no mess or waste – which also means happy parents. Go to www.flaxart.com.

Tip: Go to a local hardware store and buy a large fishing tackle box. Fill it full of art supplies such as those above, and paints, brushes, pens, stamps, stickers, glue, and anything else you can think of that encourages expression with art. Decorate the box with the child’s name; it will be a huge hit and useful for years to come.