Top Ten Clutter-free Gift Ideas for Kids

Does Christmas shopping sound a little overwhelming to you at this point? We know you're not the Grinch or a Scrooge. You just want things to be a little simpler this year. You want to give your kids great presents without reinforcing the mindless materialism that comes at them all day courtesy of the media. You want gifts that reflect your family values, that aren't going to need new batteries in fifteen minutes, or be discarded within two weeks. You need to read this list of Top Ten Clutter-free Gift Ideas for Kids.

1. Books: Some people might disagree with me here, but for the most part I think we all agree that books aren't clutter. To make sure that your book doesn't count as clutter look for the classics, as determined by the age of the reader. For the baby/toddler try Eric Carle, Dr. Seuss is always good for younger elementary school, and maybe Roald Dahl for the older readers. There's always the "real" classics as well in abridged and unabridged forms for children. Another great idea is Shel Silverstein's poetry series which are appropriate for elementary school and up. The main idea here is to make sure that your book does not feature any animated cartoon or action figure.

2. Books on Tape: Yes, we're big on book at my house, in any form. These are a fabulous to have around as they're useful at naptime, quiet time, in the car, and just around the house. These can be bought with an accompanying book for a follow-along experience or sans book for an older listener. To make this gift really special I recommend purchasing the book and reading it yourself onto a tape or CD and giving it as a gift that way. This is especially meaningful for faraway relatives who can't otherwise participate in storytime.

3. Zoo Pass: Almost without exception children love animals and visiting the zoo. This is an educational gift firmly disguised as nothing but a day of fun with family and lions….Depending on your budget you can buy a day pass for the appropriate number of people, or most zoos sell season passes which come with discounts and special offers and allow the fun to continue year round. This is another good way that grandparents or aunts and uncles can get Junior a great gift, but really what is going to be remembered is the time spent together.

4. Adventure of the Month Club: Get on your computer and print up a certificate that entitles the recipient to a new "adventure" with you for one day every month. You can either list them out month by month or make it a surprise. Of course tailor your ideas to the age of the child and remember that this is about spending time together. A few adventures to get you started: baking cookies together, a trip to the pool, an afternoon at the park, a makeover at the mall, etc…

5. Children's Museum: These are cropping up in more and more cities and most larger cities already have them so check to find out what's nearby. What you're going to find is not your stuffy-quiet-museum-crowd people, but loud and happy children who are allowed, encouraged, and expected to put their hands all over the exhibits and learn by playing. These museums are generally inexpensive and it's as fun for the adult to watch the child play as it is for the child so don't forget your camera.

6. Active Activities: Kids spend way too much time inside and sitting down, so for Christmas get them out, up, and moving. (and I'm not talking about Chuck E. Cheese's) There are amusement parks, skateboard parks, national parks, and your local community parks to start with. Moving on from there are nature centers that offer special night-walks, or bird-sighting tours in addition to regular hiking. Have you ever been to a rock climbing gym? What about canoeing or white-water rafting? Even a picnic followed by a walk in the creek is a great start. If you live in a wintery locale think about snowboarding, an afternoon making snowmen together, or sledding. And don't brush off the hiking or the zoo, either. Call around and you'd find out that your zoo offers special Winter Day packages and many of the animals are more active in the colder weather.

7. The Arts: I realize that not everyone is of the white-water rafting persuasion, and that's okay. Go ahead and broaden their horizons with art, music, or theater. Your town probably has a local theater troupe that performs for reasonable prices, see what they offer. Or make it a little more fancy and head for dinner and a show with your budding thespian. Are you raising a musician? Find a local concert being put on by someone you've never heard of and try it out together, experience music from another culture. Need something a little more hands-on? Many craft stores offer afternoon workshops where you can learn to paint, shoot pictures, or make and paint your own pottery.

8. Magazines: Okay, we're back to reading again. Magazines are a great way to tailor a gift to the child's individual taste from X-box magazine to Highlights to Ranger Rick to Teen People. While these might not be your favorite subjects, they are for that special child and it still encourages reading as a lifetime habit. It's also a gift that will be used and looked forward to every month. Don't rule out young kids either, there are lots of magazines which are focused on the pre-reader who has an adult "helper".

9. Gift Certificate: I'm not talking about McDonald's here. Write up gift certificates for special treats that you know your child would enjoy. Here's one for 30 minutes of a late bedtime or curfew, one could be for some undivided attention, or a Get Out of a Chore Free card. The possibilities are endless, just be sure to honor the coupons.

10. A Date: This means nice clothes, nice manners, and out of the house, just you and your child. It's a great time for Dads to show daughters how they should be treated by a man, or just to have some "grown-up time" with your child. Go to a restaurant (without a playground) and order an appetizer, let your child place his order, and just relax and talk together. You might be surprised at how much you both enjoy and what you learn about your child.