Birthday gifts are tricky. Grandparents can navigate the endless choices with this list to find the best gifts for grandchildren.
Grandparents are key influences in the lives of their grandchildren. It is natural to want to spoil the most wonderful people in your life. Being a savvy gift giver from the birth of your first grandchild can make special occasions less complicated for you. Consider the wisdom and values you have to share and create a plan for birthday gift giving right from the start. Set a budget and purpose. Imagine a pattern for thoughtful gift giving that will set appropriate expectations for your family.
Gifts that Grow
Birthdays are the perfect time to support a grandchild’s individuality. Select gifts that can be repeated or continued in successive years. A charm bracelet is a lovely, personal gift. In each following year, you can add a charm or allow the child to choose a new charm with you. Help a grandchild begin a collection based on personal interest. If they love dinosaurs, consider purchasing a fossil each year and a special box to contain them. Spend time researching information together about the fossil’s history. Most children develop personal preferences for particular animals, games, or activities. Legos are a popular creative toy that can be added to over time. Trendy collectible plush toys or figurines are a sweet choice. Any hobby or interest can be turned into a yearly birthday gift contribution from savvy grandparents.
Pandora Charm Bracelet
This snake charm bracelet from Pandora is the perfect gift to add to in successive years. Each birthday you can gift a new charm or allow the birthday child to choose one. Important milestones can also be commemorated with charms.
Amazon.com
Set of 5 Authentic Fossil Rocks
Delight a budding paleontologist with an authentic fossil kit. Each year add to the collection and participate in the joy of learning together.
Amazon.com
Lego Classic Building Toy Set
The world of Legos is fun for boys and girls. As a grandparent you can help to build a collection by gifting this starter set or choosing an extension box. This can be a never ending collection and an easy gift choice.
Amazon.com
Squishmallows Plush Toy
Squishmallow plush toys are a trendy collectible item. Gift a plush that speaks to your grandchild’s personality. Each one is unique and squishable.
Amazon.com
Schleich Mythical Figurine
Unicorn figurines are a beautiful collectible birthday option from grandparents. Hand painted and whimsical, you can add a new figure each birthday.
Amazon.com
Practical Presents
Birthday gifts can be both fun and practical. You can be the grandparent who is counted on for a new pair of sneakers or updated pillows, and bedding each year. Consider gifting a necessary item of clothing such as a high quality coat. Kids of all ages love picking out their own shoes, clothes, and bedroom accessories. Let your grandchild know your price limit and then shop together. This type of gift will engage even the coolest teenager. If you are a long distance grandparent, video chat and look at items together online. You can have the gift delivered after your shopping time. This is a great way to show children how to use money wisely in celebration.
Converse Canvas Sneakers
Ask your grandchild which sneaker brand is their favorite and commit to a new pair of kicks each birthday. These popular Converse styles are sure to please. It will be a happily anticipated gift and serve an important purpose. Shop together and have fun. It will make you a “cool”grandparent.
Amazon.com
Graffiti Throw Pillow Covers
Inspirational pillows make a great gift. Each year you can update the pillows or covering. These trendy graffiti style covers are colorful and contemporary.
Amazon.com
Bedsure Queen Comforter Set
Refresh your grandchild’s bedroom each year with new bedding. This comforter set comes in many colors and sizes. Choose something that will make your grandchild smile.
Amazon.com
Columbia Nordic Strider Jacket
A classic winter coat is perfect for a quickly growing kid. This style from Columbia will keep your grandchild warm and fashionable. And you can count on your grandchild outgrowing it each year.
Amazon.com
Personalized Gifts
Names are powerful. Build your grandchild’s understanding of self and family with personalized gifts. There are companies such as Shutterfly and Librio that offer personalized picture books. Shutterfly allows you to upload photos to create board books. Librio offers high quality, pre-written stories that can be customized with your grandchild as a main character. There are also many types of clothing that can be personalized. Monogrammed shirts and sweatshirts are practical and sweet. Even sporty sneakers can be monogrammed. Personalized messages can make a simple gift of a water bottle, or snack dish special. Let your grandchild’s name elevate your gift giving choices.
Shutterfly
Easily create a board book with your own pictures. Shutterfly provides simple templates and options to make special, personalized book that will be treasured by the whole family. Each year, create a new book to add to the grandchild’s collection.
Shutterfly.com
Librio
Grandparents can gift the love of reading. Librio offers many beautifully written and illustrated stories that can be customized for your grandchild. The books are available in 27 languages. Check out their personalized greeting cards too.
Librio.com
Monogrammed SweatShirt
Choose this cozy monogrammed pullover sweatshirt as a special gift. With such a variety of colors to choose from, each year you can gift another shirt to please your grandchild.
Marleylilly.com
Monogrammed Sneakers
Just about anything can be personalized, but these shoes take the cake. Perfect for running and playing, these sneakers can be embroidered on the tongue with your grandchild’s initials. So fun!
Marleylilly.com
Iron Flask: Kid’s Water Bottle
Water bottles have become a necessary school supply. Allow your grandchild to pick out their own personal bottle from Iron Flask each year. It will be used daily and keep your precious grandchild hydrated in style.
Amazon.com
All Mine! Personalized Snack Bowl
What can be more fun than a personalized snack bowl? These designs are contemporary and the bowl sizes generous. Add your grandchild’s favorite snack food, chips, popcorn, or ice cream and it becomes a wonderful birthday gift.
Personalizationmall.com
Subscription Surprises
Everyone loves receiving surprises in the mail. Birthday surprises in the mail are double fun. Send a recurring subscription gift to bring delight to the life of your grandchild. Magazine or book subscriptions combine gifting with education. There is a magazine for almost every age, stage, and interest. For toddlers, check out Highlights. Their High Five magazine is a wonderful mix of poetry, puzzles, and stories with bright illustrations. Preschoolers are often obsessed with facts and discovering the natural world. Encourage this curiosity with a subscription to National Geographic Little Kids. In addition to games, stories, and facts, each magazine includes punch out wild animal cards. When choosing a gift for tweens and teens, choose Sports Illustrated Kids for the athletic minded or Owl which is a blend of news, puzzles, and stories.
To build a love for reading, choose a book subscription program. Bookroo curates titles directly from book publishers. There are selections for ages 0 to 12. Each book also integrates with a digital platform. Owlcrate Jr. sends a selected book and 3-5 fun items related to that particular story.You can gift one month or three months at a time.
Subscription gifts can tap into a grandchild’s interests. Little Passports will send a culinary adventure box which includes information about a specific country, a recipe that represents that country, selected ingredients, a shopping list, activity cards, and fun cooking tools. Kiwico will send a hands-on science or craft project each month. Each box is created to inspire a love for learning. Sending a subscription surprise as a birthday gift will make you the coolest grandparent.
High Five Magazine
A magazine geared towards children ages 2-6, it produces a new issue each month. High Five is packed with stories, games, and puzzles to keep your grandchild engaged and entertained.
Highlights.com
National Geographic Little Kids
Bi-monthly issues will arrive in your grandchild’s mailbox. It is perfect for kids 3-7 years old. This magazine will answer many of those “why” questions and spark even more curiosity of our natural world.
NationalGeographic.com
Sports Illustrated Kids
This bi-monthly magazine is focused on all things sports for kids aged 8-16. The current stories are engaging and informative. Inspirational stories will excite your own athlete.
sikids.com
Owl
Owl magazine highlights elements of science, technology, engineering, art, and math for kids aged 9-13. Not only will your grandchild receive a print edition in the mailbox, but will also be connected to the bio-weekly e-magazine and have access to the digital website. This is a valuable gift.
Owlkids.com
Bookroo
A curated book club for kids, Bookroo has selections for grandkids aged 0-12. Two books will arrive in a box each month at about a $20 price point. Choose as many boxes as you want. Also, each book integrates with their digital platform where additional content is available.
Bookroo.com
Owlcrate Jr.
Designed for kids 10-13, Owlcrate Jr. is a book box subscription. Each box includes a middle grade novel and small treats related to the box’s theme. Choose a one month, three month, or six month subscription.
owlcrate.com
Little Passports
Gift your grandchild a view of the world through their kitchen. Each “Explorer Box” focuses on a particular country and includes activity sheets, recipes, a shopping list, spices, and a collectible flag pin. There are many options for gifting. This subscription makes both an exciting and educational gift.
eat2explore.com
Kiwico
This company offers activity boxes for all ages. You’ll find this a perfect gift to experience together. There are nine subscription choices and other products offered to spark discovery and fun.
kiwico.com
Gifts to Connect
For a gift that builds both a joyful tradition and deep, personal connections, design a yearly birthday experience. Take your grandchild on a day trip to a museum, the zoo, a ball game, or the movies. Include lunch at a restaurant or a picnic in the park for natural discussion opportunities. Another way to build tradition is to share a personal hobby with your grandchild, one on one, as a birthday gift. Go fishing, Gift your grandchild a starter kit with a rod, tackle box, and fishing lures and make a day of bonding by the water’s edge. Work on a craft project. Buy a junior tool kit and build something useful together. Share a love of gardening. Choose some garden tools, protective gloves, and start a small raised garden bed together by planting some unique seeds. This gift will connect you through many seasons. You may discover common talents and preferences. Time is the most valuable gift a grandparent has to offer. Birthday memories from a gifted experience spark a lifetime of joy.
Kid’s Fishing Rod and Reel Combo
Grandparents know fishing is a great bonding activity. Set your grandchild up for success with this fishing combo set. It includes a telescopic rod and reel, tackle box, and a variety of fishing lures.
Amazon.com
Workpro 9 Piece Kids Real Hand Tool Set
This nine piece real tool set in the perfect size for smaller hands. Teach your grandchild how to build something creative. It includes a tool bag for easy storage. What a great gift!
Amazon.com
Garden Tool Set: Kids
These durable tools are a great gift for the budding gardener. Each tool is rust resistant and features non-slip rubber handles. This kit includes a handy tote bag to keep everything organized. Go grow together!
Amazon.com
Galvanized Raised Garden Bed
Find a sunny spot to place this raised garden bed. The gift of growing vegetables and herbs is a healthy bonding opportunity. Made of galvanized metal, this raised bed will last for many years.
Amazon.com
Baker Creek Seeds
Trust to the experts at Baker Creek to find sustainable, heirloom seeds. There are many exciting choices that will tickle your young gardener. Look for purple cauliflower, dragon carrots, or blue squash. Just exploring the seed catalog with your grandchild will be a wonderful activity. Make it a yearly tradition.
rareseeds.com
Grandparents love to make their grandchildren smile. With some careful planning, birthday gifts for grandchildren can be fun and meaningful. Focus on your budget and values as you decide on a gifting strategy. Each year can build upon the next creating a tradition that will be happily anticipated and appreciated.
Gift Lions love grandparents! We have discovered many items that can help you design a great gift for grandchildren of all ages. Bring birthday joy to your grandchild through some of our best gift suggestions. Contact us with any questions and share your experiences on social media too.
