| It's the fun that counts | | | | structures, your gift will provide hours of play. |
| Kids are rarely bothered about how much a gift | | | | 5. Board games - are great indoor games that |
| costs - they are more concerned with what it | | | | can be shared with friends. Some traditional |
| does and how much fun they can have with it. | | | | games, such as snakes and ladders can help |
| This is great news if you are gift buying on a | | | | children acquire number skills, while most games |
| budget, but it still doesn't help too much with | | | | will teach them to negotiate, respect rules and |
| ideas. | | | | take turns. |
| Long lasting gift ideas | | | | Games for older children can also be more |
| So, whether you're a parent looking for a little | | | | sophisticated, teaching them to plan ahead and |
| extra gift for your children or buying gifts for | | | | use strategy. |
| grandchildren, god-children, nephews, nieces or | | | | 6. Play dough or clay - loved by kids (even if the |
| even your friends' kids, we've come up with | | | | parents groan). Playing and moulding squishy |
| some gift ideas to start you thinking. | | | | substances is great fun and a good skill to learn. It |
| Just remember, while shops are stuffed with | | | | enables them to create objects and creatures |
| brightly coloured plastic toys that promise to turn | | | | from their imagination - why not add a garlic |
| our kids into geniuses - most are overpriced | | | | press to help them create great hair to put on |
| gadgets that will quickly be discarded. | | | | their creations! |
| We've put together our top ten gift ideas that will | | | | 7. Puzzles and jigsaws - are loved by kids of all |
| prove irresistible to kids and yet won't break the | | | | ages. And, the skill level can increase with the age |
| bank! | | | | and ability of the child. |
| 1. Art supplies - always a favourite. Coloured | | | | They not only develop problem solving skills and |
| papers, scrapbooks, glitter makers, felt tips, | | | | spatial knowledge but also provide plenty of |
| pencils, crayons, watercolour paints and other art | | | | opportunities for social interaction and co-operation |
| and crafts supplies are all perfect gifts to inspire | | | | with friends and relatives. |
| budding artists and encourage artistic talent and | | | | 8. Costumes, dressing up outfits, hats and funny |
| self-expression. | | | | beards and wigs - fun, fun, fun. These are great |
| Art gifts can be as inexpensive as you like. Rather | | | | gifts to allow children to express their imagination |
| than buying ready made gift sets, you could put | | | | by fashioning themselves into new characters. |
| together your own pack. | | | | Who knows, this improvisation may one day lead |
| 2. Dolls, teddy bears, soft toys and action figures | | | | to a career on the stage! |
| - great gifts to spark a child's imaginations. Such | | | | 9. Musical instruments - whether they have a |
| toys are flexible and encourage role play and | | | | natural ear for music or not, all kids love playing |
| improve social skills on many levels. | | | | musical instruments. Toy horns, drum sets, |
| But most of all they're fun! Don't you remember | | | | keyboards, guitars and recorders are all fun gifts |
| how much fun you had as a child when playing | | | | for kids - despite what the parent's say! |
| with your dolls and teddies? They become best | | | | These toys will not only provide them with hours |
| friends in many cases. | | | | of entertaining play but also help them discover |
| 3. Books - a sure fire hit. Think of all the beautiful | | | | sounds, patterns and rhythms. You never know it |
| and inspirational books available for children. Books | | | | could unleash a musical genius. |
| allow kids to solve problems and experience a | | | | 10. Torches - for some reason fascinate kids. Just |
| variety of adventures through the book's | | | | remember the last time you used a torch in an |
| characters. | | | | emergency. Were your kids clamouring to 'have a |
| Books are also great for sharing with adults at | | | | go'? Well why not simply buy them their own? It's |
| bedtime as kids love to be read to, even long | | | | an inexpensive present - especially if you buy |
| after they can read themselves. | | | | rechargeable batteries. |
| 4. Construction toys - everyone loves making | | | | Kids will love using them to make creative |
| things. In fact, scientific research suggests that | | | | shadows and hand animals. Remember to let |
| playing with blocks can help young children learn | | | | them explore the house in the dark with them |
| about geometric shapes and spatial relationships. | | | | too! |
| Such toys also teach them how to work together | | | | If you're still stuck for relatively inexpensive gift |
| in teams with other children to build a structure. | | | | ideas, or need to buy something that can be |
| Toys like Lego also encourage creativity and | | | | delivered by post, why not check out our range |
| imagination. What's more, as they can also be | | | | of balloons and teddy bears? There's sure to be |
| used over and over again to create different | | | | something that will delight. |