2024 Gift Ideas
I’ll admit it—I’m one of those early Christmas shoppers. I think about gift ideas all year long, and as soon as pumpkin season hits, I’m already on the lookout for great deals. Judging by how early the holiday ads start these days, I know I’m not the only one!
This year, I decided to get my holiday shopping list ready even earlier. Of course, the classic games and toys always make the list (they never go out of style). I’ve also put together a few ideas to get you thinking about the kinds of games that might be a hit this year. It’s just a starting point, though. If you have any fun suggestions or must-haves, I’d love to hear them.
A Must-Have Book for Parents
Whether you’re a parent-to-be or know someone navigating life with a little one, this recommendation is a game-changer. The book Active Baby, Healthy Brain: 135 Fun Exercises and Activities to Maximize Your Child’s Brain Development from Birth Through Age 5½ by Margaret Sasse is a fantastic resource. It’s packed with activities designed to support your child’s development during those critical early years.
I often recommend this book to parents who bring their baby in for an InfantSEE exam, a program that provides no-cost vision assessments for infants. It’s a wonderful tool for encouraging healthy brain development and bonding with your child. Want to learn more about the AOA Optometry Cares InfantSEE program? Check it out at
www.infantsee.org
Books & Magazines: A Gift for Growing Minds
Reading to your child every day is one of the best gifts you can give. This creates special bonding moments and helps build their vocabulary and language skills. In fact, a study done at The Ohio State University found that kids who read just one book a day will hear around 290,000 more words by age 5 than those who don’t read regularly with a parent or caregiver. Foster a lifelong love of learning with books, homemade coupons for trips to the library and subscriptions to magazines like National Geographic Kids, Nat Geo Little Kids, Ranger Rick, and Highlights.
Encourage Play with Outdoor Gift Ideas
Outdoor toys are perfect for inspiring kids to get moving! From snowman building kits to skateboards, mini-trampolines, and swings, there’s something for every age and interest. Try sports equipment like a pitchback, bicycle, or swim toys, or opt for family-friendly games like ring toss and croquet.
Encourage Eye-Hand Coordination & Fine Motor Skills
Help children develop their eye-hand coordination and fine motor skills with fun and creative toys. Building sets like Legos, Magnets, Jenga, Magformers, and K’NEX are perfect for kids who love to construct. Classic games like Fishin’ Around, Operation, KerPlunk, and Simon challenge coordination, while Magna-Tiles, 3D puzzles, and Spirographs spark creativity. For toddlers, play cubes are a wonderful choice.
Visual Perceptual Games and Imaginative Play
Boost problem-solving and creativity with games like Legos, Spot It, Perplexus, Rush Hour, and Tanagrams. Classic favorites such as Battleship, Checkers, and Memory are great for sharpening skills, while imaginative toys like dolls, kitchen sets, magic kits, and baking sets spark creativity and pretend play.
These are perfect gifts for critical thinking and endless fun!
Here are a few fantastic companies to explore for educational games:
ThinkFun, SmartGames, Melissa & Doug, Young Explorers, and BrainWare. These brands offer a wide range of engaging and enriching activities for children of all ages.