If we believe one thing it’s this: a beautiful, high quality gift does not have to be expensive. And, as always, it’s the thought that counts. With occasions mounting up – from Christmas and birthdays to Easter and even Halloween - there’s a lot to cover, and with the cost of living showing no sign of letting up, budgets are struggling to stretch over these steadily increasing occasions – especially if there’s multiple children to buy for. So, we have curated a list of (just some of) our best gift ideas under £20…
CREATIVE GIFTS
Kids love arts and crafts – it creates so many opportunities for open-ended play (and mess!) and is always sure to be a good time for all involved…until the clear up operation, that is.
Kitpas Bath Crayons (£8.50) are a fantastic twist on the classic crayon – now ready for bathtime! Available in a variety of colours, they encourage fine motor skills, creativity, and imagination. Fun for the side of the bath and the shower door. And we promise they do wipe off after use!
Whether homemade or shop-bought, play dough is a staple in most households, so why not add some fun accessories to a tried and tested classic? The Djeco Plastirollers Play Dough Stamping Kit (£16.50) and Hair Dressing Workshop (£12.20) are sure to be a hit, and are a great tool in developing fine motor skills.
And for kids who love an accessory, what better gift than to make their own? The Janod Wooden Jewellery Kits or Hair Clip Kits (£13)make for a fantastic gift, containing instructions to make 2 rings, a necklace, and a bracelet, or 6 hairclips. It’s both a fun afternoon activity and a set of accessories in one super cute giftable box.
EDUCATIONAL TOYS
All play is learning in disguise! These toys weave in phonics, numbers and early learning in a fun, natural way.
Djeco Puzzle Duo – Numbers (£8.95) is a fun matching game designed to help little ones learn their numbers from 1-10. With one side picturing a group of beautifully illustrated animals and the other with a number, children will enjoy matching them up, while simultaneously developing their fine motor skills, number recognition, and observational skills.
Mentari’s Spelling and Counting Buddies (£17) are a fantastic way to introduce early phonics and numeracy skills, or even a less intimidating practicing tool for older children. And a bonus - all of the counters can be popped into their little bag to keep things tidy!
Taro Gomi’s Big Book Of Verbs (£13.99) should be a staple on every bookshelf or coffee table. With - literally - hundreds of ‘doing words’ to search and find, this delightfully illustrated book is a fantastic way of expanding your child’s vocabulary without them even noticing!
CLASSIC RETRO FUN
Sometimes, you might just want to stick to the beloved classics.
For example, the Me & Mine wooden slingshot. At £10, this is a perfectly packaged classic gift. Don’t worry - it comes with pom poms to shoot, so your vases and windows are safe!
Or, you can go a bit different. The Kraul Mini Cable Car Kit (£7.90) may be small in size but it’s big in adventure! Great for developing STEM skills through play, it also encourages fine motor skills in the assembly of the cable car. Perfect for popping in your backpack whilst on an outdoor adventure!
What better gift than a collectible? Not only does it make your job a lot easier in the future, it also creates keepsakes that last. The Candylab Candycars (£16.95) are always a winner, and will be played with and displayed for years to come.
BOOKS UNDER £20
With plenty of options for both fiction and non-fiction alike, books are sure to be a winner. The ultimate guilt-free gifting: you really can never have too many books.
The Handbook of Forgotten Skills (£17.99) is a great option and creates opportunity for so much more. From teaching you to skip stones to using a compass, it really is the gift that keeps on giving.
Similarly, Rob Hodgson’s Lichen (£7) is a fantastic gift; both educational and fun. Take the book out on a walk and together you can learn about all the different types of lichen hiding in plain sight.
The Cook in a Book Interactive Recipe Series (£18.95) is another great bet. With an interactive feature on every page, follow the recipe with your little one and enjoy creating together.
Crocodile Tears (£11.99) is another fun classic. Packaged in a fun gift box designed to look like a postage box, it tells the well-loved story of how to catch a crocodile – funny and...educational ;)
Curated, tested and loved by us, each of these gifts we are sure would be loved and treasured by any child.
Check out our full collection of toys and books under £20 here.
