Birthday gift ideas for nursery children

[Skyisbluetoday]

DS is 3 and in nursery since September. Everyone has a party for their 4th birthday and I am running out of ideas as to what present to give the birthday child (from DS). Please share your gift ideas for these occasions and help me take the stress out of organising this part of DSs social life (way better than mine). Also - how much do you spend and do you always include a card?

Colouring book and crayons. Or a story book. Don’t overthink it!

Yes I guess I am over thinking it!

DS turned 4 and received games from Orchard Games, lego, dinosaur toys, puzzles

When DD turned 4, she received lots of craft type kits (decorate own jewellery box, paint pottery etc), aquabeads - a lot of these said age 5/6+ but she was able to do them

When attending parties, we tend to spend around £10 on every birthday child (more if they invite both children), colouring book and crayons would look like a very cheap gift imo

I read it as everyone had a birthday party at the nursery - so they celebrated during nursery hours at the nursery. Yes, it would be on the cheaper side if at an actual birthday party outside nursery.

Can’t go wrong with a book. Some people don’t appreciate receiving lots of plastic so I would avoid that. Just choose a not so common book that they’re less likely to have eg avoid Julia Donaldson!

From when my DD was that age, things like:
Story books
Sticker books
Playdoh tubs
Craft bits
Puzzles

I always gave a birthday card too.

I have received and given money in cards recently, we have gone between £5 and £10

@DownWhichOfLate I see what you meant. Agree with your idea if during nursery hours but I interpreted it as attending a party

@TrufflesAndToast that is me!! I despise receiving plastic and don't give it either. I wrote presents we received to give an idea of most common gifts for that age.
We have been giving Bakedin or Little Cooks Co baking kits this year for parties that my 2 have been attending. They cost £8-15 depending on which kit you buy, and all the product is consumed leaving no waste, just a few bits of recycling!

We have been giving Bakedin or Little Cooks Co baking kits this year for parties that my 2 have been attending. They cost £8-15 depending on which kit you buy, and all the product is consumed leaving no waste, just a few bits of recycling!

LOVE this idea, thanks! Will look into it for upcoming parties.

@smallandimperfectlyformed Perhaps I’m a minority but I would be utterly mortified if my pre schoolers were given cash at their birthday party. They wouldn’t really understand or appreciate it and I would feel icky about it. Kids parties should be for a fun token gift that the kids will enjoy, not for people feeling they have to hand over cash. I know it’s less wasteful than a load of plastic tat but there are in between options and my little ones being given cash by their friends would make me feel very uncomfortable. It just feels distasteful to me somehow!

I just do 5 pound in card and some chocolate or something
Kids have 100s of pens, pencils etc
Then they can put the cash towards something they'd like.

On dcs 3rd birthday they received loads of coloring, playdoh etc. Too much to ever use or store for years, I kept some. Rest given to toy appeal for Xmas.. We didn't not need about 7 packs of pens, pencils etc.

My dc is 3 and understands money and enjoys going to choose something with it. All great GPs give cash as housebound and dc thinks it's fab.
It also teaches of they have for example £45 they can't spend over that.

My teen was the same. Taught value of money.

I love the baking kit idea!

I try to have a stash of gift stuff so we are not caught out.

I look out for Lego/Playmobil sets in the middle of Lidl and buy a few so we have them in stock. Also books, The Works often have good offers. Hobbycraft have some good craft sets too.

Also wrapping paper that is just stripes, spots, stars or something so suitable for any age and not obviously aimed at boys or girls. Having said that I always keep and reuse gift bags,some of them have been passed around between my daughter's friends for years!

Card Factory for cheap cards and so I stock up every so often then we are always prepared for a party!

Oh I’m all for teaching kids about money. I’d just find it sad and a bit icky if my three year old got a load of cash at their birthday party. She hasn’t got a clue what money is and I don’t think it’s necessary to start those lessons to a two turning three year old personally! As I say though, just my opinion and I’m sure others would feel differently.

I feel same about giving money at nursery/class parties. Our family always give the children money for their birthday for which they pick their present and when its a child in our family/of a close friend, I will ask and buy something on their list or give money.

I have read here about parties where they say just to bring a book for a gift, nothing else but unfortunately I cannot see that going down well with the other parents at school/nursery and I will probably be labelled as a strange one for doing it

For us, the baking kits are a good compromise - we are giving a gift to all the children but it is not something that is contributing to the landfill issue and hopefully will be enjoyed by the child receiving it

Book tokens are great. Not only do they get the book but the fun of visiting the bookshop and actually choosing. Waterstones do nice card versions or National Book tokens on the gift voucher stand at most supermarkets. For that age I would do £10 and some chocolate buttons or similar. Maybe £15 if close friend.

Or, if they have a garden, how about a little bird box or insect house?

As they get a bit older, mid range junior swimming goggles, e,g Zoggs or Speedo are useful and can never have enough of. Ditto swim bag or fun swim towel/robe.

Think of one of the previous gifts you’ve given which you thought was a winner, and give the same thing to every single child who has a birthday party.

Yes to cards - Card Warehouse is your friend for kids cards without spending a small fortune. I've even converted Hyacinth Bucket my mother to it! Tape the envelope onto the present so you don't need a separate gift tag and they still know who it's from.

Thanks everyone, sorry I have been so slow in replying...I couldn't find my own thread

Having some good gifts in stock is a good idea. I really like avoiding lots of stuff (especially plastic), that just ends in the bin so the baking kit or books is a definite goer. I think I am quite a cheapskate as did not give a card with last gift and present may have been a somewhat well known book (from pumpkin soup trilogy - so also under £10). We just don't have the sort of money to spend (I.e up to £600 a year on gifts for two kids where the whole class is invited!). Perhaps we need to say no to a few more invites.

The Works do 10 books for £10 which make nice presents.

£5. Colouring stuff or something to play outside. Ball/bat & ball/skipping rope/ Velcro catch things/frisbee etc.

always a birthday card “written” by my child. ….. they need to learn about giving and making an effort! …. But as others have said - pick up generic bday cards in bulk. …. Just buy 10 the same - you’re giving them to different people.