Reception bday parties, please help me shortlist a few gifts?!

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We have recently attended our first couple of reception bday parties for the whole class and I am quite shocked that we have 8 more coming in the next 7 weeks!
I am still new to the school parties game so would appreciate your help. These are a few gifts I have shortlisted (it's a mix of boys and girls that we are buying for). Logic is that I would like to get things that don't occupy too much space, no plastic toys, no board games that will end in a charity shop, anyone can enjoy and use or regift etc. How would the options below be received:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Plus-Plus-Building-Blocks-300-Piece-Multi-Colour/dp/B007SNMH62?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1 (in several colors, for boys and girls)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Floss-Rock-Rainbow-Strawberry-Activity/dp/B0BV255JND/ref=asc_df_B0BV255JND?mcid=5f8b65ab55913c2eaa828a6cfd1776ea&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=697323600425&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1555463039573414056&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007156&hvtargid=pla-2295767349057&psc=1&hvocijid=1555463039573414056-B0BV255JND-&hvexpln=0&gad_source=1

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Skillmatics-Magical-Scratch-Book-Kids/dp/B0BZZCGRMT/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=2GVTQ9HFB0DSP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ER_U1--636KZu3Qp8RNV--EejqkKTSIn3bpoLtjt5QYrFU_L4RfCfMI881_Ri5yZX8WnhOa0g4oa5C4BgggCrjxo-bWqoFFMRzmWOTIjgpy9krkl3_ZPj_NSuVWOzl6hiLdcPod3DtutQPxRkW3M2n-LC_8dvlsoWRpgNUYWFfWgVKH4jBKnH7ZqotoraJnta2Jpjk1dWPwHOlqaqkLtaRQvA6Df3o2Wnal6ozHZV_-zJKx3PAyOSopkd4PbivMPoB6dmXevZVT1tKjro3DH6UjtoQRGb_nWsMfhJos1krg.DpfzLU1rieEY5uOGlXhbLA_cKyHjQbrgGyIrwDLq4cs&dib_tag=se&keywords=scratch+book&qid=1773402674&s=kids&sprefix=scracth%2Ctoys%2C263&sr=1-1-spons&aref=ICooVeLAtz&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

Does it feel aligned with what people usually gift/receive? I honestly have no clue!

I think the plusplus is too hard for reception - it's more difficult than lego, for example. Skillmatics have been very popular - the scratch ones and the foil fun ones are good.
I personally wouldn't do the secret diary

I tend to ask my child what the birthday child is interested in, and then go from there for a present (depending on budget of course.) And if he isn't sure then I normally do a FoilFun or one fo the science experiments kits like this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Galt-Toys-Rainbow-Lab-Kit/dp/B06XDN7Z88/ref=sr_1_6?crid=3O697HWAEA7U&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.kSgQ5WqTiyUEsDGTPbpFOzEVWoK2W8q151VFBoZ1JeI9pUIfZywTGc_HhlWBKrDl0Ctj1EvkhRQ9DVFU4msPRbWa0fTEnJdreGre_-L-zFcEBLJaOjXS1DqjkajU-N_goDjhmd6OaL__LFvQYEi57tUzL1UlCbSCmfKu70agIX-77SL1tQn63DZU5hvFXRWzyJbe-7EeiHi8I2xZR8DsOwgIhOlWMjqcd78B-Joc8JR8XQw0S8QAgY_xhtvtfzNOmyAupBKsO53wjArHIOONrNIU2zXp1kEwjHJYGd5TES0.tKxytepojsCQ4ixAmxtoc-57LHR6xH6OpvVKCCG5gEQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=science+experiments+age+5&qid=1773403843&sprefix=science+experi%2Caps%2C221&sr=8-6

Yes it is more difficult but my DC loves them for example and I see them as a nice quality toy that can last a long time

I just buy nice books!

The elaborate ones with lots of flaps and pop up bits good for this age group.

I often buy the Lego Creator 3 in 1 sets (sometimes they are 2 for £15 in Argos/Sainsbury's so I'll get a couple in advance), Galt craft sets, notebook & sticker books.

If you have a DC with an upcoming birthday, can you suggest to the group that you do fiver fever instead? In my DC school the norm is a five pound note in a card. Someone has to be the first to suggest though

I think all these look good and are in line with what my DC received at that age.

But also, if you want to save yourself some time, a £10 note or £10 book voucher are great options. As are small LEGO sets.

I think the secret diary is too old, many children are barely be able to read or write in reception, colouring sets, nice stationary in a pencil case, stencils or spirograph better for that age group.

Plus plus probably wouldn't appeal to many of that age either? My DD got into those when she was 10.

TK Max was always my go to place to stock up. Board games are something my children loved so I'm surprised you don't think they would be popular

I always look in places like the works and smiggle sale and stock up on nice stationary bits or books, always keep some at home.

Dobble or uno can be good general presents to keep in a stash. Agree with creator lego sets too. I have aldo previously bought a set of books by an author (ie road dahl) and then split this up as works out much cheaper.

Start the fiver in a card idea now. Or…one person collects the fivers and gets the birthday child a voucher or a big toy of their choice.
Sanity preservation.

Doesn't seem like a fiver in a card group of parents... it's a very wealthy area just outside of London but I might be wrong.

I said that about boardgames as my DC doesn't play with them at all and I see loads of them in the local charity shops, often unopened, which makes me think most DC either don't use them or receive lots of them.

We used a lot of orchard games. Easier than board games, fun learning concepts and my kids loved them. Age brackets fairly realistic. Normally all cardboard based so worse case scenario they would end up in the recycling.

The skilmatics scavenger hunts are good.

It may not make you popular with the party parents but at that age DS2's favourite present was a big bag of sweets. DS1 was green with envy.
My go to for class parties was lego from the 2 for offers or stationery. Smuggle water bottles, those smelly pens and pencils, fluffy or shiny notebooks, or whatever the current class craze. So one year I just gave packs of football cards.
Craft kits can also be an option

I just do squishmallows. It’s super easy, kids all love them

My daughter loves plusplus and has played with it school since she was 4 so I think it’s fine for reception. I think it’s a great gift and makes a change from Lego.

edited for typos

Yes mine does too but I always wonder if the parent will be annoyed with another soft toy that takes up space etc

Agree, that's my logic!

Unless I know the kid well I do the 3 in 1 Lego sets too. Always well received and super easy to regift if they have the set already.

Presents we’ve given have been guided by the parents, but sticker books have been popular, especially if there’s a theme the birthday child is into. Puzzles have been another popular choice. Small Lego sets (my daughter got a Moana one for her fifth birthday at her party for example which she loved as we don’t buy themed sets for her, only the big Creator boxes of Lego). I’ve seen Yoto cards being given too.

I’d rather a Squishmallow than more plastic little bits

Stick £10 in a nice card. Job done!

Yes perfect. Round about £10 is bang on and they all look like fairly typical presents. Don’t sweat it too much.. they will end up in a massive pile and the kid won’t remember who gave what.

Oh or a smyths voucher is always a good option