Christmas in the air {elementary edition}

Let’s be honest: the elementary years are just plain fun when it comes to buying gifts. You probably don’t need a whole lot of direction here, because there’s just an explosion of everything going on with your kiddos. But just in case…

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Games Thinking beyond Sorry! and Candyland will get you far here. Checking out some of the less mainstream game manufacturers will unearth real treasures that just might turn into family classics. Spot It!, Rory’s Story Cubes, Brain Quest Smart Game, Scrambled States, and Sleeping Queens are just a few games to get you started on your hunt.

Raw materials This is the age when introducing kids to crafts and hobbies might just ignite a lifelong interest. A skein of yarn with tactile appeal, a set of needles, and the promise of one-on-one lessons makes a perfect gift for a child who has been longing to knit. Wood and a whittling or carving knife turns into hours spent creating. Some rope and a book on knot tying. Any build-it-yourself idea (have you ever built a clock from scratch?) is sure to please.

A CD player and story CDs There are the classics (Jonathan Park, Your Story Hour, Nate the Great, Narnia) and then there are those lesser-known tales waiting to be heard. Anything by Jim Weiss should be on your list, really. This gift makes a wonderful rest-time transition tool, too. Bonus!

Adventure Supplies At this age, my kiddos have all loved getting gear— real gear. Carbiners and rope. Quality headlamps. Freeze dried foods. Anything that makes the journey more authentic and gives them the sensation of being “grown up.”