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The holiday season is around the corner. If your students’ caregivers are anything like mine were, I was frequently asked for a kids gift guide. As a teacher, we have so much rich knowledge of child development and see their children in a different way. It makes sense that caregivers would ask teachers for their recommendations. If you’re really lucky, some caregivers might also ask you for a classroom wish list!
2021 Kids Gift Guide
So here it is! My kids gift guide for 2021, which can also be used as a classroom wish list. I hope you’re inspired by my wide variety of screen-free, kid-friendly ideas for the families of your students. I can vouch for ALL of these toys and items, as I have them in my home! Each of these companies graciously gifted me these items so I could trial them in order to give an honest review and recommendation. Enjoy!
Green Toys – Parking Garage
I love this toy because of the communication opportunities it allows for! The cars can go “in” and “out” of the garage, or “down” the ramp. There is also a manual elevator for the cars to go “up” and “down”. This toy is made from recycled plastic and is SUPER durable.
Learning Resources – Big Feelings Pineapple
It’s never too early to start introducing and reinforcing emotional literacy. This is a fun, engaging, and silly way to introduce emotions and how we can identify feelings by looking at faces! This is also a fun toy for labeling body parts (eyes, eyebrows, arms, mouth, etc.). All of the pieces store inside the top of the pineapple making it easy to store and clean up.
Educational Insights – Mixaroo
More emotional literacy fun, especially for kids who love stuffed animals. This is the perfect toy for encouraging flexible thinking and imaginative play. Children use their imaginations to change up the ears, hair, spikes, or mane on the Mixaroo toy. Kids will practice how to follow the directives of others, think outside the box for other ways the toy could look, and work on executive functioning skills.
Birdy Boutique – Wall Tapestry
These wall tapestries are perfect for book nooks and classrooms! These are high quality tapestries that show inspirational and beautiful quotes. Birdy Boutique is a small business owned by females who are disabled veterans.
Learning Resources – Learn-a-lot Avocados
These Learn-a-Lot Avocados are the best toys for targeting multiple skills! Children can practice identifying emotions and colors while tackling fine motor practice. The avocados come with a tray for easy storage, too.
Green Toys – Tea Set
Tea sets are PERFECT for addressing social skills and play schemas with kids. Children can practice conversation skills, turn taking, labeling of items and colors, and more with this sweet tea set. All of these items are made from recycled plastic and are really high quality.
GoBe Kids – Snack Spinner
This snack spinner is a parent’s dream. Up to 5 snacks can be easily added to the individual trays, and the lid features a button where the snacks spin for easy access. It can be used for more than snacks, too! Art and craft supplies could easily be used with this, too.
Learning Resources – Coding Critters MagiCoders
Coding and STEM has often been pegged as a “big kid” activity, but not anymore. These Coding Critters are SO engaging and full of STEM and coding skills without screen time! Children problem solve and follow directions to make the dragon move. So much fun!
WeeSprout – Silicone Plate Set
These silicone plates are everything you could want in a kids plate. The divided sections make it easy for picky eaters, and the silicone makes cleaning a breeze. They are dishwasher and microwave safe, really durable, and great for babies, toddlers, kids, and beyond!
Looking for a way to share this kids gift guide easily with your students’ caregivers? Grab a flier version for free in the free resource library!
