Need Christmas gifts for kids? Try planting kits, books and sensory play toys

They say the best way to see Christmas is through the eyes of children, and we totally agree based on how heartwarming it is to see kids excitedly opening their holiday gifts. Personally, I love shopping for children the most because of the wide variety of things that you can get them—toys, clothes, hair accessories, even gadgets, you name it.

But one thing I’ve learned over the years is that it’s best to give them gifts that will help them learn and grow especially during their formative years. So in case you’re stuck in a rut and wondering what you can add to cart for your kids (or younger nephews, nieces, cousins or even neighbor), we’ve got some suggestions for you.

Kits for planting

Plantitos and plantitas, wouldn’t it be a good idea to spark your kids’ love for nature, too? Spending time together in the garden and planting some greens would be a good form of bonding, and there’s a kid-friendly kit that you can equip your little one with. Called My Little Earth Warrior, this kit from Akkula PH includes a sunflower seed pack, organic potting soil mix and a garden tool set. It also contains a white clay pot, a 12-piece acrylic paint set and a paintbrush as DIY pot materials.

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Books for teaching

It may be difficult to help children understand topics like body autonomy, consent and environmental awareness, but this doesn’t mean that there’s no way to help their young minds comprehend these basic concepts. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of picture books made for children to introduce them bit by bit to the essential information that they need to know.

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As for current and relevant issues, Lampara Books has a picture book that helps you explain how the pandemic started and ended up spreading around the world. Titled “Si Doctor Li at ang Nakakoronang Virus,” the book’s contents take inspiration from Wuhan Central Hospital doctor and COVID-19 whistleblower Dr. Li Wenliang who first warned the public about the virus.

The book also tackles the importance of wearing masks, washing hands properly and staying at home amid the pandemic. Additionally, it talks about a doctor’s service and loyalty to his sworn oath of serving the public. We also think it’s a great way to help kids understand why our frontliners deserve so much appreciation.

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Bean bags for storytime lounging

We’ve talked about books—now, how about we complete storytime with a cute and cozy bean bag chair while we’re at it? These huge loungers from Pottly N Tubby are a good addition to your kid’s reading corner or play area at home. But if bean bags aren’t your thing, Pottly N Tubby also has ready-made teepees and play tents to recreate the camping experience indoors.

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Toys for learning

Over the years, many children’s toys have shown us that it’s totally possible to combine recreation with education. Among these is a creative mat from Play Factory PH that will help you teach your child about planets by bringing the solar system to your wall. Handcrafted by women from Indigenous communities, this mat is designed with orbits and has movable elements like the moon, planets and even some aliens.

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Making children associate fruits and vegetables with enjoyment can help them develop healthy eating habits at an early age. Online boutique Omo Mama PH has handmade wooden toys painted with natural water-based dyes and modeled after fruits and vegetables that you can use for that. These toys are part of the boutique’s Raduga Grëz collection, and they’re available for P3,250.

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Materials for sensory play are also all the rage right now among parents of young children. Encouraged as a way to help toddlers and preschoolers develop motor skills, language development and cognitive growth, sensory play uses toys that activate and stimulate a child’s senses.

Here’s one from Learning Play PH, which ships ready-to-play curated themed boxes nationwide. Emphasizing color and alphabet letter recognition, this toy takes “hands on” literally in teaching your kids the A-Z.

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Crafts by Teacher B also has curated activity boxes from an actual teacher, and one of the interesting sets is the pompom play. This sensory play material will help your little ones exercise their finger muscles and hand-eye coordination—in the most colorful way possible.

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It’s important to teach kids about the diversity of our cultural heritage and identities as well as the importance of inclusivity and respect towards our local tribes and communities. Social enterprise HOME Plush Toys hopes to spark that discussion with these Kapwa dolls handwoven by artisan moms. Each plush doll is dressed in the traditional wear of Indigenous communities like the Ibaloi, Manobo and Maranao.