Just because toddlers are easy to impress doesn't mean you can buy a Mickey Mouse doll and call it a day. Well, you can, but do you want to? Or do you want to blow that 3-year-old's mind with some truly spectacular gift giving?
Unique gifts don't have to break the bank; in fact, sometimes they can even be acquired for nothing or next to nothing.
Here are 7 unique toddler gifts that no one else will think to give the tot on your list.
No, you do not want a pygmy elephant in your backyard. But for only $25, you can start the adoption process for your child to care for an endangered pygmy elephant. You'll get a photo of your elephant, a species information card, and an adoption certificate for $25. Donate more and the prize pack gets bigger. But not as big as an actual elephant. That would be crazy.
XYZ Alphabet BlocksTeach your toddler that "I" is for "ice cube tray" and "J" is for "jackalope" with these alphabet building blocks like no others on the play date. It's never too early to teach your little ones about werewolves, right?
Toddler Cooking Class
Fun for mom and dad as well as the brand new eater, there are a number of cities that offer cooking classes designed for hungry toddlers. What better way to turn your toddler into an adventurous eater? Some examples include:
Sprout Right in Toronto
Kitchen Kid Tot Chef Class in Los Angeles
The Ant Farm in the City Mini Chef Class in New York City
The Pied Piper in Chicago
Mommy and Me Coupons
Not unlike those little coupon books our kids start to make for us in pre-school, create a colorful card that celebrates your child with the promise that she will have a "Mommy and Me" or "Daddy and Me" day filled with all of her favorite things. Cut out pictures of things she loves to illustrate the day. Hints: ice cream, ponies.
99-Cent Store Extravaganza
Little kids love the 99-cent store. Heck, big kids love it too. For one present, take a box and your tot to the store. Allow him five minutes to fill it up with whatever he wants. Watch him freak out over cheap toys that won't break the bank.
Book-of-the-Month ClubEverybody loves getting mail, and as your toddler makes his way to the mailbox every month in great anticipation, you can make his day by sending a new book with your special message once a month for a year. Super duper duper cool.
An Actual Tea Party
If you don't have a tea set, hit up that 99-cent store and lay out all the tea and crumpets alongside your toddler's favorite seated stuffed animals. Don't forget any details (pinkie up and wear a fancy hat!) and your toddler will be in awe of your ability to play her favorite make-believe game.
Comments 16
These are cool ideas (love the book-of-the-month club!), but toddlers aren't really much for non-tangible things. I feel that the adoption of a pygmy elephant would be more appropriate for an older child. Your toddler would think it's cool for about five minutes and then toss it aside to see what cool toy Grandma got him.
And I wonder who is teaching those cooking classes; they must have a LOT of patience and a great cleaning crew! :P I've cooked with toddlers...it's an interesting experience. Let's just say there was brownie batter everywhere. And the egg he was so proud he cracked himself (me too)....that just missed the rim of the bowl and landed on the counter and then the floor. XD
I am going to ask my husband for the elephant adoption for Christmas:). I love elephants and we have them in various places around the house and this would be a great gift for me. My children are all older, but I do have quite a few toddlers in my life and this year we went with personalized crayon aprons and toolbelts and toddler-friendly art sets.
Awwww, tea parties! :-D When I was a little pas toddlerdom, my mom threw me a Tea Party birthday. All my friends dressed up and wore hats, we had a real china tea set my mom had found at a thrift store, and she talked in a funny (really bad!) English accent while serving us our tea. All my friends thought my mom was the coolest. Great memory!
I like the Dollar store idea.
some really cool ideas
Interesting ideas!