What's your go-to gifts for birthday parties?

Invites started for 5yo birthdays. What do you usually buy for gifts at this age? I don't really want to get into named brand stuff in case they already have it or are against it or something... But I'll probably need a bunch of ideas for this year! Of course I don't know the kids at all so it doesn't help... For now I really need ideas for a girl. Any advice would be great (or ideas of things your kids were gifted that you loved).

 

When in doubt, I go with outdoor stuff (bubbles, sidewalk chalks, sidewalk paint), or craft stuff. Or when i RSVP I just ask what the child is interested in.

Girls at that age are starting to like bath salts and shower gel and stuff too.

 

For girls i do something craftly or legos.

 

These have been my go to for about 2 years now. Everyone loves them! My DDs have them to.

http://www.lillyellen.com/girls_jewelry.html

 

If I do not know specifics of what the family/kid enjoys, I tend to fall back on a board game and/or a craft set. Also often a book! Both are fairly high interest and nothing usually objectionable. I really like games that move away from the standard Monopoly , connect 4, etc. Ravensburger and Gamewright are companies that make really good quality, age appropriate games (both card and board games).

Girl ideas: craft or science kits, games, books (often doodlebooks, or something they are studying at school), outdoor toys (chalk, hula hoop, jump rope)

Boy ideas: Science kits, books, outdoor toys (soccer ball, fort kit), games

Jo Ann Crafts and Micheal Craft stores have really neat science kits-- like build a robot, grow a fairy garden, make your own bouncy ball, etc that are good gifts if you dont know the child very well.


For either Boys/Girls those 'Toobs' that are filled with little figurines of various topics. We have the fairy, dog, horse, and a few others. They come in all sorts of topics like cars, big cats, pets, knights, boats, ocean life, etc.


Always include a receipt just in case!

 

Board games!

 

If I haven't been able to ask the parent what the child likes then I will go with craft stuff and/or a book. If you have a good idea of the child's size you'd be amazed how popular pyjamas can be.

Another thing to try is asking your child "what does so-and-so like to play at school?"

 

When they were littler, I would ask my kids what characters are on that kid's shirt or backpack. It's usually a good way to get an idea.

My go-to gift for boys now is a Gamestop gift card.

I don't have a go-to gift for girls yet, but I've seen Target gift cards and they were well received with squealing.

Marissa

When they were littler, I would ask my kids what characters are on that kid's shirt or backpack. It's usually a good way to get an idea.

My go-to gift for boys now is a Gamestop gift card.

I don't have a go-to gift for girls yet, but I've seen Target gift cards and they were well received with squealing.

Marissa

 

Books, craft kits, science kits, outdoor stuff like danibell suggested.

 

Playdoh, tea sets, coloring books with crayons, or a small character based on the birthday invite or the kid's backpack. And I don't spend more than $10 on school friends.

 

I usually do a pair of PJ's or a shirt/shorts/leggings and a toy of some sort.

 

The Childrens movie pass with childrens combo food from costco
Claires gift card
Chapters gift card
The girls usually add a beanie boo to the gift card

 

Thanks all, lots of good ideas!

 

We've just been to quite a few 5-year-old parties. Generally, I always give the boys a truck, and the girls get some sort of art kit. I know I'm stereotyping genders, but unless I know the kid well it's the best I can do. Twice now, we've given Word Wear as a girl gift and it's a huge hit. At that age, they LOVE stringing their names into necklaces and bracelets.

 

Yes, anything crafty, with beads, bracelets, glitter, is always a HUGE hit.

 

I didn't read the other replies, but we nearly always give arts & crafts projects. There's a whole section of them at our local toy store. My kids got tons of them for their 5th & 6th birthdays (they're almost 7 now and we're still working our way through them!) and nearly every one was a hit.

 

i've been doing a gift card to the movies ($10 gets the kid in, plus maybe popcorn)... it's been a hit so far.