Baan Dek

Non-Toy Gift Guide

Other Good Things

It’s a pretty celebratory time of year! Around the world, religious and secular, national and intimate, there are so many reasons to celebrate. Children are often recipients of gifts, sometimes because it’s a special occasion and sometimes because it’s a Thursday. Toys are pretty easy to come by, but how about gifts that aren’t toys? Here’s a list of some favorite not-toys for young children.

These items are not affiliate links, and Baan Dek receives no compensation from clicks or purchases. Links are included for ease and accessibility, but many of these items are available locally or second-hand, and pre-loved or handmade is extra special.

Did we miss your favorite non-toy gift? Send us a note at hello@baandek.org

For the budding chef

A rolling pin for small hands

A cookie cutter of your favorite dinosaur

An apron (maybe personalized?)

A learning tower to reach the counter

Child-sized dishes

Child-sized flatware

 

For the lefty

Scissors

Pencil sharpener

Pen sampler

Jumbo low-smudge pencil

Left-hand notebook (yes, you could just start a standard notebook from the “back,” but it’s extra special to have something just for you in a world that’s uncomfortable, like having child-sized things in an adult world)

Ergonomic crayons

For the olympian

Pikler triangle

Balance bike

Small trampoline

Balance beam

Gonge riverstones

Geodesic dome

Mini over-the-door basketball hoop

Play tunnel

For the artist

Buddha board (featured in the header photo!)

Watercolor kit

Spirograph (this is the Spirograph Jr. version)

Triangular crayons

Notebook (bonus points for your favorite color)

Embroidery sampler kit

Tattoos

Instant-print camera

For outside

Wheelbarrow

Watering can

Butterfly Garden

Mini microscope

Headlamp

Umbrella

Fanny pack

Sun-print kit

For inside

Floor bed (this one from Sprout has lots of different options!)

Tripp Trapp high chair

Child-sized clothing rack

Child-sized table and chairs

Small broom and dustpan

Toy shelf

Entryway shelf and bench

Bookcase

Musical instruments

For the new baby

Textile ball

Mobile holder/baby gym

Mobiles (this is a nice set for a newborn into infancy)

Bell on a ribbon & ring on a ribbon (this link sells both as a set, it’s recommended to begin with the bell and graduate to the ring)

Silver rattle (they make the most beautiful sound! Silver is a documented anti-microbial, killing bacteria, fungi, & certain viruses.)

Horizontal mirror with pull-up bar

Weaning chair and table set

For the whole family

Twister

Jenga

Sequence

Set

Snail’s Pace Race

Tenzi

Outfoxed

Koala Capers or Raccoon Rumpus

Clack

Dominoes

Playing card holder

OuiSi

Connect 4

Skip-Bo

Mancala (if you are a thrifter, this is a great one to look for second-hand)

Written by:

Charlotte Snyder

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