Hellobee

With over 50 classmates between them both, Charlie and Olive attend a lot of birthday parties. I think birthdays become so special to kids from 3 on, and they love celebrating all their little friends’ birthdays. Sometimes we even have two parties at the same time and have to split up with each kid, although Charlie’s parties are becoming increasingly drop-off.

With birthday season coming up, I thought I would share my gift buying strategy because it’s been working well for me the past couple of years. I keep a box of go-to gifts that I add to when I come across sales so that I don’t have to go to the toy store every time the kids attend a party. I keep my budget to $15-$20 for school birthday parties, and stick to this formula:

1) reusable tote bag from the Target One Spot so I don’t have to wrap anything
2) age appropriate gift (it’s all about Legos for kids 5+)
3) a book (Elephant and Piggie books are popular for such a wide range of ages, and you can buy them on Amazon for as low as $5.)
4) a fun little extra like a pinwheel that I’ve usually picked up at the Target One Spot or Party City

Below are some of my go-to gifts for 3 and 5-year-olds, based on what Charlie and Olive love themselves!

For 5-year-olds: 

5) Shopkins  |  6) craft like Shrinky Dinks  |  7) stomp rocket  |  8) scented markers/pastels/art supplies  |  9) Charlie and the Chocolate Factory  |  10) board game like Connect 4  |  11) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle (the superhero phase is still going strong, but they probably already own most of them and the turtles tend to appeal to kids that are a little bit older)  |  12) Magic Set

For 3-year-olds:

I don’t have it in my guide above since it’s more specific to Olive’s interests, but my go-to gifts for 3-year-old boys are a Transformers Rescuebot. I’ve been giving them since Charlie was 3! I got a bunch on crazy sale on Amazon a while back, so look for sales around Christmas.

13) Calico Critters  |  14) Duplo Ice Cream  |  15) My Little Pony Play Doh  |  16) Berenstain Bears (an inexpensive and popular series that appeals to a broad range of ages.)  |  17) Dress up costume or tutu  |  18) Imagine Ink (from Target One Spot) or Water Wow  |  19) My Busy Book from Barnes and Noble (These are so awesome — they come in every popular character, and include a book, a playmat, a bunch of mini figurines, and they’re so cheap! So much bang for your buck.)  |  20) Magiclip Princesses (if your kids aren’t watching Disney BR Collector on Youtube, it’s like crack for kids and her Princess Play Doh videos featuring these Magiclip Princesses are some of the most popular)  |  21) Music box/Princess Jewelry

.  .  .  .  .

I love to gift books because a toy might not get played with, but I feel like a book will always be read. One of my favorite books to gift on birthdays is Happy Birthday to You by Dr. Seuss for kids 5+. It is an interview of your child’s life and something fun to look back on when your kids are all grown up.

What are some of your go-to gifts for kids’ birthdays?