The invitation is on the fridge, and now you need a gift. Should it work for play alone and together, and should it be something the child does not already have three of? Here is a simple checklist for gifts for children aged 5 to 6, whether it is for a classmate, a cousin or your own child.
Start by asking
The easiest thing is to ask the parents: "What is your child playing with right now? Is there anything you already have a lot of?" Most parents are glad of the question, and you avoid duplicates. If you do not know the parents, you can ask the class teacher or write in the group. Many invitations also mention wishes.
A checklist before you buy
- Can it be used in more than one way? Then it usually lasts longer than a weekend.
- Can several children play with it? That is an advantage if there are siblings or friends.
- Does it come with everything needed? Nothing is worse than a gift that lacks batteries or accessories.
- Does the child have room for it? Large gifts are hard in small rooms.
- Does it suit the age? Check the recommended age on the packaging.
This is a checklist from everyday life, not science. It just helps you sort.
Ideas for children aged 5 to 6
Building sets and toys without an answer key. Toys where the child decides what happens. See our post about open ended play.
Creative sets. Drawing supplies, painting supplies or something to make and colour.
Role play. Dollhouse, shop, kitchen, fire station. Toys with rooms and figures give space for role play.
Books and audio stories. A picture book with a dedication is also a gift.
Experiences. A cinema trip or a day at a play centre is a gift that takes up no space at home.
The gift can also be something you make with your child
If your child is to give the gift, part of the preparation can be drawing a card or colouring something for the recipient. It gives your child a role and makes the gift personal.
What can Crateit offer?
Crateit is Danish wooden toys, designed in Odense and produced at sheltered workshops in Denmark. The sets arrive uncoloured. The child assembles the parts, colours them with markers and plays on, and can recolour when play changes. There is neither a screen nor batteries. Crateit Town is a wooden town with roads, cars, a fire station and a police station that can grow set by set. Roomies is a dollhouse the child builds room by room. About age: City Gas Station and Couch & Crayons are recommended for ages 5-9 and may be used from age 3, as stated on their product pages.
Remember that the toys arrive uncoloured. The markers are separate products in the markers category, so consider whether the child should get both a set and markers.
Wrap it with an idea
A gift gets better if you add an idea for how to use it. For example a note saying: "Build a fire station and find out who lives next door." It gives the parents a kickstart.
When the gift is given in class
Many children's birthdays are held in a group where several guests give gifts at the same time. It can be an advantage to choose a gift that is not the obvious one, so it does not resemble the others. Also choose a gift that can stand out on the shelf as an invitation to play, rather than something that gets packed away. Write a small greeting on the card, and let your child draw a picture for the birthday child. It is the kind of thing parents often keep.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good birthday gift for a 5 year old?
Something that can be used in several ways and fits the child's interests. Ask the parents if you are unsure.
What should I avoid?
What the child already has many of, and things that need accessories or batteries that are not in the box.
Can I give a gift to a 6 year old that also suits siblings?
Yes, choose toys where several can join in, such as a building set, a town or a dollhouse.
How much should a children's birthday gift cost?
That depends on your own view and the norms of the class or circle of friends. Many classes have agreed a limit, so ask the parents.
See the whole Crateit universe and find a gift that gets used.
