Guide
Tips from our editors: 10 gifts I’d give my kids
by Katja Fischer
Not another kids’ party invite?! Here are 20 birthday gifts for under 20 francs
21.6.2022
Translation: Katherine Martin
Small, useful, inexpensive. Birthday presents for your child’s school or kindergarten buddies should live up to these three criteria. If you’re out of ideas after getting your 100th kids’ party invitation, I’ve got 20 cheap gift ideas for you.
With all this in mind, I had a question for my editorial team: «Which of your kids’ birthday gifts have they actually used?» The result is a colourful list of presents for under 20 francs. Everyone should be able to find something on it.
2. Wingman: the fancy, foldable frisbee
A frisbee is a safe bet, too. Unlike a conventional one, the Wingman is made of silicone, which makes it foldable. You can take it anywhere – it even fits in your pocket. Thanks to its «aerodynamic design», the manufacturer says it’s able to fly for up to 60 metres. And besides these particular virtues, it looks fancy.
4. Birdhouse: for creative mini ornithologists
The birds in your garden aren’t meant to live in just any old house during the winter months – they’re supposed to have a pretty (or at least colourful) home. Kids can paint this little, wooden house any way they want. If they’re lacking ideas, they can use the templates included by the manufacturer. Twelve paints and a paintbrush also come with the set.
5. Gymnastics ribbon: shaking things up
At first glance, the ribbon on the wooden or plastic handle is reminiscent of rigorously choreographed rhythmic gymnastics. For kids to twirl the ribbon impressively through the air, choreography isn’t necessary – they just need a little practice. My children play with theirs in the garden or use them to accessorise their fairy costumes. Extra short bands are available for younger children.
6. Kekz bag: to take audiobooks on the road
Does the child celebrating their birthday have Kekz headphones at home? Great! With the newly released bag, you’ve instantly got a suitable gift. It ensures the sound system and its chips can be safely tidied away, or easily carried anywhere.
8. Elastics: the jumping game that’s seeing a revival
«England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, inside, outside, puppy dogs’ tails!» Remember that one? If you’re an 80s child, you may have spent hours jumping in and out of the space between these elasticated bands. After disappearing from the playground, the cult game is deserving of a comeback.
9. Quartets: play, haggle, learn
Quartets is another example of a game that’s faded into the past. Unjustly so. Because when it comes to combining fun with learning, the card game is still a classic. The good news is, the Quartet universe is as big and deep as the ocean, and it contains something for everyone.
11. Aeroplanes: for little amateur pilots
Everyone knows and likes it: the good old Styrofoam aeroplane. Quickly assembled, they really do glide through the air, light as a feather. And with their elegance, they’re able to captivate an entire birthday party.
12. Kites: flying high in the autumn wind
Speaking of flying, if the child in question has an autumn birthday, a kite is a nice idea for a gift. Suitable for big kids and little kids alike, single-line kites are winners for kids aged 3 and up. Two- and four-liners, on the other hand, are more appropriate for older kite flyers. And with the latter, I’m talking about the really big kids i.e. parents, too.
13. Bath bombs: crafting the way to bathtime fun
We all have to wash at some point. So, bath bombs are always a hit. With the bath bomb maker, however, you have to earn your fun in the water. As soon as the handmade bath bombs hit the water, they fizz and fill the tub with colour.
14. Book voucher: because giving them the choice makes sense
Books are great, but difficult to give as gifts. How am I supposed to know what the recipient has already read? Checking with parents beforehand is one way to preserve the element of surprise for the child and make sure there are no duplicate purchases. The other option is to buy a voucher and let the child choose a book themselves.
17. Magic set: learn the nuts and bolts of stage magic
Abracadabra, alacazam, please get me out of this gift-hunting jam. This set transports kids to magic school, giving them their first taste of the world of sorcery. It explains fifty tricks step-by-step, with some of them coming with additional online tutorials. With all of that, nothing can stand in the way of your little one performing as a magician at their next birthday party.
Got any more tips or ideas? Share them with us in the comments and help us develop a gift guide.
*This article is part of a free-form children’s birthday series in which we examine the topic from different angles, interview experts and share ideas.
Here are the articles that have been published already:
Katja Fischer
Senior Editor
Katja.Fischer@digitecgalaxus.chMom of Anna and Elsa, aperitif expert, group fitness fanatic, aspiring dancer and gossip lover. Often a multitasker and a person who wants it all, sometimes a chocolate chef and queen of the couch.
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