Gift Ideas for Daycare Children

If you work at a daycare, there are many occasions when giving gifts to daycare children is appropriate. When giving gifts to children at a daycare, it is important to keep them simple, inexpensive, and available in bulk---to make sure each child gets the same gift. To give a good gift for a daycare child, you can find most supplies at a discount department store or a craft store.

Treat Bag

A treat bag is a great gift idea for almost any holiday or celebration. To make a fun treat bag, start with a plastic treat bag, found at most discount department stores in the party aisle. Fill the bag with a few pieces of candy, a pencil, and a small toy. Small toys, or party favors, can be found in the party aisles at many stores. This bag is great because it can be handed to the child as they leave.

Take-Home Craft

Most craft stores sell fun craft kits for a dollar or two, which would make a great present. When choosing a craft to give, consider the age of the child receiving the gift. Keep the gift simple. Too many pieces or instructions will be confusing and frustrating for the child. Some good ideas include foam picture frames, small "treasure" boxes, or bookmarks to decorate. Also, be sure the children have decorating supplies at home; otherwise, it would be considerate to include a few markers or stickers for the child to use.

Picture Frame with Picture

Children love getting their picture taken and getting to keep it. To make a picture-perfect gift for daycare children, take their picture. Print the picture out at a photo developing center. Next, buy plain wooden frames at a craft store. These wooden frames run for about a dollar. Next, let the children use paint to decorate the front of the frame. When the frames are dry, place their pictures into their frames. You're now ready to wrap and give as gifts.

Art at Home

Some children do not have great art supplies at home, so a thoughtful gift might be simple art supplies. Before school starts, check your local stores. Most will probably have amazing sales on art supplies. Stock up early on packs of crayons, markers, and a drawing pad. Coloring books can be purchased at dollar store---and would be great to add to this gift. Instead of gift wrapping paper, buy gift bags in bulk at a discount department store.

Active Gift

It is great to encourage physical activity in children these days, so an active gift would be wonderful to give to daycare children. Dollar stores are sure to have an assortment of active gifts such as jump ropes, bouncy balls, or jacks. Consider giving water balloons or squirt guns for a summery gift, or an inexpensive snow tube for a winter gift.

References

• Ideas for Gift Bags