Clutter-free Gifts for Kids

Whether you are shopping for a minimalist family or trying to keep the house clutter-free after a major purge, these Clutter-free Gifts for Kids are intentional, thoughtful gifts that any kid would love to receive – and will keep their clutter-hating parents happy, too!

Cutting back on clutter – Toy-free gifts your kids will love

At some point, every parent longs for less stuff.  Less stuff to trip on, less stuff to pick-up, less stuff to holler at kids to pick-up.  If your house is anything like mine, the major source of clutter and chaos come from kid stuff.  So, if you’re looking with dread at a wide array of parties and incoming gifts from grandma and grandpa to add to your kid-tastrophe, fear not.  

People who would love to share gifts with your children do not need to buy them “stuff”.

Instead, I strongly encourage well-intentioned friends and family members to invest in non-cluttering or “experience” gifts instead.  When it comes to experiences, these are generally the things my kids are constantly clamoring for anyway, and their enjoyment of them will last a lot longer than most fad gifts. 

If you’re ready to put a stop to stuff, here are some of my favorite clutter-free gifts for kids:

Memberships:  Because one visit to certain special places is never enough, investing in a gift membership is a fantastic option.  Zoos, children’s museums, science museums and other family favorites usually offer memberships that are great investments.  Not only will these memberships save a bundle, but they also let you come and go as often as you please.

Concerts and events: There are all kinds of age-appropriate concerts and other events that kids will love.  Did you know there are both Octonauts and Paw Patrol live shows that regularly tour?  Think Disney on Ice, sporting events, an animatronic dinosaur exhibit, monster truck rally, and so many more.  Also, don’t overlook your local theater, many offer kid-friendly shows and even those that feature kid actors!

Passes: These days there are seemingly a countless number of kid-friendly places to visit – they’re fantastic but incredibly draining on your wallet.  Visits to the trampoline park, indoor or outdoor waterpark, indoor play place, local theme park, bowling alley, mini golf course, movie theater, laser tag park, arcade, and others create lasting memories for the entire family.  

Classes and lessons:  There are always new classes my kids are super excited to join, and while I try not to overschedule them, there are some too good to pass up.  There are kid cooking lessons, music lessons, dance lessons, science classes, art classes, sports, and countless others that make perfect gifts.  Additionally, summer and school’s out camps can enrich your child’s horizon and appeal to their tastes and interests.

Subscriptions: You would be amazed at the number of kid magazine subscriptions out there – pretty much anything your kids are interested in, there’s a magazine for that.  Also look into subscription boxes that will bring something new and exciting each month.  Plus, kids love mail.

Books and Books on CD: Personally, I don’t consider books to be clutter, and I’m happy to have plenty in our house.  While the library is great, having a few treasured books at home is a delight for both parents and kids.  Recently, my kids adore audio books in the car and they share a CD for listening at home.  Also, consider your little ones’ favorite movie soundtracks as a lovely screen-free and clutter-free way to bring their current favorite back to life.

Other great options: Still looking for other ideas?  Consider these:

• A watch (analog or digital)
• Restaurant gift cards
• Wall calendar (kids love learning about the flow of time)
• Outdoor toys, including balls, bikes, and scooters, etc.
• Bath toys
• Age-appropriate cosmetics (bubble bath, chapstick, nail art, etc.)
• A piggy bank
• Musical instruments
• Photo album
• Kid-friendly digital camera

Share this post with anyone who might buy gifts for your kids this season (or just casually share it so they see it but don’t feel targeted…)

For more ways to celebrate the holidays simply, check out our 8 Holiday Traditions to Start this Year or our Kid-made Jingle Bell Waldorf Hand Kite.