When children are babies, they’re super easy to buy gifts for. As a newborn, you buy them what they need. As a toddler, you buy them a few instructional toys. It’s only when they get older that buying the right gifts seems to not only get more difficult but expensive as well. The following are a few of the best gifts out there for children when they reach those milestone ages.
Gifts for 5-Year-Olds
5-year-olds, whether they’re boys or girls, still tend to love just about any gift. For a girl, gifting her with something to do with her favorite princess is usually a hit. For a boy, it’s usually Matchbox cars. Of course, you can’t forget clothes for each with their favorite characters on them, and even blankets they can snuggle under while you read together on the couch. Don’t forget to add a few of their favorite books to the list, as you’ll be sure to keep most 5-year-olds entertained for hours on end.
Gifts for 13-Year-Olds
By the time your little one reaches the age of thirteen, they have certainly come into their own when it comes to the types of gifts they like. For girls, it can be anything from a diary to record her innermost thoughts to clothing that reflects her style and personality, such as Chihuahua leggings.
For a 13-year-old boy, sports are usually starting to play a big part in their lives, so you could find out their favorite team and buy them sports-related clothing. Remote-controlled cars, board games, and building sets are something most boys will still enjoy, as well.
Most 13-year-olds have entered the age of technology long before now, so tablets, a new computer, video game systems, and of course, a cell phone could be in the cards as well, according to where you fall in this spectrum as a parent.
Gifts for 16-Year-Olds
By the time a child hits that magical age of sixteen, they usually aren’t interested in much to do with toys anymore. It’s sweet sixteen for the girls and a time of awakening for the boys. For girls, clothes, makeup, body sprays, and music are usually right up their alley. For boys, it’s sports, clothes, and still video games.
Sixteen is a magical birthday, and the time when most kids can get their driver’s licenses. A car from an online car auction makes the perfect gift for those just starting to drive. Many 16-year-olds have part-time jobs, go to classes, and love to hang out with their friends. A car for a present is the perfect gift to help them do that and more. Make choosing a car an opportunity for quality time. Especially if you opt to make your purchase through an online car auction, this can be easy to arrange. Also, many boys love to work on cars, so finding a fixer-upper that you and your son can work on together on the weekends makes for a perfect bonding experience between father and son, or father and daughter.
Gifts for 18-Year-Olds
Turning eighteen is a big milestone in every kid’s life. They’re no longer children, but they aren’t really adults, either. They usually have jobs of their own, so the perfect gift can seem hard to find. Gift cards to their favorite places, concert tickets for them and their closest friends, clothes, and video games are perfect options. Remember, that just because your baby is turning eighteen doesn’t mean they don’t want to spend time with you. That still remains to be the best gift of all, no matter what age your children are.
These are just a few of the best gift ideas for kids at any age, especially the important milestone birthdays. Remember, gifts are great, but spending time together as a family will always be the key to happiness.