2022 Holiday Gift Giving, Part 1: A Gift Guide for Children of All Types

Hello friends!

Can you believe the 2022 holiday season is here? This year it might feel like the end-of-year festivities snuck up on you (then again, when doesn’t it?), but in fact we’re only weeks away from Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and the Gregorian New Year.

This special time of year is filled with fun and warmth. It’s the time to create sweet memories and to observe old and new traditions with loved ones. Unfortunately, it can also be filled with high expectations and stress, particularly around the issue of gift giving.

Preparing for the holidays—and finding the perfect gifts—can seem like a lot, but gift giving shouldn’t be stressful. And frankly, the holiday season doesn’t need any added pressure! Diversity in Toys has put together our 2022 Holiday Gift Giving Guide, curated to help you find the perfect gifts for the children, families, and teachers you care about. Based on the Toy Association’s list of Top Toy Trends for Holiday ‘22*, our Gift Giving Guide provides gift suggestions for children of various backgrounds, skill levels, and needs, as well as gift suggestions for their families and teachers. We also provide suggestions for various budgets.

Screen-Free Gift Ideas

Screens and digital technology have become ubiquitous in everyday life, particularly in the lives of young people and children. These “digital natives” have scarcely experienced a world that didn’t exist in large part online. The CDC reports that kids aged 8-18 spend, on average, 7.5 hours in front of a screen for entertainment each day.[PS1]  Wow!

While digital competency has become a requirement for success for younger generations, children need time away from the screen to develop other skills and abilities. And while we understand that it’s not possible for some parents to reduce screen time entirely, having screen-free options available for children has a wide range of benefits. Children physically move more when their screen time is reduced[PS2] . Children also get higher quality sleep when they take a break from screens in the hours leading up to bedtime[PS3] . Lastly, having screen-free recreational options helps children develop a connection to real world experiences. They practice social skills with those around them and create memories that can inform their behavior in the future.

Here are some screen-free toys that are great for independent play and help the recipient child build motor, social, and creative skills:

  • Storytime Princess Castle Play Puzzle ($15.00) – https://diversityintoys.com/product/princess-castle-play-puzzle  It’s a Puzzle AND a Toy! Simply pop the pieces out and build the Princess Castle into a strong, sturdy toy.  Flip the board over and have a flat play surface.  Practice matching shapes and pictures to turn the toy back into a puzzle.
  • Storytime Toys Book and Playset (Assorted stories available; $25.00 – $32.00) –

https://diversityintoys.com/product/bo-peeps-family-farm-book-and-playset/     Storytime Toys is a boutique design and manufacturing company that brings beloved children’s books to life as playsets. It’s more than a book and more than a toy. It’s an interactive activity in every box that develops fine motor skills, literacy, imagination, role play, creative problem solving. No tools or screws required.

  • Lego Friends Pet-Day Care Center ($70.00) – https://diversityintoys.com/product/lego-friends-pet-day-care-center/    Calling all Pet Lovers! Time to meet at the Heartlake Daycare Pet Center.
  • Geomag Pro-L ($120.00 Now on sale for $104.00) – https://diversityintoys.com/product/geomag-pro-l-174-pieces/    Geomag Pro-L is the evolution of the classic magnetic construction system. Designed for those who love challenges, the Pro-L line, thanks to the greater strength of its magnets, allows you to create ever more complex models and structures, giving greater scope to your imagination. Geomag world magnetic toys are brain games for kids and trains the mind through the science of magnetic construction. Masterful and creative activities for kids.

Eco-Conscious Gift Ideas

Sustainability has been a hot buzzword for years and when it comes to toys it’s no different. Eco-friendly toys are in demand, whether that’s products made from recycled materials or toy producers who have committed to low carbon footprints and waste-free manufacturing processes. Part of this trend comes from parents who want to make choices that leave a better world for their children. But, you may be surprised to learn that a significant push for environmentally conscious products comes from children themselves: a survey last year of 2,000 Americans by OnePoll found 76 percent of parents notice their child pushing for environmentally-friendly choices in their home[PS4] . Right on, kids!

For environmentally conscious gift recipients, here are some eco-friendly gift options made from recycled and recyclable materials as well as products made by waste-reducing and sustainable processes:

  • Plus-Plus Mini Maker Tubes ($10.00) – https://diversityintoys.com/product/plus-plus-mini-maker-tubes/    One shape, endless possibilities. Plus-Plus creative construction toys are sets of colorful plastic pieces that can be put together to form 2D and 3D structures straight from your child’s imagination. The bestselling Plus-Plus Mini Maker tubes are available in several unique styles and characters. Each tube is re-closeable and travel-friendly, and contains 70+ pieces and step-by-step instructions. Plus-Plus is an award-winning creative construction toy company from Denmark. In October 2020, Plus-Plus transitioned its factory in the Danish countryside to 100% wind energy, taking a dramatic step in sustainability. All its toys are made from food-grade materials and manufactured with zero plastic waste.
  • Bubble Tree Eco-Friendly Blowing Bubbles Kit ($18.00) – https://diversityintoys.com/product/bubbles/    Get your child’s excitement bubbling with these Bubble Tree™ non-toxic Bubble Bottles! Blowing bubbles isn’t simply a playful weekend activity — it can actually help your child practice several types of motor skills. This Bubble Kit includes 2 pre-filled, reusable Bubble Bottles (4 fl oz. each) and 1 Liter of Bubble Tree™ eco-friendly superior bubble solution. The Bubble Tree refillable system is good for the environment and safe for you too. Get rid of single use plastic – Reuse, Recycle, and REFILL!
  • Green Toys Recycle Truck (20.00) – https://diversityintoys.com/product/recycle-truck/reen Toys Recycling Truck encourages your eco-conscious little one to learn recycling basics while playing with this super cool recycling truck that has a movable recycling bed and open/shut rear door.  Sort bottles, cans, and paper or just have a blast!  The awesome eco-design has no metal axles (so it won’t rust if left outside).  Made in USA from 100% recycled plastic with no BPA or phthalates or PVC

Socially Responsible Gift Ideas

The Toy Association reported that seventy-three percent of U.S. parents appreciate that today’s toys are more progressive and diverse than when they were kids, and 68 percent expressed interest in purchasing toys that expose their children to diversity and teach inclusion. There are now available a wide selection of toys and activities that reflect diverse characters or that address important issues such as inclusion and mental health in ways that children can understand. These options help prepare children for the interconnected world they are growing up in.

Here are some great holiday gift ideas for children that foster social awareness and inclusive attitudes:

  • Children of the World 100 Piece Puzzle ($14.00) – https://diversityintoys.com/product/children-of-the-world-puzzle/    Children of the World – 100 Piece Puzzle features children in traditional clothing from nations around the world. Each letter of the alphabet is represented by a country from all over the world that begins with the same letter.  The Children of the World Puzzle helps encourage diversity and inclusion.  A fun and beautiful way to expand horizons and nurture curiosity about the world around us.
  • Down Syndrome Girl Doll with Glasses (Assorted options available; $32.00) – https://diversityintoys.com/product/down-syndrome-asian-15%e2%80%b3-girl-doll-with-glasses/    This beautiful Down Syndrome Girl Doll will help raise children’s awareness of diversity and inclusion.  Including this doll in your toy box promotes values of equality, integration and acceptance.
  • My Family Builders ($34.95) – https://diversityintoys.com/product/my-family-builders-16pc-set/   Build teachable moments into your youngster’s playtime with My Family Builders Magnetic Building Blocks. This interactive set lets children explore various family dynamics by constructing multiracial little people who resemble the community around them. Myriad possibilities for one-of-a-kind characters and myriad family representations.

Popular Culture Gift Ideas

Tale as old as time: children love seeing beloved characters in their toybox! Streaming platforms and online content have made figures from television, movies, games, and music a familiar constant for many children, and these youngsters remain drawn to product options featuring these faces. The Toy Association reported that 66 percent of surveyed parents said social media and digital content influence the toys their kids ask for. So, don’t shy away from gift options that feature popular characters and stories—they’re easy crowd pleasers!

Here are some of our favorites:

  • Disney Princess Coloring Set with 5 Mess-Free Markers ($13.00) – https://diversityintoys.com/product/princess-coloring-pad-with-markers/  Coloring books provide a calm activity for young children to practice fine motor skills and creative expression. Even more fun is when children get to bring to life familiar characters with their coloring, such as Belle, Jasmine, Ariel and other Disney princesses. This Color Wonder coloring set contains 18 Disney Princess Coloring Pages and 5 Markers (Red, Orange, Aqua, Blue, and Purple). The fun pictures and bright colors let your child be part of the princess’ world for an afternoon.
  • Harry Potter Jenga ($27.00) – https://diversityintoys.com/product/jenga-harry-potter/  Can you build the Hogwarts Tower? With the Hogwarts House markers – Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin – your Harry Potter fan is sure to enjoy this challenging game of dexterity and skill.
  • Lilo & Stitch Monopoly ($40.00) – https://diversityintoys.com/product/monopoly-lilo-stitch/  Say aloha as you head to Hawaii with this Monopoly game featuring Disney’s Lilo and Stitch characters. Buy, sell, and trade your way to victory as you collect characters from the animated film such as Stitch, Lilo, Nani, Jumba, Pleakly, Captain Gantu, David, Cobra Bubbles, and more. The Red Police Cruiser, Gantu’s Spaceship, Jumba’s Spaceship, and Federation Spaceship replace the traditional railroad spaces. Great gift for Disney fans and a perfect game for family game night!
  • Lego Toruk Makto & Tree of Souls ($160.00) – https://diversityintoys.com/product/lego-toruk-makto-tree-of-souls/     What a thrill for any Avatar fan to own the Tree of Souls! Expand a child’s passion for the movie with a toy set featuring an iconic location that lets kids replay known scenes or create new ideas. This set includes 3 scenes with glow-in-the-dark parts.

Fun For the Whole Family Gift Ideas

Finally, why reserve toy gifts for just the kids in a family? Surveys show that adults love to play too! The Toy Association reported that 58 percent of parents say they buy toys for themselves in addition to what they buy for their children.

In particular demand among adult toy-lovers are board games (52 percent), arts & crafts and building sets (61%), and collectibles/fan items (48 percent). Plus, 67 percent of U.S. grandparents report looking for toys they can enjoy with their grandkids when gift shopping. So, when looking for the perfect gift for a youngster in your life, reach for a game or activity that they can enjoy with those around them, building not just their fun-muscles but their social connection and memories that will stick with them for years to come.

Here are some of our best-ranked multi-person gift options:

  • Dog Man: Attack of the Fleas Board Game ($19.00) – https://diversityintoys.com/product/dog-man-attack-of-the-fleas/  The FLEAS (Fuzzy Little Evil Animal Squad) are at it again! Crunky, Bub, and Piggy plan to take over the world with their Robo-Brontosaurus. Fortunately, the Supa Buddies are ready to jump into action. Can your team work together to stop the villains in this cooperative board game? 2 to 6 players.
  • Shashibo Battle Shape Game ($49.00) – https://diversityintoys.com/product/shashibo-battle-shape-game/   Shashibo’s 3D puzzle board game is a challenge for both kids and “big kids”. Enjoy fast, exciting fun while you shape-shift the Shashibo puzzle cubes and race to beat the clock. Two-player. Let the dueling begin!
  • Lego Classic Build Together ($99.00) – https://diversityintoys.com/product/lego-classic-build-together/  Gather for creative fun with the LEGO® Classic Build Together playset, featuring 1,601 LEGO pieces. This ultimate family set comes with 4 building guides and 2 challenge cards for completing 20 mini build ideas, 4 standard builds and 4 fun building challenges, plus additional bricks for free building. Build collaboratively or set up races between players to see who can finish the building challenges first.

The holidays should be fun and exciting, not stressful, so we hope our 2022 Holiday Gift Giving Guide helps you find the perfect gift for your loved ones with little trouble or worry. Check in next week for Part 2 of our 2022 Holiday Gift Giving series: A Gift Guide for Children by Age, Skill Level, or Adaptive Need.

*The Toy Association is a not-for-profit trade association that represents hundreds of youth entertainment companies, including manufacturers, retailers, licensors, and others. In addition to representing toy professionals, they conduct market research and polls in order to provide consumer guidance and satisfaction.

Read: 2022 Holiday Gift Giving, Part 2: A Gift Guide for Children by Age, Skill Level, or Adaptive Need

Read: 2022 Holiday Gift Giving, Part 3: A Gift Guide for Teachers

BACK TO HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2022

https://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/multimedia/infographics/getmoving.html [PS1]

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2793841 [PS2]

https://www.psu.edu/news/research/story/screen-time-bed-linked-less-sleep-higher-bmis-kids/ [PS3]

https://swnsdigital.com/us/2019/06/76-of-american-homes-say-their-kids-are-the-reason-they-are-eco-friendly/#:~:text=This%20was%20followed%20by%20parents,to%20be%20a%20better%20place. [PS4]

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