Unique Preschool Present Ideas

12.16.11

It’s that most wonderful time of the year! Yes, it is when you get to be with young children every day and share in their excitement of the holidays. One of the things we like to share with our children at preschool is the tradition of giving gifts. What great discussions we have had as the children imagine what gifts were brought to Baby Jesus on that first Christmas and what they think those gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh really were!

I have had several parents ask me if I had any suggestions for Christmas presents for their little ones. As I thought through this, I decided to make a list of fun gifts that might be a little different from the normal gifts of today. I am thinking of fun activities that do not require batteries, ipads, phones or the internet. Now understand I am not against those things, but I think many times we are taking away our children’s creative thinking by some of these games, activities and videos. I met with the teaching staff and we came up with some ideas that we see the children really enjoy doing at school, which we think would be fun at home. And of course you know that I also suggest that the parents and family join in on playing with these special Christmas gifts.

Here are some of our suggestions.

•    Books (especially rhyming stories)
•    Building Blocks
•    Large Legos
•    Large Floor Puzzles
•    Table games (memory games, cards, dominos, Candy Land, etc.)
•    Beads for stringing
•    Puppet stage and puppets
•    Easel
•    Large Chalkboard / Dry Erase Board
•    Magnetic Board with letter / number / shape magnets

Or decorate large boxes or get trunks and make kits that include:
•    Pretend Box: clothes, shoes, hats, crowns, costumes, microphone, etc.
•    School Box: writing tablets, pencils, pointer, books, teacher clothes.
•    Art Box: construction paper, crayons (fat and skinny ones), scissors, glue, tape, play dough, cookie cutters, water colors, paint brushes, art apron.
•    Cooking Box: apron, chef’s hat, pots and pans, dishes, stirring utensils, play food, tablecloth.
•    Indoor Camping Box: blankets to build tent or fort, flashlights, old cameras, binoculars, fishing pole, play food and cookware, blocks for pretend campfire.
•    Outdoor Camping Box: Same as indoor, but include tent.
•    Outside play equipment.

I know this Christmas will be a wonderful time for your family as you make special memories. And as we celebrate this special holiday by giving and receiving gifts, we want to remember to Thank Our God for sending us his most special gift, Jesus. 

Merry Christmas to you all!
Mrs. Cheryl