The Kidera Gifting Guidegift ideas for kids by age, 0 to 12 years
A free 16-page gift guide covering ages 0 to 12, sorted into age bands, with a hyperlink on every toy.
Picked by an OT, and picked for an Australian summer, which means a decent chunk of it is designed to go outside.
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What is inside
Ten age bands, overlapping on purpose so a gift that suits a three year old and a six year old appears in both:
Prices run from around $10 to a few genuine splurges, and every item has the age range and price listed so you can filter fast.
A few of the picks, and why they are in there
The cause and effect section, 6 to 24 months. Cause and effect is an important early skill. It is the understanding that an action leads to a reaction, whether that is pressing a button or dropping something to see what happens. A whole band of the guide is given over to it because it is the foundation underneath so much else.
The traffic light toy, 2 to 5 years. As an OT who often works on traffic safety goals with children aged 2 to 4, I am loving this one. Road safety is one of those things that is much easier to teach in play than at a kerb.
Light-up stepping stones, 3 to 5 years. These turn up in the 4 year old toy guide too, which tells you something about how much use they get.
Outdoor gear, 3 to 6 years. Climbers, ride-ons, a sand and water table. Outdoor toys are a must in an Aussie summer, and an inflatable water park needs no further explanation from me.
Board games, 6 to 12+. From a board-game-loving adult. Mouse Trap, Game of Life, Pictionary. Cheaper than most toys, and they get played for years.
On buying less
This sits at the front of the guide and it is worth repeating here:
This guide offers a variety of toy suggestions, but it is not intended to imply that you should purchase all of them. I'm all for using multipurpose toys and common household items in play where possible, and believe that less can be more.
FROM THE GUIDE
A busy playroom with everything out at once is overwhelming, and an overwhelmed child does not settle into deep play with any of it. Buy the good thing, then put half the other things away for a bit.
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Frequently asked questions
What ages does the gift guide cover?+
Zero to 12 years, in ten overlapping age bands.
Is it specific to Australia?+
Yes. It is built for Australian summers, so outdoor and water play feature heavily, and the links are to retailers that ship here.
Are the prices current?+
Prices were correct when the guide was made and they do drift. Treat them as a guide to the price band rather than a quote.
Is this a Christmas gift guide?+
It works for Christmas and it works for a birthday in April. The picks are sorted by age rather than by occasion, and a decent share of them suit an Australian summer.
Keep going
Paediatric OT with 9 years of experience working with children and families. Kidera exists to make OT-informed tools accessible to every parent, not just those in clinic.
These are general, evidence-informed resources. They are not a diagnosis and not a substitute for assessment by a registered health practitioner. If you have concerns about your child's development, speak with your GP, child health nurse, or a paediatric therapist.