It is sometimes hard to find items that your grandkids will adore, especially if you are working with a limited budget. The great thing is that there are AWESOME gifts out there waiting to be purchased, you just have to know what to look for.
If you want to purchase something that will not end up languishing in the back of the closet, here are 12 ideas to add to your list of possibilities.
Inexpensive Gift Suggestions for Younger Grandchildren (3 – 7)
Melissa & Doug Water Wow! Coloring Books
Before you start grunting and telling yourself about how silly this idea is, listen for a moment. This is not a typical coloring book and you will not have to worry about the wrath of your son/daughter because there are crayon marks all over the walls and carpet.
These books use a special pen filled with water to color the pages, so there is no mess. In addition, you can use these over and over again.
Kinderific Gardening Tool Set
One thing smaller kids love is emulating those who are much older than them. This is one of those gifts that will make them feel big and mighty. Plus, there is no chance of them making a total mess.
This set comes with a shovel, a trowel, a rake and a handy bag to carry all of their tools around in. If you are a senior who enjoys gardening, having them use these tools to help you is a great way to have some extra bonding time.
Tonka – Steel Classics Mighty Dump Truck
What child does not love the idea of going outside and playing in the dirt? While this may not seem like a while lot of fun for the adults in their lives (who have to do laundry), it makes it fairly easy to find a good gift.
The Basic Fun Tonka dump truck can be used at the beach, in the park or while spending a little leisure time in the back yard. It may not seem very exciting, but many little ones enjoy scooping up water and sand, then watching it fall back to the Earth.
Fisher-Price Little People Wheelies 6-Pack
You probably purchased Little People for your own children, so why not give your grandkids a chance to have a little fun? These have not changed too much over the years and kids still love them.
Those who have huge imaginations can have hours of fun with these and they will not break the bank. If this particular set is not the best choice, there are other Little People vehicles to choose from.
Inexpensive Gift Ideas for School Age Grandkids (7 – 12)
Monthly Subscription Boxes for Kids
Maybe you can’t come up with a lot of money at once but have a few dollars to spend each month. If so, subscription boxes are a great idea. Your grandchild will get a small present each month delivered right to their home and it only costs you a few dollars each month.
You can find several boxes at Cratejoy.com that are under $10/mo. Some are less than $5 even. A few of my favorites are the Little Kids Sticker Box, the You Matter! Box with uplifting items, and the Custom Hot Wheels Car Box. They have subscriptions for grandkids of all ages.
Cra-Z-Art Nickelodeon Multicolor Color Change Slime
Slime is one of those things that many parents do not understand, yet children seem to adore it. This contains everything a child would need to concoct a bunch of slime creations. From beads and glitter to items that will make their slime smell nice, everything is in this set. You can typically find this in stores for less than $20.
LEGO Classic Creative Suitcase Building Kit
You may have seen the astronomical prices that are often associated with Legos, but they are not all created equal. It is actually possible to head to your local department store and find Lego sets that do not cost more than you pay for your monthly mortgage.
The great thing about Legos is that they are perfect for kids of all ages. Each of the boxes will let you know who they are most appropriate for. Make sure you pay close attention to this since those intended for older children have very small pieces that could be dangerous for toddlers.
Creativity For Kids Grow ‘N Glow Terrarium Science Kits
If you have grandkids who love science, this would be the perfect gift for them. This set comes with seeds, potting soil, figurines and a container with holes that will allow their plants to breathe. This is far more exciting than the pet rock or ant farm you brought your child, so you can pretty much guarantee that this will not end up hiding on the floor behind some dirty socks.
Inexpensive Gifts for Teenage Grandkids
Amazon eGift Card (Any Amount)
Many people think of these as a random gift that requires no imagination, but they are perfect when it comes to figuring out what to buy a teenager. If you are not sure what they like, yet you want them to love their gift, consider getting them a card to a store you know they frequent.
If you have no idea, you can always get a VISA, Walmart or Amazon cards since this will give them all kinds of options. At Amazon you can typically get eGift Cards for as low as $1, so you should be able to fit this into your budget with ease.
ALSO READ: Games to Play With Your Teenage Grandchildren
INIU Portable Mobile Charger
One thing that any teen will tell you is that their mobile device means more to them than anything. Everyone knows that teens are not always the most responsible, which is why this is a great gift. This will ensure that their mobile device are charged all of the time. Yes, even though you buy them this it doesn’t guarantee that they will answer when you call, but at least they will think of you every time they save their device from going black.
TRENDOUX Winter Gloves for Texting
This may not sound like the most exciting gift, but they will absolutely love it. While most people place their hands in their pockets in the winter, the average teen is too busy trying to update their social media accounts. These gloves will help them keep their hands toasty while allowing them to use their devices without any finger slips.
ALSO READ: Things To Do With the Grandkids in Winter
HYDRO CELL Stainless Steel Water Bottle
Teens want to be trendy and nothing says “Hey look at me I am cool,” like a huge water bottle. These keep beverages cold for an entire day and hot for half that. There is also a guarantee included that promises this bottle will last a lifetime. Bonus points if you get them a color they adore.
Summary and Final Recommendations
It may seem impossible to please the young people in your life without spending more money than you can comfortably afford. The great thing is that all of the gifts here will be well loved and they are all reasonably priced.
Many of these gifts are also good toys to keep at your house for visits. Everyone loves grandma and grandpa, but they will adore you even more when they get a gift from you that will not take up any more space at the back of their closets.
Have you given any inexpensive gifts to your grandkids that were a big hit? Any that flopped? Tell me about them in the comments below!
