‘Tis the season of planning Christmas AND looking ahead at an upcoming PCS. Knowing you have a move coming up soon always creates a struggle when it comes to gift giving. You want to get your kids something they like, but also something that has some functionality to it as well. With a PCS in the near future (or even a planned family vacation), here are our favorite gifts for children.
1: For the Techy Kid
For younger kids, having a tablet can be a great traveling necessity. Download some educational apps for them to play, or a few of their favorite movies. Kindle offers several great options of tablets for kids of all ages. Parental security features and tablet cases will ensure that your children and the device is protected. As children get older, consider handheld gaming systems as an alternative to the common tablet. Do not forget about headphones to go along with the electronics to cut down on the noise in the car or plane. Younger kids will do better with over the ear headphones while older kids will lean towards ear pods.
2: For the Fidgety Kid
Busy boards or sensory bags are a great option for younger children. It gives them the ability to be entertained and engaged while taking a break from screen time. Fidget items like spinners, cubes, or the famous rubik’s cube are perfect for older kids who need a screen break and need something to occupy their busy hands.
3: For the Cozy Kid
Everyone can benefit from a good neck pillow as they come in a variety of sizes, materials, and designs. Kids will love the animal-themed ones while older kids and adults will enjoy a memory foam pillow. A small throw blanket is a great gift for travel comfort and an easy way to handle a car or airplane being too cold while traveling. Don’t forget an eye mask (there are many on the market for kids, too!) and some noise cancelling headphones to help you get some good rest along the way.
4: For the Responsible Kid
Little kids can benefit from receiving a small backpack or mini rolling suitcase that can be all theirs! It’s a perfect item that allows them to keep their favorite book, toy, or stuffed animal inside, and bonus – it can help teach them responsibility for keeping track of it! If you have older children, they could also benefit from having their own set of luggage, especially if college or more traveling is in their near future. Packing cubes have quickly become a travel staple to help organize suitcases and make a great gift for teenagers and young adults. Also, for those young adults, do not forget about a good toiletry bag filled with some travel toiletries and personalized items for them.
5: For the Adventurous Kid
We saved our favorite for last! Everyone can enjoy a good experience. If you are planning a PCS, consider gifting the kids a night at Great Wolf Lodge, or some tickets to local things at their next location. These experiences can be anything from zoo and aquarium passes to tours of NFL stadiums, a performance downtown, a concert, or a class to learn a new hobby. Gifting experiences is a great alternative to more “stuff” in the home and gives everyone an activity to look forward to as a family!