DECEMBER: HOLIDAY GIFT LIST
Dear Subscribers: The holiday season has arrived and you may be interested to look over this list to find some recommended gifts for the children in your life. These suggestions with links can be purchased online. For more recommendations – especially recommended books – check out the December mini-blogs at Playlearngrowtogether.com or better yet subscribe at the bottom of the home page so you regularly receive our mini-blogs!
- Lego Holiday Ideas & reindeer kit is packed full of 50 holiday-themed original build ideas for LEGO holiday decorations, gifts and games, and activities that will keep kids busy counting down to the holidays and throughout the winter holidays. It also includes a mini-reindeer kit for them to construct.
- As the excitement (and stress) builds, consider this delightful interactive Christmas Song book with 10 different tunes for younger children OR the book Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson. Bear’s friends are determined to keep Bear awake for Christmas! So they wake Bear up and have him help them find a Christmas tree, bake cakes, hang up stockings, and sing Christmas songs. Bear stays up and discovers that giving is one of the best Christmas presents!
- The Story of Hanukkah; Create and Celebrate! is jam packed with activities, puzzles, stickers, and more that will keep children busy (and excited!) as they anticipate the arrival of Hanukkah OR The Everything Kids’ Hanukkah puzzle & Activity Book: Games, crafts, trivia, songs, and traditions to celebrate the Festival of Lights! Kids love celebrating Hanukkah for eight dazzling nights. As each chapter opens with one more candle lit on the menorah, children learn the meaning behind the various rituals, traditions, and prayers.
- The Gift Inside the Box brings the message of giving to young readers with the clever story of a gift box looking for the perfect recipient.
- TOYS – Open-ended toys are better to purchase than toys that have a short life-span. They encourage play-based learning, are often simpler but powerful, engage children to play independently, and help children to think, problem-solve and explore. Blocks are excellent educational toys that develop kids’ imagination, creativity, motor skills, spatial thinking, and social skills. Consider these Natural Hardwood Wooden Unit Blocks with Storage Tray or the LEGO 484 piece Classic Medium Creative Brick Box; or PicassoTiles 100 piece set Magnet Building Tiles or Veatree 160 Pieces 3D Puzzle Magnetic Building Blocks.
- Interested to learn more? Read this article about the 100 best toys for kids( recommendations by age) and the thinking behind the selection of toys that will last.
- PUZZLES – Simple jigsaw puzzles help children develop finger strength, perseverance and problem-solving skills and give them a sense of accomplishment.
- Hanukkah Cookies; 1000 Piece by Cobble Hill OR The Night Before Christmas Mini Puzzles by Clement C. Moore and Christian Birmingham which includes: (2) 180-piece 6″ x 7-1/2″ mini puzzles and a 2-1/2″ x 3″ illustrated mini book edition of The Night Before Christmas OR Santa Book and 3 Jigsaws which follows Santa as he gets ready for the most magical night of the year.
- ADVENT CALENDARS – can be the perfect activity to enjoy the countdown to Christmas and to manage children’s excitement. Here are some Advent calendars to purchase and a video of how to create your own simple Advent calendar
- BOARD GAMES – allow for family time versus screen time and strengthen teamwork and relationships; board games can boost language skills, teach strategy and expand children’s attention spans. Best of all, kids can focus on having fun and laugh as they learn to be a good loser. Check out these Ten Favorite Family Board Games with appropriate ages.
GIFT OF MUSIC – Learning to play a musical instrument can affect the actual structure of the brain. It can help children to grow socially and academically. Through children’s emotional connection to the music, the majority of their senses are engaged: vision, hearing, touch. Because timing is crucial in playing a musical instrument, it also supports visual and auditory integration. Memory, math, reading comprehension, listening and social skills can also be improved. Children who play a musical instrument can improve their coordination, concentration, retention, and confidence.
- Thinking of giving the gift of music to your child or grandchild? Learn more about how to sign up children for the outstanding program offerings at the Vancouver School of Music including Programs for young children (0 – 6 years) and the online virtual classes (7 – 12 years).
EXPLORE – Family outings are a great way to get into the holiday spirit. Here are some recommended activities if you live in the lower mainland or plan to visit. Click on each link to get the most up-to-date information. You may wish to also check out what family activities are happening in your area.
- Check out the best places and tips to consider when buying your Christmas tree around Vancouver or here are some places to cut down your own Christmas tree near Vancouver or some places that provide either retail or cut your own tree.
- Drive through the PNE Winter Lights for a fun family activity or head to the Canyon Lights at Capilano Bridge OR enjoy Coquitlam’s Christmas Lights at LaFarge in 2022.
- Check out the Free December Events and Activities around Vancouver for December, 2022
- Enjoy a free family outing Ice Skating at Robson Square in downtown Vancouver.
- Stanley Park – While the Bright Nights’ display and events will still go ahead but there will be no train ride this year.
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