Backpacks & Books: Alternative Christmas Presents for Kids

Let’s not kid ourselves, we all know what’s likely to take up most space on our children’s Christmas lists…toys! And while we love spoiling our kids with the latest games, dolls and action figures, and while they’re bound to keep them entertained beyond the Queen's Speech at least, there’s usually a feeling of wanting more from our purchases.

Which is why we’ve put together this alternative Christmas present buying guide for kids! If you want to fill children’s stockings with books that they can read time and again, or perhaps a notebook that will encourage them to keep their secrets in, then read on to find the best buys at B&M! 

Years 1-3

While every stage of a child’s development is important, the formative years from baby to toddler are absolutely vital. Increasing motor skills and colour recognition should be encouraged as much as possible, and there are lots of great ways to do this at home.

The Peter Rabbit My First Library not only introduces Beatrix Potter’s much loved characters, but also presents young learners with vital, early concepts such as words, shapes and numbers. The Magnetic Play & Learn Opposites with Animals book will help develop early skills too, as children move the animals around different environments.

And the Fisher-Price Learning Piggy Bank is perfect for colour recognition and counting, while letting your baby or toddler sing-along to up to 3 songs! A Christmas gift that will go a long way.

 

Years 4-6

Christmas can be a noisy time of year, so it’s reassuring to know that great gifts don’t have to be loud! Colouring books are a great example, especially when they feature their favourite Disney Princesses. The Frozen Ultimate Colouring Book is packed with 72 pages of copy colouring, colour-by-numbers and posters - with Elsa, Anna and Olaf saying hello on every page!

Of course a colouring book is useless without a quality set of colouring pencils. Staedtler Noris Coloured Pencils come in a large pack of 18, allowing your little one to scribble away to their heart’s content.

And for more quiet time, the Once Upon a Time range of books is perfect, while helping teach children how to tell the time with its built-in clock. Choose their favourite fairy story: Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Goldilocks or The Three Little Pigs.

Years 7-10

Older kids can be subdued by The Magical Unicorn Activity Book, with page-after-page of fun and games. Witches and wizards will be spellbound when they unwrap their very own Harry Potter Notebook & Wand Pen! A great way to encourage writing and note taking (as well as keeping a record of spells, of course). Or why not use it as a personal diary, providing positive respite from smartphone and tablet screens?

And for something that will last beyond Christmas day and well into the next school year, a new pencil case will give them something to look forward to when the new term starts up again in January. We love the wacky Happy Zoo Llama Pencil Case!

Backpacks

Speaking of going back to school, parents will know only too well that despite your best efforts, most things in their backpacks end up getting lost or damaged! And we’d be lying not to admit that this sometimes extends to their school bags!

Which makes a brand new backpack a great gift for girls and boys on Christmas Day. You’ll find a huge range at your local B&M, with a colour and style to suit everyone: from Disney Frozen to Fortnite and a lot of sparkly unicorn themed bags in between (is there such a thing as too much sparkly unicorn?).

Don’t forget you’ll find everything you need for Santa’s arrival at your local B&M. Take a look at our Christmas Shop now, for inspiration on decorations, lights, trees, Christmas cards, tableware, gifts, advent calendars and much more!

How’s your Christmas shopping going so far? Share your alternative Christmas present ideas for kids with the B&M Community on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.