Gifts for kids in Canada

Pick by age

Ages 3 to 5: Magna-Tiles, the Yoto Mini, the dinosaur sensory bin and the Thorpe school bus. Watch small pieces with younger siblings around.

Ages 6 to 8: Catan Junior, Ticket to Ride First Journey, Splendor Kids, the gemstone dig, the mini sticks and the ukulele. This is when real games with short playtimes start to work, and parents will happily play along.

Ages 8 to 10: the mBot, Solarbots, the loom knitting kit, the Faber-Castell pencils, the coach cube and the Switch Lite. Kids this age can run a project alone.

A Canadian winter list

Winter decides a lot. Long indoor weekends favour games and building kits, so we lean on them. Crokinole is the one we would buy for a family that spends the holidays with grandparents: everyone from six to ninety can play. The board is large and heavy, so plan where it will live.

Basement hockey is the other winter answer. Road Warrior's mini sticks come with a foam ball, and the junior goalie mask lets a young goalie face shots in the driveway. Both are for ball hockey only. The net is sold separately.

Solar kits are the exception. Solarbots need strong sun or a bright lamp, so they are a better birthday gift in June than a Christmas one.

What to check before buying

The mBot is listed in US dollars, so expect exchange fees and possibly duties. It also needs batteries and a tablet or computer. The Yoto Mini has no wall plug in the box, and most story cards cost extra, so add one card the child will love.

Ask parents before buying a console or a story player. Families often have firm views on both, and nobody wants two Yotos. Under about thirty dollars, the return top, the coach cube and the gemstone dig are safe choices for a classmate's party.

Order early in December. Small Canadian makers like the Toy Maker of Lunenburg ship from one workshop, and Canada Post slows down in the last two weeks.

Questions people ask

What is a good gift for a 5-year-old?

Look for something they can use with little help. Magna-Tiles, the Plus-Plus dinosaur tube and Catan Junior all suit this age, and the Yoto Mini covers ages about 3 to 8. Avoid kits with lots of reading in the instructions. A five-year-old will want a parent nearby for anything with small parts, slime or a motor.

What can I buy a kid who has lots of toys?

Pick something that adds to what they already own or something they use up. Extra Magna-Tiles or Yoto cards add to a system already in the house. A science kit like the Hydroponics Lab or a painting book gets used and finished, so it does not add clutter. A family game also helps, because it gets played with the parents rather than stored in a bin.

Are screen-free gifts worth it for kids?

Yes, if the gift does something a screen does not. The Yoto Mini plays stories without a display, which suits bedtime and car trips. Building sets, card games and outdoor toys like the Waboba ball give kids something to do with their hands. A screen-free gift that the child finds boring will not change their habits, so match it to their interests.

How much should I spend on a gift for a child?

For a classmate's party, under $25 is normal and nobody will expect more. For a niece, nephew or grandchild, $25 to $75 buys a good game or kit. Spend more only if you have checked with the parents, especially for electronics like a story player or a console, which families often have opinions about.