5 Useful Gift Ideas For Kids of All Ages That Aren’t More Stuff

This post is sponsored by Linqia but the content and opinions expressed here are my own

Summer is upon us, and with it comes a busy season of gifting for many. Graduation, back to school, and for my boys, birthdays, all present opportunities for gift giving during the summer months. My kiddos are already plenty spoiled in terms of toys and ‘stuff’, so this year, we’re focusing on other ideas when they make their lists. Keep reading to see some ideas for useful gift ideas for kids that won’t add any clutter to your home!

NON-STUFF GIFT IDEAS FOR KIDS

The Gift Of Time

If there’s one thing every kid truly appreciates, it’s time spent with people who are special to them. Instead of adding more toys to an already cluttered house, it’s great to share homemade certificates or coupons for kids. Make coffee dates with your older children, or coupons to hit up the playground with younger kids. Opportunities to spend time together truly make some of the best gifts for kids.

Travel Opportunities

Without my parents’ generosity, my boys would have few opportunities to travel. Living mainly on my husband’s income simply doesn’t allow us to plan a lot of travel right now. There are likely many other young families out there with the same challenges. Offering travel opportunities as gifts for kids is a fun way to spend time together with children while they’re learning and exploring someplace new.

Activity Fees

As a mom to three boys, I know firsthand how quickly activity fees can add up. Lessons, camps, practices, etc- everything adds up. My oldest was gifted violin lessons by his paternal grandparents for his birthday one year. We’re fortunate to have the boys receive many of their soccer league fees as presents as well. These sorts of gift ideas for kids help show children of any age that we value their skill, and want to see them succeed- something so much more valuable than the latest action figures!

Donations To Others

Donations in your child’s name may not seem like the most ‘fun’ gift idea out there, but it presents a valuable learning opportunity. Presents like these, made in your child’s honor, help teach kids to value what they have. It brings the focus of gift giving back to the central idea of ‘it’s the thought that counts’, which is important in raising generous and kind kiddos. In particular, donations given to children’s charities, or a charity directly impacting someone in your community can make the experience especially relevant for kids of all ages.

Savings For The Future

My own parents as well as my in-laws have recently begun saving for my boys’ future by utilizing NY’s 529 College Savings Program. The beauty of these savings is that they truly are great gift ideas for kids of ALL ages- you can start saving at any time. Plus, they have an easy gifting portal called UGift that allows you to give friends and family members a unique code to add to your 529 account.  Whether it’s a toddler or a teen, it’s never too early or too late to save for higher education. My boys will eventually be able to use these contributions at any eligible school. My children can attend any eligible higher-education institution, not just a 4-year college or university. This includes vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges and graduate schools, so they will still have total control over their future.

Since our boys will likely apply for financial aid when the time comes, I was curious about the impact a plan like this might have. I learned that because a 529 plan account is generally considered part of the parents’ assets, not the child’s, it will have much less impact when it comes to financial aid eligibility. And even if one of my boys eventually decides that further education isn’t for him, we haven’t lost the benefit. We can change the beneficiary if needed. If one of my kiddos doesn’t use the money in the account, we can choose an eligible family member, such as one of his brothers, or even my husband, to be the beneficiary without paying a penalty. You can get more information at NYsaves.org. 

Do you have kids to buy gifts for this summer? What ‘non-stuff’ gift ideas for kids do you have?

DISCLOSURES:

Up to $10,000 is deductible annually from New York State taxable income for married couples filing jointly; single taxpayers can deduct up to $5,000 annually. State tax benefits for non-resident New York taxpayers may vary. State tax deductions may be subject to recapture in certain circumstances such as rollovers to another state’s 529 plan, nonqualified withdrawals, or withdrawals used to pay expenses for tuition in connection with enrollment or attendance at an elementary or secondary public, private, or religious school. Please consult your tax advisor.
Investment returns are not guaranteed, and you could lose money by investing in New York’s 529 College Savings Program Direct Plan.
For more information about New York’s 529 College Savings Program Direct Plan, download a Disclosure Booklet and Tuition Savings Agreement at www.nysaves.org or request one by calling 877-NYSAVES (877-697-2837). This document includes investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other information. You should read and consider them carefully before investing.
Before you invest, consider whether your or the beneficiary’s home state offers any state tax or other benefits that are only available for investments in that state’s 529 plan. Other state benefits may include financial aid, scholarship funds, and protection from creditors.
The Comptroller of the State of New York and the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation are the Program Administrators and are responsible for implementing and administering the Direct Plan.
Ascensus Broker Dealer Services, LLC, serves as Program Manager and, in connection with its affiliates, provides recordkeeping and administrative support services and is responsible for day-to-day operations of the Direct Plan. The Vanguard Group, Inc., serves as the Investment Manager. Vanguard Marketing Corporation provides marketing and distribution services to the Direct Plan.
No guarantee: None of the State of New York, its agencies, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), The Vanguard Group, Inc., Ascensus Broker Dealer Services, LLC, nor any of their applicable affiliates insures accounts or guarantees the principal deposited therein or any investment returns on any account or investment portfolio.
New York’s 529 College Savings Program currently includes two separate 529 plans. The Direct Plan is sold directly by the Program. You may also participate in the Advisor Plan, which is sold exclusively through financial advisors and has different investment options and higher fees and expenses as well as financial advisor compensation.