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Our children have had quite the test this year. From homeschooling to returning to school but with small class bubbles. Weeks without school friends and activity clubs cancelled.

We are all hoping that Christmas, however different will be a wonderful day and full of great surprises for our little ones.

This year I’m noticing a change in what my children enjoy playing with. They really love something they can create, build, construct or make move. They seem to get the most out of an activity if they are also subconsciously learning as well.

I’m hoping this means plastic, noisy toys are a thing of the past!

Are you thinking about Christmas ideas for kids in 2020 but would like something unique, popular but something which will last?

If your children like to be active you can’t go wrong with kids scooters or roller skates! They get some fresh air and time away from a screen.

Take a look at our selection of great gifts below. Many of these come from small businesses who desperately need our support this year so think small as you buy!

Puzzles for the whole family

Who hasn’t got into puzzles in lockdown? These have become so popular again with all ages.

History Heroes is an award-winning small business, passionate about creating educational and entertaining products.

Their latest creation is a fascinating 500 piece jigsaw puzzle based on the amazing characters and events that have shaped the world of science and medicine.

You piece together the puzzle and join the journey from 1756, when medicine was still based on guesswork and superstition and Joseph Fry sold chocolate as a tonic from his apothecary. The packed with facts jigsaw leads you to 1953 when Crick and Watson determined the double-helix structure of DNA.

Along the way, you will meet 14 highlighted History Heroes who shaped and changed our knowledge of medicine and health together with some of the major global, scientific and technological events that helped shape that journey too.

It’s a fantastic timeline romp through 200 years of the most pivotal changes in science and medicine.

History Heroes are based in Hampshire and their products are made in the UK. Their packaging is also 100% recyclable and made from sustainable card, as is their jigsaw.

To place an order for this brilliant puzzle, CLICK HERE. 

Card games for post lunch calm

If you are looking for card games with a difference, History Heroes also have fantastic sets of cards on a range of periods in history and people.

We have these at home and I recently bought some for stocking fillers. My children love them. Not only can you use them as a game but they’re a great way of adding little moments of storytelling on the past without it being overwhelming.

The card packs all come with different themes. There are Explorers, Scientists, Women, Sports, Kings & Queens, Artists and more. Whatever your child is captivated by there is a pack for them!

There are 40 cards in a pack with levels of facts from green to red: easiest to hard.

You can play with 2-6 players and they are aimed at ages 8+ however, I use them easily with my 5 year old and 8 year old.

To check out the range of cards head over to the SHOP HERE.

Science lovers

If you have a child who loves an experiment this gift is perfect. My son is always talking about gems and growing crystals. There seems to be a ‘treasure’ fascination around this age if he and his classmates are anything to go by!

This Crystal Growing Experimental Kit is bigger than many others on the market and a great way for your child to create crystals of their very own.

You can conduct seven unique chemical experiments to grow your own set of aquamarine crystal clusters, glow-in-the-dark moon crystal clusters and a crystal tree. Your child will learn the process of how real crystals are formed.

All of the materials needed are included in the pack, as you can see from my image there are sachets of each colour crystal so your child can create the crystal from scratch by themselves.

This gift is suitable for ages 10 years and over. You can find the details for buying your own Crystal Growing Experiment kit here.

Mini Makers

My daughter is a true mini maker. She’s always creating something. If you have a busy little soul at home this packed Box of Wooden Craft is for them.

Inside you’ll find over 100 pieces so your child can use their imagination and personalise every ready cut blank piece of wooden craft.

Included in the kit are:

• Wooden keyrings

• Wooden puppets

• Lollipop sticks

• Wooden jewellery box

• Wooden spoons

• Wooden pegs

• Threading boards and much more!

Each item can be decorated with paints, stickers, sequins or any other embellishments.

To purchase one for your mini maker CLICK HERE.

An Interactive Den!

Hobbycraft have a range of these brilliant cardboard, colour-in dens. In the past we have tried their Igloo and Space Rocket so there is something for every child. They are also exceptional value at just £17.00, an affordable gift which usually the most loved present in our house!

Below you can see pictures of the Princess Carriage, it’s a big blank canvas which children can colour with pens or paint if you’re feeling brave! They can embellish it with stickers or anything that draws our their creative side!

Once put together it makes the perfect little hideaway. On the sides there are unicorns, flowers and carriage details.

They are quick to put together and made from sturdy cardboard.

Take a look at the full details of the carriage and other designs.

Lego but not as you know it

Our regular readers will know full well that I’m a bit of a Lego widow! I’m not sure who really enjoys playing with this more, my children or husband!

There’s no doubting Lego is a fantastic toy which doesn’t really age and which makes it a great investment. My mother kept my 1980’s Lego castle and my children play with it now.

So imagine my delight when I came across Blu Children’s Club run by homeschooling Mum, Donna. A professional communicator with experience in schools and special educational needs (SEN), Donna Hussey set about creating programmes which help children with their communication skills through play.

Her initiative now offers online educational LEGO® bricks clubs and workshops.

We took part in one of the workshops based on Lego and art. We learnt about primary and secondary colours and abstract artists. The children then learnt about the artist Mondrian and created their own painting inspired by his use of lines and colour. After this we created our own Mondrian masterpieces using Lego.

They were captivated! The combination of painting and Lego was brilliant and something I will use again. It was a very calming exercise and they are incredibly proud of their creations.

The workshop is done online in your own time, you can pause and go back to different parts of the course if you need more time. They have definitely learnt more about a specific artist than in our normal sessions.

If you would like to gift a child a workshop this Christmas CLICK HERE for the details.

LEGO Journals and Virtual Shopping

Donna and her children have also created some journals for children and parents.

The Lego creation journals are a way for your child to document their Lego masterpieces. They can add pictures and a description of each item. This is so useful as there are so many times when my children don’t want to break a previous build but are also desperate to move on and make something new.

This way they can remember what they’ve made before and use it for future inspiration. Check out the LEGO Journal HERE.

As homeschoolers, they know how important it is to feel you can keep track of your children’s learning. With this in mind there is a journal for Kids available HERE and a PARENT planner, which I think I need!

Christmas shopping!

Donna will be exhibiting at the Virtual Christmas Fair from next weekend Saturday 14 to Sunday 15 November 2020.

If you would love to support small businesses this Christmas, tickets are FREE and you can REGISTER HERE.

Personalised clothing

Did you know Mammaprada has a SHOP? We create t-shirts, jumpers and hoodies for men, women and children. All created in the UK and made to order. 

We have lots of fun Italian words on them, gifts that will make you smile. However, we also offer complete personalisation free of charge. So if you see any product in the shop and you want to change the word to something else. A name or anything you would like, just get in touch! (mammaprada@gmail.com). 

Here are two of our most popular children’s designs. ‘Ciao’ and ‘Principe’ meaning ‘Prince’ in Italian.

We also offer FREE delivery within the UK so don’t miss out on a customised tee for your little one.

Monthly box of treats

If you’d like to gift something that lasts then this monthly subscription craft box is a great find.

Keeping your children occupied on a regular basis with a range of crafts, delivered straight to your door, it couldn’t be easier.

A Craft-it! BOX brings imaginative, high-quality projects to children aged 3-9 years.

Every month they will find two craft packs, an activity book and a pack of stickers.

What’s more, your first box is only is on offer at £4.95!

To find out more and order your box of delights check out the full details HERE.

Baking together

If your children love cooking or baking this cake kit from Wicked Uncle is an excellent gift.

It’s a completely organised set and comes with the ingredients and instructions included.

There are guidelines for decoration but really there is an unlimited amount of fun you can have with this!

This unicorn cake not only looks wonderful but your child will have the satisfaction of creating something splendid by themselves which they can share with their family.

Grab one now as I expect them to be popular - the world has gone a bit unicorn mad!

National Geographic Kids 

When I bought a subscription to a National Geographic Kids Magazine for my son’s birthday I made one mistake. I didn’t buy one for my daughter!

Now every month when it arrives my daughter is frustrated that she doesn’t have a copy as it’s so good! So there is a bit of a trade of information over the breakfast table now and a joint entering of all the competitions!

The magazine is fun, bright and really engaging for children. It has fun facts and jokes, great photography and shares animal or environmental awareness days.

With a subscription, you receive 13 issues a year and a giant poster.

They also have a great selection of educational gifts on their site.

To find out more head over to Nat Geo Kids.

Have you found some inspiring gifts for your little ones this Christmas?

Tell us below which catches your eye?

Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links, this means should you make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.