Top 10 Gifts to Inspire Creativity

The holidays are here, and if you're like me, you might still be trying to figure out what to get your kids. Each year I carefully contemplate what gifts I'll put under the tree. I like to try to choose gifts that will benefit him as he plays. I want them to inspire creativity, teach him something, and I want them to be fun. So today I'm sharing my top 10 gifts that inspire creativity.

Top 10 Gifts For Inspiring Creativity

{Image Courtesy KiwiCrate.com}

1. Kiwi Crate Subscription- We recently discovered this fantastic service when I was asked to review the December Crate. We both loved it so much that I'm purchasing a subscription for R for Christmas. It's the gift that keeps giving creative arts and crafts projects!

2. An easel- Drawing, painting, writing. Everything is so much more fun if you do it on an easel. Ours renewed R's love of art after a period of it dwindling. 

{Image Courtesy of Melissa&Doug.com}

3. Band In A Box Value Set- When you think of inspiring creativity, please don't forget music! I love this Melissa & Doug musical instrument set. 

4. Dress Up Clothes- Playing dress up is a classic childhood activity with great gift potential. You can buy one costume to add to a collection, or fill a trunk or suitcase with dress up play staples.

{Images Courtesy of Melissa&Doug.com}

5. Puppets- Puppets are perfect for pretend play. Make up your own stories or act out some favorites. You could even do a hilarious stand up comedy act! We love these puppets from Melissa & Doug.

6. Play Dough- Whether it's store-bought or homemade, kids love creating with play dough. This is one of my favorite gifts to give to all the kids I know!

{Image Courtesy of SafariLtd.com}

7. Safari Ltd Toobs and Replicas- Safari Ltd has something for everyone, and there are so many ways to use these toys in play and learning. R has several of the dino toobs and replicas on his list this year.

8. Wooden Blocks- Plain wooden blocks. You can build with them. You can pair them with other toys. You can even pretend they are other toys. Wooden blocks are often play food here.

9. Legos- Ohh, legos. So many possibilities. So much fun. 

10. Fort Building Kit- I'm intrigued by this Fort Magic building kit, but I also love this DIY version! I can just imagine the creative play in both the building and the activities that take place inside. 

What would you add to this list?

{Disclosure- This post contains sponsored and affiliate links, however my opinion was not swayed by product or any potential monetary gain. Most of the products in this list were purchased by me throughout the years, and these are my honest opinions and recommendations. Thank you so much for reading!}

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Kiwi Crate Review and Giveaway!

I was recently asked to review the December Antarctic Adventure Crate from Kiwi Crate and I jumped at the chance! I'm excited to share our opinion of this fantastic company, and I'm thrilled to give Childhood Beckons readers a chance to win a crate of their own!

The Review:

What is a Kiwi Crate? 

Kiwi Crate is a monthly subscription service that delivers everything you need for several hands-on activities. They are designed by parents, reviewed by experts and tested by kids! The activities are fun and perfect for kids aged 3-7.

I love that each craft comes with it's own booklet. On the front of the booklet you will find a key that rates the messiness factor and parental involvement, as well as shares what skills will be practiced. The booklet also contains instructions for the craft, fun "things to think about" and another section called "material fun." The "things to think about" section shares some great little facts while the "material fun" gives you even more activity ideas. 

This crate also came with an "explore more" booklet that shares a wealth of other resources. The booklet illustrates three ice activities, but also provides a link for even more online resources. This is a fantastic little unit study and I love having so many ideas ready-made and at our fingertips! 

R loves getting mail, so he was ecstatic when this crate arrived addressed to him! The packaging itself is such a special and thoughtful touch. A monthly Kiwi Crate subscription would be like receiving a monthly gift full of crafty goodness.

And that's just what R thought. I must apologize for the lack of pictures with perfectly laid out {unused} contents. I don't have any, because R tore through that package eager to look at everything and excited to get started. It was like Christmas morning! I'm being honest when I say that I cannot count the times he exclaimed over something and thanked me for the box. I remembered to snap the pic after many fun games of penguin bowling.

Oh, the penguins! This was such a fun activity. All of the materials were high quality and fun to work with. R had fun decorating his penguins with stickers and drawing on added details. He had a great time thinking of unique expressions for each of his penguins and giggled at his creations. After each one had a name and personality of its own, we assembled them into the bowling game. 

The next activity was a painting activity to capture the southern lights. It came with oil pastels and water colors which are always a hit with R. Oil pastels are a favorite art material and R can never get enough watercolors! He ended up painting even more after he was finished with his postcards.

The Giveaway:

Do you want to win a crate of your own? Kiwi Crate has generously offered to give one Childhood Beckons reader a crate of their choice! If you win, you can pick either the Antarctic crate, featured here, or one of their special holiday themed crates. 

Mandatory Entry: Visit the Kiwi Crate website and decide which crate you'd pick if you win {One of the four mentioned}. Answer the question in the Rafflecopter box below. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{Disclosure- This is a sponsored post, but the views and opinions expressed are my own and were not swayed by monetary compensation or free product. I will only feature products and companies I can stand behind, and I truly love Kiwi Crate. I love that the subscription service is a gift that keeps giving!}

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