Ask HN: What gift worked for your child well?

#1

Post by zsolt_terek » Mon, Nov 21, 2022, 8:41 AM UTC

The holiday season is coming and I'm tired of buying another unused toy or gadget for my kids. It would be great to see what worked for others, I'm particularly interested in seeing gift ideas that made a profound change to a kid, e.g. opening them up to a new hobby. Or just a toy or a visit together to some place that made joy. Non-digital is a plus.

Please include one or more keywords about the matching age group so that the list is easily searchable, like: TODDLER (for 1-2yo), PRESCHOOL1 (3-4), PRESCHOOL2 (~5-6), SCHOOL1 (~7-10), SCHOOL2 (~11-14), TEEN (15+).

Re: Ask HN: What gift worked for your child well?

#2

Post by ravanoverflow » Mon, Nov 21, 2022, 10:11 AM UTC

If your child is (~7-10) years old, laptop is the best gift for him/her. + programming course for children.

Re: Ask HN: What gift worked for your child well?

#3

Post by jamesdhutton » Mon, Nov 21, 2022, 11:02 AM UTC

Earlier this year I got a chess board for my 6-year-old. He took to chess with enthusiasm and plays many games a week with me and any other adult whom he can convince to play. Definitely one of the best things I’ve bought for him.

Re: Ask HN: What gift worked for your child well?

#4

Post by nvarsj » Mon, Nov 21, 2022, 11:30 AM UTC

The Complete Calvin and Hobbes (SCHOOL1+). Bought it for my then 8 year old and he still reads it regularly. Great for developing a sense of humor and learning to not take this world so seriously.

Re: Ask HN: What gift worked for your child well?

#5

Post by taylorhou » Mon, Nov 21, 2022, 11:37 AM UTC

I'd love responses to this! I've got a 4, 2, and another on the way myself.

I've been noodling on a toy idea as well since I haven't seen it in the market yet (there are close toys though) - would love to see an actual building set where there are big holes in standard distances in blocks and other shapes that can be "screwed" together with an electric driver (toy). Starting with basic blocks that represent a 2x4, literally anything can be built from there.

Re: Ask HN: What gift worked for your child well?

#6

Post by KeithBrink » Mon, Nov 21, 2022, 12:52 PM UTC

My three year old loves playing with a marble race puzzle inside a plastic ball, called a Perplexus. He can play with it for hours on end.

Re: Ask HN: What gift worked for your child well?

#7

Post by progers7 » Mon, Nov 21, 2022, 1:19 PM UTC

Lego continues to be a favorite in our house. Duplo for 2-4, and Lego for 3+.

Re: Ask HN: What gift worked for your child well?

#8

Post by culopatin » Mon, Nov 21, 2022, 1:33 PM UTC

ravanoverflow wrote: post #2

If your child is (~7-10) years old, laptop is the best gift for him/her. + programming course for children.

Only if you want a child tethered to a screen from that point forward. I was that child, I’m in tech, I’m not sure I’d want that for my kid. Shared computer and a course would be much better imho.

A dedicated laptop signals “go do whatever you want with it anytime you want” also, where a shared one signals “we own this and we tell you when to use it”

Re: Ask HN: What gift worked for your child well?

#9

Post by tomcam » Mon, Nov 21, 2022, 1:35 PM UTC

Road trips. Just me and the kids, no mom.

Re: Ask HN: What gift worked for your child well?

#10

Post by brudgers » Mon, Nov 21, 2022, 2:39 PM UTC

A leatherman multi-tool at age five.

But it's the perfect gift for anyone at any age.