Gift Ideas for Kids

Hi,

I am soooo tragically bad at giving gifts ESPECIALLY for kids!  However, I am going back to the US soon for a visit and there will be 4 kids I'd like to buy little pressies for.  There are three girls aged 11, 7 and 6 and a little boy who is 3.

I want to bring them all a little something special from England but have no idea what little girls or 3 year old boys want!

I don't really want to get them toys as they're parents are all well off and I'm sure they have EVERYTHING. I would love something very 'British' but since I am not British, I am struggling to come up with anything:-(  I thought that bringing them wellies would be kind of cute but it would take up too much room in my already limited baggage allowance.

Does anyone have any ideas?  Anything at all?  I'm desperate!

Could you get them some super touristy t-shirts (like a retro Beatles t-shirt for the older girls and then a CBeebies one for the little one?).  That could be cool. Or crackers. They're cheap now, and they might be a big hit because they come WITH toys.

Probably anything Thomas the Tank Engine, Bob the Builder (both British programmes) or even an England Football shirt would do.    If you'll be flying through London you could always try getting a double-decker bus or black cab toy for him.

For the girls probably a girly t-shirt with a Union Jack on it or teddy bears etc.  You may want to ask their parents about things they're interested in to get more of a target idea for gifts...

I love all of these ideas!  Jennie, Where do you think I would find a retro Beatles t-shirt?

Teletabby - You're so right.  All little boys these days seem to love TTE.  I thought of asking the parents but I'd like it to be a surprise ideally.  I love the idea of a double decker bus or black cab for him.  That's done. Do you think they have that sort of thing at your average tourist shop in Windsor?

I saw (and, ahem, nearly bought one for myself) them at Primark in the "young adults" section.  They had a bunch of "fake" retro t-shirts.  This was before Christmas though.

Oh my, I am loving UK Yankee and I am loving you ladies right now.

I have been trying to think of gifts since we booked our flights a month ago and have come up with nothing.

You guys have sorted me out in minutes.  Thank you!!!!

I love all of these ideas!  Jennie, Where do you think I would find a retro Beatles t-shirt?

Teletabby - You're so right.  All little boys these days seem to love TTE.  I thought of asking the parents but I'd like it to be a surprise ideally.  I love the idea of a double decker bus or black cab for him.  That's done. Do you think they have that sort of thing at your average tourist shop in Windsor?

I saw those on a touristy stand in Windsor just yesterday actually!! I think it was the one in Windsor Central station but I am sure all the touristy shops around the High St would have them.

... and a little boy who is 3.

My little 3-year-old boy can't get enough of his 'very-cool-very-special-British' red double-decker bus. 

I love those magazines for kids at the supermarket, you know the character based ones that come with toys. My little boy is obsessed with Gogos at the moment, and he also ALWAYS loves the Charlie & Lola Craft Mags, they only cost like £3 each and they keep him busy for the whole day! Get some of those and bring them home! Good luck!

You can get the touristy stuff all over London and the airports - especially Heathrow and Gatwick.  Otherwise you could always try Hamley's, but you'll probably end up paying just as much, if not more than a tourist shop for things.  But then again Hamley's is unique like FAO Schwarz.   

I saw those on a touristy stand in Windsor just yesterday actually!! I think it was the one in Windsor Central station but I am sure all the touristy shops around the High St would have them.

Oh yay!