Moms have a lot on their To Do list, including birthday and holiday shopping. Sometimes searching for gifts by age can be time consuming, especially when there are a lot of people to shop for. The solution? Use these last minute gift ideas for the whole family as your backup for when you just don’t have the time or the bandwidth to choose a gift yourself.
What all these last minute gift ideas have in come is that they are –
- Under $30
- Reusable
- Compact
- Can be found online
- Activities rather than toys
- Are fun to use outdoors
- Suitable for mixed age groups
- Still useful if you end up with multiple sets
Here are 5 affordable last minute gift ideas for the whole family:
1. Walkie Talkies
This activity has been sparking the imagination of kids for decades.
One of my favorite things about a Walkie Talkie set is its versatility – Kids of various ages (and adults) can use it at home, at the Farmers Market, on a hike, or on the next camping trip.
This Walkie Talkie set is budget friendly and comes in an array of colors to suit different ages and color preferences.
2. Stomp Rocket Launcher
There are some activities that are irresistible and the rocket launcher is one of them.
I like this option because it ends up making its way to many outdoor events – picnics, BBQ’s and the beach, and is ideal for adults and kids to play together.
Try this two person stomp rocket for a sharable version.
3. Large Hammock
Perhaps my favorite item on the list is the hammock. It’s one of those gifts that makes it into a family home and is there to stay.
I like this Wise Owl Outfitter Hammock for its affordability and its ability to fit multiple family members in it together.
4. Giant Bubble Wand Kit & Bubble Wand Set
This is another gift that I consider child and adult friendly.
The Giant Bubble Wand Kit won’t just get used once and get put in a drawer but will keep entertaining babies, older kids, and adults long after the party is over.
Have a few more dollars to spend? add a Bubble Wand Set. I like this option because it allows more people to participate but doesn’t have a dozen unnecessary plastic pieces either.
5. Toy Slingshot
This is a safe and family-friendly version of a gift that has been popular for decades – the slingshot.
This Mighty Fun Mischief Maker Slingshot is easy to use (even for preschoolers) and is very safe due to its soft foam balls that produce minimal impact. I also love that it is not age specific and can be used during camping trips or outdoor activities but won’t cause damage if it does get used indoors.
So really, why spend more mental energy and time at the store deciding which inexpensive gifts to buy? Just order a few of these items to store out of sight and use them as backup gifts so you free up your time for other things.
Want to read more about how to free up time in your day? Visit Busy Moms Can Find More Time In These Unexpected Places for some creative ideas.