Gifts to Give Your Grandkids (That Won’t Drive Parents Crazy!)

Want to delight your grandchildren and show them how much you care without getting side-eye from your adult children?? Here are 9 ideas of gifts to give your grandkids that won’t drive their parents crazy!

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Grandparents, we know how much you delight in doting on your grandkids (and yes, even spoiling them from time to time). We love that about you, and hey – you’ve earned it! After all the years you had to be the “bad guys” with us, you deserve to sit back and enjoy our kiddos.

However… as much as you enjoy showering your precious grands with every toy that puts a sparkle in their eye, perhaps… maybe… possibly… you’ve forgotten what it’s like to be the parents who have to manage the fallout of all that love. *wink* The parents who have to figure out where to store all that abundance, organize all those pieces, and manage all that toy turmoil.

Again, we love you, grandparents! And we know it comes from generous hearts just bursting to give. We are so grateful for you! But if you want to give your grandkids lots of love this Christmas (or any gift-giving opportunity) without making life harder for your adult children trying to raise said kiddos, check out this list of non-toy gift ideas for grandchildren that won’t drive parents crazy!

Gifts to Give Your Grandkids

Want to delight your grandchildren without getting side-eye from your adult children?? Here are 9 ideas of gifts to give your grandchildren that won’t drive their parents crazy!

Find ALL my Merry Momma gift guides here!

1. Experience gifts

Rather than the latest toy or yet another gadget, consider gifting an experience that will provide cherished memories for years to come. Maybe an art or cooking class, a month of music lessons, movie theater passes, tickets to a live show, or an outing to a zoo, theme park, trampoline park, or children’s museum.

BONUS TIP: If you want to give them something they can open and enjoy right away, get them a camera to capture the memories or a special journal to write about their experience! Either item will enable them to enjoy your gift over and over again for years to come.

2. Annual passes

Annual passes are a great gift for the whole family that can be enjoyed throughout the year. Look around their area for passes to local museums, zoos, theme parks, aquariums, sports centers, or theaters.

3. Subscriptions

Kids LOVE getting fun stuff in the mail (don’t we all??), and there are subscriptions for just about everything these days! A subscription to a magazine, activity, or box of books would be a great gift for your grandchildren that your kids will love, too.

Here are some of our favorite subscriptions:

Little Passports (Here’s my full review!)
KiwiCo
Ranger Rick magazine
National Geographic for Kids magazine
Zootles magazine

4. Higher dollar clothing items

If splurging on your grandkids brings you joy, consider helping your kids out at the same time! Gift your grandkids some of the clothing items that come with cringe-inducing price tags. Think good quality shoes and boots, name-brand sweatshirts, heavy-duty outerwear, or specialty sports gear.

5. Books

Books are AND ALWAYS WILL BE on every gift guide I ever create. They are both entertaining and educational, they’re super affordable, and they can be tailored to any age, interest, and personality. They are the perfect non-toy gift!

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6. Equipment

If you have the budget for it, consider equipping your grandkids for their interests and passions. Gift sports equipment to your athletes, instruments to your musicians, sewing machines or Cricuts to your craft enthusiasts, and cooking implements to your budding chefs.

7. Fun kits

Fuel your grandkids’ curiosity and spur their creativity with fun kits in their interest areas. From book-making to STEM experiments, crafts to outdoor exploration, there’s a kit for nearly every personality!

8. Any of these non-toy gifts

In addition to the ideas above, you can also check out this list of non-toy gift ideas. These gifts are meaningful and enriching, build lasting memories, and stand the test of time.

9. Savings accounts contributions

Of course, you could always give the gift of savings, as well. Open a savings account or contribute to an already-established one, and put that compound interest to work! Not only is it a generous gift your grandchildren will appreciate (in the future, at least, if not now), it is also a great opportunity to teach valuable money skills.

BONUS TIP: Pair this with a bank for their money at home or a new wallet!

We know you grandparents adore your grandkids and love to make them happy. But if you would also like to make your kids happy this Christmas season, consider swapping out some of the toys for the above ideas of gifts to give grandkids that won’t drive parents crazy.