One Gift for 6 and 2 Year Old

There are a ton of gifts that can be shared between a 2 and 6 year old. My children are 2 and 7 (almost 8) and they share things all the time.

I have seen some awesome art easels for around $20...I think Aldi's might have one.

A toy shopping cart full of food, or a toy cash register, or a toy food playset. Target has one that comes in a basket with a little cutting board and "knife", and you can really "cut" the food (which is cut in half and held together with velcro.) My kids LOVE this toy.

A board game would be good, if you know they don't have it...my kids do like Hi-Ho Cherry-O, Hungry Hungry Hippos, etc.

Ooh, you know what else they LOVE? Those little battery powered fishing games where you have a little plastic pole and you try to hook a fish as they spin around in a circle opening and closing their mouths. Those cost between 5 and 10 dollars...you could buy one, PLUS extra batteries, and still have money left over for something else. Seriously, that games has lasted a long time for us.

What is your "super tight" budget? That will make a difference.

I would say music or movies would be about the only things a 6 year old girl and a 2 year old boy could share.... they are at really different developmental stages. Finding Nemo or the Lion King (not sure what's out recently) would have been ones I would have suggested when my daughter was 6 that I think a 2 year old would also like.

or maybe get them each one book? Even if you go to a thrift store or goodwill, I would advocate getting them each something special rather than having them share. If they don't like it, then you have wasted the little money you budgeted for the gift.

A play kitchen! My 8 yo daughter and my (almost) 6 & 3 yo sons have all played with ours for a few years now. Plus, there are a lot around so it may fit your budget.

playdoh and art supplies???

Our nephews had pop up tents and tunnels. Eventually they had quite a few.. they really enjoyed them inside and outside.

http://www.google.com/search?source=ig&rlz=&q=chi...

Hello!! And happy holidays to you!! I don't know about your kiddos but my girls LOVE flashlights!! How about a disney tent (they run about $10) and a flashlight?? I don't know what it is about having "secret hideaways" but they'realways a big hit with my girls.

With the age difference and your budget I would get each of them a book. Most kids have more toys than they can possibly play with anyways.
Good luck.

This year my budget was about @ $10 a kid, but I also have 6 kids... so it adds up a little quicker when I shop and I did go over budget w/ my 18 yr old. But you can usually get them a gift or two with $10 if you shop at places like Family Dollar.

I got my boys (5&7) 2 "nock-off" block sets each for $5 each, but they can be used with Legos. I got my 8 yr old girl a real Barbie for $5 there (but they do have some cheaper that are "nock-offs") and then found a box set of earrings somewhere else for under $5. My 2 yr old boy got a Thomas Train pull back toy for $5, a few (I think 3) books for $1 each and I still have $2 I can spend on him if I find something. I'm still looking for my 1 yr old girl... but I have another week. I do like that my small budget went so far there & that each of them has 2 gifts under the tree.

I know holidays are a little harder when things are tight, please check a dollar store (Family Dollar, Dollar General, Dollar Tree, Five and Below) near you... sometimes I am amazed at what I find there.

Remember - the holidays are more about time together then how much is under the tree! Merry Christmas!!!

A ball pit. They sell them at most major department stores. Wal-Mart even has a few that are nice for not too much money.

I like the $10 each idea, but if you still want a joint gift idea, how about a train set? Aldi has a great wooden one for $19.99 with track, trains and some scenery and you could pick up a train car or two in the dollar bin at target during the year to add on. My son has a few of those.

Art supplies are good, too, and help them create throughout the year.

Blocks? The 100-piece wooden set from Melissa and Doug is usually only $19.

Do you have a thrift store like Saver's near you? Ours has buy 1 kids book, get 5 free on Mondays! You could give them a library. :)

magnatiles or magformers
makedo

I was thinking art easel for my 8 and 1 1/2 year old. I saw some on Craigslist for cheap....

Do you know something that ALL kids no matter their age love? Flashlights! You can get NICE LED bulb small flashlights with a little cord handle on them for $3-4 and usually come with a starter battery set. I do home daycare and it is the favorite item here for all ages!

Then maybe other small items? Even hit the thrift store and wash items up. They will not know the difference with new or used! Little people sets, small cars that go with them, toy food, even "real" plastic bowls, mixing spoons, etc. Those are the all ages favorites at my house!

Best of luck and Happy Holidays!

How about a game like Hi Ho Cherrio-O, Zingo.

I have to agree with you. Once they are closer developmentally the sharing will be easier. With the little one still under 3 years of age he can't have the same things as older sibling. He could choke to death even on a car that has small wheels like a Hot Wheels. It's just too dangerous. Good choice for you mom.