- Give the child a gift that he can use at school. Ideas include a lunch box or stationary set with the child's favorite cartoon character; a folder or school bag in the child's favorite color or pattern with the initials across the top; a school kit filled with crayons, pencils, erasers and writing pads; a calculator or a sticker set for the locker. Other ideas include a new dictionary, thesaurus or set of encyclopedias filled with colored photos or a yearly magazine subscription to an age-appropriate science magazine. Keep the child's age, preference and interests in mind when purchasing a school-related present to ensure its use.
- Help release the stress of school work with an age-appropriate gift that the child can use at home. For instance, a play gym with assorted swings or colorful pool toys are suitable for a preschooler, while a new bicycle, scooter, roller skates or set of jump ropes are warmly appreciated by a middle school child. Although such gifts do not relate to school activities, they are important for the health and welfare of the child because they encourage him to spend time outdoors and engage in physical exercise as opposed to watching television. Personalize the gift and encourage its use by printing the child's initials over the equipment or buying it in his favorite color.
- Gifts that spark a child's imagination are preferred both by the child and the parents. Based on the child's personal interest, give the science fan a volcano or dinosaur assembling set or the naturalist a bug collection set and bug identification handbook. Give the young child who aspires to be a doctor a toy set filled with medical supplies that provide hours of educational entertainment and role play or give a toolbox to the child who wants to be a mechanic. Puzzles, books and board games also provide hours of fun while sharpening the minds of school children and increasing imagination and vocabulary.
- Give the child a gift hamper that relates to a personal hobby. For instance, an older school child who aspires to be an artist will prefer a new set of paints, colors, books on painting or coloring tips or vouchers to evening art lessons by a professional. An aspiring ballerina will appreciate a new ballet dress, shoes and accessories.