Toys for boy (12) and girl (7) from Ukraine
April 29, 2022 3:13 AM Subscribe
Hello, we will be hosting a small family from Ukraine at our home in England. We would like to give them some gifts when they arrive but we're struggling to know what sort of toys to get as we don't have children ourselves.
The family will arrive with very little and we will supply them with things like pyjamas and dressing gown, underpants and socks, toiletries, etc. We have also got them a large smart TV and they will have their own lounge in our home in addition to their bedrooms. But we would like to get a few toys also for the girl age 7 and boy age 12. I thought about an xbox with games pass but so many of the games are violent so that might not be appropriate. Ideas welcome, please.
The family will arrive with very little and we will supply them with things like pyjamas and dressing gown, underpants and socks, toiletries, etc. We have also got them a large smart TV and they will have their own lounge in our home in addition to their bedrooms. But we would like to get a few toys also for the girl age 7 and boy age 12. I thought about an xbox with games pass but so many of the games are violent so that might not be appropriate. Ideas welcome, please.
My 9 year old daughter and 12 year old son will happily build Lego models together for ages. You could get them both a particular set each, but something my two spent the most time with was a general box like this with various bricks that they could build anything they wanted with.
posted by greycap at 3:59 AM on April 29, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by greycap at 3:59 AM on April 29, 2022 [3 favorites]
The twelve year old is probably a bit old for toys, but would probably like a football, older Lego kits, access to the internet to chat to his friends/watch tv, etc. Ask his parents if he wants swimming lessons/signing up for clubs, etc (depending on which school he goes to, there will probably be after-school sports clubs, Lego club, science club etc).
For the seven year old, a lot will depend on what her new friends at school are into - seven is young enough for some girls to still be into Elsa/Disney Princess stuff, but old enough that some are moving into crafting, makeup and just hanging out together (ie decided toys are for babies). After a trauma, she might even regress and want a teddy.
I’d have some basic activities available in the house when they arrive (cards, jigsaws, football, frisbee etc so they have something to do. Maybe a couple of soft toys in their room which they can cuddle if they want to. And then ask their parents if they would like to take a shopping trip to get a couple of toys to help them settle in.
posted by tinkletown at 4:16 AM on April 29, 2022 [2 favorites]
For the seven year old, a lot will depend on what her new friends at school are into - seven is young enough for some girls to still be into Elsa/Disney Princess stuff, but old enough that some are moving into crafting, makeup and just hanging out together (ie decided toys are for babies). After a trauma, she might even regress and want a teddy.
I’d have some basic activities available in the house when they arrive (cards, jigsaws, football, frisbee etc so they have something to do. Maybe a couple of soft toys in their room which they can cuddle if they want to. And then ask their parents if they would like to take a shopping trip to get a couple of toys to help them settle in.
posted by tinkletown at 4:16 AM on April 29, 2022 [2 favorites]
A ream of A4 copier paper and lots of coloured pencils, pens, etc.
posted by humph at 4:17 AM on April 29, 2022 [7 favorites]
posted by humph at 4:17 AM on April 29, 2022 [7 favorites]
Best answer: How about a Wii Switch? It work as a handheld console, table top console, and even plugs into a TV to work in much the same way as an Xbox. Most of the games available are family-friendly and usually feature multi-player modes, and you probably couldn't go wrong with games like Mario Kart or Mario Party. You might want to get extra controllers if you foresee any accompanying adults joining in the fun :)
As someone who loved to read as a child, might books be a suitable choice as well? For the right kind of kid, it might be comforting for them to lose themselves in a good story, especially one in their native language.
posted by seapig at 4:48 AM on April 29, 2022
As someone who loved to read as a child, might books be a suitable choice as well? For the right kind of kid, it might be comforting for them to lose themselves in a good story, especially one in their native language.
posted by seapig at 4:48 AM on April 29, 2022
Yes, have some general things for them to do as family or just the kids - a few decks of cards, Jenga, board games that don't rely on reading things in English, something perhaps for outside (frisbee, ball to kick around, badminton set) if that makes sense in terms of your garden or available outside spaces nearby. Basically, things the kids can do alone or with each other or with one or more of the adults and even with you because they don't require much talking.
Their actual needs and preferences will become clearer as you go.
Unless you know that one of them is diabetic perhaps a small assortment of sweets - perhaps as a family mini 'hamper' in their lounge. The vast majority of children and even many adults would appreciate that.
posted by koahiatamadl at 4:54 AM on April 29, 2022 [1 favorite]
Their actual needs and preferences will become clearer as you go.
Unless you know that one of them is diabetic perhaps a small assortment of sweets - perhaps as a family mini 'hamper' in their lounge. The vast majority of children and even many adults would appreciate that.
posted by koahiatamadl at 4:54 AM on April 29, 2022 [1 favorite]
Colouring pens/pencils and lots of paper. Anything for simple games and sports outside and in. Swingball, football etc. Lego would be great. Paddling pool?
I think both might appreciate a teddy for bedtime.
Take a look on eBay for an old Wii with lots of games and the balance board and steering wheel accessories - the Wii sports games are great fun and yes, Mario Kart. Wii was great for silly, fun games.
Also, bloody good on you. I can't state that enough.
posted by dowcrag at 4:57 AM on April 29, 2022 [2 favorites]
I think both might appreciate a teddy for bedtime.
Take a look on eBay for an old Wii with lots of games and the balance board and steering wheel accessories - the Wii sports games are great fun and yes, Mario Kart. Wii was great for silly, fun games.
Also, bloody good on you. I can't state that enough.
posted by dowcrag at 4:57 AM on April 29, 2022 [2 favorites]
Is it an option to wait until they arrive, ask the parents what they are into, and get it the next day? Or ask in advance? If the kids are not into sports then a football ('soccer' football I assume?) will go unused. I wouldn't be thrilled about video games as a parent (but maybe I would give in by the time my son is 12, especially if he needs a distraction after recent events). Maybe there are specific toys they're really upset about leaving behind.
I think having some paper and markers doesn't hurt, a couple of puzzles, those will get used either way.. but for bigger purchases I would hold off.
posted by never.was.and.never.will.be. at 5:06 AM on April 29, 2022 [4 favorites]
I think having some paper and markers doesn't hurt, a couple of puzzles, those will get used either way.. but for bigger purchases I would hold off.
posted by never.was.and.never.will.be. at 5:06 AM on April 29, 2022 [4 favorites]
When we lived in Germany for a year, some friends got my kids the game Labyrinth as one that doesn't rely on knowing the language to play. We all loved it.
posted by FencingGal at 5:09 AM on April 29, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by FencingGal at 5:09 AM on April 29, 2022 [2 favorites]
Best answer: I agree with never.was.and.never.will.be with one caveat: definitely teddy bears when they arrive, even if the boy is "too old."
posted by MichelleinMD at 5:15 AM on April 29, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by MichelleinMD at 5:15 AM on April 29, 2022 [5 favorites]
I have kids in the same age range (American, though, so cultural differences abound!) and the younger enjoys art and craft projects and kits. The older has moved on to video games, but board games and card games are still in the mix. We play a fair bit of cribbage, but that's definitely not for everyone. Having some of the classic games around seems like a good idea. Maybe checkers? I don't have enough context to know what games are common between Ukraine and the UK, unfortunately.
Agree on things like frisbees, footballs, etc. as well. We've recently been enjoying this "Scatch" style setup recently.
posted by that's candlepin at 7:41 AM on April 29, 2022
Agree on things like frisbees, footballs, etc. as well. We've recently been enjoying this "Scatch" style setup recently.
posted by that's candlepin at 7:41 AM on April 29, 2022
Best answer: Oops! Link I posted is to the wrong thing! Here's an actual catch set.
posted by that's candlepin at 7:51 AM on April 29, 2022
posted by that's candlepin at 7:51 AM on April 29, 2022
I was going to say Legos. Everybody loves Legos!
posted by number9dream at 8:07 AM on April 29, 2022
posted by number9dream at 8:07 AM on April 29, 2022
Jigsaw puzzles can offer a bit of meditative downtime. For stuffies, small and decent quality is nice. We like the Jellycat brand.
Paddington was inspired by Jewish refugee children arriving in Britain. Might be a little on the nose, or sweet.
I like Lottie Dolls for my similar age daughter. They’re more childlike than Barbies, but still chic. She will, however, do crafts way more often than other play. And she gets bored with kits but will do stuff with paper and glue and string and markers for hours.
posted by vunder at 8:59 AM on April 29, 2022 [1 favorite]
Paddington was inspired by Jewish refugee children arriving in Britain. Might be a little on the nose, or sweet.
I like Lottie Dolls for my similar age daughter. They’re more childlike than Barbies, but still chic. She will, however, do crafts way more often than other play. And she gets bored with kits but will do stuff with paper and glue and string and markers for hours.
posted by vunder at 8:59 AM on April 29, 2022 [1 favorite]
Lots of art supplies! Markers for 7, pencil crayons for 12, and some of those “learn to draw” books for the older one.
Soccer ball, hula hoop, bikes?
Jenga is fun - if you have a surface that slightly muffles the sound of the bricks falling that might be good if they have high vigilance
Puzzles - about 40-80 pieces is for age 7 and more for age 12.
Tetris? (Good for soothing trauma)
A doll with long brushable hair (grooming is soothing)
A bird feeder or fish tank
posted by nouvelle-personne at 10:16 AM on April 29, 2022
Soccer ball, hula hoop, bikes?
Jenga is fun - if you have a surface that slightly muffles the sound of the bricks falling that might be good if they have high vigilance
Puzzles - about 40-80 pieces is for age 7 and more for age 12.
Tetris? (Good for soothing trauma)
A doll with long brushable hair (grooming is soothing)
A bird feeder or fish tank
posted by nouvelle-personne at 10:16 AM on April 29, 2022
Nthing non messy art supplies.
I like this kit; it contains all sorts of colored and black pencils, eraser, blenders, sharpener, and both a sketch and a coloring book.
posted by spinifex23 at 4:56 PM on April 29, 2022
I like this kit; it contains all sorts of colored and black pencils, eraser, blenders, sharpener, and both a sketch and a coloring book.
posted by spinifex23 at 4:56 PM on April 29, 2022
If going with puzzles, I think 40-80 is too easy for the 7 year old, but it might depend on the kid and their exposure to puzzles. Again, best to ask the parents, but of course it is nice to have something waiting for them.
posted by never.was.and.never.will.be. at 5:31 PM on April 30, 2022
posted by never.was.and.never.will.be. at 5:31 PM on April 30, 2022
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