Kids gift ideas from Austin
March 19, 2023 10:04 AM Subscribe
We will be visiting friends who have had kids since the last time we saw them. There will be approximately 10 kids we will meet for the first time. We are coming from Austin and thought a gift from here would be nice. Of course I have no idea what would meet this criteria: easy to pack, a thing we could buy 10+ of, and something that would be appealing for ages 1 to 5 years old (with some kids being siblings). Austin or Texas-related gift ideas preferred but anything that meets that above limitations would work!
Kitschy fridge magnets (animals or cowboy/cowgirl stuff) are pretty fun for that age (except that so many people no longer have magnetic fridges.)
Texas Capitol Gift Shop has some local stuffed animals and cowboy rubber duckies.
posted by vunder at 10:13 AM on March 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
Texas Capitol Gift Shop has some local stuffed animals and cowboy rubber duckies.
posted by vunder at 10:13 AM on March 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
Books! There are tons of cute Texas themed children's books. You can google and order online or visit a local bookstore. The Legend of the Bluebonnet by Tomie DePaulo is one that I remember reading. You could buy 1 book for each family and maybe add a locally made candy for the older kids?
posted by MadMadam at 10:23 AM on March 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by MadMadam at 10:23 AM on March 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
There are a lot of kiddos in my extended family, so this is a common situation. What you want is small gifts that are the same, with slight variations that make them different. The very best presents are ones that require no/low supervision. Small stuffed animals are pretty perfect for this (think Beanie Boos, dinosaurs, or a squishy stuffed octopus that changes color and facial expressions when you turn it inside out). The added bonus is that kids will have their very own special gift, but will also immediately be able to start playing with each other since they all have similar toys.
posted by WaspEnterprises at 10:40 AM on March 19, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by WaspEnterprises at 10:40 AM on March 19, 2023 [4 favorites]
Picture books (Austin themed?), face paint crayons, art or craft supplies, finger puppets. Avoid gifts that make noise unless you dislike your friends.
posted by latkes at 11:12 AM on March 19, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by latkes at 11:12 AM on March 19, 2023 [2 favorites]
Geodes that they can break open (with adult help). Be sure to bring a hammer and safety goggles
posted by rube goldberg at 11:18 AM on March 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by rube goldberg at 11:18 AM on March 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
Do you have pet tornadoes in Austin? It's a cylinder of water (maybe 4 inches tall) that when you swish it around, a vortex forms inside the cylinder. I've found those to be enjoyed by kids of all ages.
posted by bryon at 11:22 AM on March 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by bryon at 11:22 AM on March 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
Stuffed animal armadillos.
posted by ojocaliente at 11:23 AM on March 19, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by ojocaliente at 11:23 AM on March 19, 2023 [2 favorites]
If there's the slightest chance of in-fighting and bickering and unrest amongst the siblings, get them identical presents.
When I was a kid in that age range, I didn't know the difference between Austin and Antarctica. When my parents told me we were moving to a new country, England, my only concern was whether they would speak English there.
I remember a grandparent coming to visit me when I was in that age range. She brought me some yogurt-covered raisins that she got as a snack on the airplane. I still remember how excited I was about them to this day. It really doesn't take much.
posted by aniola at 11:24 AM on March 19, 2023 [2 favorites]
When I was a kid in that age range, I didn't know the difference between Austin and Antarctica. When my parents told me we were moving to a new country, England, my only concern was whether they would speak English there.
I remember a grandparent coming to visit me when I was in that age range. She brought me some yogurt-covered raisins that she got as a snack on the airplane. I still remember how excited I was about them to this day. It really doesn't take much.
posted by aniola at 11:24 AM on March 19, 2023 [2 favorites]
Harmonicas might be too frustrating for kids that age who can't blow hard enough.
Texas/Austin books! When we were in Texas we found cute books called "goodnight Texas" or "who's hiding in Texas" or something like that that had a lot of local animals that you dont see in typical picture books. Perfect for age 1-3, and I'm sure there are slightly more interesting books for 4-5.
Stuffed armadillo? Or a picture book or puzzle or activity about armadillos? Texas coloring book?
posted by never.was.and.never.will.be. at 11:25 AM on March 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
Texas/Austin books! When we were in Texas we found cute books called "goodnight Texas" or "who's hiding in Texas" or something like that that had a lot of local animals that you dont see in typical picture books. Perfect for age 1-3, and I'm sure there are slightly more interesting books for 4-5.
Stuffed armadillo? Or a picture book or puzzle or activity about armadillos? Texas coloring book?
posted by never.was.and.never.will.be. at 11:25 AM on March 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
Of course, how sturdily the pet tornadoes are made will be crucial given the extreme youth you'll be working with. I like ojocaliente's idea. I once made a niece and nephew very happy when I sent them plush lobsters from Maine.
posted by bryon at 11:26 AM on March 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by bryon at 11:26 AM on March 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
Glow stick bracelets. Get at least 5-6 per kid, you can find them in bulk at the dollar store or Walmart/Target. Keep them hidden away until after dinner and/or the sun goes down. If there are 1 year-olds this might not be for them but the toddlers will go nuts and burn off a lot of energy.
posted by JoeZydeco at 11:36 AM on March 19, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by JoeZydeco at 11:36 AM on March 19, 2023 [2 favorites]
If you head to ToyJoy (the one on airport has the best selection), they have a bunch of itsy bitsy toys to choose from that would fulfill the "similar but different" criteria. Finger puppets, coloring books, rubber duckies, etc.
posted by theweasel at 12:23 PM on March 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by theweasel at 12:23 PM on March 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
I like the Texas-themed rubber duckies. Sturdy, egalitarian, easy to pack. Everyone can have the same thing without worrying about who is too little to safely enjoy them.
posted by corey flood at 12:33 PM on March 19, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by corey flood at 12:33 PM on March 19, 2023 [3 favorites]
Stickers, magnets, or little flags. If you go to any touristy area there should be lots. In my city, our Chinatown has tons of tourist knick knack shops with great stuff featuring the name of our city and/or country, all for under $5.
If there are kids under 3 make sure the items can’t come apart and be swallowed - for instance the little knob on the end of a minature flag.
Also be wary of cheap metal items like mini cars as they could have lead.
posted by nouvelle-personne at 1:53 PM on March 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
If there are kids under 3 make sure the items can’t come apart and be swallowed - for instance the little knob on the end of a minature flag.
Also be wary of cheap metal items like mini cars as they could have lead.
posted by nouvelle-personne at 1:53 PM on March 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
The kids won’t care about Texas (I received so many gifts from Texas as a kid). Stomp rockets have nothing to do with Austin, but are wildly fun for any kid that can walk, and adults too. 1 set per household, and get an extra pack of rockets, too. If the kids can’t walk yet, they will just be happy to have something to hold. A stuffie will be perfect. Crocodile dentist is also awesome and slightly scary. It makes kids shriek.
posted by chuke at 1:58 PM on March 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by chuke at 1:58 PM on March 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
second a trip to Toy Joy
posted by slow graffiti at 2:32 PM on March 19, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by slow graffiti at 2:32 PM on March 19, 2023 [2 favorites]
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