Gift Closet Guide: 14 Birthday Gifts Under $20

Oh good, another birthday party. What is that, the twelfth one this month? Instead of making the usual pilgrimage to Target, stock up on these unique gifts under $20. Your budget will remain unscathed, and you’ll have something on hand the next time your kid is off to a party.

And the time after that, and the time after that.

| Posted: 17 Sep, 2008 by Melissa Summers

1-14 of 14

• USA Puzzle

  

  Like a treasure map for their cross-country road trip. Instills nationalism while they’re still impressionable.

  $15 at Chasing Fireflies | Buy

  

  | Posted 16 Sep, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• Pig Flashlight

  

  Kids love playing with flashlights, but aren’t so great at turning them off. This one recharges with a press of a button.

  $10 at Pylones | Buy

  

  | Posted 16 Sep, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• Oodles Of Origami Set

  

  Karate is also an ancient Japanese art, but this one will keep kids occupied at a restaurant without disturbing the other guests.

  $10 at A Toy Garden | Buy

  

  | Posted 15 Sep, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• Sweet Treat Kaleidoscope Kit

  

  It’s candy, but it’s educational candy. An agonizing dilemma for hippie parents.

  $16 at Room Service Home | Buy

  

  | Posted 15 Sep, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• Dinorobot Kit

  

  Dinosaurs? Robots? This kit solves the eternal dilemma.

  $13 at Rock'N Sprouts | Buy

  

  | Posted 12 Sep, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• How To Make Pom Pom Animals

  

  Tiny and fluffy, and almost as good as a puppy.

  A pick from my own birthday closet.

  $10 at Klutz | Buy

  

  | Posted 12 Sep, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• Shape, Model, and Mold Set

  

  $15 at Amazon | Buy

  

  | Posted 11 Sep, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• Create-It Jigsaw Kit

  

  Once your kid makes the puzzle, he might be the only one who can put it back together.

  $11 at Amazon | Buy

  

  | Posted 11 Sep, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• 7-in-1 Pencil

  

  They’ll never be looking for red one while they’re using the yellow. I wish all our stuff was interlocking, especially my husband’s wallet and keys.

  $4 at Pylones | Buy

  

  | Posted 10 Sep, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• Color, Paint & Draw Activity Book

  

  You might want to get one for yourself. Coloring is much more meditative than yoga. And cheaper.

  $6 at Online Science Mall | Buy

  

  | Posted 10 Sep, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• Wooden Stilts

  

  When you’re just 48 inches tall, an extra three are a big deal. Those, after all, are the inches that let you reach the cookie jar.

  $11 at Calliope Boutique | Buy

  

  | Posted 09 Sep, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• Catapult

  

  “No, Jake! I don’t care how ‘authentic’ it is. You may not light the Play Doh on fire.”

  $20 at A Toy Garden | Buy

  

  | Posted 09 Sep, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• The Original Colorforms Set

  

  This is a gift my mother stocked in her own circa 1980s birthday closet.

  $18 at Amazon | Buy

  

  | Posted 08 Sep, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• Make-It Bouncy Ball Kit

  

  OK, technically you’re paying twelve bucks so kids can create ten-cent bouncy balls, but what you’re really paying for is science. You can’t put a price on this kind of technology.

  $12 at The Little Experience | Buy

  (Price converted from British pounds.)

  

  | Posted 08 Sep, 2008 by Melissa Summers