$5 gift for kid

[beerlover]

I'm supposed to bring a $5 wrapped gift for a classroom gift exchange for DS. Was just wondering if you all had any ideas of a small gift that would be popular with a kindergarten crowd. I'm kind of blanking out on what would be a good idea. We have Dollar General and Walmart and Ollie's where I live. I said about a getting a book and H said that was "not a fun gift" lol, which may be true for some kids, so I'd probably rather get something else.

[VillainV]

Small craft kit from the Dollar Store? Or as many as you can buy for $5.

[nicolewi]

Why do they do this to all of you? No everyone in the class is struggling to find some kind of decent five dollar gift! Do you have the store “five below”? If you have a Five Below, I would go there and look around!

Barring that…
Pop-its, fidgets, jthose mystery ball mini thingies with tiny plastic things inside, a small stuffed animal, Hot Wheels, the 4.99 Lego sets in a bag, Pokémon cards, cool markers or coloring set or something from craft aisle, ball, Slinky, yo-yo

[gardengal]

Classroom gift exchanges are such a terrible idea. Bad for parents, kids are always miffed that someone else got something “better” than them, etc. Whhhhyyyyyy is this a thing?!?

That said, kids here like crazy shaped pop-its (I don’t understand the appeal but whatever), those pens that you click to get different colors, & things to throw (bouncy balls, slimy sticky hands, etc)

[brooke77]

I sent in Scribble Scrubbies for my $5 contribution to the class treasure chest. The teacher said they were a popular choice.

www.walmart.com/ip/Crayola-Scribble-Scrubbie-Ocean-Pets-1-Ct-Animal-Toy-Stocking-Stuffers-for-Boys-Girls-Child-Ages-3/953181776

I’ve also sent in sight word flash cards and keychains.

[turkletsmom]

Michael's always has a good selection of craft sets- both holiday and general themed and they are having good sales right now. My 2 in K also love sticker books, coloring books, journals/fun note pads, gel crayons, etc.

[beerlover]

I agree with those who said its a not a great idea lol. The closest Michaels or Five Below is 45 minutes away so I'm not sure I'll get there, so brooke77, your idea may win since I can put it in my Walmart cart now for my next pickup! Thanks!

[redpenmama]

Color/sticker by number activity book

[yellow23]

My daughter’s class had a $5 exchange last year. We bought a pop-it, she received a pop-it, and almost everyone in the class also got a pop-it. Our neighbor did not receive a pop-it and was upset. It’s an easy gift that most kids will like and aren’t too annoying for the parents (my son got a harmonica one year at a school exchange, I was not thrilled).

[beerlover]

yellow23, I'll look at those too.

Side note... I let my kid bring a pop-it into a memorial service once for something to fidget with and it was...actually not as quiet as I thought it should have been and I was uncomfortable with my choice, lol.

[sent]

Dec 2, 2022 9:30:56 GMT -5 beerlover said:

yellow23 , I'll look at those too.

Side note... I let my kid bring a pop-it into a memorial service once for something to fidget with and it was...actually not as quiet as I thought it should have been and I was uncomfortable with my choice, lol.

I sent DS to school with a pop-it to fidget with at nap time since he doesn't nap. I thought it was genius until the teacher told me at pickup that it was too loud for the kids that actually do nap so she couldn't give it to him. 

For $5, my kids are very into window clings.

[jennistarr1]

cocoa bombs from somewhere local

[sahara78]

I took DD to Target last year (3rd grade) and let her pick in person. After several redirections to cheaper items, she settled on a HP Hermione figure. DD received a $5 Roblox card, which she traded for kettle corn. Kind of glad her class isn’t doing an exchange this year!

[sparty04]

I usually send in some sort of game that I have stashed away that I got super cheap. I keep a stockpile of things that I find deals on throughout the year for these sort of things.

[maudefindlay]

Whatever you do, if able please send an extra gift or two for the kids who cannot afford it so they can participate and be part of the fun. I always do this as it just tugs at my heart there either may be kids who can't or the teacher ends up funding it.

[beerlover]

maudefindlay, that's a great idea. I am always trying to think of small ways to contribute so that's perfect. I have two different items in my cart right now so I'll just get both and ask the teacher if its OK to send in a 2nd one.

[countthestars]

We had to do this one year and fidgets and little handheld games, plus $5 gift cards to McDonalds were the big hits!