Christmas gift hunt: 15 budget-friendly ideas for 3-12 year-olds

Christmas will soon be here, and children are already thinking about the presents they'd like to receive. For Santa Claus, the headache begins! To give you some ideas and make the task easier, we've put together a selection of 15 Christmas gift ideas suitable for children aged 3 to 12, all under €20. Whether you're looking for objects to stimulate creativity, develop fine motor skills or enrich your children's culture, we've put together ideas that will appeal to young and old alike, while meeting an affordable budget. These are the perfect surprises to encourage your little ones to blossom with joy and discovery!

Santa's list for 3 - 5 year olds

Draw everywhere without being scolded

At Namaki, we love the idea of drawing on something other than a sheet of paper, so we've selected these for our youngest customers. natural wax crayons multisurface! Cardboard, glass, mirrors, whiteboards or even glass surfaces, these eco-friendly pencils from Japanese brand Kipas can be used on almost any surface! They can even be transformed into watercolors with a little water. Easy to use, they're also easy to erase. From now on, drawing on living-room windows is a thing of the past. No doubt kids and parents alike will love them!

Discovering the human body

At the age of "and why?" and "but how?", this book from the Kididoc collection offers a fabulous adventure in the discovery of the universe. human body. With answers to tons of questions, wheels and pop-ups to manipulate, it stimulates the curiosity of children aged 4 and over.

Making a success of your first puzzle

The must-have puzzle also has its place on our list. Our favourite is the Spanish brand Londji. Made from FSC paper and recycled cardboard, Londji puzzles come in a cotton bag that's easy to take anywhere. While puzzles develop patience, concentration and fine motor skills, Londji's puzzles can be transformed into search and find or become reversible with the Night and Day collection.

Raising environmental awareness

Stimulate fine motor skills, encourage learning and raise your children's awareness of environmental conservation with the Sassi educational packs - Protecting animals. Available in two versions, "Seas and Oceans" or "Deserts and Savannahs", each box contains a book with flaps and memo cards. More than just a game, they invite children to become aware of the impact of our actions on the environment... just as we do in working to make Namaki an ethical cosmetics brand that respects the planet and its inhabitants.

Make-up for the first time

Easy to handle with their jumbo size and thick lead, the face painting pencils Namaki crayons are perfect for beginners. Available individually or in kits of three for less than twenty euros, the certified organic pencils are kind to children's skin and health. Just as easy to use, you can opt for the hair mascara. Here are two products for make-up that's as easy to apply as it is to remove, perfect for homemade disguises.

Gift ideas for 6 - 8 year olds

How to decorate your bedroom

What could be better than a beautiful dream catcher for peaceful nights and colorful dreams? Most hobby brands offer dream catcher kits. More or less colorful, poetic and simple to make, they're the perfect addition to any bedroom décor. For less than twenty euros, you can choose a dream-catcher kit that's more your style. tropic and shimmering or pastel in soft colors. We've also unearthed a number of dream-catcher kits from the following brands Sycamore or Calm workshops.

Discovering the world

"Saved from the zoo takes young readers on a wild adventure in the company of rebellious animals. Their mission: to save the planet. Printed in France using paper from sustainably managed forests and vegetable-based inks, this children's book is Volume 1 in the "Les petits mousse à la rescousse" collection from Éditions Sloli.

Learn to draw animals step by step

The "Step by step Drawing" range from Janod, a French brand based in the Jura region, offers various themed sets to stimulate children's creativity and give them the confidence to draw. This kit enables children to create their own first animals with 20 step-by-step templates. Each box contains white sheets, a pencil and an eraser. And when the sheets run out, they'll still have Namaki make-up pencils to draw on their skin!

From drawing paper to face

With the 3-color make-up palettes including a small brush and two tutorial cards, it's so easy. For a special occasion or just for fun, Bio Cosmos certified water-based eyeshadows add the finishing touch to children's disguises. If they're keen to explore all kinds of make-up and get under the skin of multiple characters, suggest a disguise theme for each day of the vacations. Each palette can be used for ten different make-up looks!

Family fun and cooking

A revisited seven-family game served in a pouch to discover the culinary specialities of a French region in a fun and original way - that's what 7 Miam ! Each family is made up of an emblematic dish and five ingredient cards. It's the perfect way to get your mouth watering, before getting down to work on the family challenges.

Explore biodiversity with an eco-friendly game

From the bay of Mont Saint Michel to Guadeloupe, from dinosaurs to freshwater animals, from volcanoes to outer space, the Nature Challenge card games from Bio Viva introduce children to animals from different ecosystems. As they discover them, children bet on the strengths of these species to win the game! Designed in Montpellier, all Bioviva games are eco-designed and manufactured in France, in our beautiful Drôme region, at Saint Paul Trois Châteaux.

For 9-12 year-olds at less than 20 euros

Become an origami expert

With more than 40 designs, sheets in a variety of colourful prints and stickers, this box introduces children to origami. This Japanese art is an excellent way to reinforce patience, concentration and precision, while creating beautiful paper shapes. No need to bend over backwards for adults to get involved!

Create your own jewelry with creative kits

Friendship braceletsjewelry bohemians or jewelry vialsWith Buki France and Janod, you'll find everything you need in a single kit. Threads, chains, beads, clasps... everything in one kit. An original gift idea that gives free rein to children's creativity.

Become a historian, scientist or explorer

Have you ever heard of Pandacraft, the specialist in 2-in-1 subscriptions (a magazine + an activity)? Did you know that they also offer collector's kits at less than twenty euros for 8-12 year-olds? Each kit includes an educational booklet and a creative activity, such as building a robotic arm or a model of the solar system.

From puzzle to investigation game

With Micro Macro - Funfair puzzleit's now possible! Putting together the 500-piece puzzle is just the beginning. Children now have to take a close look at the neighborhood to find clues and solve two investigations. The reconstructed setting, based on the game Micro Macro Showdown, is full of little details, characters and objects to find in a game of seek and find. This 3-in-1 mix of manipulation, observation and concentration allows pre-teens to go beyond the simple puzzle. At under €20, it's also a great way to discover the world of games. Micro Macro (a little more expensive) before taking the plunge.

Bonus idea: the perfect gift for the holidays

Of course, we're talking about Namaki products! They'll add just the right touch of color and shine to brighten up your teens' faces. Designed to respect sensitive skin, eyeshadow palettes contain three soft shades and a small foam applicator. For less than twenty euros, you can also create an assortment by combining glitter pencils, lip balm or nail polish... So many opportunities to raise children's awareness of the importance of choosing the right make-up products, for their own health and that of the planet.

And don't forget, what children love is sharing time with their parents: playing, laughing, building. Even if it's just for a moment, be with them all the way. Give them (and yourself) a moment of pure happiness as a family. Have a wonderful Christmas and fill the holidays with laughter, discoveries and precious memories!