The most expensive gift is not always the best one. Sometimes the best gift you can give your kid may be something that will make him think and come to conclusions. Here are some reasonably priced practical gift ideas for young children.

Giving gifts has become an integral part of birthdays and certain holiday celebrations. Most people prefer to simply buy the most expensive item they can think of and give it as a gift. However, for small children, the cost of the gift does not matter. A young child will appreciate a birthday gift only if it appeals to him.

For a young child, it is also important to give a gift that helps the child's development. This makes the gift truly meaningful. Finding a gift appropriate for a young child can be difficult. Here are a few suggestions.

0 to 6 Months

At this stage, infants are achieving basic developmental milestones like turning over, lifting the head up, etc. You need not give fancy gifts to babies. Ideal development-oriented gifts for this age group include rag dolls, hand puppets, and small stuffed toys. The dolls and toy animals will allow the child to grasp objects, encouraging motor skill development. The hand puppet can be operated by an adult to promote the infant's ability to look at objects and listen to different voices.

6 to 12 Months

Between six and twelve months, a baby is able to recognise faces and objects. Consider gifting toys that improve recognition skills, such as books with large, colourful pictures. To enhance physical and cognitive development, consider simple puzzles. Infants are fascinated by balls and enjoy throwing them and seeing them roll. A large ball of a durable material also makes a good gift.

1 to 3 Years

By this age, a child can walk and is increasingly curious about the world around him. He can also speak so you could gift him something that improves his linguistic skills, for example, a book or CD of nursery rhymes that he can listen to and sing along. You could also gift a box of crayons for the child to use to scribble on paper. Ensure that the crayons are made of a non-toxic material so that the child will not come to harm if he accidentally bites or swallows them.

Building blocks and construction sets are a good gift if you want the child to improve his hand-eye co-ordination. An alternative is a wooden or plastic peg board, with pegs of different sizes. A toddler can amuse himself for hours, trying to fit the pegs into their correct slots in the board.

3 to 5 Years

From the ages of three to five years, children are happy to play with toys that encourage them to use their imagination. They have already started going to school. A good way to combine reading with imagination is to give 'make-your-own story' books. These books with a basic story outline allow a child to fill in the details. Alternatively, you could give a regular storybook that the child can read on his own. Pick a book that matches his interests and reading level.

At this age, a child is more likely to play with a group of children rather than by himself. Therefore, board games are another nice gift. Check the label on the games when you buy them so as not to give something inappropriate for his age group. If you know the child is fond of a particular cartoon or superhero, gift him a replica of the costume. This way he can dress up and pretend to be his favourite character.

5 to 8 Years

Children in this age group are in primary school and can be given gifts to develop special skills. If the child is artistically inclined, a set of watercolour paints will help him improve his painting skills. Other options are gift baskets, jewellery kits, Mechano sets, Lego pieces, etc. Gift him books with slightly complex plots that the child can understand and reason out, without needing an adult to assist him.

Make your gift memorable for a young child by getting him something interesting. A good gift does not always have to cost a lot of money. Sometimes, a simple item is more meaningful.