Why you should give a child a gift they build themselves

(NC) There's a particular kind of pride on a child's face when they finish something they made with their own hands—a moment of "I did that" that stays with them long after the pieces are put away. It's one of the most rewarding things you can give a kid this holiday, and it's worth seeking out for the girls on your list.

Hands-on, creative gifts do more than fill an afternoon. Working through a project piece by piece rewards patience, invention and problem-solving, and can help children build their capacity. A recent Canadian survey found that 91 per cent of parents believe this kind of hands-on play helps girls feel more confident well after play has concluded.

This idea isn’t exclusive to girls—the same survey found that 94 per cent of kids say making things by hand makes them happy, regardless of gender. But it’s relevant because of how the adults choosing their toys think.

It’s important to think beyond “blue toys” and “pink toys”

There are toys that many people think of as being gendered, such as dolls being associated with girls and toy cars being associated with boys. But kids don’t always see it that way—for them, play is often more about interacting with each other or letting their imaginations run. Grown-ups can sometimes reinforce gendered toy ideas without meaning to. For instance, one habit worth gently setting aside this year is the old instinct to steer creative building gifts toward the boys on the list by default.

For the girls on your list who light up at a challenge, consider a creative gift such as a Lego set. They come in a wide variety of themes—everyday life, animals and nature, heroes and adventure, gaming, vehicles and more—so there's an easy entry point, whatever her interests. It’s a gift you can give that can fire up a child’s imagination, and one that she can point to and say she made herself.

By thinking beyond stereotypes and gendered expectations, you can give a gift that keeps giving long after it's assembled: it gives the confidence of having made something, the quiet pride of seeing it finished and the excitement of asking “what will I make next?” You can find creative gift ideas at lego.ca.

Evergreen introduction for after the holidays 

(NC) There's a particular kind of pride on a child's face when they finish something they made with their own hands—a moment of "I did that" that stays with them long after the pieces are put away. It's one of the most rewarding things you can give a kid, and it's worth seeking out for the girls in your life.