It can be tricky going to visit a house where you’ve never met the kids but you want to bring a gift. You may not know anything about them, have only a vague idea of their ages, and have no idea what they’re into. Fear not, there are great gifts that work for lots of kids and will entertain them for your visit and beyond. Here’s a few ideas.

Ages 5 and under

All in a Day by Chihiro Takeuchi

This beautiful counting picture book by Japanese creator, Takeuchi, follows the inhabitants of a clock tower building that is filled with apartments and shops. It is highly illustrated and very interactive, with lots to see, find and learn.

Taking place over 24 hours, this story will appeal to a wide variety of children and can also help them learn to tell the time!

Superheroes Snap

Even the youngest children can recognise the images in a game of snap and these snap cards can also be used to play simple memory games.

There are plenty of snap games that feature all sorts of animals and other favourite topics including dinosaurs, trucks, fairies, and more but these superhero ones are particularly colourful.

The Baddies by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler

Who doesn’t love a rhyming picture book from English star talent, Julia Donaldson?

This recent story about a young girl who manages to outwit a witch, a ghost and a troll will appeal to a wide audience and have the kids laughing in no time.

Ages 6 and up

 Special price

Australian Animals by Matt Chun

What kid doesn’t love animals? This beautifully illustrated book by artist Matt Chun has a portrait of an animal on one page and a description of its behaviour, characteristics and key facts on the facing page.

Including 46 birds, marsupials, and sea creatures, this book is also at an exclusive discounted price for Readings customers.

Happy Salmon Game

This fun party game doesn’t take long to play, but can be enjoyed for hours. Players call out the action shown on their cards as fast as they can and when two players have a match, they celebrate by performing the action. Lots of loud, hilarious fun for 3 to 6 players.

Ages 7 and up

Tricked: A How-to Guide to Magic and Illusions by Cosentino & Paul Daviz (illus.)

This is a clearly illustrated step-by-step guide to mastering a number of simple magic tricks by Australian master illusionist, Cosentino. Give them a couple of hours and they will be entertaining you with their very own magic show.

The Fuzzies Game

This cross between Jenga and pick up sticks is utterly adorable and will have the whole family laughing. Create a tower and then pick cards as to which colour fuzzy you need to remove from it using tweezers. The first person to knock over the tower is the loser and then the fun begins again.

Guinness World Records 2023

The ultimate guide to all the extraordinary records that humans have achieved over the past year, as well as the most amazing things on this planet – and in space!

With sections on animals, the natural world, the space race, gaming, and sports, there really is something here for everyone.

Teenagers

Big Ideas from History by the School of Life

This substantial hardback is a fascinating history of the world that encourages curious minds to engage and analyse key events of the past, including how money was invented, the discovery of DNA and the history of pandemics.

Including illustrations and photographs, this is a fascinating look at our past.

Nothing More to Tell by Karen McManus

No matter their reading tastes (or not!) we can almost guarantee that a teenager will pick up a Karen McManus thriller and be immediately engrossed.

Her latest features a beloved schoolteacher who died in the woods many years previous, and one of his ex-students who convinces a popular podcast to research the suspicious circumstances of his death.

More suggestions

• Puzzles are always a great choice for people you don’t know and we have plenty in store that start with as few pieces as four per puzzle and go up to 1500 pieces! Browse just some of our collection here, but visit our stores for an even greater range.
• Graphic novels are also a great choice for kids you don’t know very well, with incredibly beautiful storylines appropriate for all ages. You can browse our collection for kids here and teens here.
• Manga is hugely popular with kids and teens. We have a great collection of manga to browse here.
• Tiger Tribe activity packs are brilliant for ages 8 and under. Browse just some of the stock we carry here.