Here’s What Ophthalmologists are Buying for Their Kids This Holiday Season
Get their creative juices flowing with paint sets, coloring books, easels, jewelry beads for younger kids or knitting/sewing kits for older kids.
Ophthalmologists have long cautioned against purchasing toys that pose a danger to children’s eyes. This year we’re adding digital devices to our usual list of BB guns, Nerf guns, and slingshots. That’s because evidence is mounting that too much screen time and not enough time outside may be behind the recent rise in nearsightedness in children. We know reducing screen time has been especially challenging for parents during the pandemic. To help, [INSERT ORGANIZATION NAME] and the American Academy of Ophthalmology released a screen-free holiday gift guide focused on healthy kids and healthy eyes.
So, skip the blue light-blocking glasses and buy your child something that will finally get them off their screens. Here are some ophthalmologist-approved gift ideas:
Arts & crafts supplies for all ages:
Get their creative juices flowing with paint sets, coloring books, easels, jewelry beads for younger kids or knitting/sewing kits for older kids. Just make sure to check the recommended age group on each before buying.
Outdoor inspired gifts:
Sports equipment like snow gear, roller skates, hiking boots, or the classic bicycle gift are all good ways to encourage healthy outdoor play. Have a kid athlete in your life? Get them the right protective eyewear for their sport of choice. For skiers or snowboarders, that means UV-protected goggles — cold weather does not shield the eyes from the sun!
Outdoor inspired gifts
Sports equipment like snow gear, roller skates, hiking boots, or the classic bicycle gift are all good ways to encourage healthy outdoor play. Have a kid athlete in your life? Get them the right protective eyewear for their sport of choice. For skiers or snowboarders, that means UV-protected goggles — cold weather does not shield the eyes from the sun!
Educational games:
As your toddler’s hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills naturally develop, toys such as building blocks or puzzles become easier to use. Age-appropriate board games for learning how to count, tell time, memory games, and other educational themes are good options. For older kids, find classic board games in foreign languages — such as Guess Who or Scrabble — to practice basic language questions and grammar.
Social card games:
Examples include Tabletopics Teen Edition or What Do You Meme. These are great for getting teens away from their phones and interacting with friends and family.
Ugly produce subscriptions boxes
These services deliver good produce not being sold on farms for cosmetic reasons straight to your door. Cook a meal together as a family or set your master chef teen up for success with these nutritious ingredients. Just make sure to forward them a copy of these kitchen eye safety tips.
Source: American Academy of Opthalmology