Christmas Present Ideas for Students in 5th Grade

It can be very tricky to come up with good Christmas gift ideas for students in the fifth grade. At 10 to 11 years old, fifth graders aren't little kids anymore nor are they teens, so it's easy to get it wrong with gifts that lean too young or too old.

When selecting gifts for fifth graders during the holiday season, it's helpful to know their personal preferences, but their age is also a great time to discover new interests and hobbies. You can play it safe with presents for fifth graders that have universal appeal or try for a unique gift. You can also narrow down your ideas to fit their individual personality.

This is achievable at any budget for store-bought options, DIY ideas and a mixture of both approaches. And the best thing is that many of the best gifts that fifth graders love will be appreciated by the whole family. So, here are some Santa-approved ideas for that fifth grader in your life.

Edible treats, particularly sweet treats, are a very safe bet when you need Christmas presents for kids of all ages. You can, of course, go out and buy special chocolates or candies, but if you enjoy cooking, you can save a lot of money by making big batches of treats and preparing individual packages of them. Look for simple but delicious recipes that can be made in bulk, such as chocolate truffles, brittles and barks, chocolate-dipped pretzels, bonbons and toffee. With some nice gift boxes or fancy packaging with ribbons and bows, homemade treats are even more special than store-bought ones.

Another Christmas gift idea or stocking stuffer for fifth-grade kiddos who like to cook is a recipe jar. Layer the dry ingredients for a favorite baked good in a glass jar with a lid and add the printed recipe as the tag. You can augment a recipe jar with a small extra gift, like a small wooden spoon or fun cookie cutter tied onto the jar with a ribbon.

Books are always a great gift, and the right book might even spark a lifelong love of reading in a fifth grader. Remember that there's nothing wrong with gifting used books that are in good condition. It's important to give age-appropriate books as presents for fifth graders, so if you're unsure, consult a children's librarian or look up bestseller lists of fifth-grade reading-level books.

Board games and card games are also great for middle school students, and there are always new, trending options. And while you might think Legos are for young children, think again. Consult any gift guide and you'll find that Legos are hugely popular among children of any age, from little ones to 10-year-olds and even adults! Check your local toy store or big-box store, like Walmart, but don't forget about online stores, such as Amazon.

Fifth graders are at a great age for learning new hobbies and skills and discovering new interests. Encourage them to try something new with a hobby-themed gift. You can buy arts and crafts kits in stores or put together your own with, for example, a ball of yarn, knitting needles and a beginner's knitting book.

Instead of a book, perhaps put together a list of links to good instruction websites or videos to go with the gift. If you know your recipient is a gamer, consider gifting a holiday gift, like a gaming subscription or a new Bluetooth remote control.

Sometimes, an experience can be so much more memorable as a gift than a material object. Entrance tickets or gift cards to fun destinations in their local area allow you to choose experiences as gifts for students. Consider local theme parks, arcades, mini golf, go-kart tracks, ice rinks and snow play areas. Movie passes are always gladly received as well.

Fifth graders are at a great age for exploration and discovery, so take advantage of their natural curiosity and get them something that will engage them, like books, hobby materials and experiences. And, of course, kids always love delicious edibles.