Gift guide for busy parents and kids

Gift guide for busy parents and kids —

Don't know what to get parents who are always on the move or kids who seem to have everything? Click through for some unique gifts that will delight and impress, such as #Cube, a digital frame that cycles through your Instagram feed. Amanda Rodriguez, founder of the blog Dude Mom, says it's perfect for moms who snap hundreds -- or make that thousands -- of pics on Instagram. ($149.00)

From Hashtagcube.com

One of the best gifts you can give a mom, says Sharon Rowley, founder of the blog <a href="http://momof6.com/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Mom of 6,</a> is "the gift of a clean home ... when she doesn't have to be the one to clean it!" So, consider a gift certificate with a franchise cleaning company for two to three hours of cleaning, which could especially come in handy right before the in-laws arrive. (Rates can be as low as $29 for two hours of cleaning.)

Gift guide for busy parents and kids —

One of the best gifts you can give a mom, says Sharon Rowley, founder of the blog Mom of 6, is "the gift of a clean home ... when she doesn't have to be the one to clean it!" So, consider a gift certificate with a franchise cleaning company for two to three hours of cleaning, which could especially come in handy right before the in-laws arrive. (Rates can be as low as $29 for two hours of cleaning.)

Photo illustration/Shutterstock

Mom of six <a href="http://momof6.com/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Sharon Rowley</a> also suggests Anki Drive for tweens and teens. "Forget the days of having to construct a large elaborate race track on the family room floor," said Rowley. "All you need to do is roll out the racing map, download the app that commands your car and start racing!" ($149.99)

Gift guide for busy parents and kids —

Mom of six Sharon Rowley also suggests Anki Drive for tweens and teens. "Forget the days of having to construct a large elaborate race track on the family room floor," said Rowley. "All you need to do is roll out the racing map, download the app that commands your car and start racing!" ($149.99)

From anki.com

DIY expert Kathy Beymer, founder of the craft site <a href="http://www.merrimentdesign.com" target="_blank" target="_blank">Merriment Design</a> and a mom of two, suggests these Knit Crowd dolls from Land of Nod. There are bunnies, mermaids, fairies, ballerinas, cats, monkeys and more. "I really like to include some gifts that look like Santa's elves could have made them by hand," said Beymer. "Last year I had the ballerina doll inside my daughter's stocking with her head peeking out and it really set the tone for our Christmas morning." ($29.00 for 14" size)

Gift guide for busy parents and kids —

DIY expert Kathy Beymer, founder of the craft site Merriment Design and a mom of two, suggests these Knit Crowd dolls from Land of Nod. There are bunnies, mermaids, fairies, ballerinas, cats, monkeys and more. "I really like to include some gifts that look like Santa's elves could have made them by hand," said Beymer. "Last year I had the ballerina doll inside my daughter's stocking with her head peeking out and it really set the tone for our Christmas morning." ($29.00 for 14" size)

From landofnod.com

Gift guide for busy parents and kids —

Credit for this one goes to my sister-in-law, Drucie Belman, who always comes up with the perfect gift. Treat a busy parent to a monthly subscription from Birch Box of personalized beauty and grooming products, and just watch how quickly you earn the "favorite friend" title. (Monthly subscriptions starting at $30)

Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for Birchbox

<a href="http://throughdebbieseyes.com/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Debbie Greene</a>, a board member for the Association of Nature Center Administrators and a speaker/advocate for the benefits of outdoor play, is a firm believer in giving experiences as presents. A week at Space Camp is on the list this year for her grandson who just turned 12, she said. Lucky guy! (Costs vary based on location. One example: $275 for a one-week camp in Alabama.)

Gift guide for busy parents and kids —

Debbie Greene, a board member for the Association of Nature Center Administrators and a speaker/advocate for the benefits of outdoor play, is a firm believer in giving experiences as presents. A week at Space Camp is on the list this year for her grandson who just turned 12, she said. Lucky guy! (Costs vary based on location. One example: $275 for a one-week camp in Alabama.)

Rob Hainer/Shutterstock

<a href="http://themamafesto.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Avital Norman Nathman</a>, editor of the motherhood anthology<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Good-Mother-Myth-Redefining/dp/1580055028" target="_blank" target="_blank"> "The Good Mother Myth,"</a> says she's partial to giving books to adults and children. For kids in the 8 to 12 range, she recommends "The Mysterious Benedict Society" book series. Other faves include the "Harry Potter" series, the "Percy Jackson" series and "Harriet the Spy." <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/04/living/mother-daughter-book-clubs-parents/">Click here for more book ideas</a>, especially for girls. ($56.78)

Gift guide for busy parents and kids —

Avital Norman Nathman, editor of the motherhood anthology "The Good Mother Myth," says she's partial to giving books to adults and children. For kids in the 8 to 12 range, she recommends "The Mysterious Benedict Society" book series. Other faves include the "Harry Potter" series, the "Percy Jackson" series and "Harriet the Spy." Click here for more book ideas, especially for girls. ($56.78)

From Amazon.com

Gift guide for busy parents and kids —

Tired of a toy that just sits in the corner of your playroom? Many parents suggested the gift of a family membership to a local museum or nature center. You get to go together and enjoy your present throughout the year. Plus, as outdoor play advocate Debbie Greene mentions, you also get a tax deduction! (Costs vary based on location. One example: $110 for a family membership to the Detroit Institute of Arts.)

Iakov Filimonov/Shutterstock

Gift guide for busy parents and kids —

My personal favorite is the specially designed "Be Present" box, which holds your iPhone so you can pack it away and focus on your family rather than texts and your Twitter feed. I learned about them while reporting a story last year and bought one for myself, although I am embarrassed to say I haven't used it nearly enough! ($75)

Catherine Jackson

Gift guide for busy parents and kids —

Now this is likely to win you the "Mom or Dad of the Year'" award. At Budsies, you can take your child's artwork and transform it into a cuddly pal they can have forever. I know you probably have more stuffed animals than you want, but one that your child created through artwork is pretty much priceless. Don't you think? ($69)

From budsies.com

Gift guide for busy parents and kids —

If I could buy "Girls Will Be" shirts for every tween girl I know, I would. There's no girly here, no pink and ruffles for that matter, but plenty of empowering messages and themes, including outer space, robots, martial arts, sharks and more. My 8-year-old won't wear any other kind of shirt, so I know at least one gift I'm getting her this year! ($24)

From girlswillbehq.com

Gift guide for busy parents and kids —

If you are looking for a gift to keep kids busy and tap into their creative engines, Kiwi Crate may be for you. Inside the darling green boxes are all the materials and inspiration for two to three activities including art, science, games, imaginative play and more. Buy a subscription and watch the little one in your life marvel every time the crates with new crafts inside arrive. (Starting at $19.95)

From Kiwicrate.com

Cecily Kellogg, who hosts a blog at<a href="http://uppercasewoman.com/" target="_blank" target="_blank"> Uppercase Woman</a>, said she just bought the Go Go Tomago doll for her 7-year-old daughter and can't recommend it highly enough. "Before she launches into an adventure, she shouts 'Woman Up!'" said Kellogg. "I like her best for her streak of purple hair and her athletic body shape. She's fierce." ($41.97)

Gift guide for busy parents and kids —

Cecily Kellogg, who hosts a blog at Uppercase Woman, said she just bought the Go Go Tomago doll for her 7-year-old daughter and can't recommend it highly enough. "Before she launches into an adventure, she shouts 'Woman Up!'" said Kellogg. "I like her best for her streak of purple hair and her athletic body shape. She's fierce." ($41.97)

From Amazon.com

Ellen Williams and Erin Dymowski, co-founders of the <a href="http://www.sisterhoodofthesensiblemoms.com/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms,</a> put their own gift guides together for<a href="http://www.sisterhoodofthesensiblemoms.com/2014/11/gifts-teen-boys/" target="_blank" target="_blank"> teen boys</a> and <a href="http://www.sisterhoodofthesensiblemoms.com/2013/12/fabulous-gifts-for-teen-girls/" target="_blank" target="_blank">girls</a>. Board games like "The Settlers of Catan" and "Would You Rather?" can help a family survive a vacation, they say. "We have two households full of teens ... and these gifts all have their stamps of approval." ($15 to $32)

Gift guide for busy parents and kids —

Ellen Williams and Erin Dymowski, co-founders of the Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms, put their own gift guides together for teen boys and girls. Board games like "The Settlers of Catan" and "Would You Rather?" can help a family survive a vacation, they say. "We have two households full of teens ... and these gifts all have their stamps of approval." ($15 to $32)

From Amazon.com

Williams and Dymowski of the<a href="http://www.sisterhoodofthesensiblemoms.com/" target="_blank" target="_blank"> "Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms" </a>also suggest a lens kit for smartphones, tablets and laptops, which allows you to zoom, take wide angles and produce "cool fish eye effects." Your teen probably doesn't even know such technology exists or else it would no doubt be on his or her wish list.. ($16.27)

Gift guide for busy parents and kids —

Williams and Dymowski of the "Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms" also suggest a lens kit for smartphones, tablets and laptops, which allows you to zoom, take wide angles and produce "cool fish eye effects." Your teen probably doesn't even know such technology exists or else it would no doubt be on his or her wish list.. ($16.27)

From Amazon.com

Nicole Feliciano, founder and chief executive officer of <a href="http://www.momtrends.com/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Momtrends,</a> loves the subscription baking kit called Foodstirs. "The monthly kid-friendly projects deliver right to your door for an instant playdate," said Feliciano. "I love that the kits are creative and unplugged activities." (Starting at $29.99)

Gift guide for busy parents and kids —

Nicole Feliciano, founder and chief executive officer of Momtrends, loves the subscription baking kit called Foodstirs. "The monthly kid-friendly projects deliver right to your door for an instant playdate," said Feliciano. "I love that the kits are creative and unplugged activities." (Starting at $29.99)

From Foodstirs.com

For the science buffs, <a href="http://www.misslori.tv/" target="_blank" target="_blank">children's television host Miss Lori </a>recommends the National Geographic Geno 2.0 DNA Ancestry Kit, which is on her 11-year-old's wish list. "She loves the idea of learning about her DNA and how it fits in with the history and development of the world," her mom added. "Of course she dreams of potentially becoming a forensic anthropologist in the field of human evolution." ($159.95)

Gift guide for busy parents and kids —

For the science buffs, children's television host Miss Lori recommends the National Geographic Geno 2.0 DNA Ancestry Kit, which is on her 11-year-old's wish list. "She loves the idea of learning about her DNA and how it fits in with the history and development of the world," her mom added. "Of course she dreams of potentially becoming a forensic anthropologist in the field of human evolution." ($159.95)

From National Geographic

Gift guide for busy parents and kids —

OK, I know no child likes getting clothes for Christmas or Hanukkah, but once your tween or teen puts on a set of comfy flannel pajama bottoms like these from L.L. Bean, they'll probably wear them the entire winter season. Most busy parents, including this reporter, would love getting them, too. Another great suggestion from my sister-in-law, Drucie Belman, who is launching a website in January called Navigating L.D. for families with kids with learning differences. ($35.00)

From LL Bean

If you are looking to help a busy parent reflect on what's really important, consider <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Kindness-Diaries-Goodwill-Transform/dp/1621451917" target="_blank" target="_blank">"The Kindness Diaries."</a> Author Leon Logothetis set out to travel around the world without any money, gas or lodging. How'd he do it? He relied completely on the kindness of strangers. "My journey renewed my faith in the bonds that connect people worldwide," said Logothetis. His book could do the same for parents you know. ($18.62)

Gift guide for busy parents and kids —

If you are looking to help a busy parent reflect on what's really important, consider "The Kindness Diaries." Author Leon Logothetis set out to travel around the world without any money, gas or lodging. How'd he do it? He relied completely on the kindness of strangers. "My journey renewed my faith in the bonds that connect people worldwide," said Logothetis. His book could do the same for parents you know. ($18.62)

From Simon and Schuster

Gift guide for busy parents and kids —

If you really want to go off the rails this holiday season, consider giving your child the gift of their online presence, says parenting advocate and author Sue Scheff. Every teen loves social media, so helping them create their own website would be a hit and helpful, too. "With more and more colleges and employers searching out applicants online, it's not only a gift that's fun, it's a gift that can open up doors," wrote Scheff. (As low as $9.99 per year)

Shutterstock

Editor’s Note: Kelly Wallace is CNN’s digital correspondent and editor-at-large covering family, career and life. She is a mom of two girls. Read her other columns and follow her reports at CNN Parents and on Twitter.

Story highlights

Parents around the country weigh in with gift suggestions

Give the gift of an experience, such as a museum membership, many parents say

Monthly subscriptions for grooming products or crafts are also popular

To find unique gifts, it helps to not wait until the last minute!

CNN —

Every year I make the same pledges to myself at holiday time: Get started early and take time to find those unique gifts that deliver more authentic oohs and aahs than presents from a last-minute run to the mall.

And every year it’s the same story. I am one of “those” people who is online or out at the stores right before the start of Hanukkah or on Christmas Eve, feeling desperate to find something before the clock runs out.

Sound familiar?

Gift guide: For the entertainment lover

Well, since we are in this together, how about we try for a different holiday gift-buying experience this year?

Don’t know what to get the busy parents who seem to have everything? Stumped on gifts for your little ones, or for the tween or teen in your life who you want to surprise as opposed to delivering every single item on their wish list?

I reached out for gift ideas for busy parents and kids, and a group of fabulous women and men from around the country answered the call, providing so many great suggestions – from a gift certificate for a home cleaning service (who wouldn’t want that around the holidays!) to a cool way to remember all those Instagram photos you took to a way to turn your child’s art project into a full-size stuffed treasure.

So, click around, and see what moves you, and be proud of yourself for doing at least one thing differently this year – starting to think about gifts weeks earlier than you usually do!

Do you have any ideas for unique gifts for busy parents and children? Share your thoughts with Kelly Wallace on Twitter or CNN Living on Facebook.

CNN values your feedback

Holiday gifts for the busy parents and kids in your life

Gift guide for busy parents and kids

Story highlights