What can you do to brighten the holiday season for kids with cancer? Even the smallest gestures can make a difference during this challenging chapter in life. A thoughtful gift and a kind word matter. So, if you’re looking for gift ideas for the youngest cancer patients and their families, look no further!

10 Great Gift Ideas for Pediatric Cancer Patients (And Their Families)

Idea #1 – Cozy Pajama Sets

Everyone likes getting comfy-cozy for the holidays. Gift a kid with cancer a soft and comfortable pajama set. While festive patterns are fun, you aren’t limited to fleece and plaid. Consider cold and warm-weather options, robes, slippers, and fuzzy socks. 

Idea #2 – A KiwiCo Subscription

KiwiCo provides children of all ages the “gift of wonder.” Every month, kids receive a new project that is both fun and educational. What’s great about this service is the wide variety of activities. You can choose from categories like science, geography, art, engineering, cooking, crafts…and more!

Idea #3 – Art Supplies

Give kids – especially older cancer patients – the chance to express themselves with a screenless activity. Art can be enormously therapeutic, too. Consider coloring books with colored pencils or markers, crafting kits, clay or Play-Doh, and sketchbooks. The key is to pick things that are low-mess and travel-friendly.

Idea #4 – A Curated Snack Box

Who doesn’t love snacks? Ask a parent or caregiver what they – and their children – enjoy as snacks. Make a snack basket for the patient and their family members, too! Just be mindful of any allergies.

Idea #5 – A Cuddly Buddy

There’s a whole host of softer-than-ever stuffed animals. Squishmallows and Squishables are creative and cuddly brands that will satisfy any child’s desire for a new huggable friend – whether they want a traditional teddy bear or something a little less conventional, like Mothman or bowl of ramen. They also come in a variety of sizes.

Idea #6 – Gift Cards

Gift cards may seem impersonal, but they’re always helpful. The holidays are expensive, even when your family isn’t dealing with medical expenses and transportation to and from hospitals and doctor’s offices. You can give cards for restaurants, meal delivery, groceries, gas, or general expenses.

Idea #7 – Subscription Services

What activities does the family – especially their child – enjoy? Consider offering a subscription service. Pay for a few months of their favorite streaming platform, or give a membership to a store like Costco. If the child enjoys gaming, gift them a subscription to their platform of choice. There’s even a service by NVIDIA called GeForce NOW that allows gamers to access a high-performance computer through the cloud, meaning they can play all the latest games (as long as they already own them) with the best graphics and without performance issues. 

Because gaming computers can be extremely pricey, this is a great alternative!

Idea #8 – Holiday Treats

It can be challenging to find time to make homemade holiday treats when your family is preoccupied with cancer treatment. You can help these families out! Make a batch of sugar cookies, royal icing, or all the parts of a gingerbread house. This way, the family can skip the hassle and mess of baking and go straight to decorating! 

It always helps to provide a home-cooked meal, too.

Idea #9 – Household Help

The best of us can fall behind on household chores during the holidays. For families dealing with cancer, some of these things might not be a priority. Give the gift of a cleaning or lawn service – removing leaves, cleaning gutters, tidying the house, doing laundry…you name it! You won’t believe what a relief it will be for the family.

Idea #10 – Local Memberships

Finally, consider where the family lives. What’s nearby? Consider the local places that offer memberships – children’s museums, zoos, play places, etc.! Most will let you buy a year-long membership, which means plenty of weekends for the family to make memories and play together without the cost burden. 

These are just a few gift ideas for kids with cancer and their families. At the end of the day, gifts are always better when they’re thoughtful and purposeful. Ask friends, family, and caregivers about any preferences or considerations. 

When you do, you help make these incredible kids and their families feel loved and encouraged!