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This is our review of the best Gifts for Grieving Children in 2023.
Losing a loved one is difficult for most, let alone a child who is so dependent on their parents. Flowers and kind words are lovely but they may not resonate as much with grieving children. Young minds process loss differently – they take time to respond to death and need support to understand what has happened.
We have reviewed psychologist recommendations and grief forums to form a list of comforting gifts for children who have lost a parent. These sympathy gifts aim to help kids to cope and say goodbye in a way that distracts them from trauma.
Check for Requests
Before you go shopping, consider giving the parent or carer of the child a call (if you aren’t the parent). They may have suggestions for a gift based on the child’s interests or needs. It will also give you a chance to check in and express your sympathies.
Charitable Donation
If there was an illness or incident that resulted in the death, a donation to a suitable charity can be a heartfelt gift for a grieving child. This gesture can be “gifted” by providing a handwritten card to the child that explains what you have done on their behalf.
Comforting Blanket
Grieving children often become clingy or show anxious behaviors after a death. A very young child (less than 3 years) will struggle to express their feelings around loss and can find great comfort in tactile items. This glow-in-the-dark blanket may promote calm and ease, particularly when draped or wrapped around the body. If appropriate, you can tell the child that the glowing stars represent their lost parent in the sky!
Jellycat
As another option for sensory comfort, this Jellycat is a well-known item within parenting circles with many kids refusing to go anywhere without their toy. Young children can find great solace in the soft fabric of this plush. They also come in different colors and animal types so pick one that the child will likely warm to.
- BASHFUL BEIGE BUNNY: Never one to shy away from a good cuddle, Bashful Beige Bunny hops into your heart…
- SOFT & LOVABLE: Irresistibly soft and oh-so-huggable, our premium plush toys are made for snuggling. Our…
- PREMIUM FABRIC: Our luxury plush toys are constructed with premium-grade, specially sourced materials…
Special Time
Sometimes the best gift for a grieving child is to show them that they are surrounded by people who love them. Instead of a gift, take them out for their favorite food or somewhere fun such as a zoo or arcade. This not only distracts them from their loss, but it provides their carer or remaining parent with some time to focus on their grief. Even in the depths of sadness, you can show a child that there are still joys in life to look forward to.
Coloring Book
This sympathy gift for kids not only promotes mindfulness through a coloring activity but also provides subtle guidance about loss. Many of the positive reviews spoke about how this helped children to process their emotions.
- Glitter Moon Press (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 30 Pages – 10/06/2018 (Publication Date) – Independently published (Publisher)
Care Package
While sympathy care packages for adults usually contain calming candles and tea, they aren’t suitable for children as those items resonate with mature audiences. Think about the child’s favorite things and compile them into a special care package. These canvas bags form great reusable hamper cases to fill with books, snacks, and toys.
- Cute&Safe: Hombins animal basket made from 100% cotton rope, without any harmful additives and bad smell….
- Great size for kid’s laundry: The size of baby basket is 12″*10″, large basket for items such like baby…
- Firm and sturdy: Our baby storage basket adopts double-stitches design, which can stand still without any…
- BABY HAMPER PERMIUM MATERIAL:Kids Laundry Basket We selected High-quality Canvas Fabric Cloth. It’s…
- Baby Hamper Diameter and Height Size: 15.7D×19.7H inches (40×50cm), CAPACITY FOR 30+ CLOTHES(50+ baby…
- EASY TO STORE! The kids laundry basket hamper is great for multiple uses! And can be collapsed and easily…
Snack Box
If you’re struggling to think of items for a care package or are just short on time, then this snack box may be a welcome gift for a grieving child. Please ensure that you check for allergies or dietary preferences before sending. While the contents aren’t super healthy, sometimes it’s okay to eat a little badly when things seem so dark.
- QUALITY SNACKS: This 50 count care package includes a mix of sweet, salty, savory, and healthy snacks….
- DIMENSIONS: 12.2in x 10.5in x 3in. Gift wrapping and message available at checkout. snack box, snacks…
- VALENTINE’S DAY 2025: Snacks, Treats, Activities! There’s no better gift to send for Valentine’s Day….
Heart Locket Necklace
This beautiful pendant heart necklace allows grieving children to wear a close reminder of their lost parent. The locket is engraved with an initial outside of your choosing, while the inside contains rooms for keepsakes such as pictures or even hair. With an adjustable chain, this gift is suitable for children of different ages.
- SIZE:The pendant of the locket necklace is 14*15mm, 5.5 mm thickness.Heart locket necklace length:16″+2″,…
- MATERIAL:14K gold plated initial locket necklace, color will last a long time without tarnish….
- SPECIAL DESIGN: It is a heart locket with initials, heart pendant that can be opened and closed. This…
Journal
The benefits of writing to ease grief and loss are well documented, having both a positive effect on emotions and physical health. Consider gifting a journal to the grieving child so they have an outlet to express their loss.
Photo Scrapbook
Younger children who have lost a parent may not be literate enough to write in the journal. A good activity to work on with them is to make a scrapbook of photos. This allows them to be hands-on in building a tribute.
- This 8 x 8 inch kraft scrapbook photo album is durable and suitable for long term storage for you and…
- The spiral bound spine allows the photo album scrapbook to expand to fit in your photos, postcards,…
- The hardcover protects the pages, you can design the hardcover and inside pages of this scrapbooks with…
Keepsake Box
Children love to keep trinkets and memorable items in a “secret place”. This keepsake box provides a safe place to hold treasures and letters, or even an offcut of clothing from their lost parent.
- Organize your home or office with a Large Tree of Life engraved decorative box with lid! Expertly…
- Keep your personal belongings safe from humidity and other contaminants. When the box is closed the inner…
- Perfectly sized for your home or home office! Dimensions are 10” long, 8.” wide, and 5.” tall….
Memorial Tree Kit
Sometimes the best way to explain loss to a child is through nature and the concept of life cycles – the death of a loved one coming to life in another form. This memorial tree kit (for use with cremated ashes) allows the grieving child to participate in a planting activity and watch something grow.
Counselling Session
With the consent of the child’s carer, offer to fund a session or sessions with a qualified counselor or therapist. Grieving children often withdraw following trauma and express anger toward who they are closest to. Allowing them to confide in an independent person can help with processing grief in a manner that isn’t destructive.
Memorial Wind Chime
This wind chime is a special present for the youngest of minds. Let the child know that their lost parent is still with them, and when they hear the chimes it means that they are not alone. The gentle chimes also act as calming white noise that encourages relaxation.
- Sympathy Wind Chimes: Losing a loved one is never easy. Express your heartfelt sympathy with our sympathy…
- Memorial Wind Chimes: Have you missed the funeral? Send the memorial Wind Chimes as unique memorial gifts…
- Bereavement Gifts Ready to Gift: The sympathy wind chimes come securely packaged in 13.2×5.1X2.0 inches…
LED Candle
This memorial candle is a warming reminder of the deceased and a symbol of their presence. Placed on a mantle next to some frames and portraits, the candle forms a centerpiece of a mini shrine. This allows grieving children to have a physical space at home to remember their lost parent.
- 10 x 4.75 x 4.75 black metal memorial lantern gift with built-in 3″ LED flickering memorial candle with…
- Beautiful “Celebrate My Life” memorial sentiment (copyright Teri Harrison) printed on the front funeral…
- Pair of cardinals printed on the cardinal memorial lantern represent hope and encouragement for people…
Hand Painted Angel Figurine
This sculpted remembrance figure is a beautiful gift that inspires comfort and healing. Let grieving children know that the angel represents their lost parent watching over them.
- Sentiment: ”Memories… hold each one safely in your heart” written on Enclosure Card
- 5”h hand-painted resin figure of a standing angel in cream dress with wire wings, with crossed hands…
- A gift to express sympathy, comfort, remembrance and healing. Packaged in fitted box ready for…
Memorial Christmas Ornament
The loss of a loved one hits particularly hard over the festive season. This angel wing ornament engraved with “A piece of my heart is in Heaven” forms a symbolic gesture for children to know that their parent is remembered.
- ⭐【𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛-𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗬 𝗦𝗜𝗟𝗩𝗘𝗥】:…
- ⭐【𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗤𝗨𝗘 𝗗𝗘𝗦𝗜𝗚𝗡】: Our Christmas ornament features an…
- ⭐【𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔𝗗𝗢𝗥𝗡𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦】: Take your decor game…
Children’s Books About Grief
Storytelling is a great way to support children in processing a loss. These books help to normalize grief and allow young minds to understand healthy coping skills. The characters in each story explain the permanence of death and show that it’s okay to feel alone as this is normal.
- Hardcover Book
- Rowland, Joanna (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- Karst, Patrice (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 40 Pages – 10/30/2018 (Publication Date) – Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (Publisher)
Memorial Picture Hanging Board
This decorative hanging board allows grieving children to be hands-on in creating memories of their lost parent. Help them to pick their favorite pictures to display that best celebrates their loved one.
- ✨The Deepest Confession and Memory: Keep the photos of the loved one who pass away within reach, as if…
- 💎Wonderful Decoration💎The handmade string hearts picture hanging board helps to organize and…
- 💕Free size Picture Frame as Unique Gifts💕The wooden frame comes with warm quotes: “Those we love…
A Prayer for My Mom/Dad Frame
Research studies show that spirituality can aid in coping ability and promote emotional health. For those children who find comfort in prayer and their faith, these frames capture loving blessings that can be recited.
- 8.5″ x 12.5″ with meaningful sentiment
- Prayer for my mom..Dear God I gratefully thank you for giving me my mom. You must really love me, because…
- BEAUTIFUL PLAQUE THAT WILL MELT DAD’S HEART – This Father Prayer plaque makes a great birthday gift for…
- HIGH-QUALITY GIFT FOR DAD, MADE IN USA – This high-quality dad picture frame featuring A Prayer for My…
- DAD’S FAVORITE GIFT ON FATHER’S DAY – Apart from its meaningful, thoughtful quote, this dad gift is…
