It can take work to keep the title of favourite aunty of little bundles of pre-schooler energy. Bringing presents is one thing, but kids demand time and attention, so the best gifts I've found are the ones which my inner kid enjoys playing with too.
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Totem tennis is a throwback to my own childhood and still very fun, Balance Bikes are a thing I'm sure my folks wished they had as they mucked around with pedals and training wheels on Christmas morning. Y-Velo bikes come in sizes for little and even littler kids, but make sure they've got a helmet too.
In my family, the trampoline is known as the babysitter and might be the best money you'll spend all summer. You can lock [aka zip and clip] the kids into the canopy, safe in the knowledge the younger ones can't get out and there are no accessible springs to worry about. If a tramp is out of budget, Bop Along Buddies are also great energy burners.
You can get the kids in training early for beach cricket with a set with a pop-up stand so you don't have to bowl the whole time, or if co-ordination is difficult, try a skipping rope and work off your Christmas lunch while the kids exhaust themselves for an early night - it's a win/win!
And when you and the kiddies are exhausted, take a seat and marvel at how on earth Kinetic Sand works.
Royce Bungee Tennis, $30 from Rebel Sport rebelsport.com.au
Y-Velo bike $89.99 from Toys R Us toysrus.com.au
Vuly2 Trampoline: from $588 vulytrampolines.com
Bop Along Buddy - $39.95 bopalongbuddies.com.au
Cricket Set $29.99,Toys R Us toysrus.com.au
Skipping rope from $6.05 from The Heart Foundation Shop heartfoundationshop.com
Kinetic Sand - $34.95 from Lime Tree Kids limetreekids.com.au
