Are you looking for a gift for a kid that lives overseas? Or maybe the child hasn’t moved yet but going to move abroad?
Help an expat kid adjust to living somewhere new or to simply send your love.
Here are 11 awesome gifts for expat kids.
Even though several gift ideas are for British kids in America or American kids in the UK, these gifts for expat kids are ideas to pursue in whatever country your child calls home.
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1 – Scratch Map
Allow the kids to record all the places they’ve been with this world scratch map. Doubles as wall art, too.
2 – Patriotic Flag
Let your kid show off their home pride with a country flag – whether their birth country or the one they live in now.
For older expat kids, representing their home country is part of the identity struggle moving abroad – at least it was for mine. When unsure of how to answer the daunting question, “Where are you from?” a flag or flags can go a long way.
Consider a vintage patriotic flag like this one here to display over a mantle, fireplace, dresser or bed. Put it in a box frame and even consider a collection as they travel or move around the world.
3 – Country Flag Memory Game
When expat kids go from one continent or country to another, it can be difficult to catch up on geography for school. Learning 50 states and capitals might become a thing of the past and suddenly required to know all the European countries and capitals takes over.
With pronunciation alone, help a child catch up on expected geography knowledge with this fun country flag memory game.
If anything, a Sheldon or Big Bang Theory fan will totally love it. And it’s the perfect pocket game to travel anywhere.
4 – Headphones
With as much travel as expat kids experience, a good pair of headphones is essential. Between trains, planes, and automobiles, worldly kids get a lot of miles under their belts.
A great gift for kids that travel a lot to keep them comfortable and entertained are over-the-ear headphones. My son absolutely loves his pair in green and comes with a handy travel case. iClever no longer makes the same style but these come close.
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For tweens and teens, consider Apple AirPods. They are more expensive but far lighter and easier to pack if luggage space is a premium.
For expat kids that already have headphones or AirPods, gift a fun airpod case decal (patriotic flag, favorite sports team) to make it easier to identify amongst friends.
5 – Amazon Kindle
Headphones are obviously useless without a device. 🎧
While an Apple device might be outrageous, an Amazon Kindle is awesome for kids. It’s far more affordable than a smartphone, and practical too.
A Kindle Fire Tablet is basically a cheaper alternative to an iPad. I never realized that until it became evident we needed an affordable solution after moving abroad. Just be sure to purchase in the country of use.
Kids can watch videos, play games, read books and more. It’s ultimately up to you what to give your child access to, but an Amazon Kindle is a brilliant gift for expat kids.
6 – Union Jack & American Flag Skateboard
The coolest expat gift for an American kid in England, or vice versa, is this Union Jack with American flag skateboard.
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This skateboard is an awesome reflection of an expat kids’ journey abroad. It makes family walks or rides in the park more fun and to the city center, too.
With or without country flags, a skateboard is a great idea for expat kids when car transportation becomes a thing of the past.
7 – Harry Potter Outfit For American Girl Doll
Okay, so this is nearly available everywhere but for the little girl in your life just learning about Harry Potter or missing home, it’s simply brilliant.
Whether adjusting to British life, American life or trying to find the next best alternative to an American Girl Doll Store, this magical outfit will do.
8 – Sports Jersey & Cards – NFL, National, Premier League, etc…
For expat kids missing their home team, clothes that represent their team loyalty despite the distance is a great gift idea.
Although most Premier League and NFL teams are world renown, finding local options for little kids or youth is a challenge and shipping can be outrageous. The NFL has an online European store thanks to its growth at Wembley Stadium, but youth options sell out fast.
When sizes aren’t available, consider trading cards, like Topps, and BBC’s Match of the Day Magazine. Both ship light and are inexpensive overseas gifts. They make great stocking stuffers, too!
Probably the best British gift for boys every Christmas season is a Match Attax Advent calendar for purchase in the UK or this Premier League one in the USA. It’s all the rage per my American expat kid.
9 – Hometown T-Shirt
On the heels of the NFL and other major league sports clothes, a great gift for an expat kid is a t-shirt or hat from their hometown.
Although “home” isn’t a phenomenon in the UK yet, wearing your state is a thing in the USA. Make a new home feel more like home with one of these cool home pride t-shirts.
It’s a cool American gift for a British expat kid in the USA or American kid abroad.
10 – American Candy Box
Nothing wins an expat kids’ heart over more than American candy you can’t get in the UK. Treat expat kids with an awesome box of American candy.
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And for British kids in the USA, a Cadbury hamper should do.
11 – Go Henry Card
For expat kids and teens seeking a bit more independence, consider a Go Henry Card. A Go Henry Card, perfect for US or UK families, allows kids to learn how to manage their own money which can be tricky when your kid lives in multi-currencies.
You can manage an allowance or even transfer money from abroad (from bank to bank) with a Go Henry card. There are rules and a low monthly fee but it’s a great gift option for a British or American kid seeking to build money skills.
Gifts for Kids Overseas
Whether you’re trying to find a special gift for your own worldly kid or someone else’s, these 11 gifts for expat kids should inspire gift-giving for any child that lives overseas.
And for help moving and living abroad with kids, be sure to join the aBroad purpose list 👇to receive an in-depth moving checklist, meal plan with a shopping list for the first week living in the UK, and more.
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