20+ Sympathy Gifts For Children
Gifts you can give children who are grieving the loss of a family member or friend.
I lost my mother when I was 5 years old, what seems like eons ago now. I unfortunately had very little support and didn’t even understand what losing my momma meant! I was dancing and singing during her funeral – oops.
Kids need support, and sometimes a sympathy gift can help in a large way to help a child feel supported.
The truth is, children grieve differently than adults. Some kids cry. Some get angry. Some seem completely unaffected at first and some, like me, are busy singing songs because they don’t fully understand what’s happening around them. There isn’t a “right” way for a child to process a loss.
While no gift can take away the pain of losing someone they love, a thoughtful sympathy gift can remind a child that they are not alone. It can give them comfort on hard days, help them hold onto special memories, or simply let them know that someone is thinking about them during a difficult time.
As a mom, I’ve learned that kids often need tangible things to help them understand big emotions. A special stuffed animal, a memory book, a comforting blanket, or a meaningful keepsake can become something they turn to when they’re missing someone. Sometimes the smallest gestures leave the biggest impact.
If you’re looking for a sympathy gift for a child who is grieving, I’ve gathered some thoughtful ideas that can offer comfort, encouragement, and a little extra love when it’s needed most.
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Best Sympathy Gifts For Children
The purpose here isn’t just to give your child a toy or something else to distract them from their grief; rather, these gift choices should have actual value. and can help your child heal from their loss in this difficult time.
Quotebook Journal
This Quotebook Journal is a great gift for grieving children so they can write down their thoughts and feelings as a therapeutic outlet. This particular quotebook is made with beautiful Moleskine, and is a wonderful way for a grieving child to connect to their inner self.
One thing I wish I’d had after losing my mom was a place to write down memories, questions, and all the things I didn’t understand at the time. Journaling can help children process emotions they aren’t quite ready to talk about yet. Even a few sentences a day can become a meaningful record of their healing journey.
Memory Bear
Monogram Mementos is an Etsy store that will utilize the clothes of a deceased family members to make a one-of-a-kind teddy bear memorial gift. This memory bear is a great way to give an everlasting souvenir with a special meaning for the grieving child in your life, and it’s a gift they’ll cherish beyond their time of sorrow.
Grief Journal
The Angel Catcher for Kids Journal provides a therapeutic outlet for kids who appreciate that type of thing through easy question-and-answer prompts and other creative techniques. It is essentially the perfect gift.
You may also buy the adult version for yourself if you’ve experienced the loss of a child.
Memory Necklace
A memory necklace is a thoughtful sympathy gift with a place for a small photo like this is a great idea for kids who want to keep their loved one close to their hearts. It’s a sweet gesture and kids will treasure it forever. You can always engrave some important words on a special necklace as well.
Sympathy Gift Basket
Gift baskets are a wonderful gift for grieving kids who have lost a family member that help provide thoughts of comfort.
You might put together a condolence gift basket on your own. Fill it with items you know your child would enjoy, and you might just be able to brighten their day a little so make sure a poem card is included.
Here are a few suggestions of gifts for heartfelt condolences:
- Food/snacks/treats
- Books, hot chocolate, and mugs
- Writing/drawing equipment and a journal
- Games with cards
- Art materials
Memorial Quilt
On days when the pain is still raw, a quilt is ideal for snuggling with to help ease that pain and provide heartfelt sympathies. You can make your own, or hire a local company to make it for you. Use the clothes of the person you lost to make it very special.
Alternatively you can give your child an angel blanket like this that has beautiful angel’s wings and special words to get them through the grieving process.
Keepsake Box
A great way to help your child grieve is by giving them a keepsake box. It’s the ideal condolence gift for tweens and adolescents who want a specific location to store photographs, cards, inherited jewellery or trinkets, and so on.
You can use a keepsake box to fill with items the deceased loved, and then add it to the casket at the funeral home.
Framed Photo
A framed photo of the parent who has died can be a touching sympathy gift for a child. It can be a particularly good choice for younger children, who may find it difficult to understand the concept of a framed photo as a gift.
Older children may also appreciate a specially selected photo of their deceased parent, and framed photos are a gift that can be displayed in their bedroom or on their desk, so they can have their parent with them every day.
You can either select a photo from the family album, or get a new photo printed of the deceased parent, to let the child know that they are loved and missed.
If you decide to get a new photo printed, you may want to select a photo of the parent with their child, so the child knows that the parent loves them.
You can also choose a photo of the deceased parent doing something the child particularly enjoyed, for example, if the parent was an avid gardener, you could get a photo of them gardening.
Books
Grieving kids will appreciate books as gifts as a unique children’s sympathy gift. One of my particular faves is The Fall of Freddie the Leaf, which depicts the “death” of Freddie, a leaf who gradually realizes that life as he knows it would cease one day.
Coloring Books
A colouring book can be a great gift for any child, but particularly for those who have experienced the loss of a parent. Colouring books can help children express their emotions, as well as improving their concentration and fine motor skills.
Because they are generally non-verbal activities, they are also a great choice for children who don’t yet have the language skills to talk about the feelings they’re experiencing. It can also provide comfort for children who don’t yet understand what has happened, as well as for older children who are still adjusting to their new life.
Colouring books are also a great gift for children with autism, or who are grieving and may be experiencing difficulty communicating their feelings. Another option is to get a box of crayons or coloured pencils so the child can scribble or colour their favourite scenes or images from one of their favourite books.
This can be particularly helpful if the child is having difficulty expressing what they’re feeling. If you’re not sure what colouring book or crayons or pencils to get, it can be a good idea to get some general children’s coloured pencils or crayons so the child can use them to colour in a wide variety of images.
This can help them express their emotions in a non-verbal way.
Memorial Seed Packs
For everyone, getting out in nature can be quite soothing. This is particularly true for a youngster who has just experienced a loss.
These memorial seed packets, which are engraved with the name of their dead loved one, include ready-to-plant wildflower seeds and feature a cardinal picture.
Do Something Special
Take your child to a place that was meaningful to the person who has died. Did Grandma like going to the beach? Go! Together, write her name in the sand on the beach and watch as the waves gently drag it out to sea. Uncle John was a movie buff, right? Make the anniversary of his death a joyous event by going to the movies every year. That would have been fantastic for him.
Make a balloon release on your own. Although many funeral homes provide these services, you may simply recreate the experience yourself for a fraction of the cost. It’s also something that kids can participate in that is actually significant.
Memorial candles, wind chimes, and even a comforting angel plush throw are all things that can add to giving out the warmest condolences for a grieving child.
How To Choose The Best Sympathy Gift For A Child
While some of these gifts are fairly easy to wrap, others may present more of a challenge. If you’re not sure how best to present your sympathy gift, remember that less is often more.
If you really want to get a gift for a child who has lost a parent, make sure that you check the child’s age to make sure they’re old enough to understand what the gift means and appreciate the sentiment behind it.
While you don’t want to scare the child with a grim gift, you do want to make sure they know that you care.
Bottom Line
When it comes to sympathy gifts for children, you have many options. The best choice for your child is one that shares their values and provides a chance to talk about the loss with input from you.
If you are unsure about what will resonate with your child in the wake of their grief, consider a gift that contains a few thoughtful components. For example, you could make a book on the child’s favourite subject, or buy them a journal that can be used to express their feelings.
That said, you also don’t want to be too prescriptive when it comes to your child’s grief. They need space to process their loss themselves, so you can help them by being there for them and listening to them. That might mean giving them the space to cry or express their anger, while you watch or hold them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sympathy Gifts For Children
What is an appropriate sympathy gift for a child?
An appropriate sympathy gift for a child is something that provides comfort, encourages memories, or helps them express their feelings. Memory bears, journals, keepsake boxes, books about grief, personalized blankets, and framed photos are all thoughtful options. The best sympathy gifts for children acknowledge their loss while reminding them they are loved and supported.
Should you give a child a sympathy gift?
Yes, many children appreciate receiving a sympathy gift after the loss of a loved one. While a gift cannot remove their sadness, it can help them feel seen and supported during a difficult time. A meaningful gift can also create opportunities for conversations about memories, feelings, and healing.
What do you give a child who lost a parent?
If a child has lost a parent, consider gifts that help preserve memories and provide comfort. Memory bears made from a parent’s clothing, personalized keepsake boxes, photo albums, journals, and memorial jewelry can all be meaningful choices. These gifts help children feel connected to their loved one while they navigate their grief.
What helps a grieving child feel better?
Every child grieves differently, but most children benefit from patience, routine, love, and opportunities to talk about their feelings. Comfort items such as stuffed animals, blankets, books, and memory keepsakes can also help. The goal isn’t to distract children from their grief but to remind them they don’t have to go through it alone.
What should you write in a sympathy card for a child?
Keep your message simple, loving, and age-appropriate. Let the child know that you are thinking of them and that it’s okay to feel sad, confused, angry, or anything else they may be experiencing. Sometimes a short message such as “I’m thinking about you and sending you lots of love” can mean more than a lengthy note.
Are memory gifts good for grieving children?
Memory gifts are often some of the most meaningful sympathy gifts for children. Items like memory bears, photo albums, keepsake boxes, memorial quilts, and journals help children preserve special memories of the person they lost. Many families find that these gifts become treasured keepsakes for years to come.
