Christmas Gifts for Grandchildren: Heirloom Guide

The gifts that survive Christmas are rarely the loudest ones. Long after the flashing plastic has fallen quiet, a wooden board or a well-weighted chess piece tends to remain — moved from one shelf to another, then passed down a generation.

A grandparent shopping for a grandchild is often looking for exactly this: something that outlasts the wrapping paper. We build toys and games from FSC-certified timber, and every item is tested to UKCA and CE standards, so a gift meant to last decades is safe in the hands it reaches first.

What follows is a guide to choosing well, whether the grandchild is one or fifteen, and how to keep those gifts going long enough to be handed on again.

What to Look for in Christmas Gifts for Grandchildren

Age is the obvious starting point, but it is not the only one. A gift that suits a grandchild depends as much on how they play as on how old they are.

For the youngest, safety and simplicity matter most. Chunky wooden shapes, sorting toys and first stacking games reward small hands without asking too much of them. Our guides to the best Christmas gifts for a 1 year old and the best Christmas gifts for a 2 year old break this down by stage.

Look for construction you can feel. Solid wood has weight and grain; it takes knocks and keeps its shape. Painted finishes should be even and secure, and joints should hold firm when a toddler tests them, as toddlers reliably do.

Consider whether a gift grows with the child. A set of building blocks or a classic board game earns its place because it is played differently at three than at eight. Something from our wooden toys often does this quietly, offering open-ended play rather than a single fixed use.

Think, too, about the shared moment. The best gifts a grandparent gives are frequently the ones they can sit down and play alongside the child — a game across a kitchen table rather than a screen in another room.

Finally, allow for the long view. A gift chosen with care can become the object a grandchild remembers you by. Browsing our thoughts on the best gifts for grandchildren is a useful way to weigh sentiment against practicality before you decide.

The Best Types of Christmas Gifts Grandchildren Actually Keep

Children keep the gifts that keep giving them something back. That tends to rule out novelty and rule in things with depth.

Board games are the clearest example. A single box can hold years of evenings. Snakes and Ladders is a case in point: the game began in ancient India as Moksha Patam and arrived in Britain during the Victorian era, and it still holds a small child's attention today. You will find it and its companions among our board games.

Games of skill last differently. They are kept because a child grows into them. Table tennis, which we trademarked in 1900 under the name Ping-Pong, is one such gift — a game a five-year-old bats about and a fifteen-year-old plays seriously.

Outdoor sets earn their keep through repetition. Croquet, skittles and garden draughts come out summer after summer, and they draw whole families in rather than one child alone. Our outdoor games are made to sit outside a life rather than a single Christmas.

Then there are the classics that become fixtures. Chess is the great survivor here, kept not for a season but for a lifetime, and often longer. It is the sort of gift a grandchild still owns when they have grandchildren of their own.

What these all share is that they are not finished on Boxing Day. The plastic that thrills on the morning is frequently forgotten by the New Year. The game that asks something of a child — patience, strategy, a little practice — is the one that stays on the shelf and gets taken down again.

Wooden Toys and Traditional Games: Why They Still Matter

Wooden toys and traditional games persist for reasons that have little to do with nostalgia and a great deal to do with how children actually play.

Wood behaves honestly. It has heft, texture and a sound of its own. A wooden block dropped on a floor tells a child something a hollow plastic one does not, and that sensory feedback is part of how young children learn about the world around them.

Traditional games persist because they were refined over generations. Nobody had to teach a child the appeal of Snakes and Ladders; centuries of players had already established it. The rules are simple enough to grasp at once and rich enough to reward returning. You can see this across our traditional games.

There is also the matter of attention. A wooden game does not compete for a child's focus with lights and sounds; it invites the child to supply the imagination. That is a quieter kind of play, and often a longer one.

Durability is the practical argument. A well-made wooden toy can survive one grandchild and be waiting for the next. Plastic tends to crack, fade and end up discarded; good timber can be repaired, oiled and restored.

The chess pieces we produce carry this idea to its conclusion. The Staunton pattern we first sold in 1849 is still the standard used in play today, which means a set bought now shares its design with sets more than a century old.

That continuity is the real point. A traditional game connects the child who opens it on Christmas morning to every player who came before them.

Our Picks: Jaques of London Christmas Gifts for Every Age

For the very youngest, start simply. Our stage-by-stage guides — from the best Christmas gifts for a 3 year old to the best Christmas gifts for toddlers in 2026 — point towards wooden toys sized and tested for small hands.

For a child ready for their first real games, a board game from our board games or a garden set from our outdoor games bridges the gap between play and skill without overwhelming them.

For the grandchild who is ready for chess, there is a set to match the moment. The Staunton design was registered on 1 March 1849 with Jaques of London as the maker, and the endorsement of Howard Staunton, the leading player of the day, made it the pattern the world adopted.

Our 1890 Edition 3.5" Chess Pieces in a Beech Box at £1,400 is a considered first heirloom set — properly weighted pieces in a practical box for regular play.

The 1854 Edition 3.5" Chess Pieces in a Mahogany Box at £1,650 is the all-rounder, a set that reads equally well on a study desk and a games table.

Where the gift is meant to mark something — a milestone, a name to be remembered by — the 1855 Edition 4" Chess Pieces in a Mahogany Casket at £3,095 is the fullest expression of the pattern, a set built to be handed down rather than replaced.

How to Care for Quality Toys So They Last a Lifetime

A quality toy lasts because it is looked after, not merely because it is well made. A little care turns a decade of use into a lifetime.

Keep wooden pieces dry. Timber does not enjoy prolonged damp or direct heat, so store games away from radiators and out of the reach of a leaking window. A dry cupboard is kinder than a garage.

Clean gently. A soft, slightly damp cloth removes most marks; harsh cleaners and soaking do more harm than the dirt they remove. Let anything wiped down dry fully before it goes back in its box.

Feed the wood occasionally. A light application of a suitable wood oil or beeswax once or twice a year keeps chess pieces and boards from drying out, restores their colour and protects the grain. This matters most for sets from our traditional games that see regular handling.

Respect the storage the maker provided. A beech box or a mahogany casket is not only presentation; it protects the pieces from knocks and keeps a set complete, which is what allows it to be passed on intact.

Repair rather than replace. A loose joint can be re-glued, a scuffed surface re-oiled, a faded board revived. Good timber rewards attention in a way plastic never does, and outdoor sets from our outdoor games in particular benefit from a check-over at the end of each season.

Done consistently, none of this takes much effort. The reward is that the gift a grandchild opens this Christmas is still in playable condition when it is their turn to give it away.

Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Gifts Grandchildren

What are the best Christmas gifts for grandchildren in 2024?

Jaques of London offers some of the finest Christmas gifts for grandchildren, combining heritage craftsmanship with lasting play value. Top choices include a Staunton chess set — a design first sold by Jaques in 1849 and still considered the world standard — croquet sets, skittles, and traditional board games such as Snakes and Ladders. These are gifts built to be passed down rather than discarded after a season. Wooden construction and considered design mean they outlast plastic alternatives and grow in sentimental value over time.

What should I look for in Christmas gifts for grandchildren?

Look for durability, age-appropriateness, and genuine play value. A gift made from solid wood with a non-toxic finish will outlast cheaper alternatives and remain safe for young children. Consider whether the gift encourages face-to-face interaction — board games, chess, and outdoor sets such as croquet bring generations together. Brands with a long manufacturing history, such as Jaques of London, offer a reliable indicator of quality. Avoid gifts that depend on batteries or software updates, which date quickly and reduce longevity.

Are wooden toys worth buying as Christmas gifts for children?

Yes. Wooden toys are more durable than plastic equivalents, age well, and are generally safer for young children when finished with non-toxic treatments. They hold sentimental value and can be handed down to younger siblings or future grandchildren. Jaques of London has manufactured wooden games and toys for generations, and many families still own sets purchased decades ago. From a practical standpoint, wooden toys also tend to encourage more imaginative, open-ended play than single-purpose plastic alternatives.

What age are croquet sets suitable for?

Croquet sets from Jaques of London are available in sizes and weights suited to children from around six years old upwards. Junior sets use shorter, lighter mallets designed for smaller hands, making the game accessible without frustration. Croquet develops hand-eye coordination, patience, and strategic thinking, and is one of the few garden games the whole family — grandparents included — can play together on equal terms. Adult and full-size sets are suitable from early teens onwards. Always check the manufacturer's stated age guidance when purchasing.

What are the best traditional Christmas gifts for a 5 year old?

For a five-year-old, classic Jaques of London options include skittles, draughts, snakes and ladders, and simple card games. Snakes and Ladders, one of Britain's most enduring children's board games, has roots in ancient India as 'Moksha Patam' and has been enjoyed by British children since the Victorian era. These games build number recognition, turn-taking, and early strategy skills. Wooden sets are robust enough to withstand enthusiastic five-year-old play and make genuinely memorable Christmas morning presents without requiring screens or batteries.

How do I choose a Christmas gift for a grandchild I don't see often?

Choose something with broad, timeless appeal that grows with the child. A quality chess set, a croquet set, or a traditional board game works across a wide age range and gives you something to play together when you do meet. Jaques of London Staunton chess sets, based on the design registered on 1 March 1849, are suitable from around eight years upwards and remain engaging into adulthood. A beautifully made, boxed gift also communicates care and thoughtfulness without requiring detailed knowledge of current trends or specific interests.

What is the best board game to buy a grandchild for Christmas?

A Jaques of London Staunton chess set is among the finest board game gifts available. The Staunton piece design was registered on 1 March 1849, with Jaques of London as the manufacturer, and was endorsed by Howard Staunton, the leading chess player of the era. It remains the internationally recognised standard today. Chess develops logical thinking, concentration, and patience, and a well-made wooden set can last a lifetime. For younger grandchildren, Snakes and Ladders — with origins in ancient India — offers accessible, luck-based fun for the whole family.

Are Jaques of London toys good quality?

Jaques of London is one of Britain's oldest games manufacturers, with a history of producing games to exacting standards. The company registered the Staunton chess piece design on 1 March 1849 and trademarked table tennis under the name 'Ping-Pong' in 1900, reflecting a long record of innovation and quality manufacture. Their products use solid wood, careful finishing, and considered proportions. Many Jaques sets have been kept and used across multiple generations, which is the most reliable indicator of lasting quality in a games manufacturer.

What Christmas gifts are suitable for grandchildren of different ages?

Jaques of London offers games suited to a wide age range, making it straightforward to gift consistently across a family. Skittles and Snakes and Ladders suit children from around four to five years old. Draughts and Ludo work well from six upwards. Chess — using the Staunton design first sold by Jaques in 1849 — becomes accessible from around eight years. Croquet suits six and upwards with junior sets, and the full game is enjoyable for teenagers and adults. Choosing the same trusted brand across ages also makes family game sessions easier.

How do I look after wooden toys to make them last?

Keep wooden toys away from prolonged moisture and direct heat, both of which can cause warping or cracking. Wipe clean with a lightly damp cloth rather than submerging in water. Periodically treat unpainted wooden surfaces with a food-safe beeswax or natural wood oil to prevent drying out. Store sets in their original boxes where possible to protect components. Check for loose parts or splinters occasionally and sand lightly if needed. Properly maintained, a quality wooden game from a manufacturer such as Jaques of London can remain in excellent condition for decades.