What is the best gift for siblings with very different ages?

An illustrated sibling book works well because the story is written for the whole group, not for one specific age. A cookbook or an activity book they can do together is also a good option.

Gift for Several Children: Sibling and Friend Group Ideas

By Baptiste Geissmann · August 19, 2026 · 5 min read

You have a sibling group to spoil, twins, two cousins the same age, or simply two children at a friend's house. The real problem isn't the budget, it's fairness. How do you give something that includes everyone, without anyone feeling left out?

Key takeaways

A shared gift that features all the children together is often stronger than an identical gift for each one.
An illustrated sibling book puts up to 4 children in the same adventure, each with their own name and appearance.
For children with very different ages, favor an experience gift or an object they use together.

The trap of the multiplied identical gift

Giving each child the same gift seems fair. In practice, it means two identical books on the same shelf, or two toys that end up mixed together. And a 7-year-old with a toy meant for a 3-year-old just doesn't land.

The alternative: a shared gift that celebrates the group. One single object, designed for everyone. This changes something in the message: you're no longer celebrating each child separately, you're celebrating the sibling group or the friendship.

5 gift ideas for a sibling group

1. An illustrated book with all the children as heroes A single story where each child appears with their own name, appearance and personality. Pitiboo's Friends and Siblings formulas let you include 2, 3 or 4 children in the same adventure. It's the only gift where no child is "extra."

2. A subscription to a shared activity Swimming lessons, a pottery workshop, a climbing session. A shared-experience gift creates a common memory, and it's often cheaper than two separate gifts.

3. A board game suited to their shared age range Watch out for age gaps. Dobble or Uno work from 5 to 12. Catan Junior suits 8 and up. Check what fits your children.

4. A creative kit to make together Salt dough, a fabric-painting kit, a terrarium to build. These activities work well for siblings with a 2 to 4 year age gap. The result belongs to the whole group.

5. A family photo album For grandparents or aunts and uncles who want to give something memorable: a professional photo album that tells the story of a year or a key family moment.

Personalized Pitiboo book for a sibling group, watercolor illustration

Why the sibling book works so well

Jealousy between brothers and sisters is a classic. The older one who feels sidelined since the baby arrived. The younger one who always feels behind on the older one's privileges. A book where both are heroes of the same adventure sends a simple message: you are equals in this story, and in ours.

Parents who order a sibling book often report the same thing: the kids fight over who holds the book, each one wants "their" part read first. That's exactly the effect you're after.

When the children have very different ages

A gap of 5 years or more raises a question of content. A story for an 18-month-old and a 7-year-old has to strike a balance. It's possible, and it's handled right in the order form: you specify each child's age and personality, and the story is adjusted accordingly.

For very large gaps (under 1 year and over 8 years old), a shared activity book or an experience gift is often a better choice than an illustrated book.

Friends or siblings: what's the difference?

None, in principle. Pitiboo's Friends and Siblings formulas apply to sibling groups just as well as best friends, cousins, or any group of children. The story is written for the characters listed in the form, whatever their relationship.

Create the story where every child is a hero

2, 3 or 4 children in the same watercolor illustrated adventure. Each with their own name, face and personality.

✨ Create the sibling book from CHF 76.–

Frequently asked questions

How do you give a fair gift when there are several children?

Two options: give each child the same gift separately, or give one shared gift that features all the children together. The second is often more memorable because it celebrates the sibling group rather than the individual.

Can a Pitiboo book include 3 or 4 children?

Yes. The Friends and Siblings formulas let you include 2, 3 or 4 children in the same story, each with their own name, appearance and personality. One single story, and every child is a hero.

What gift for a sibling group with very different ages?

An illustrated sibling book works well because the story is written for the whole group. For very large gaps (under a year and over 8 years old), a shared experience gift is often more suitable.