How2Day: Marine Corps Gifts for Kids

Boys may like military paraphenalia. VisionsofAmerica/Joe Sohm/Photodisc/Getty Images
Every branch of the military has its own branding, based on its current advertising campaigns, recruitment material and its specific history. The Navy focuses on imagery of anchors and fighters, draped in blues and whites. The Marine Crops (USMC) focuses on its iconography and culture: The eagle, anchor and globe that form the universally recognized emblem; and its reputation for intensity and physical fitness. The USMC has a variety of branded products that can be used as gifts for kids.

Kids love baseballs. They're versatile toys and can be used for anything from a simple game of catch to a full blown game of baseball. One USMC-themed gift for kids is a USMC-themed baseball. Manufacturers make them with a variety of Marine Corps designs. These usually cost around $8, as of October 2010.

Teddy bears are a classic gift for younger kids. You can buy teddy bears in a variety of USMC styling to give to children young enough to still be into stuffed animals. These cost about $8 to $10, as of October 2010.

Patches are great gifts for kids. They can either collect them or, with some help from their parents, put them on clothing or backpacks to wear around. There are a variety of USMC patches available for purchase. These usually cost about $5, as of October 2010.

Kids like stickers. You can give kids USMC decals for them to put on their favorite objects or to decorate their room. The decals come in a variety of designs, and usually run about $5, as of October 2010.

The popular childhood game "Monopoly" also comes in a Marine Corps flavor. The specially themed game includes a board that is re-styled to feature military inspired properties and Marine styled tokens (including a helmet, boots, tank, jet, hummer, and one consisting of the letters "USMC"). The game costs about $40, as of October 2010.

Among the products you can buy for kids are Marine Corps themed wall clocks. Even though most kids have digital clocks, analog wall clocks have something digital clocks lack: namely a face that can bear decoration and adornment. These USMC styled wall clocks vary from simple clocks to having a variety of sound effects they play on the hour. The decoration on the face can vary from a simple eagle, anchor, and globe on a white background to much more colorful backgrounds and logos. These wall clocks usually run from about $20 to about $30, as of October 2010, though some can be more.

The Marines pride themselves on being a ground, amphibious, and air combat force. Marine pilots fly a variety of aircraft, including helicopters and fighter jets. You can buy these toys for kids to play with, display in their room, or both.

While kids usually don't appreciate functional gifts, they will likely like a blanket with a USMC logo on it. They can put it atop their other blankets or comforters to have a Marine Corps bed.

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