This past year Presley and I had the awesome reading experience when we worked with a company called Once Upon A Book Box. They are a book subscription service that includes 3-5 individually wrapped presents that correspond with that months book. The presents encourage reading and make the story come to life. OUABB had a young readers box this past year and Presley absolutely loved reading through the trilogy and opening the corresponding presents when it was time. It helped jumpstart her experience with reading and so I knew that it was something I wanted to continue to do together with her. The company unfortunately hasn’t made anymore of the kid friendly boxes (although I highly recommend the normal boxes for adults!) I tossed around the idea of putting one together on my own for awhile and finally sat down to do it! Several different book ideas came to mind & then I finally decided on Harry Potter. The illustrated versions are absolutely gorgeous and even more child friendly plus I just read the series for the first time in 2019 and knew that Presley would enjoy it.
So, here we go. If you want to create a box for your child as well, I broke down all the chapters with gift ideas that I used for Presley (currently age 8 and in 2nd grade) as well as alternative gifts for other children and even some for adults –because you are never too old for Harry Potter. My goal was to keep the price point down, but make sure the gifts were usable, age appropriate and made sure the experience was MAGICAL.
I set up an entire collection of potential items on my Amazon storefront which you can access HERE.
(I am an Amazon affiliate so I do make a small comission at no cost to you if you happen to purchase anything.)
The Sorcerors Stone has SEVENTEEN chapters. I opted to try and find a gift for every single chapter. I know from our experience Presley was very bummed in her original book box to sometimes have 100 pages to read between gifts. A present a chapter would encourage reading while also giving her something to look forward to. Depending on your budget & kids reading preference go with whatever works for you. There are so many options depending on your price point. You could find free printables for chapters, or get an elaborate gift for each chapter – completely depends on your child + your budget. See the chapters at a glance HERE.
Chapter 1: THE BOY WHO LIVED
We meet The Dursleys & learn about the weird events happening around town. We are introduced to Dumbledore & McGonall. Harry is dropped off at the Dursley’s doorstep with his little lightning scar on his forehead & the promise of a bright but troubling future.
I decided to go with a Hogwarts Journal, camera film to document our adventure together & of course, a letter in the journal to Presley. I also found the cutest little lightning bolt earrings on WISH that took forever to arrive but still managed to sneak them in the DAY I gave Presley the entire gift.
Alternatives: The Dursleys see owls flying around. A cat to represent McGonagall sitting outside the Dursleys home. A flashlight similar to Dumbledoors lighter that makes the street lamps go out. Lemon Drops that Dumbledoor Eats.
For adults: Lighter (put-outer), gold watch simliar to Dumbledors, sunglasses like McGonagalls glasses
Chapter 2: THE VANISHING GLASS
It’s Dudleys birthday & the Dursleys head to the Zoo, their neighbor is unable to watch Harry so he joins. Harry ends up talking to the snake in the Reptile exhibit and accidentally makes the glass disappear.
I found a giant snake that grows in water from Amazon and knew that Presley would love that right away!
Alternatives: Harry has a dream of a flying motorcycle. Harry is in his room thinking about his parents and all he can remember is a green light – glow in the dark stars.
For adults: A date to the local zoo, a snake ring
Chapter 3: THE LETTERS FROM NO-ONE
Hogwarts letters start arriving for Harry but the Dursleys refuse to let him open any of them. Harry is moved into Dudleys second room & out of the cupboard under the stairs. Harry’s 11th birthday is approaching & the Dursleys go to an old shack on the water to try and escape the multiplying letters addressed to Harry.
We love writing letters so a Wax stamp kit was an obvious choice for Presley – my little artist! Instead of a Hogwarts themed seal, I went with a ‘W’ so that we could use it for all of our letters.
Alternatives: Etsy has options for customizable Hogwarts letter with Childs name. Cake supplies.
For Adults: A waterfront getaway, Stationary Kit, personalized wax stamp kit
Chapter 4: THE KEEPER OF THE KEYS
Hagrid finds Harry & brings him cake & a meal. Hagrid tells him about his parents, wizards & even Voldemort. Dudley gets a pig tail & Harry finds out he is a wizard. Hagrid finally is able to give Harry his Hogwarts letter. Download a free printable Hogwarts letter here.
I was originally going to get Presley some Pajamas, but instead of went with some HP Lego blind bags Presley opened when Mr Dursley yelled at the door “WHO’S THERE?”
Alternatives: Baking supplies to bake a cake for Harry. Pig paraphenalia for Dudleys tail
For Adults: A pink Hagrid umbrella, personal cake
Chapter 5: DIAGON ALLEY
Harry wakes up thinking it’s a dream he is a wizard, but it’s not! Hagrid takes Harry to Gringotts to do his shopping at Diagon Alley. Hagrid buys him Hedwig as a Birthday gift. After all of his shopping, Hagrid puts him on the train back to the Dursleys but promises he will see him at the start of term on September 1st.
I found the cutest little feather pen (quill) at a store in Scotland and knew it would be perfect!
Alternatives: There are so many options here. I think the best would be a WAND! We purchased Presley’s wand last year off of WISH for around $7! It lights up and works perfectly. You could also go with notebooks, Gringots coin replecas, a Hedwig Owl, Robes, or even an old key as Harrys vault key.
Adult Option: Antique Key, key necklace a shopping day, personalized wand, leather journal
Chapter 6: THE JOURNEY FROM PLATFORM 9 3/4
The Dudleys begrudgingly drop Harry off at the Train Station with his luggage. He cannot find the platform but then sees a family of redheads talking about Platform 9 3/4. Harry gets through the platform & on board the train. He meets Ron & Hermoine. Orders lots of candy from the trolley & shares since this is the first time he’s had money and sweets like this! He sees Hagrid again & then the first years take boats to the castle.
I picked some jelly slugs and Bertie Boots jelly beans for Presley to get when we reached the Trolley portion of this chapter.
Alternatives: Anothing 9 3/4 related, Weasleys, Trolley Candy, little rat scabbers, Nevilles Toad.
Adult Options: New luggage, favorite candy
Chapter 7: THE SORTING HAT
Professor McGonagall greets the new students & leads them into a waiting room where she tells them about the houses & the Sorting Hat. Students see the castles resident ghosts & then the hat sorts all the new students. Harry gets gryfindor & is super happy, and hungry! Dumbledore gives a speech and then a feast appears! After food his scar hurts looking at Prof. Quirrell & Snape.
You can take a free quiz to find out what Hogwarts house you are in right here. We took them last year & Presley was Gryffindor.
I found this cute Hogwarts cup with all the houses on it so that is what I chose! We always need new cups!
Alternatives: An actual talking Sorting Hat, any house scarfs, hats, shirts, bookmarks, etc.
Adult options: Any house themed gifts
Chapter 8: THE POTIONS MASTER
Classes start & everyone is talking about Harry. An owl comes one morning inviting Harry to tea at Hagrids. Snape seems to be picking on Harry in Potions class. While at Hagrid’s Harry sees a newspaper article about Gringotts being robbed & notices Hagrid not making eye contact with him.
I found a potions pen at a store near us, and new it would be perfect for this chapter.
Alternatives: Hedwig item, potions class items, tea party afternoon
Adult options: Tea set, tea strainer, HP Mug
Chapter 9: THE MIDNIGHT DUEL
Harry and Malfoy are not getting along & they have their first flying lessons together. During flying lessons Malfoy steals Nevilles new remembrall and Harry chases after him & ends up catching it. He is called to the office & thinks he is in big trouble when in fact McGonagall wants him to play on the Quidditch team. Malfoy challenges him to a duel later that night. Several students end up on the 3rd floor which they are not allowed to be on & find a three headed dog guarding a trap door!
I wanted to save my Quidditch item for a later chapter, so for this item I just found a cute little Fluffy dog on Amazon.
Alternatives: Trap door key, quidditch item
Adult Options: Nevilles remembral, another key option
Chapter 10: HALLOWEEN
Harry gets a broom in the mail & has his first Quidditch practice. Halloween approaches & Harry loves being at Hogwarts. Ron offends Hermione & she runs off into the girl’s bathroom crying. During dinner Professor Quirrell runs into the main hall screaming there is a troll in the dungeon. Ron & Harry run off to try to find Hermoine instead of going back to their dorms as instructed. They find the Troll in the bathroom and use magic to knock it out.
I found a cute little snitch necklace on Wish that I thought Presley would enjoy wearing, but it wasn’t here the day before this chapter so I ran to the store to grab some slime for Troll boogies! THEN, it arrived, so this was a double present chapter!
Alternatives: Miniature Nimbus 2000, flying snitch, quidditch items, miniature troll
Adult options: Date night to a fancy dinner, gold ball necklace, snitch keychain
Chapter 11: QUIDDITCH
It’s Quidditch season and Harry’s first game is against Slytherin. Snape takes away a book Harry has & they notice him limping. Harry tries to get his book back but hears Snape talking about the three-headed dog. Harry’s broom is spelled during the quidditch match but he still manages to catch the snitch in his mouth. Ron, Hermione & Ron find out from Hagrid that the dog’s name is Fluffy and he belongs to him.
Alternatives: Anything else quidditch related, three headed dog, a book similar to the one Snape took from Harry.
Adult Options: journal, binoculars
Chapter 12: THE MIRROR OF ERISED
Harry is glad to be staying at Hogwarts for the Christmas break. Ron, Hermione and Ron are trying to learn more about Nicolas Flamel. Harry gets an invisibility cloak for Christmas that belonged to his father. He uses the cloak to get into the restricted section of the library, when a book starts screaming he makes a run for it and ends up in a new part of the castle. He finds the mirror of Erised and sees his family & later brings back Ron.
I found a black cloak on Amazon and knew right away it would make a perfect invisibility cloak!
Alternatives: Christmas themed HP stuff, a mini “wizard” chess set
Adult Options: Pocket mirror, antique mirror, fancy chess set, new jacket/jumper
Chapter 13: NICOLAS FLAMEL
Classes & Quidditch start back up and they are no closer to finding out who Nicolas Flamel. Malfoy spells Neville & Harry gives him a chocolate frog to cheer him up. The card reminds Harry where he saw the name Flamel & Hermione runs out to grab a book. Flamel is the only one who can make the Sorcerors stone which can make an elixer of immortality. Harry wins a Quidditch match. Harry follows Snape & Quirrel into the forrest and hears them talking about the stone.
Alternative: A trip to the Library to find a new book, frog candy or a frog toy, a notebook, quidditch items.
Adult options: Book from wish list, favorite chocolate bar
Chapter 14: NORBERT THE NORWEGIAN RIDGEBACK
Harry, Ron & Hermione study for finals while keeping an eye on Quirrel & Snape. Hagrid’s dragon hatches and Malfoy sees! Ron convinces Hagrid to let his brother Charlie come get the dragon. Malfoy tries to get the others caught and they accidentally leave the invisibility cloak in the tower.
This was the priciest gift but Presley loves these little live pets so I knew it would be a big hit!
Alternatives: Spy kit, temporary dragon tattoos
Adult options: Heated blanket, stationary set
Chapter 15: Forbidden Forest
As part of detention Harry, Hermione, Neville, and Malfoy have to go into the Forbidden Forrest with Hagrid to find out what is killing the Unicorns. They meet several of the centaurs and find out what is killing and drinking the blood of the Unicorns.
Presley has wanted a Unicorn Onesie for forever, so I knew as soon as I read this chapter that now was the perfect time!
Alternatives: Unicorn stuff, centaur figurine, park visit
Adult Options: Unicorn cozy socks, pocket flashlight
Chapter 16: Through the Trapdoor
Final exams go well, Harry is having bad dreams, Dumbledore goes away on a business call. Harry, Ron & Hermione go to rescue the stone from ‘Snape/Voldemort’, they get past Fluffy and make it past the other challenges.
I found this Tickle me plant kit and thought it would be fun to plant and watch grow and then tickle!
Alternatives: Dream catcher kit, little flute, Key and wings, chess kit, potion kit
Adult Options: Dream journal, planting supplies, wizard chess
Chapter 17: The Man with two Faces
Harry finds someone he wasn’t expecting! The Mirror of Erised is there and Harry finds the stone. Defeats the bad guy!! Next thing he knows he wakes up in the Hospital Wing at Hogwarts and Dumbledore tells him what happened.
While I was checking WISH for some smaller priced items I found this necklace and knew it would be perfect to represent the Sorcerers stone!
Alternatives: Scarf, Travel Mirror, Candy from Hospital visitors
Adult Options: Turban/Scarf, Mirror Option, Red ring/necklace
Final Thoughts:
- Want to do Harry Potter but not read the entire book? Here is a Chapter by Chapter breakdown that helps!
- Plan your budget beforehand. In total, this cost around $150 for the illustrated book + 19 gifts. You could easily find printable, coloring pages, candy or lower price items and STILL make this just as magical.
- Think of items you’d like to find, and check garage sale pages, WISH.com (read the reviews first!), or use coupons at local stores to get items for a fraction of the cost
- You can download a free HP Font here
- I mean, limitless possibilities for children’s books – Chronicals of Narnia, Series of Unfortunate Events……Think outside the box
- Bonus points if you can read the book, then celebrate by watching the movie!!!!
Phew. That was a lot…… Off to get ready to put the second book together. Wish me luck. XO
I do believe something magical can happen when you read a good book.
-J.K. Rowling
Stacy says
Great photos! 😉
Tausha says
That means alot coming from YOU! Thanks girl!!!
Charty Coger says
Did you finish this with the other books? Wondering what items you did per chapter for the other books?!