At Christmas, our family focuses on the joy of Christmas and service. But that doesn’t mean we don’t also give Christmas gifts! These gift ideas for kids are perfect for Christmas, birthdays or any other time when you need a special children’s gift.
If you’re looking for an age-appropriate gift to add to your wish list this holiday season, look no further.
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Gift guide for children of all ages
It can be difficult to find unique gifts for little ones that also meet my standards. I don’t want to spend money on something that will immediately fall apart. And I prefer to use natural and environmentally friendly materials as much as possible.
Over the years, I’ve compiled a list of great gifts that my kids love. From 2-year-olds, to 10-year-olds, to teens, you’re sure to find something your kids will love on this list. The best toys are not always the trendiest, but the toys that stimulate creativity, imagination and fun.
You’ll also notice lots of gifts that encourage movement (great for kids who like to fidget!). According to my 6 year old, we have created an “epic” backyard. In the lists below you can see some of the items we have (such as a slackline).
I have organized the children’s toys and gifts by age, but these are just general guidelines. Maybe your tween hasn’t been in the kitchen yet and wants to learn how to cook real food. Or maybe your genius 5-year-old is ready for a Rubik’s Cube. And don’t forget the stocking stuffers!
Gifts for teens, tweens and older children
- Buddha Board – A relaxing way to paint with just water (it evaporates and you can paint again).
- Archery Set – My kids love these GBG archery sets and these sets are made for kids by kids. They also have some helpful videos on their website!
- Leather Journal – A beautiful leather journal for sketching or journaling.
- Japanese Puzzle Box – These beautiful puzzle boxes are a unique way for older children to keep valuables safe and are fun to learn.
- Rubik’s Cube – The 80’s were calling, but we told you we are keeping the Rubik’s Cube. Older children will love learning to solve this retro puzzle.
- Star Wars Lego Set – These building toys are popular among big kids and teens and there are dozens to choose from.
- Build your own programmable robot kit – This kit was a favorite of my oldest. Build a robot and program it!
- Coloring books for adults – Coloring is not just for little kids anymore. These ‘coloring books for adults’ are very detailed and research shows that coloring has a relaxing effect.
- Boogie Board – Reusable board that encourages drawing and doodling.
- Kindle – An affordable tablet with many features.
- Runaway Alarm Clock – Does your teen have trouble waking up? This alarm clock runs away and keeps making sounds until it’s caught!
- Natural Makeup Brushes – If your teen is old enough to wear makeup, these natural makeup brushes are great!
- Power Cube Wall Adapter – Surge protector that charges multiple devices simultaneously.
- Collapsible Duffle Bag – Great bag for short trips that folds down to a small size, unlike some large backpacks.
- Minnetonka Chrissy Boots (for teen girls) – Super comfortable boots that she will love to see under the Christmas tree!
- Cash in a Money Maze Puzzle Box – Give money so they can get what they want, but make it fun by hiding it in this puzzle cube.
- No Fold Ponytail Holders – These are very popular right now. They are gentle on the hair and leave no creases! Or I hear that scrunchies and banana clips are back in fashion!
- Travel Hammock – Do you have a teen who loves being outdoors? These travel hammocks collapse small and are great. They are also quite popular on some college campuses.
- Become a Beekeeper Course: This is a great introductory course to beekeeping. This course teaches them everything from buying bees to harvesting honey.
- Backyard Bags (also called Cornhole) – This is always a fun backyard game. Whether you have guests or just the two of you, this is a family favorite in our home.
- Slackline – Like a balance beam and trampoline in one. It stimulates balance, gross motor skills and coordination. Moreover, it is hours of fun.
- Ninjaline – Just like a jungle gym, but sturdier. A lot of people use these for Ninja Warrior training, but our kids just love it!
- Talkbox.Mom – Do your children want to learn another language? This is a fun way to do that at home and is great for kids of all ages – even the little ones!
Best gifts for kids who are younger
- Gym 1 Indoor Doorway Gym – Our kids’ all-time favorite Christmas gift. It’s a gym that mounts in a door frame and they use it every day.
- Snap Circuits – A very fun building kit that allows children to learn about electricity by building different types of basic machines such as a fan, a radio, etc.
- Art Kit – A favorite among my girls. This craft supply set includes markers, crayons, colored pencils and more for crafting.
- Flower Press Book Pack – Kids can make their own stationery, cards and more with the Flower/Leaf Press Pack.
- Mini trampoline for indoor play – We have had a trampoline in our home for years and it is great for cold or rainy days. Rebounding is great for adults too!
- Wooden twig crayons – Wooden crayons made from twigs. Good size for younger children just learning to write and draw.
- Wooden People and Craft Supplies – Our kids loved making their own little wooden dolls with these.
- Plasma Car – My little ones loved these riding toys and they are great for kids of all sizes.
- Grow and Make – They have kits ranging from gardening to making your own box of chocolates.
- Natural Paint – Made from natural earth pigments for all your arts and crafts projects.
- Microscope Set – My oldest loved looking at hair, dirt and all kinds of other things in this microscope. STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) toys like these are educational toys, but can also be super fun.
- Bath Crayons – These beeswax bath crayons for toddlers are handmade in New Zealand with New Zealand beeswax and non-toxic food grade pigments. The jumbo crayons are perfect for toddlers, children and children aged 2 years and over.
- Or beeswax crayons – Triangular colored pencils made from natural beeswax. A healthier option to the popular Crayola crayons. Or try making one yourself!
- Dollhouse – This Melissa & Doug dollhouse is great for children ages 4 to 8 years old. Suitable for smaller dolls.
- Little Passports – This subscription service is tailored to your child’s age and the collection they would be most interested in. (For parents you can filter by your budget!)
- Stainless Steel Play Kitchen Pots and Pans – My daughters played with these in the kitchen for hours! Items that encourage pretend play are always encouraged! Buy an eating play set with it.
- Piano Keyboard for Beginners (and Free Hoffman Academy Lessons) – This is a great way to get the kids started with music.
- Boogie Board – A reusable writing tablet that stimulates creativity.
- Sun Art – Fun educational craft idea that kids will love.
- Kendama Game – Fun interactive game that encourages movement.
- Weighted Blanket – Not just for kids, but a soothing gift that helps children get into a restful state and has shown benefits for sleep.
- Sensory Swing – If you are looking for a sensory swing to help your child relax and de-stress, this is the swing for him or her. The swings are made of high-quality but comfortable canvas that your child will want to spend hours in.
- Cook Real Food E-Course for Kids – Give the Gift of Quality Time and Kitchen Skills! This course was life changing for our family.
- Plant Therapy Aroma Plush Sets – These adorable gift sets include a stuffed animal and their KidsSafe Woodland Retreat Oil. I’m a believer in the safety of essential oils for children, and that’s one of the reasons I like this line so much.
- Trampoline – Not just for kids when you consider the lymphatic benefits of jumping! This is a great outdoor toy, but we also have a little one at home.
- Swing – Our kids loved this backyard swing
- Logic puzzles or games to develop problem-solving skills (Logic Links and Kanoodle are two of our favorites)
- Word games or board games (we like Boggle, Apples to Apples Freestyle, Story Cubes, Madlibs Jr.)
- KiwiCo – From toddler stage through preschool to age 12, they offer fun and educational subscription boxes that can be a great addition to any homeschool curriculum or just for fun on the weekend.
- Eco-Friendly Baby Gifts – There aren’t many things cuter than a baby in organic dino footie pajamas. View all my favorite organic brands for the nicest baby (and children’s) clothes. I also love this natural baby toy brand.
- When I grow up, that’s what I want to be…. book. This book is intended for children and children to answer five or six fun questions to capture their interests, talents, strengths and achievements, and can be a fun career journal. My kids love reading what they wrote in their journals years ago!
- Building Blocks – This wooden building set has colorful blocks that stimulate building, stacking and imagination.
- Scooter Board – Kids toys that help with exercise are always a big hit in our house. This wooden scooter board is great for toddlers through primary school age children.
Stocking stuffer ideas for kids
What gifts have your children enjoyed? Are there people you would add to this list? Leave a comment and let me know!