Having a preschooler means lots of classmate birthday parties to look forward to during the school year. And that means lots of birthday gifts, which can really add up.

Luckily, there are lots ideas of really cool birthday gift ideas for preschoolers that are under $15 if you know where to look. And we do!

As a former preschool teacher, I chose gifts that I know will make little birthday girls and boys very happy, and that parents will feel good about buying. So stock up on a bunch of these affordable birthday gift ideas for preschoolers now and make life a wee bit easier through the whole school year.

Because life with preschoolers can use all the help it can get.

Related: The Ultimate Birthday Party Gift Guide: The best 2017 gifts for kids sorted by age

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Walkie Chalk

Craft gifts are always a hit for both boys and girls, and you can stockpile them for the whole year. This clever sidewalk chalk holder is wonderful for generating some outdoor creativity. And no more chalky clothes. Maybe. ($13.99, Amazon)

Mythical Edition Plush Unicorns

Kids tend to have their favorite plush brands, but no one can resist a unicorn! These pastel unicorns for kids 3+ will yield so many squeals, and the price is perfect! ($13, Land of Nod)

Melissa & Doug Solar System Floor Puzzle

Preschoolers love big floor puzzles and they also love anything about the solar system. This 48 piece puzzle by Melissa & Doug has been updated from their first edition to be accurate. (Sorry Pluto!) And it doesn’t feel like a “cheap” gift, with that big size and amazing graphics. ($11.68, Amazon)

We’re All Wonders by R.J. Palacio

This picture book adaptation of R.J. Palacio’s hugely popular middle reader novel was created after demands for a version for younger kids, 4-8. The story focuses on a boy born with a congenital facial abnormality who’s heading to school for the first time, making it one all kids should read for the lesson that kindness always the right choice. ($6.84 for paperback to $14.44 hardcover, Amazon)

Related: 10 tips to turn reluctant preschool readers into book lovers

 Seedling Color Your Own Kokeshi Doll Kit

Seedling makes the cutest DIY craft kits ready packaged for birthday giving. This Japanese Kokeshi Doll is perfect as a birthday gift for preschoolers because it comes with colored pencils to decorate — much easier (and neater) than paint from the original version for older kids. ($9.99, Seedling)

Related: More amazing preschool birthday gifts all under $15

YOXO Creature Building Kits

We love LEGO and Playmobil of course, but for something a little different, check out the YOXO building kits for their open-ended creative sets, and your preschooler will love creating fierce dinosaurs, speedy dragonflies, zippy helicopters, killer (or kind) robots, and more. ($5.40 and up, Amazon; the dual dinosaur kit currently on sale for $17!)

Related: 3 non-LEGO building sets to keep the playroom interesting

La Baby Soft Baby Doll

This line of super sweet and diverse little dolls fit perfectly in a preschooler’s arms. And they happen to be wildly affordable for a special preschool birthday gift!  ($11.99, Target)

Related: 5 fun travel toys for preschoolers who need to stay busy on long trips

Personalized Kids Crayon Name Set

Little kids love big chunky crayons and anything with their names on it. So how cool is this personalized set of homemade crayons from a great little Etsy shop? (Starts at $10.95, Art2theExtreme on Etsy)

Superman and Wonder Woman Wooden Figurines

For kids who love imaginary play, these wooden superhero figurines are fierce and ready to battle for good..or at least hours of imaginary play. ($8.99 on sale, PBK)

Superhero Graphic Tee

We included a lot of fun graphic tees in our list of fab preschool back to school gifts and gear, and here’s one more to add to the list. A favorite character will go a long way, whether it’s Pokemon, a superhero, a Disney friend, Star Wars or…well, you name it. (This one $7.99 on sale, JCPenney)

Mix it Up by Hervé Tullet

We love all of Hervé Tullet’s children’s books and Mix it Up is a favorite gift idea for preschoolers. It’s interactive, really fun, and teaches the fundamentals of color theory in art. ($10.59, Amazon)

A Pair of Super Cool Socks

Let go of the idea that socks aren’t cool gifts. They are, they are! Especially the amazing designs from Sock it To Me sized perfectly for little feet, featuring themes any kid will love, from unicorns and these “purrmaid” cat mermaids (so hip this year!) to unicorns, STEM themes a a whole lot more. ($9-9.50, Sock it To Me)

ALEX Toys Little Hands Paper Bag Monsters

Crafts sets appropriate preschoolers can be difficult to find, so we love this kit for its simplicity — a glue stick and paper is all that’s needed to create puppets. Plus, ALEX toys always come nicely packaged and ready for gift-giving. ($9.54 on sale, Amazon)

Bug-shaped Flashlight

Kids love flashlights. And when they are as cute as these bug-shaped ones from Hearthsong, you can bet they will use it for a long time. And, they last! My tween and teen still use their Lion-shaped flashlights they received as gifts when they were preschoolers. ($12.98, Hearthsong)

My First BANANAGRAMS

This version of the popular kids’ game is made just for preschoolers. With lowercase and combo-letter tiles, this “first” version is fun for pre- and early readers and makes an affordable, educational preschool birthday gift that the birthday kiddo’s parents will appreciate too.. ($14.99, Amazon)