62 cool gifts for kids under $15, and they don’t feel like stocking stuffers
Each year we track down the best kids’ gifts that don’t feel like stocking stuffers, that fit into any budget. In this case, under $15 (or maybe just a few cents more) with plenty that cost way less. And wow! Who knew we’d find more than 60 fantastic, affordable gifts for kids of all ages this year? Whether you’ve got a ton of nieces, nephews or grandkids, secret Santa classroom gifts, or just want to keep the gift budget in check, we hope you find what you’re looking for here.
For our most up to the minute favorites, please visit our 2020 list of 50+ cool gifts for kids all under $15
All gifts have been editorially determined by our staff, there is no compensation in exchange for picks. CMP is an rstyle and Amazon affiliate. Discount codes expired 12/31/16.
Personalized Wooden Harmonicas
Love so much from this indie Oregon woodworking shop, but the harmonicas will win your kids over.
$9.75, Indie Bambino Toys
Babylit A Christms Carol Board Book
So many favorite classics translated as baby board books in this series, but this one is a perfect holiday choice, obvs.
$9.95, Babesta
Personalized Kids Crayon Name Set
Anything personalized is always more special and this one is just so cool.
$10.95+, Letters Art 2 the Extreme
Rudolph Anniversary Edition DVD
No reason not to watch it all year round, as far as we’re concerned.
$5, Target
3D Color Box
Coloring book meets pop up book meets puppet theater? Wow! | 10% off with code COOLMOM
$15, Perfectly Smitten
Skull Socks
One of our fave indie clothing labels for cool kids’ clothes offers up this steal that our own kids are coveting. (Yes, socks are cool now.)
$9, Nununu
Mini Unicorn 3D Model Kit
Check out our entire page of unicorn gifts while you’re at it, but this one is a fun craft at a great price.
$10, Uncommon Goods
Star Wars Paper Flyers Craft Kit
One of those great unplugged gifts that will be played with before the expensive electronic stuff.
$14.91, Amazon
Personalized Snowflake Placemat
A fabulous idea for siblings, cousins, or any family trying to avoid the “she stole my chair!” fights. | 15% off with code COOLXMAS15
$12, Psychobaby
Dinosaur Stuffed Animals
Having trouble picking a favorite for our dino-loving kids.
$12.95 each, Land of Nod
Naughty and Nice Cookie Card 2-pack
So cute, and they ship anywhere. Lots of styles to choose from, including single cookie cards too.
$10.99, Cheryl’s Cookies
Kids Handmade Fabric Crown
Quite a few fabrics and colors at this Etsy shop, at a sweet price.
$15, Valpo Studio
Personalized Jedi-in-Training Drawstring Backpack
Unless they have one already, of course. | 15% off with code COOLXMAS15
$12, Psychobaby
NFL Wilson Junior Throwback Football
For future gridironstars, and armchair coaches alike.
$14.99+ Target
Mini Wooden Bank
This small Rochester Etsy shop offers plenty of ways for young kids to start saving in style.
$14, MMIM
Let All the Children Boogie: A Tribute to David Bowie
As much for the parents as it is for the kids. Ziggy lives on.
$11.52, Amazon
3D Gingerbread Cookie Tree
Such a fun, affordable treat!
We’re sorry, but this item is no longer available.
$8, Dylan’s Candy Bar
Original Roy Toy Wooden Log Cabin Building Set
We love that these are still US-made; our kids just love playing with them.
$9.95, Martha Stewart American Made on eBay
Ballerina Snow Globe
Get the kids a new one each year, and start a collection and a tradition.
$10.20 on sale, Target
Printable Harry Potter Hogwarts Art
Hang it on the wall so they can fall asleep dreaming of saving the world from evil.
$3, ArtQuality
Sony Kids Volume Limiting Headphones
Terrific value for very decent headphones that protect their little eardrums while they jam out.
$14.89, Target
Monster Fingerprint Art Set
Art is always more fun when you’re allowed to get your hands dirty. Or, just your fingertips.
$11, My Sweet Muffin
Schwings Shoe Wings, Flames, Lightning Bolts
So many cool styles our kids love. Add to your favorite shoes or boots, or to be extra generous, get them some new shoes and tie these on to make them more special.
$8.95+, Schwings
Handmade wooden flamingo marionette
This Etsy shop has so many charming handmade wooden animal marionettes! Be sure to check out the penguin too — or spend a few dollars more for a tiger, a French poodle, or a rainbow caterpillar.
$15, Puppet Pets
A Poem for Peter: The Story of Ezra Jack Keats and the Creation of The Snowy Day
If The Snowy Day is a favorite book in your home like ours, you’ll love this book too.
$14.51, Amazon
Medieval Dragon Hand Puppet
Made by artist Dinara Mirtalipova, the cool folk art look is inspired by her Uzbec upbringing. Psst..check out the whole set of 6 medieval hand puppets. You can always divide them up between lots of kids.
$12.95, Land of Nod
Mon Petit Art Coloring Book / Stickers
To keep little fingers and minds busy, over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house. | 10% off with code COOLMOM
$12.50, Perfectly Smitten
Creative pop-out and play city set
Hours of creative play time in one pretty box.
$13.99 on sale, Le Petit Collage
Rainbow Unicorn Stud Earrings
While we’ve got an entire category of cute rainbow unicorn gifts, we can’t resist the price on these little guys from one of our favorite indie shops.
We’re sorry, but this shop has closed.
$9.99 on sale, Shana Logic
Battleship Retro 1967 Edition
If only so you can drive your kids crazy endlessly repeating, “you sunk my battleship!”
$13, Target
Paint Your Own Birdhouse Craft Kit
Add some birdseed and binoculars if you want to make it a bigger gift.
$10, Curious Play
Faux Fur Eternity Scarf
This will make lots of little girls, tweens and teens very happy!
$14.90, Justice
Anti-Hero Skate Beanie
From one of the coolest skate brands — and more kid-appropriate than some of their board designs.
$15.95, Tactics
Personalized Donut Labels
So your kids don’t lose all their other gifts. Hopefully. | 15% off + free shipping with code COOL15
$9.98, Name Bubbles
Handmade Charlotte Craft Kits
From funky paint-by-number sets to origami papers to the emoji bubble necklace here, we’re in love with these affordable craft sets for kids from one of our favorite bloggers.
$2-12, Michael’s
The Book of Wildly Spectacular Sports Science
Kids can’t put down this compelling book, which has 54 super cool experiments to try at home.
$14.95, Amazon
Spiderman Toddler Tee
Does your toddler do whatever a spider can? Well that settles it.
$12.99, Think Geek
Friendship Bracelet Embroidery Floss Jumbo Pack
Your kids will know just what to do with it. And if not, check out these friendship bracelet pattern tutorials on YouTube.
$15.99, Michaels
Polar Express 30th Anniversary Edition
Reading it out loud each year is a holiday tradition for so many families. If your copy needs a freshening up, here you go.
$15.33, Amazon
7 Days Hair Pins
A good excuse to get your kids to brush their hair. Maybe. Sometimes.
$12, My Sweet Muffin
Outer Space Coloring Roll
Fun gift for one kid, or a whole brood. | 10% off with code COOL
$14.99, Treehouse Kid and Craft
Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat
Your artist will love reading about other young artists, and this one is a favorite.
$13.73, Amazon
Personalized handmade wooden blocks
A toy and a treasured keepsake.
$10/4, Manzanita Kids (other sizes available)
GeoSafari Jr. Kids Binoculars
The perfect toddler binoculars for making the world bigger without magic.
$14.99, Magic Beans
Elf DVD
If only so kids can learn about the real food groups.
For the most up to the minute list, please visit our 2020 Holiday Gift Guide, including 50+ of the best gifts for kids under $15 in 2020