The Best Gifts for Kids and Toddlers
We love finding gifts that spark creativity, get kids moving, or just make them giggle, ideally without a thousand tiny pieces to step on. Here are our favorite gifts for toddlers and kids of all ages, from imaginative toys and games to craft kits and outdoor fun. Shopping for a specific age? Our birthday gift guide breaks it down year by year.
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The guides
Newest guide · August 3, 2026The kids' backpacks we're swooning over right now
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Gift guide · September 8, 2025Best first phone plan for kids: Mint Mobile’s $15/Month Unlimited
Gift guide · July 28, 2025Why moms keep coming back to The Children's Place
Gift guide · March 20, 2025Your kids will love these 35 affordable Easter basket ideas - all under $15!
Gift guide · January 4, 2025Sweet, easy Valentine's Day crafts young kids can make their BFFs.
Gift guideThe coolest birthday gifts for tweens ages 9-12
Gift guideThe coolest first birthday gifts: Toys and keepsakes for 1-year-olds
Frequently asked
What do you get a kid who has everything?
Skip more stuff and go for something they can do: a craft or science kit, a cool experience, a class, or a membership to a museum or zoo. Gifts that feed a current interest (art, animals, sports, cooking) also beat another toy. Find age-by-age picks in our birthday gift guide.
What are good gifts for kids who love to draw, cook or read?
Lean into the passion with a slight upgrade: better art supplies or a sketchbook set for artists, kid-safe kitchen tools or a cookbook for little chefs, and a series starter or book subscription for readers. Browse our DIY and handmade and kids picks.
How many gifts should kids get for Christmas?
There's no right number. Plenty of families use a simple framework like "something they want, something they need, something to wear, something to read" to keep things meaningful and manageable. Fewer, better gifts usually win.
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This guide contains affiliate links, which means we receive a small commission from some purchases to help support our team. All picks are determined editorially by our staff; there has been no compensation in exchange for our picks.
plastic paint-your-own eggs
From: 9 ways kids can decorate Easter Eggs without dyeing them
12 oz stainless Mario Kart Thermos Funtainer
From: 30 cool lunch box accessories to make school lunch more fun. Lots on sale too! | Back to School Shopping
Modern Hanukkah Tzedakah Box
Handmade tzedakah box that encourages giving; proceeds support the ACLU—beautiful and meaningful for kids or families.
From: 25 wonderful Hanukkah gifts for toddlers to teens 2022 | Holiday Gift Guide
Holiday Movie Family
From: 24 of the absolute best 2023 Advent calendars for crafty kids, cool teens, and Christmas-loving adults
"You Are So Loved" Pillow (Etsy)
Decorative throw pillow with a sentimental message—simple, cozy home gift that conveys appreciation.
From: 16 special Mother's Day gifts from the kids this year: Gifts to make, gifts to buy, gifts to mail
Easter Cookie Decorating Kits
Easter Cookie Decorating Kits ($4.99-$13 at Target) We know we said "non-candy Easter basket ideas" but these count as crafts! From a gingerbread-style "Easter House" to classic bunnies and eggs, pop one of these cookie-decorating kids in the kids' Easter baskets and they'll have something fun to do
From: Your kids will love these 35 affordable Easter basket ideas - all under $15!
Lucy Darling Toddler Memory Book
A guided keepsake book with interview prompts, drawing and photo pages, and favorite-things sections to preserve toddler memories through age 6—simple for busy parents.
From: A toddler memory book: Perfect for those of us who, uh, never did our actual baby books.
Little Medical School Mini Medical Kit
Compact pretend-play medical kit from Little Medical School that encourages imaginative play and introduces basic medical concepts — a good gift for kids interested in healthcare roles.
From: New play kits for kids make playing doctor a respectable endeavor
Learning Resources Educational Toys
Hands-on learning toys and classroom-style resources that make educational play fun and giftable for children.
From: All the best 2018 Cyber Monday deals and discount codes, in one place!I’m Fearless Lap Tee (kids)
Soft sweatshirt-gray lap tee with a white lizard motif — a playful, wearable gift for adventurous toddlers.
From: Fear Not, Little Girls
Jane Goodall-inspired kids costume (stuffed monkey + brown shirt)
A Jane Goodall-inspired costume using a brown shirt, toilet-paper-roll binoculars, and a stuffed monkey—educational and simple to assemble.
From: Super easy last-minute Halloween costumes for kids that you can make in 10 minutes or less.
Wonder (Movie) — Digital Rental or Purchase
A heartwarming family film that makes a thoughtful gift for fans of uplifting stories and inclusive themes; available to rent or buy digitally.
From: Download these free printable Wonder activity sheets and help choose kind
Giant Keith Haring Coloring Roll
A large themed coloring paper roll featuring Keith Haring designs — great for group art sessions or extended creative play for kids.
From: Let Keith Haring make your kids into the next Keith Haring
Spectrix Card Game
A quick, colorful family card game designed for simple strategy and fast play, making it a budget-friendly gift for kids and families.
From: Amazing Card Games for Family Game Night | Editors Top 10 of the Year
Not Parent Approved Card Game
A family-friendly party card game that encourages creative and often silly answers—easy to learn and great for group laughs at game night.
From: Amazing Card Games for Family Game Night | Editors Top 10 of the Year
LEGO sustainable plant-based pieces (news announcement)
A giftable mention of LEGO’s new plant-based plastic pieces and sustainable product lines—great for eco-conscious kids and builders who care about greener toys.
From: LEGO gets more eco-friendly with a plastic made from...what??
A Wrinkle in Time: A Daring Adventure Board Game (pre-order)
A themed board game based on A Wrinkle in Time — a good gift for tweens and older kids who enjoy cooperative/adventure play and the story's characters.
From: Where to find the stunning new A Wrinkle in Time board game. Wow.
Zooheads Kids' Novelty Shower Head
A fun, animal-themed shower head designed to make showers more exciting for kids and encourage independent hygiene.
From: Something that will actually get our kids excited to take a shower? Yes, please!
thinkbaby Sunscreen SPF 50+ (12 oz)
High-SPF sunscreen formulated for babies and kids, available in larger size for families — a practical, budget-friendly gift.
From: The top 10 most affordable safe sunscreens for kids, from EWG's 2018 safer sunscreens guide
Regal Summer Movie Express $1 Family Movie Tickets
A seasonal program offering $1 tickets to family-friendly matinee movies—an affordable gift for parents wanting a cool, low-cost outing with kids.
From: How to find $1 movies for families, and spend the summer in air conditioned comfort
Specialized Canasta Playing Card Deck (point‑value printed)
A Canasta-focused deck with point values printed on cards to help beginners learn scoring—great for family game nights.
From: How to play 5 new card games for kids using a regular deck of cards
Standard 52‑Card Playing Card Deck (with Jokers)
A classic, versatile deck of playing cards kids and families can use for dozens of games—easy to store and share.
From: How to play 5 new card games for kids using a regular deck of cards
Klutz Friendship Bracelet Craft Kit
Simple bracelet‑making craft kit — an affordable, creative gift or care‑package item for crafty kids.
From: 11 of the best Prime Day 2021 Deals from brands we trust. No "ACKHYDRO" or "PROFORL7" or whatever.
Toddler Sesame Street Socks
Playful Sesame Street–themed socks sized for toddlers — a cute, wearable gift for little kids.
From: Why we're supporting Bombas this holiday: The gift that gives back in more ways than one