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
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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.
Christmas Is Coming: An Advent Book (Katie Hicken)
An illustrated activity-and-countdown book with lift-the-flap elements that functions like a reusable advent experience for children.
From: 12 of the coolest Advent calendars this year, to make the countdown even more fun
Rifle Paper Co. 3-D Christmas Tree Advent Calendar
A standing 3-D tree advent calendar with hidden numbered doors for a tactile, decorative countdown experience.
From: 12 of the coolest Advent calendars this year, to make the countdown even more fun
Literati Children’s Book Subscription
A flexible book subscription that sends curated, age-appropriate children’s books monthly with options to keep favorites or return selections — good for small-space homes.
From: 8 of the best book subscription boxes for kids of all ages, in honor of National Reading Month
Free As a Bird: The Story of Malala
An accessible children’s biography of Malala Yousafzai highlighting her activism and courage—a meaningful gift for socially conscious kids.
From: The Best Children's Biographies About Incredible Women...Written by Women | Editors Top 10 of the Year
11 fun, geeky Halloween costumes for kids
A kid-friendly costume kit that combines craft and STEM learning by teaching about phosphorescence and illumination while building a glow-in-the-dark unicorn horn—great for creative, science-curious children.
From: The fun Halloween costume kits kids can DIY themselves -- while getting a lesson in STEM
This Girls Tees — Strong Athletic Girls Tee Collection
Collection of athletic-themed girls' t-shirts that celebrate sports confidence — a thoughtful gift to encourage an active, athletic youngster.
From: The strong athletic girls t-shirts that honor her passion for sports.
DIY Direwolf Mask Tutorial (Oxeyedaisy)
Easy-to-follow direwolf mask tutorial for making Ghost/Grey Wind-style masks — a crafty, low-cost costume project for kids.
From: Nerd parent alert! 7 brilliant ideas for kids' Game of Thrones costumes.
Red Handmade Crochet Beard
Crocheted red beard accessory inspired by Tormund — a whimsical, wearable piece for costumes and photos.
From: Nerd parent alert! 7 brilliant ideas for kids' Game of Thrones costumes.
Handmade Tyrion Lannister Vest (Little Ivie Rose)
Handmade vest modeled on Tyrion Lannister's style — a detailed, wearable piece that makes an authentic baby/toddler costume.
From: Nerd parent alert! 7 brilliant ideas for kids' Game of Thrones costumes.
Unicorn Pumpkin DIY Kit (tutorial-based craft project)
A creative DIY project kit idea that lets crafters make three cute unicorn pumpkins with kawaii faces, Model Magic hair options, and shimmery gold horns — great for crafty gift-givers or family craft nights.
From: Unicorn pumpkins FTW! The cutest tutorials from around the web
Paracord Starter Kit
A bundle of colorful paracord lengths for kids to practice knot-tying on road trips or at camp — lightweight and versatile for crafts and survival practice.
From: 4 great websites and videos that teach kids how to tie knots. Road trip entertainment, check!
3 Sprouts Animal Character Fabric Storage Bins
Playful fabric storage bins with animal faces that make tidying toys fun for younger kids — easy to gift for nurseries and playrooms.
From: 7 expert tips for decluttering kids rooms when all else has failed
Animal Friends Stainless Steel Kids Water Bottle (silicone exterior)
Cute, grippy silicone exterior stainless steel bottle that’s spillproof and keeps drinks cold ~24 hours or hot ~12 hours — a practical, kid-friendly gift for school or camp.
From: The new water bottles your kids may want to take to bed: One Cool Thing
Kano Star Wars Coding Kit
A themed kit that lets kids build and code a Star Wars-inspired device (often a lightsaber or droid), introducing coding concepts with familiar characters.
From: Holiday tech gifts: 11 of the coolest STEM toys and gifts for big kids and tweens
Roald Dahl Imaginormous Challenge (Kids' Story Idea Contest)
A creative writing contest for kids ages 5–12 that rewards imaginative story ideas—great as a gift of inspiration and an opportunity to win prizes.
From: Your kid's craziest story ideas could win the Roald Dahl's Imaginormous Challenge. Here's how.
3D Paper Mâché Sugar Skull Mask Kit (template included)
A paper mâché sugar skull mask kit with printable templates is a hands‑on giftable craft that kids can paint and wear.
From: 12 spectacular sugar skull craft ideas for Día de los Muertos, from painted planters to papier maché.
Sugar Skull Cut Paper Snowflake Craft Pack (patterns)
Cut paper sugar skull 'skullflake' patterns yield delicate hanging decorations that work as handmade gifts or home decor.
From: 12 spectacular sugar skull craft ideas for Día de los Muertos, from painted planters to papier maché.
Sugar Skull Lantern Craft Kit (glow sticks + templates)
Sugar skull lanterns made with basic supplies and glow sticks create safe, glowing decorations ideal as handmade gifts or porch decor.
From: 12 spectacular sugar skull craft ideas for Día de los Muertos, from painted planters to papier maché.
Sugar Skull Sharpie Pumpkin Templates & Practice Sheets
Printable sugar skull templates and practice sheets help create detailed Sharpie pumpkin designs that make unique seasonal gifts.
From: 12 spectacular sugar skull craft ideas for Día de los Muertos, from painted planters to papier maché.
Homemade Sugar Skull Cookie Decorating Set (template + icing tips)
Sugar skull cookies decorated with provided templates and icing tips make a festive edible gift for parties or family celebrations.
From: 12 spectacular sugar skull craft ideas for Día de los Muertos, from painted planters to papier maché.
Sugar Skull T‑Shirt Craft Kit (stencil + paint)
A sugar skull t‑shirt craft with downloadable stencils lets kids create wearable art that's a fun, personalized gift.
From: 12 spectacular sugar skull craft ideas for Día de los Muertos, from painted planters to papier maché.
Painted Rock Sugar Skull Craft Kit (supplies list idea)
A painted rock sugar skull project makes a cute handmade gift or keepsake that kids can personalize and display.
From: 12 spectacular sugar skull craft ideas for Día de los Muertos, from painted planters to papier maché.
Marble Jar Reward Kit
A simple jar-and-marbles kit to gamify morning tasks and screen-time rewards for kids (can be assembled as a ready gift).
From: 5 smart ways to make busy school mornings a whole lot easier
ErgoErgo Active Sitting Chair
A stability-ball-style active sitting chair that promotes core engagement for kids and adults—good for homework spaces or home offices.
From: Stay active...while sitting? Your core muscles (and your kids) will thank you.