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.
WEYV family app subscription
Promotional trial for the WEYV family media subscription — a low-risk way to try shared music, magazines and other content with older kids.
From: 6 ways to simplify your tech life on your smartphone or tablet
WEYV family plan (2 months free offer)
Promotional 2-month free trial of the WEYV family plan (no credit card required with code), useful as a low-risk gift to introduce someone to family device management tools.
From: 6 ways to simplify your tech life on your smartphone or tablet
Matching family PJs
Coordinated family pajamas available in multiple sizes — a cozy, festive gift for families.
From: Today's fantastic Memorial Day sales mean tons of cool summer clothes and accessories for a steal
Everything Here Is Beautiful by Mira T. Lee (novel)
A novel exploring family, boundaries, and mental health—emotional and well-crafted, a thoughtful literary fiction gift.
From: 7 new beach reads from women of color that you won't be able to put down.
Won’t You Be My Neighbor
A cinema ticket to see the documentary celebrating Fred Rogers—great as an experience gift for families or nostalgic viewers.
From: Thanks, Mr. Rogers: A brilliant parenting trick I learned from "Won't You Be My Neighbor?"
Eighth Grade
A coming-of-age film that sparks conversation about adolescence—great as a shared movie outing for parents and teens.
From: Is Eighth Grade okay for middle schoolers despite the R rating? One parent's view.
Mommy and Me Slipper Set
Matching slipper sets for parent and child — a sentimental gift for family warmth and togetherness.
From: Why we're supporting Bombas this holiday: The gift that gives back in more ways than one
CODA (Apple TV)
Heartfelt family drama celebrating music and communication — a touching gift for families and music enthusiasts.
From: Where to stream the 2022 Oscar-nominated movies, and which ones to watch with your kids
Raya and the Last Dragon (Disney+)
Action-packed animated fantasy with themes of trust and teamwork — an exciting gift for kids and fans of adventure.
From: Where to stream the 2022 Oscar-nominated movies, and which ones to watch with your kids
West Side Story (Streaming on Disney+/HBO Max)
Vibrant musical remake with impressive choreography and music — a thoughtful gift for musical lovers and family viewing.
From: Where to stream the 2022 Oscar-nominated movies, and which ones to watch with your kids
The Immersive Nutcracker — Ticketed Family Experience
A family-friendly, immersive live-theater experience that makes a festive outing and memorable holiday gift for kids and adults alike.
From: The Immersive Nutcracker is the ultimate experience gift for families this holiday.
A Thousand Miles to Graceland (novel)
Road-trip novel about reconciling family differences—an accessible fiction choice for readers who enjoy character-driven contemporary stories.
From: Why you should take A Thousand Miles to Graceland for a spin.
Banana Boat Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50
Affordable, zinc-based SPF 50 for full-body use—practical gift for families or anyone who needs budget-friendly sun protection.
From: The best sunscreens you can find at Walmart, according to the EWG
I Wish You More — Amy Krouse Rosenthal & Tom Lichtenheld
A sentimental yet modern picture book of hopes and wishes that's perfectly suited for celebrating a child's milestone.
From: 10 books for Kindergarten graduation gifts that you, and your child, will love.
Kids' Multivitamins
A broad-spectrum vitamin formulation to support immune health and nutrition while traveling with children.
From: 13 things to make your summer travel with kids easier
Hanging Travel Toiletry Kit
A hanging organizer for toiletries and first-aid items that keeps essentials accessible in hotel bathrooms.
From: 13 things to make your summer travel with kids easier
Travel-Size Hand Sanitizer
A compact hand sanitizer to help keep hands clean and reduce germ spread while traveling with kids.
From: 13 things to make your summer travel with kids easier
3-in-1 Travel Charger
A compact multiport travel charger to keep phones, tablets, and other devices powered during family trips.
From: 13 things to make your summer travel with kids easier
Compression Packing Bag
A zip/compression bag that reduces the volume of clothing and separates dirty laundry for easier packing.
From: 13 things to make your summer travel with kids easier
Ticket to Ride (Board Game)
Accessible strategy board game about building train routes — rewarding for kids who enjoy planning and light competition.
From: Clear the table for 10 of the best board games for older kids. (Hooray for outgrowing Candy Land!)
Ticket to Ride: USA (North America) Edition
The original Ticket to Ride map focused on U.S. routes—easy-to-learn route-building strategy that's family-friendly and satisfying to collect.
From: Clear the table for 10 of the best board games for older kids. (Hooray for outgrowing Candy Land!)
Apples to Apples
Easy-to-learn party game of comparing cards to a judge's prompt that guarantees laughs and conversation.
From: Clear the table for 10 of the best board games for older kids. (Hooray for outgrowing Candy Land!)
Machi Koro
Quick city-building dice and card game where players develop businesses and landmarks — a light strategic choice for older kids.
From: Clear the table for 10 of the best board games for older kids. (Hooray for outgrowing Candy Land!)
Gortimer Gibbon’s Life on Normal Street (streaming on Amazon Prime)
A magical-realism family series about friendship and growing up — a thoughtful pick for tweens who like gentle, imaginative stories.
From: 9 great TV shows for tweens that you might not have considered