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 · 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.
Skylight Calendar (digital family calendar frame)
A wall-mounted digital calendar and family organizer that syncs events and photos for easy shared scheduling — great for keeping everyone on the same page.
From: The best tech to get your family organized this school year
Dad Jokes Advent Calendar (Oakdene Designs)
A personalized joke-a-day calendar with groan-worthy puns behind each door — a lighthearted, family-friendly gift.
From: Over 20 of the best Advent calendars for 2022: From the magical to the luxurious, to... goofy dad jokes?
Mabel's Labels (Brand Collection)
Wide selection of personalized labels and tags for clothing, lunch containers, and gear—useful gift for families starting school or organizing items.
From: 12 smart personalized label ideas to help you save money, cut down on fights, and bring home fewer germs | Back to School Guide
Grandparent Pen Pal Set
A curated letter-writing kit to encourage correspondence between kids and grandparents as a meaningful gift.
From: 20 unique gifts (good ones!) for dads who have everything | Father's Day Gift Guide
T-Mobile Wireless Service (Family Plans)
Prepaid or postpaid wireless plans that can lower a family’s monthly bill—useful as a practical gift for someone looking to cut recurring costs.
From: 5 simple tips to help you save money that you can do right now
Compendium Life Notes Letter Writing Kit for Grandparents
A keepsake set of 20 themed prompt cards to help grandparents record memories and create a treasured gift for family members.
From: 10 of my favorite holiday gifts from Oprah's Favorite Things list 2021 | Holiday Gift Guide
Ways kids can celebrate a Virtual Valentine’s Party when classrooms are closed.
A live, interactive virtual magic show by comedian-magician Justin Willman — a fun, surprising Valentine’s Day experience to share from home.
From: 7 adorable Valentine's Day gifts for babies: An excuse to celebrate something, anything, these days.
One Mixed-Up Night by Catherine Newman (paperback)
A light, fun YA-leaning novel about kids on an adventurous night out — a good gift for teens or parents who read with kids.
From: 10 diverse new books from women authors in 2017 worth reading in 2018.
Gap – Apparel & Accessories
Casual clothing and accessories for men, women, and kids — straightforward gift options like sweaters, jackets, and basics.
From: The very best Black Friday deals of 2025, all in one place
Digital Game Gift (Downloadable)
A downloadable video game to avoid plastic packaging and shipping—instant entertainment with less waste.
From: Smart Earth Day ideas for families - and the sustainable brands making it easier
National Wildlife Federation Family Membership or Kit
Memberships and backyard wildlife garden resources that encourage outdoor learning and stewardship.
From: Smart Earth Day ideas for families - and the sustainable brands making it easier
Just Between Us Conversation Cards
Conversation card deck designed to spark meaningful family discussions and connection around the table.
From: 25 special Mother's Day gifts under $25, which we totally want ourselves
Cards Against Humanity: Family Edition (Print-and-Play Public Beta)
A family-friendly version of the popular party game available as a free print-and-play PDF — fun for groups and easy to gift as a printed set or downloadable activity.
From: Print and play the new Cards Against Humanity Family Edition for free.
Punderdome Party Card Game
A pun-making party card game where players combine prompts to craft clever puns — portable and fun for virtual game nights.
From: 8 board games you can play over FaceTime or Zoom for remote fun with friends
Wits & Wagers Trivia Game
A trivia and betting board game where you wager on who gave the best numerical answer — social, easy to play remotely with friends.
From: 8 board games you can play over FaceTime or Zoom for remote fun with friends
It's in the Bag Party Game
A multi-stage charades-and-description party game that mixes guessing, acting and verbal clues — great for group play over video calls.
From: 8 board games you can play over FaceTime or Zoom for remote fun with friends
Apples to Apples Party Game
A classic family-friendly party card game of comparisons and humor — simple to play and works well for virtual gatherings if players have decks.
From: 8 board games you can play over FaceTime or Zoom for remote fun with friends
A Place for Us
A moving family portrait about identity, belonging, and reconciliation—an emotionally resonant novel that makes a thoughtful gift.
From: 7 fantastic new summer books by women authors to add to your beach tote, stat
Bar Ramblero counter dining at La Boqueria
A well-known market stall counter experience at La Boqueria offering authentic tapas—perfect as a foodie stop or casual meal for families.
From: Barcelona with teens: 6 tips to make your family vacation worth the investment
The Prom — Broadway Musical Tickets
A feel-good, LGBTQ-affirming musical perfect for older kids and teens who enjoy upbeat, contemporary theater.
From: The 2019 Tony Awards are announced: Here's which new Broadway shows to see with your older kids and teens
Ain’t Too Proud — The Temptations (Broadway Musical) Tickets
A high-energy jukebox musical featuring Motown classics and dynamic choreography that makes a great gift for music-loving teens and families.
From: The 2019 Tony Awards are announced: Here's which new Broadway shows to see with your older kids and teens
Disney•Pixar Movie Bracket Printable or Poster
A printable or poster-style Disney•Pixar movie bracket makes a fun, family-friendly gift for movie nights and friendly competitions.
From: This Disney/Pixar bracket is the only March Madness we may win
Lights and Darks Laundry Sorting Basket
A dedicated two-compartment laundry basket to make pre-sorting clothes easy for kids and busy families — simple, practical gift for organizing laundry chores.
From: 5 simple laundry tips for families. Because if they can work a smartphone, they can work a washing machine.
Zacurate Pulse Oximeter
Compact fingertip pulse oximeter for monitoring oxygen levels — useful for families concerned about respiratory health.
From: Where to find at-home rapid Covid tests, kid-sized KN95s, and other essentials you may need