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.
Collectors Scrabble Board (Luxe)
A high-end collectors edition Scrabble board that makes a stylish, display-worthy game gift for word lovers.
From: 24 thoughtful gifts for your mother-in-law (or stepmother or aunt or cool grandma) | Holiday Gifts 2023
Personalized Retro Board Games
Classic board games like Scrabble or Monopoly customized and packaged in a vintage-style linen box.
From: 20 very cool personalized gifts for adults to make things extra special this year | Holiday Gift Guide
Personalized Photo Puzzle with Glue Kit
Photo puzzles that include glue and a scraping tool so the finished puzzle can be turned into a framable keepsake.
From: 20 very cool personalized gifts for adults to make things extra special this year | Holiday Gift Guide
The Fine Art of Family by Monica Rich Kosann
A keepsake-style photography and family memory book by Monica Rich Kosann—suitable as a sentimental holiday gift for new parents or families.
From: Cool Gifts for the Holidays? Look no further than our Holiday Gift Guide!
Won’t You Be My Neighbor (digital purchase on Amazon)
Documentary about Fred Rogers—an uplifting gift for families and anyone who values kindness-focused storytelling.
From: Where to stream the 2019 Oscar nominated movies, and which ones to watch with your kids
Won’t You Be My Neighbor (streaming on HBO)
HBO streaming access to the Fred Rogers documentary—a heartwarming gift choice for subscribers and families.
From: Where to stream the 2019 Oscar nominated movies, and which ones to watch with your kids
Custom Photo Watercolor-Style Jigsaw Puzzle
Personalized photo puzzle in a watercolor style — a sentimental activity gift for anniversaries or long-distance pairs.
From: The coolest Etsy finds for spring gifting, treating yourself, or just because
Royal Sonesta Boston - Hotel Stay
A hotel stay near Kendall Square and the Museum of Science — a convenient winter getaway base for families and teens exploring Boston and Cambridge.
From: What to see and do (and eat!) with teens in Boston...in the winter. Yes, the winter.
Chinatown Dining Experience (Dim Sum / Hot Pot)
A meal or food tour in Boston's Chinatown — ideal for families who enjoy authentic Chinese cuisine such as dim sum, hot pot, and bubble tea.
From: What to see and do (and eat!) with teens in Boston...in the winter. Yes, the winter.
Faneuil Hall Marketplace Gift Visit / Food Tour
A visit or gift card for Faneuil Hall's market stalls — great for sampling Boston specialties like chowder, gyros, and regional treats with teens.
From: What to see and do (and eat!) with teens in Boston...in the winter. Yes, the winter.
Rifle Paper Co. Nativity Advent Calendar (freestanding)
A reverent, free-standing nativity-themed advent calendar with daily illustrated flaps for a traditional Christmas countdown.
From: 12 of the coolest Advent calendars this year, to make the countdown even more fun
Cookie Advent Cookbook
A cookie-focused advent book with 24 flap-revealed recipes — a cookbook-style countdown for families who love baking together.
From: 12 of the coolest Advent calendars this year, to make the countdown even more fun
Houseparty App (Free Video Chat)
A free, easy-to-use group video chat app ideal for connecting friends and family for virtual hangouts and games.
From: 5 creative ways we've been using Houseparty to stay connected to our own friends and family during quarantine
Ashford Castle Day Visit & Activities
Day access to Ashford Castle grounds and activities (falconry, gardens, high tea) — a luxurious experience gift for couples or families.
From: Ireland with kids: Great tips and secret spots from our 4-day adventure on the Wild Atlantic Way
Red-and-White Striped Shirt (Waldo style)
A staple striped shirt that serves as the core piece for a Waldo costume or playful casual outfit—useful for costumes and dress-up.
From: From Lisa Frank to Mother of Dragons: 13 cool, easy last-minute Halloween costumes for moms
'Made By' or Themed Embossed Rolling Pin (Mother's Day gift idea)
Custom 'Made By' embossed rolling pin marketed as a Mother’s Day gift that adds a personal touch to homemade cookies.
From: Embossed custom rolling pins: Mad tools for mad baking skills.
Lotte World (Seoul) — amusement and water park tickets
Entry to one of Seoul’s largest indoor/outdoor theme parks and water parks — a fun urban family day-out gift.
From: 8 extraordinarily cool hotels to visit with kids before they grow up. Wow...mind blown.
1Password (password manager)
Encrypted password manager subscription to securely store and share passwords—helps families stay organized and safe online.
From: These 6 basic tech tips can keep your family prepared for hurricanes and other emergency situations
John Legend — 'I Have a Dream' (Children's Album)
A family-friendly children's album by John Legend with warm, melodic songs suitable for parents and young kids to enjoy together.
From: How John Legend's wonderful new children's album was inspired by an affordable children's toy we all had.
Mint Mobile Plans for Older Adults
Plans tailored for older adults with straightforward options and easy management—suitable as a thoughtful, practical gift for seniors.
From: The digital spring cleaning we didn’t know we needed: simplifying the family wireless plan
Sentry PC parental control subscription
A software subscription for monitoring and scheduling family internet usage, filtering content, and managing screen time across devices.
From: The best tech to get your family organized this school year
All About My Grandma Photo Book (Pinhole Press)
A fill-in-the-blank photo book kids can personalize with photos and prompts—very sentimental and keepsake-worthy.
From: 17 wonderful Mother's Day gifts for Grandma, Nana or Oma | Mother's Day Gift Guide 2018
Custom Photo Playing Cards
Standard deck of playing cards personalized with your photos — practical and playful for family game nights.
From: 12 wonderfully creative photo gifts for Father's Day | Father's Day Gift Guide 2018
Far From the Tree by Robin Benway
An acclaimed YA novel about family, adoption, and belonging—great for readers who enjoy emotionally rich contemporary fiction.
From: The 2017 National Book Award finalists that YA lovers will want to get their hands on now.