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.
Coleman Backroads Insulated Lunch Bag/Cooler
Rugged, leakproof insulated cooler bag with long cooling performance — handy for athletic teens who need lots of snacks and drinks.
From: Lunch bags and totes for teens who have outgrown lunch boxes | Back to School Shopping
Sunny Bird Roll-Top Insulated Lunch Bag
Roll-top insulated lunch bag with simple styling and multiple color options — roomy enough for bento-style lunches and drinks.
From: Lunch bags and totes for teens who have outgrown lunch boxes | Back to School Shopping
Hydro Flask 8-Liter Insulated Lunch Tote
Insulated, well-sized tote from a teen-favorite brand — great for school-to-practice days and keeps food cold longer.
From: Lunch bags and totes for teens who have outgrown lunch boxes | Back to School Shopping
Tellumo Insulated Lunch Tote (affordable)
Extremely affordable insulated tote with an Oxford-cloth look — a basic, inexpensive lunch solution for teens.
From: Lunch bags and totes for teens who have outgrown lunch boxes | Back to School Shopping
Italic Home Reusable Canvas "Brown Bag" Lunch Tote
Canvas reusable lunch bag with retro brown-bag look — eco-friendly and stylish for teens who prefer a vintage vibe.
From: Lunch bags and totes for teens who have outgrown lunch boxes | Back to School Shopping
Stasher Reusable Silicone Food Storage Bags (snack sizes)
Reusable, leak-resistant silicone storage bags in multiple sizes — great alternative to disposable bags for snacks and lunches.
From: Lunch bags and totes for teens who have outgrown lunch boxes | Back to School Shopping
OXO Good Grips Insulated Lunch Bag (recycled polyester)
Affordable, highly rated insulated lunch bag made from recycled materials — roomy and practical for everyday school use.
From: Lunch bags and totes for teens who have outgrown lunch boxes | Back to School Shopping
Pumpkin Carving Template Pack (Star Wars & more)
A set of geeky pumpkin carving stencils (Star Wars, Marvel, Totoro, etc.) is a practical gift for teens who carve pumpkins and enjoy fandom designs.
From: 11 cool teen Halloween craft ideas that don't suck.
Monster Eye Bath Bomb DIY Supplies
Bath bomb supplies and eyeball molds let teens make creepy Halloween bath bombs—good for crafty kids who enjoy beauty DIYs.
From: 11 cool teen Halloween craft ideas that don't suck.
Galaxy No-Carve Pumpkin Paint Kit
No-carve pumpkin painting supplies for galaxy designs are a mess-free, artistic gift for teens who prefer painting over carving.
From: 11 cool teen Halloween craft ideas that don't suck.
Halloween Skull String Art Kit
Skull string art supplies make a creative wall decor gift for teens who like spooky, hands-on projects.
From: 11 cool teen Halloween craft ideas that don't suck.
Spider Web Jewelry Craft Kit (paper & findings)
Spider web jewelry components and findings are a wearable craft gift for artistic teens who like jewelry-making with a Halloween twist.
From: 11 cool teen Halloween craft ideas that don't suck.
Mondrian #38 Backpack (Society6)
Art-themed 17.5" backpack from Society6 with bold print—suits creative teens and supports independent artists.
From: 20 cool backpacks for teens this year | Back to School Guide
Herschel Pop Quiz Laptop Backpack
Spacious 15–17"-tall backpack with tech compartments and durable construction; popular with teens for everyday school use.
From: 20 cool backpacks for teens this year | Back to School Guide
Sailor Moon Kawaii Red Heart Bracelet
A cute, affordable kawaii-style heart bracelet—well suited for tweens, teens, or anyone who loves playful fandom jewelry.
From: 12 creative Valentine's gifts all supporting indie shops
Stephen King Book (single or box set)
A Stephen King paperback or boxed set — a spooky-read gift for older teens into horror and thrilling novels.
From: Cool, creepy non-candy Halloween gift for a teen or tween? : Reader Q & A
Halloween Temporary Tattoos (assorted designs)
Halloween-themed temporary tattoos with spooky and fun illustrations, an easy wearable gift for tweens and teens.
From: Cool, creepy non-candy Halloween gift for a teen or tween? : Reader Q & A
Zombie Cookie Cutter (copper)
Copper zombie-shaped cookie cutter to make fun Halloween cookies — great for teens who enjoy baking or themed treats.
From: Cool, creepy non-candy Halloween gift for a teen or tween? : Reader Q & A
Seasonal Fall and Halloween Bath Bombs
Assorted pumpkin spice and seasonal-scented bath bombs that make a festive, non-candy self-care gift for tweens and teens.
From: Cool, creepy non-candy Halloween gift for a teen or tween? : Reader Q & A
Creepy Rat-Shaped Soap
Novelty rat-shaped soap — a creepy, practical bath gift for kids who like spooky or quirky items.
From: Cool, creepy non-candy Halloween gift for a teen or tween? : Reader Q & A
Herschel MLB Cooperstown Heritage Backpack
Heritage-style Herschel backpack inspired by MLB Cooperstown — a classic, nostalgic option that works for school and everyday wear.
From: 20 cool backpacks for teens this year | Back to School Guide
Printable Day of the Dead Skull Coloring Page
A printable Day of the Dead skull coloring page featuring decorative patterns suitable for older kids and adults.
From: 9 fun free printable Halloween coloring pages to help keep little fingers out of the candy stash
Mokulock Wooden Building Bricks (24-piece set)
A 24-piece set of interlocking wooden building bricks made from mixed hardwoods (maple, birch, etc.), offering a natural, tactile alternative to plastic for creative play or display.
From: What if LEGO pieces were made of wood?
Fisher-Price Little People Collector: RuPaul 3-Figure Set
A trio of high-fashion Little People figurines modeled on RuPaul — an affordable, collectible gift for fans of RuPaul, Drag Race, or miniature toys.
From: RuPaul's new Little People Collector set sashays down the runway today.