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.
Shop all picks
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.
Mix-and-Match Wooden Doll Blocks
Handmade, painted wooden blocks that stack and swap to create mix-and-match dolls—encourages imaginative play and fine motor skills.
From: Gorgeous handmade toys you'll be tempted to play with yourself
Shapes of Emotions social-emotional learning toy
A tactile toy set that helps children identify and express emotions through playful shapes—good for developing social-emotional skills and conversation.
From: One Cool Thing: Social-emotional learning through play
Uncle Goose Moon Phase Wooden Blocks
Durable wooden blocks illustrating lunar phases—good for hands-on learning about the moon for toddlers and elementary-age kids.
From: Our favorite space themed toys and kids' gifts to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing.
Brickbox Club
Curated brick-building subscription featuring buildable sets, minifigures, and surprise items each month.
From: The best subscription gifts for kids this year: 40+ ideas for every age, and every interest
Funko Marvel Collector Corps Box
Bi-monthly themed boxes with Marvel collectibles like Funko figures, mugs, and exclusive swag for young fans.
From: The best subscription gifts for kids this year: 40+ ideas for every age, and every interest
Amazing Magic Advent Calendar (The Purple Cow)
A magic trick Advent calendar with a new trick each day — a performance-focused countdown that entertains tweens.
From: Over 20 of the best Advent calendars for 2022: From the magical to the luxurious, to... goofy dad jokes?
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Monopoly Board Game
A themed Monopoly edition featuring characters and locations from The Force Awakens—great for Star Wars fans and family game nights.
From: The Star Wars: A Force Awakens Monopoly set was missing Rey. Then one little girl changed that.
Cards Against Humanity: For Her Edition (satirical party card game)
A themed version of the popular adult party card game, made as a satirical take on women’s marketing — fun for parties and social gift exchanges.
From: Cards Against Humanity for Her: The most absorbent pack...ever!
Yoga Joes - Set of 9 Poses
A set of nine miniature yoga-posed figures—quirky gift for yoga lovers or someone who appreciates playful desk decor.
From: 17 irreverent stocking stuffers for adults both naughty and nice
Kohl’s Cares Books & Plush Toys
Inexpensive $5 books and plushes sold to support community causes—simple, affordable gifts for young children.
From: Kids savings programs from popular brands…that are actually worth your time
Our Family’s Race Across the U.S.A. (custom photo board game)
A personalized board game that uses family photos as game pieces for a custom, kid-friendly race-across-the-country experience — great for preschoolers and family game nights.
From: A custom board game for preschoolers can help you win best birthday gift ever.
Freecycle
If your son really likes to zoom around, he’s going to want to get speed, and he’ll get that with pedals on a regular two-wheeler with training wheels. For the very first two-wheeler that I knew my kids would outgrow in about 10 minutes, I got a secondhand 12″ but the kids hardly
From: Best beginner bike? - Reader Q&A
Harry Potter Funko Pop! Advent Calendar (Pocket Pop! figurines)
A licensed Harry Potter advent calendar containing 24 mini Pocket Pop! figurines dressed for the Yule Ball — great for fans and collectors.
From: 12 of the coolest Advent calendars this year, to make the countdown even more fun
LEGO Icons Queer Eye The Fab 5 Loft (974 pieces)
A detailed 974-piece LEGO set recreating the Queer Eye loft with minifigures of the Fab 5 — a thoughtful gift for fans of the show and builders who enjoy display-worthy sets.
From: The new Queer Eye LEGO set is not just about building, but building people up.
Fashion Plates Creative Design Kit
A hands-on design kit that lets kids create and mix fashion illustrations using interchangeable plates — encourages creativity and fine motor skills without batteries.
From: Creative toys for an 8 year old -- no beeps, boops or batteries
Wooden Magic Wand (pink or green)
Handmade wooden magic wand available in pink or green — simple, imaginative play item great for stockings.
From: 14 cool kids' stocking stuffers all supporting indie shops
Darth Vader Santa LEGO Minifigure
A festive, collectible LEGO minifig that blends Star Wars fandom with holiday fun — small and perfect for a stocking.
From: 14 cool kids' stocking stuffers all supporting indie shops
Handmade Fair-Trade Deer Finger Puppet
Eco-friendly, handmade deer finger puppet — great for imaginative play or adding to a puppet collection.
From: 14 cool kids' stocking stuffers all supporting indie shops
Waldorf Wooden Tree Toy (single)
Handmade Waldorf-style wooden tree piece — a simple, open-ended wooden toy ideal for toddlers and stockings.
From: 14 cool kids' stocking stuffers all supporting indie shops
Squeezable T-Rex Bike Horn
Dinosaur-shaped squeezable horn that attaches to bikes — noisy, fun, and perfect for making a bike stand out.
From: 14 cool kids' stocking stuffers all supporting indie shops
Choublanc Bunny Family Plush Set
Hand-sewn organic cotton rabbit trio embroidered by a women's workshop in India — a sustainable, boutique-style gift for children or collectors.
From: 6 lovely gifts that give back on Shop for Good Sunday. Or any day!
Stevie Nicks Barbie Doll (Signature Music Collection)
A collectible Stevie Nicks Barbie modeled after her iconic look — a stylish gift for music and Barbie fans.
From: The new Stevie Nicks Barbie: So much yes!