Gift guides
The Best Gifts for Kids and Toddlers
From the editors
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.
Newest first
8 guidesThe guides
Newest guide · August 3, 2026The kids' backpacks we're swooning over right now
Gift guide · October 21, 2025Boost Mobile makes the "kids' first phone" choice a little less stressful
Gift guide · September 8, 2025Best first phone plan for kids: Mint Mobile’s $15/Month Unlimited
Gift guide · July 28, 2025Why moms keep coming back to The Children's Place
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
Good questions
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.
Every pick in one place
4,129 picksShop 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.
Type
Fjallraven Kanken Backpack
From: 15 of the coolest backpacks for preschool and kindergarten | Back to School Shopping Guide
Astronaut backpack for preschool or grade school
From: 15 of the coolest backpacks for preschool and kindergarten | Back to School Shopping Guide
Team Squishmallows 5-Piece Backpack Set
From: 15 of the coolest backpacks for preschool and kindergarten | Back to School Shopping Guide
Kane Kids Backpacks from 45-90% recycled materials
From: 15 of the coolest backpacks for preschool and kindergarten | Back to School Shopping Guide
Dabbawalla neoprene backpacks
From: 15 of the coolest backpacks for preschool and kindergarten | Back to School Shopping Guide
Official Spiderman Backpack
From: 15 of the coolest backpacks for preschool and kindergarten | Back to School Shopping Guide
Studio Ghibli My NeighboTotoro backpack
From: 15 of the coolest backpacks for preschool and kindergarten | Back to School Shopping Guide
Quince Recycled Backpacks for Little Kids
From: 15 of the coolest backpacks for preschool and kindergarten | Back to School Shopping Guide
PBK Reflective Gray Camo Small Backpack
From: 15 of the coolest backpacks for preschool and kindergarten | Back to School Shopping Guide
Cat & Jack Daisy Backpack
From: 15 of the coolest backpacks for preschool and kindergarten | Back to School Shopping Guide
Disney Encanto x CAMP Canvas Backpack
From: 15 of the coolest backpacks for preschool and kindergarten | Back to School Shopping Guide
Skip*Hop Koala Big Kid Backpack
From: 15 of the coolest backpacks for preschool and kindergarten | Back to School Shopping Guide
Nike Heritage Kids Backpack
From: 15 of the coolest backpacks for preschool and kindergarten | Back to School Shopping Guide
Hawlander Little Kids Color Block Backpacks
From: 15 of the coolest backpacks for preschool and kindergarten | Back to School Shopping GuideSave15% off all labels with code SCHOOL15
From: 15 of the coolest backpacks for preschool and kindergarten | Back to School Shopping Guide"mini" backpack
From: 15 of the coolest backpacks for preschool and kindergarten | Back to School Shopping Guide17" Nike Heritage Kids' Backpack
From: 15 of the coolest backpacks for preschool and kindergarten | Back to School Shopping Guidepreschool backpacks
From: 15 of the coolest backpacks for preschool and kindergarten | Back to School Shopping Guidegrade school backpack sizes for ages 6+
From: 15 of the coolest backpacks for preschool and kindergarten | Back to School Shopping GuideSoYoung lunchboxes
From: 15 of the coolest backpacks for preschool and kindergarten | Back to School Shopping Guide11 color combos in the "girls" section
From: 15 of the coolest backpacks for preschool and kindergarten | Back to School Shopping Guide
An Affordable Parent-Child Jewelry Set
From: Creative ideas to help young children with school anxiety: 7 small items that can make a big difference.
A Children's Book That Addresses Fear and Anxiety
From: Creative ideas to help young children with school anxiety: 7 small items that can make a big difference.
A Special Lovey or Pillow For Rest Time
From: Creative ideas to help young children with school anxiety: 7 small items that can make a big difference.
From the archive
Earlier guides
28 unique personalized gifts for kids from toddlers to teens | Holiday Gift GuideMore than 60 amazing holiday gifts for kids under $15: Like, GOOD gifts. Not stocking stuffers.30 cool lunch box accessories to make school lunch more fun. Lots on sale too! | Back to School Shopping15 of the coolest backpacks for preschool and kindergarten | Back to School Shopping GuideCreative ideas to help young children with school anxiety: 7 small items that can make a big difference.Which lunch boxes and bags hold up the best? Here are our 5 picks after trying dozens over the years.21 wildly cool subscription gifts for men. From fair trade coffee to tech toys and everything in betweenOne Cool Thing: Make homemade crowns for Mother's Day and give back to kids in needEasy Last Minute Valentine's Day Crafts That Kids Can MakeOur favorite Valentine's gifts for kids on Etsy this year, no capThese Valentine's Day gift ideas are perfect for boys who aren't so into the hearts and romance stuff20 wonderful Hanukkah gifts for kids from toddlers to teens | Holiday Gift Guide24 of the absolute best 2023 Advent calendars for crafty kids, cool teens, and Christmas-loving adultsSetting up a study space at home: Tips to make it one your kid will actually use8 ideas for homemade Father's Day cards from the kids. Keep tissues nearby. | Father's Day Gift Guide24 cool, creative Easter basket ideas for kids all under $20. (We love them all!)25 wonderful Hanukkah gifts for toddlers to teens 2022 | Holiday Gift Guide20 kids shared what they wish they could give their moms for Mother's Day. Their answers are awesome.13 truly creative DIY Mother's Day gifts that kids can make and give | Mother's Day Gift Guide15 thoughtful DIY gifts for teenage girls | Holiday Gifts 2021SponsoredThe top 10 hot holiday toys and games in 2021 to grab before they sell out | Holiday Gift GuideHand sanitizer cute enough for an Easter Basket? Sign of the times.The best laptop sleeves for kids: The features to consider before you buy.7 cool face mask accessories for kids, to help them keep their masks to themselves