‘Tis the season…to start wracking your brain over ways to surprise and delight your niece, best friend’s kid or your very own spawn. Sure, they have a wish list, but maybe it’s a little sparse, picked-over or, ahem, borderline impossible (you want an actual pet unicorn, Jackson?). Whatever the reason, if you’re looking for fresh gift ideas for kids they’ll love, you’ve come to the right place. We polled parents and toy experts nationwide to uncover the toys and games children are loving right now, focusing on presents that are a gift to adults as well. Whether they provide parents with a little quiet time for themselves, a bonding moment or a toy that’s accidentally educational, these gadgets don’t disappoint.
25 Awesome Gift Ideas for Kids (That Parents Will Love Too)
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1. Tiny Love Tummytime Mobile
You know tummy time is important, but isn’t there a way to engage little ones, so they aren’t fussing through it? Yes, there is, and it’s this spinning, teetering gadget. It has a peek-a-boo window and plays music to entertain babies, but there’s also a quiet mode. And it doubles as a mobile for strollers.
Birth to 2 Years Old
5. Mb’s Personalized Storybook Collection
Send in your child’s age and interests, and Lion & Dragonfly’s librarian will select five books for them. While it is a bit pricey, parents raved that the picks are always spot-on—and deviate from what you’d find in major booksellers. For time-pressed moms and dads, that convenience is worth it.
Birth to 2 Years Old
6. Melissa & Doug Pattern Blocks And Boards
There’s a certain magic in turning all kinds of wooden shapes into mosaic bunnies, stars and snails. And, while they’re having fun bringing these designs to life, they’ll be learning about creating linear patterns, sorting, counting and problem solving—all while improving their motor skills and color and shape recognition.
3 to 4 Years Old
7. Elefun Flyers Butterfly Chasing Game
This under-$20 wonder earned a 2021 Happy Kid Award not just because it got little ones up and moving, but it got them excited to take turns. Sharing that occurs naturally among preschoolers? Now that’s a gift.
3 to 4 Years Old
9. Magna-tiles 50-piece Grand Prix Set
ICYMI: Magna-Tiles are the new LEGO, and they’re way less painful to step on in the middle of the night (not to mention much easier to clean up). There are countless kits out there, but this set stands out because it lets kids build their own magnetic cars and racecourses.
3 to 8 Years Old
12. Wonderbly’s where Are You? Save The Multiverse! Book
Where’s Waldo and I Spy are 10x more interesting when kids are searching for themselves in mystical worlds. You design their cartoon avatar and personalize the book; they’ll ask you to read it to them again and again and again.
5 to 9 Years Old
14. Insect Lore Butterfly Garden
You’ve planted the pollinators; now let your kids cultivate a little butterfly family to enjoy ‘em. This pop-up butterfly house comes with a cup of live caterpillars and everything you need to care for them.
5 to 8 Years Old
19. Rainbow Loom
Crafts of all kinds took off during the pandemic, and for the under-12 set, friendship bracelets were all the rage. We had kids try half a dozen kits, and this classic set got rave reviews for how easy it was to use. (Read: Your child won’t be shouting for your help every 30 seconds.)
8 to 11 Years Old
20. Wall-projecting Virtual Target Game
Remember how much you loved playing Duck Hunt on Nintendo? Share the joy with this projector, which lets you use laser blasters to play one of five target-practice games. They’re boosting their hand-eye coordination; you get to school them in the art of a classic video game.
8 to 11 Years Old
22. Kodak Mini Shot 3 Retro Instant Camera & Photo Printer
What’s old is cool again. The Kodak Mini Shot 3 looks like the original Instagram app logo brought to life, and it features one of the highest-quality instant printers you can get at that price point. It’s perfect for your selfie-obsessed tween to step away from the phone and start exploring their creative side. Or at least bond with you over the “old-school” way people would take pics.
12 and Up
24. Foam Axe-throwing Game
Axe-throwing bars may be trendy, but uh, Sophia’s not hosting her 13th birthday at one. Find a more agreeable middle ground with this axe-throwing set from Urban Outfitters. It can hang on the wall, but if your kid’s aim is horribly off, you won’t end up with mangled walls.
12 and Up
25. Dream Journal And Sticker Set
OK, maybe you’re not interested in hearing your kid dissect every detail of their latest dream. (Hah, as if they’d tell you in the first place!) Give them an outlet to process that forgot-to-wear-pants-to-school nightmare with this spiral-bound journal set.
12 and Up