Whether you have kids or have kids in your life, shopping for them (especially around the holidays!) can be hard. To make it easier and leave out any questioning on whether the gift will be appreciated and played with or not, I’ve rounded up the best gifts to buy this year!
When was the last time you wandered around Target aimlessly or scrolled through toy sections online trying to figure out what to get your kids, or your nieces and nephews, or family friends’ kids, for Christmas or Hanukkah? It can be frustrating trying to find that perfect gift that won’t just be thrown in the corner after it’s opened.
Luckily, my girls pride themselves on being excellent “toy testers” and they’ll happily tell you whether something is awesome or not. 🤣
So in case you’re not sure where to start this year, I’ve rounded up some of our favorite toys, the top sellers this season, as well as some of the items I have my eye on for the girls!
Want even more holiday content? Right this way!
Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts for Kids
These are the gifts kids will actually use and love for years to come!
Play Camping Set | With this camping set, your kids will be able to camp anywhere they want, including an indoor composite (something my kids love to do!) The battery-powered play stove and lantern make the set even more fun and helps introduce kids to the fun of camping!
DIY Bracelet Kit Bundle | We are a big DIY family and there’s nothing we love more than making our own jewelry! This dual set creates six bracelets in total and with different color sequin discs, kids can mix and match the different colors and really let their personality shine through!
Mini Guitar | Introduce your kids to playing a musical instrument with the cutest mini guitars ever! There’s even an app that connects to the guitar to help kids play songs on day one and feel encouraged to keep playing. Plus, who can say “no” to an entertaining and educational activity!?
Baseball Hat | This baseball hat is such a cute gift for babies, toddlers, and kids! There are nine different colors to choose from and you can select the letter of the recipient’s first name to add to the front! There’s also an option to add customization to the back (+ $12) and I love the idea of doing “big sis” and “little sis” hats!
Shaving Set | Are your kids following dad around, doing everything he does? This is the perfect gift! With wooden shaving tools, your little ones will be able to role play and learn about personal care and grooming, just like adults!
Treklite Chelsea Boot | How stinking cute are these kids chelsea boots?! Perfect for the winter and spring months to keep your kiddos feet dry and warm, especially when the weather isn’t great. The lugged tread helps reduce slips and falls and the panels help make it easy to pull them on!
Weather Station Toy Set | The cutest weather set to help your kids learn more about the weather! Perfect for incorporating into at-home school plans and getting your kids excited about what’s going on outside.
Birdie 3 Wheel Kick Scooter | Bird recently came out with Birdie, a scooter designed just for kids, because the adults can’t have all the fun. With two wheels in the front and one in the back, the scooter is designed for easy riding by kids ages 3-8 years. The sleek design and color options are a plus!
Starry Ballerina Doll | These ballerina dolls are so darling and are perfect for any little that likes pretty, delicate dolls. The two color options are both gorgeous and I promise you, these dolls will be cherished for years to come.
Instamax Mini 11 Instant Camera | If you ask me, there’s nothing more fun than an instant camera! The new Fujifilm Instamax Mini 11 has a slim body, automatic exposure, and features one-touch selfie mode. There’s so doubt your kids will love to open this gift up on Christmas day!
Eco Bricks Wooden Set | Hate legos littering your home? This wooden brick set is the best alternative! Not only are they eco friendly, they’re nicer to look at, and give kids a blank slate to express their personality.
Mini Bailey Bow II Shimmer Boot | Who can say no to a cozy pair of Ugg boots, especially in the midst of a cold New England winter?! The bow detailing and shimmer of this pair are so cute!
Who Will You Be? Book | This book is a lyrical musing of a mother who asks the same question everyone does when looking in the eyes of their children: Who will they be? Despite all of the influences in their lives, children will grow up to be themselves and this beautifully written and illustrated book makes a perfect gift for all kids!
Wild Pines Train Set | This 30-piece train set provides endless play and creative options for designing a railroad for your kids trains! The set also includes several engine, carriages, truck, logs, and trees for a lumberjack style activity. Bonus: with a traditional concept but modern design, you won’t hate this train set taking up space in your home!
Wooden Domino Track Set | Dominos is such a fun game but it can be hard for kids to understand the rules so I love this set! It incorporates the domino aspect but in STEM activity form and includes factory pieces, too!
Rattan Doll Day Bed | I’m so obsessed with all things rattan! Especially when it’s in doll size! This cute rattan doll day bed is so darling, classic, a total keepsake, and is perfect for all of your kids dolls!
Chelsea All-In-1 Play Kitchen | Kitchen play sets are one of those activities that all parents should have for their kids. They get so much use out of them and there are so many great modern options compared to the plastic ones we had as kids. Bonus points when you match your play set to your own kitchen! This one features a fridge with two shelves, an oven with two burners and knobs that turn, a large sink, and gorgeous brass hardware details! Perfect for imaginative play.
Little Patient Doll | This soft doll (named Erwin!) features a zippered belly that little surgeons will find six color-coded organs inside: lungs, heart, intestines, liver, spleen, and kidneys. With a little included book, your kids will be able to identify each organ and learn more about it, including its role in the body.
Flower Press | A fun activity, especially once it gets warmer out! This flower press kit comes with everything you need to press flowers from a special birthday or from your own back yard so your kids can save them for years to come.
Unicorn Fantasy Figures | These unicorn figures are a favorite in our house! They’re fun to play with alone but our favorite way to play with them is incorporated into sensory play!
Role Play Ice Cream Trolley | While ice cream stands might not be happening, this retro-style play set features a sliding door to the frozen compartment and inspires creative, interactive play and social development. Plus, who doesn’t love a nostalgic play set?!
Magnetic World Map | This magnetic map is a fun way for kids to learn more about the planet and each magnet represents a different country or region, with its name, capital, and an illustrated characteristic of that part of the world. Once put together, it’s the perfect piece to display in a bedroom or play area!
Faux Fur Mittens | The girls and I both love anything faux fur, especially in the winter. Totally obsessing over these cute mittens and I love that the mitten part folds back for loose fingers!
Sunshine Abacus | Traditionally, abacus’ are usually big and clunky so I love that this one features pretty colors and a minimalist design. Not only will it help children learn to count and identify colors, it’s also pretty to look at!
Magnetic Robot Set | Every young child loves robots and these magnetic ones are so fun to put together! The pieces of each robot can be mixed and matched to create unique robots. A great gift to encourage thinking skills, creativity, and motor skills!
Rainbow Teepee | If you’ve been around here for awhile, you know how much my girls love their teepee! It’s truly the gift that keeps on giving; they are constantly playing in it and I can’t imagine our play space without it. There are a couple different pattern and color options and the teepee can be personalized to match your child’s personality!
Dragon Egg and Scales Sidewalk Chalk | Have a creative child? Chalk is such a great activity and gets your kids outside, all year round! Plus, what adult can say no to joining in on the fun? This dragon egg and scales chalk set is handmade, non-toxic, and bio-degradable.
Mini Golf Set | If there’s an award for cutest mini golf set, this one would get it! Each piece is designed beautifully, the colors are stunning, and the obstacles are so cute. Each wooden putter is height adjustable and there’s a variety of ways to set up obstacles in your home for endless hours of fun.
Clear Magna-Tiles Set | This magnetic building set makes the best gift for kids of all ages! It includes squares and triangles of all sizes and requires math, science, and creativity to start creating. We’ve had our manga-tiles for a few years now and the girls still play with them all of the time.
Rattan Luggy | The sweetest little rattan wheeled basket is perfect for littles on the go! The basket is deep enough to cart toys, trinkets, and stuffed animals around the house and even better – it looks nice when it’s not in use!
Wood Building Blocks Set | Do your kids love to build things? This rainbow wood building blocks set is awesome! It’s also a great stepping stone to the magna-tile set, especially if your kids are younger!
Closed Aquatic EcoSystem | Have your kids been begging you for a pet?! Gift them this maintenance-free, closed aquatic ecosystem! Utilizing NASA technology, this ecosystem contains active marine shrimp that feed on the algae inside of the ecosystem and there’s a magnet that connects to a clear inside of the ecosystem to keep it clean! How cool is that?!
Bath Bomb Kit | KiwiCo is known for their activities that help inspire young minds and I love that this dual bath bomb kit gives the girls something to do and once it’s complete, they can also use it! This set makes two different bath bombs – animal shaped and planet-themed bath bombs. Once they’re concocted, drop them in the tub and watch them fizz!
Ballerina Mouse Trunk Set | The most darling ballerina mouse, complete with her own little trunk and costume changes to help ballerina get ready for her costume changes! This whimsical gift will inspire your littles to be imaginative.
Vegetable Garden Set | A cute (but comprehensive!) play set to help your child cultivate their own vegetable garden. It was designed for imaginative play and includes everything from seeds and fertilizer to veggies, and even a sneaky caterpillar!
Wooden Climbing Arch for Toddlers | It’s been a long year and with the cold winter weather right around the corner, it’s going to be even harder to keep your kids moving and entertained indoors. Thankfully this three-piece climbing arch will not only keep your kiddos entertained but it also helps develop independence, motor skills, and imagination.