The Best Gifts for Kids

I'm back with another gift guide! This time I'm sharing some of the best gifts for kids this holiday season.

Gift-giving is my love language. I spend a lot of time picking out the perfect gifts for my kids and family members each year. I try to balance what they want, what they need, and what I think they'll love or use the most.

I also try to keep in mind the rule of 4: one thing they want, one thing they need, one thing to wear, and one thing to read. I don't stick to this exactly, but I do make sure they get one thing from each of those categories - it's a good guide.

Of the gifts I'm sharing today, some of these we own and love, and some are new finds. I find that with holiday sales starting earlier and earlier, and popular gifts being harder to find the closer we get to the holidays - now is the best time to shop.

I'm also going to share some tips for gift giving as it pertains to kids. What do I get the kid who has it all? What do I give the kid I don't know very well? Check out some strategies below to make holiday gifting for kiddos a little less stressful.

Let's get started. Here are some of my favorite gifts to give to kids this holiday season.

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The Best Gifts for Kids

You can't go wrong with any of these fun gifts.

Gifts for Little Kids

Magna-Tiles Builder Set. We love Magna-Tiles. They are high quality and they provide hours of entertainment for kids of all ages. Any toy that incites imagination is a winner in my book. My son has this builder kit and loves it. And a new-to-me find this year are these microMags! There is a full size set and a travel set.

Zingo. This is a fun and easy game that even my youngest (age 3) can play. Perfect for a snowy afternoon or family game night. I love to give games as family gifts, especially for families that have kids of multiple ages.

Paint Sticks. A must-have for little ones who love to color and paint. These come in bright colors and are so fun to use. These would make perfect stocking stuffer or wrap them up with a sketchbook for a simple and fun little gift.

Fat Brain Toys Plip Kit. I love the open-ended creativity that comes with this fun building kit. I think older kids would like it too!

Wiggle Car Ride On Toy. My oldest got one of these years ago, and it is still one of our most-loved toys. They are easy to assemble, can be used indoors or out, and are so much fun!

Little Tikes Jump n' Slide Bouncer. We used to have this, and honestly I'd love another one. This provided HOURS of entertainment. And it tires your kiddos out.

Melissa and Doug Dollhouse. We have this beautiful and high quality dollhouse. It's so sweet. It comes with cute people and furniture, or you can outfit it with other sets.

Gifts for Big Kids

Magnetic Dart Board. My son has this and loves it. A fun (and safe) way to play darts. It's always popular during playdates at our house.

Jumbo Connect 4 Game. This is another toy that we've had for years and is still used all the time. It's a lot of fun for parties and playdates, too.

Wireless Microphone. My daughter has this - it's perfect for those budding singers. It was a top gift pick last year.

Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza Game. A super fun and easy to learn card game - perfect for a stocking stuffer!

Caboodles Vintage Case. Tell me you're a kid of the 90s, without telling me you're a kid of the 90s. I mean who wouldn't want one of these filled with some goodies??

Scooter. My kids all have one of these simple scooters and they've lasted for years. Fun, compact, and a great way to encourage fresh air and exercise.

Skateboard. A super cool gift. We got this for my son last year and he loves it. It's a great active gift, too. With older kids spending so much time attached to screens, this is a motivating way to get them outside. And don't forget the helmet!

Holiday Gift Giving Tips

Some tried and true strategies if you are struggling with what to gift the kiddos in your life.

What can I give the kid who seems to have all the things?

Give an experience! You can gift a trip to a local zoo, a visit to a local paint-your-own pottery, a day of indoor rock climbing, or a nail salon visit. The possibilities are endless. I love when family members gift my kids experiences - and they do too.

What do I give the kid who I don't know well?

Go consumable! This happens most frequently with kid birthday parties, when you might not know the child or family well. I often try to aim for something consumable. Items like art supplies, sketchbooks, sticker books, slime kits, and bead kits are great because even if the child has something similar, these items run out quickly. You can always use another!

What do I do about families with kids of multiple ages?

Give a family gift! I love a family gift. Gifting a fun board game, tickets to a local movie theater, a basket of goodies for a homemade hot cocoa bar or all the ingredients to make a yummy dessert are fun ways to give gifts to families and encourage time together.

Happy shopping!

I hope these gift ideas for kids help you cross some names off of your holiday shopping list!

For more holiday content, check out my gift guide for her, gifts for him, and my top tips for having a stress-free holiday.

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