Christmas Gifts for Kids
The best Christmas toys are the ones kids come back to in February. Building sets, art supplies and active outdoor toys tend to last longer than the latest fad.
How to pick
- Open-ended toys, like bricks, clay and art kits, get played with for years.
- Pick one gift the whole family can use together, like a board game.
- Check the age range on the box. A toy that's too advanced gets set aside.
24 gift ideas
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LEGO Classic Medium Creative Brick Box
484 bricks in 35 colors in a storage box. Endless building for ages 4 and up.
- Best for
- Kids who like building their own ideas, not following instructions
- Skip if
- There's a toddler at home who puts things in their mouth
Typical price: $25 to $50
Check price on Amazon for LEGO Classic Medium Creative Brick Box (opens in a new tab) -
Magna-Tiles Classic 32-Piece Set
Colorful magnetic tiles that click together into towers, houses and anything they imagine.
- Best for
- Young builders, and as a first set that you can add to later
- Skip if
- They already have a big tile set, since 32 pieces goes fast
Typical price: $25 to $50
Check price on Amazon for Magna-Tiles Classic 32-Piece Set (opens in a new tab) -
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for Nintendo Switch
The racing game the whole family can play together, for ages 6 and up.
- Best for
- Families and friends with a Nintendo Switch
- Skip if
- They don't have a Switch
Typical price: $50 to $100
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Crayola Art Kit with Neon and Metallic Supplies
Markers, crayons and colored pencils in bright neon and metallic shades, all in one case. For ages 5 and up.
- Best for
- Kids who draw every day and like bright colors
- Skip if
- You need it to be totally mess-free
Typical price: Under $25
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Squishmallows 12-Inch Ilene the Unicorn
A super soft, squishy unicorn plush that's perfect for hugging and collecting.
- Best for
- Kids and teens who collect plush or want a cuddle buddy
- Skip if
- They want a toy that does something
Typical price: Under $25
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UNO Card Game
The classic family card game for 2 to 10 players. Cheap, quick and always a hit.
- Best for
- Families and friends who want a quick game anyone can learn
- Skip if
- They already own a deck, as most families do
Typical price: Under $25
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Wilson NFL Super Grip Football
A grippy, durable football for backyard games.
- Best for
- Backyard and park games of catch
- Skip if
- They already have a good football
Typical price: Under $25
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Play-Doh Modeling Compound 10-Pack
Ten cans of bright dough for squishing, rolling and building whatever they dream up.
- Best for
- Young kids who love squishing and shaping
- Skip if
- You don't want to pick crumbs out of the carpet
Typical price: Under $25
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Melissa & Doug Deluxe Standing Art Easel
A two-sided wooden easel with a chalkboard, a dry-erase board and a paper roll.
- Best for
- Kids who love to paint and draw big
- Skip if
- Floor space at home is tight
Typical price: $50 to $100
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Snap Circuits Jr. Electronics Kit
Snap-together parts build more than 100 working gadgets, from alarms to a flying saucer.
- Best for
- Curious kids who like to know how things work
- Skip if
- The child is too young to follow a diagram
Typical price: $25 to $50
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National Geographic Gemstone Dig Kit
Chip away at a brick to uncover real gemstones, with a guide to what each one is.
- Best for
- Kids who love rocks, digging and treasure hunts
- Skip if
- You want a toy they'll play with over and over, since it's mostly a one-time dig
Typical price: Under $25
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Kinetic Sand Sandbox Set
Moldable sand that never dries out, with a tray and tools that keep the mess contained.
- Best for
- Kids who love sensory play indoors
- Skip if
- You don't want sand on the floor
Typical price: Under $25
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Yoto Mini Audio Player
A screen-free speaker that plays stories, music and podcasts from cards kids pop in themselves.
- Best for
- Kids who love stories and songs without a screen
- Skip if
- You don't want to buy more story cards later
Typical price: $50 to $100
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Jellycat Bashful Bunny
A famously soft, floppy-eared bunny that quickly becomes the bedtime favorite.
- Best for
- Babies, kids and adults who want a very soft, classic plush
- Skip if
- They want a toy that talks or moves
Typical price: $25 to $50
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Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 Instant Camera
Prints credit-card-size photos in seconds, with automatic exposure so shots come out right.
- Best for
- Teens and party-goers who love printed photos
- Skip if
- You'd rather not keep buying film, since each print costs money
Typical price: $50 to $100
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Stomp Rocket Ultra Launcher
Kids stomp the pad and send foam rockets flying high into the air.
- Best for
- Active kids with a yard or park nearby
- Skip if
- You don't have outdoor space
Typical price: Under $25
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Razor A Kick Scooter
The classic foldable aluminum scooter for zipping around the neighborhood.
- Best for
- Kids ready to ride around the neighborhood
- Skip if
- They don't have a helmet yet, so add one
Typical price: $25 to $50
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LEGO Creator 3-in-1 Mighty Dinosaurs
Builds a T. rex, a triceratops or a pterodactyl, so one box makes three toys.
- Best for
- Dinosaur fans who like building three models from one set
- Skip if
- They want a big, long build
Typical price: Under $25
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Melissa & Doug Water Wow! 3-Pack
Mess-free coloring pads that reveal pictures with water, then dry to color again.
- Best for
- Toddlers and road trips, with no mess at all
- Skip if
- The child has outgrown simple coloring
Typical price: Under $25
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Klutz Clay Charms Kit
Everything kids need to sculpt, bake and string their own tiny clay charms.
- Best for
- Crafty kids who like making jewelry and small figures
- Skip if
- There's no adult to help bake the clay in the oven
Typical price: Under $25
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Rubik's Cube
The original 3x3 puzzle that keeps hands busy and minds working.
- Best for
- Puzzle lovers who like a challenge
- Skip if
- They get frustrated easily
Typical price: Under $25
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Exploding Kittens Card Game
A fast, silly card game that's easy to learn and loud to play.
- Best for
- Families and friends who like silly, fast card games
- Skip if
- They prefer longer strategy games
Typical price: Under $25
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Ticket to Ride Board Game
Collect train cards and claim routes across the country in this family favorite.
- Best for
- Families who want a strategy game that's easy to learn
- Skip if
- They want a quick game, since a round takes about an hour
Typical price: $25 to $50
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Botley 2.0 Coding Robot
A screen-free robot that teaches kids to code by programming its moves with a remote.
- Best for
- Young kids starting to learn coding, with no screen needed
- Skip if
- The child already codes on a computer
Typical price: $50 to $100
Check price on Amazon for Botley 2.0 Coding Robot (opens in a new tab)