The 50 Best Gifts for Kids You Can Buy Online
Keeping up with the latest trends and a child’s changing interests can make it tough to know what to get them for their birthday or the holiday season. After all, you want them to use it—not toss it to the back of their closet to sit untouched forever. So, where to start?
“The most important thing is to reflect on the child’s interests and their age,” says Chris Byrne, independent toy analyst, researcher, and consultant. “You’ll see a lot of hot toy lists, but the hot toy is only hot if it’s hot for your child.”
Byrne also recommends looking for a gift that pushes the envelope or offers something different: “If your family likes to play games together, find a game that makes your child the star. If your kid is into arts and crafts or making things, find things that are really innovative or immersive. The best gifts are those that aren’t complete without the child.”
To find a special gift that your kid (or the kid in your life) will truly love, we took a deep dive into all there is to offer for toys, games, books, art projects, and more.
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Game night just got a lot more interesting with this interactive card game by the makers of Exploding Kittens. The object is simple: Collect sets of matching cards to earn points and avoid being hit by an airborne burrito. Yes, you literally get to throw burritos like a dodgeball. The brand also sells expansion kits such as Block Block Burrito to add to the fun.
Manufacturer’s Recommended Age Range: 7+ years
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Squishmallows are wildly popular among children, and there are so many adorable characters to choose from. This mystery box takes the guesswork out of giving and even adds a surprise element—you don’t know which ones you’ll get until you open the box. This box includes five 5-inch Squishmallows, but there’s also an option for three 8-inch plushies.
Manufacturer’s Recommended Age Range: 3+ years
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Budding photographers will enjoy capturing the world around them with their own instant camera. This kit includes three rolls of ink-free paper, a 32-gigabyte memory card, and a lanyard for easy carrying. The shockproof plastic shell protects their new gift from drops, and unlike other cameras, there are games they can play when photography time is over.
Manufacturer’s Recommended Age Range: 3–12 years
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Kanoodle is a game of fun and critical thinking. Kids can choose from more than 200 challenges to recreate 2D patterns or 3D shapes using colorful marbles, and when they’re done, everything fits neatly into the carrying case. While it’s recommended for ages seven and up, it’s likely that parents will want to try their hand at the game, as well.
Manufacturer’s Recommended Age Range: 7+ years
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Young minds will enjoy exploring the different features this toy has to offer, including lights and over 20 songs, sounds, and phrases. It can help babies strengthen their motor skills as they grasp the handle, press buttons, and rattle beads, while toddlers will enjoy imaginative play pretending to sip coffee from their very own mug.
Manufacturer’s Recommended Age Range: 6 months–3 years
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