51 Best Gifts for Kids That Are Beloved by Children of All Ages

The unique dinosaur egg design will catch your little one’s eye, but they’ll be really impressed once you turn the projector on. The internal light shines 14 vibrant colors and night stars onto the ceiling and walls to turn their bedroom into a planetarium of sorts. It also functions as a night light and a sound machine. My kiddo loves his so much that he takes it with him when we travel.

Recommended age: 3+

Rave review: “My daughter really loves this it's so cute and the colors are beautiful.”

This crystal ball comes complete with a magic wand and a book of spells your child has to recite in order to conjure a stuffed animal from the depths of the toy. During the process they’ll uncover all kinds of special noises and even magical mist. Once they’ve summoned the stuffed animal, they can use the wand to interact with the doll. This toy is so special that at my house it had an entire playdate of six kids totally captivated for almost an hour.

Recommended age: 5+

Rave reviews: “This is a very neat toy for boys or girls. It’s amazing to watch. Everybody enjoys watching what’s going to happen next from the colors, the smoke, sounds. Very entertaining for everyone adults included.”

Help toddlers get a solid grasp on their letters—and even begin to spell basic words like cat—with this adorable toy suitcase. When they manipulate each colorful letter, various Sesame Street characters provide facts and associated words to help your little one learn. This is one of the first things I pack when we go on road trips. My four-year-old sits quietly in his seat trying to spell out new words with the letters.

Recommended age: 2+

Rave review: “This ABC case was the perfect gift for my grandson. I love how the letters can be snapped into place so they stay put in the case for travel. It has been a great educational toy for my little grandson.”

This isn’t your average coloring surface. The whole thing illuminates with a special light that makes your child’s drawings glow—kind of like a Lite-Brite. It comes with six markers, all of which nestle into a special storage compartment in the back, a feature I very much appreciate.

Recommended age: 6+

Rave review: “I got this for her 10th birthday and she played with it nonstop for a couple of hours. And the next morning it was the first thing she went to! I really think she liked it.”

As your kids explore the various slides that come with this toy microscope, Bindi Irwin will teach them all about the item they’re seeing. They’ll learn all kinds of cool and unusual facts about everything from bugs to flowers. There's a little learning curve to get kids to understand how to use the microscope, but once they get the hang of it, it leaves them totally mesmerized.

Recommended age: 3+

Rave review: “Perfect gift for a five-year-old. Educational, sturdy, easy to use for the little ones.”

With this handheld game console, your child will have an endless array of video games at their disposal. Choose from classics you grew up playing or tap into one of the new, highly popular choices like Animal Crossing. Either way, you’re looking at hours upon hours of entertainment. This is one of the few toys my six- and four-year-olds play with nicely together.

Recommended age: 6+

Rave review: “I love how simple and portable it is! Great for long trips on the road, and when it gets late and you're on the road with family, the brightness dims pretty low, so no distractions to the driver!”

A stuffed animal is perennially a welcome gift for young kids, and you can’t go wrong with one from Jellycat. Well designed with realistic features, these lovies are some of the softest you’ll find (take it from a parent who probably has nearly 100 in the house). We love this corduroy fox, but the options are endless.

Recommended age: 0+

Rave review: “Oh goodness! Best stuffed animal! So cute!”

Training wheels? Who needs ’em? If you set your toddler up on a balance bike from day one, they’ll learn how to stabilize themselves while riding around. When they’re big enough for a two-wheeler, they’ll have no trouble at all. My two-year-olds zip around on these things—it impresses all passersby.

Recommended age: 18 months+

Rave review: “Lightweight but sturdy! My grandson is two years old and he loves zipping around on this little bike.”

For a gift that will really wow, consider this rocking chair. It not only provides hours of active fun for toddlers and younger kids but also serves as a great decor piece for their bedroom or playroom.

Recommended age: 18 months+

Rave review: “Great and sturdy. Got this for my daughter. Both my kids are so rough with it and it’s still holding up strong.”

This adorable inflatable is made of a thick rubber that allows it to sit squarely on the ground. When your kid sits on it, they can bounce up and down to their heart’s content. It’s highly active and inexplicably fun. We have a few outside and a few inside—the kids gravitate toward them in both places.

Recommended age: 18 months+

Rave review: “Supercute and easy to pump. Great quality, stability and durability. Perfect in size for my two-year-old!“

Sure, you can make a fort out of blankets and pillows, but this one is light-years better. The inflatable fortress, powered by a simple box fan, has a ceiling that glows with all of the stars in the night sky.

Recommended age: 3+

Rave review: “Bought this for my goddaughter's first birthday, knowing that the kid would enjoy it but her parents would probably equally appreciate getting silly in it after she goes to bed. What's better than something everyone can use?”

Like Where’s Waldo, but so much better. The kid on your list will delight in this personalized activity book, which sends them searching for an illustrated version of themselves.

Recommended age: 2+

Rave review: “This book gets kids excited about finding themselves in the story. Great for building attention spans and fostering a love of books and pride/confidence in themselves.”

Parents of toddlers know what a great time killer bath time is. And there’s nothing that makes it quite as much fun as these light-up figurines. (My kids call it a party bath!) Simply drop them into water and watch them illuminate. Choose from five different personalities, but beware: You’ll soon have them all.

Recommended age: 3+

Rave review: “The day he got it, he opened it and wanted to take a bath to watch it work. It was an instant hit!”

Think of this gadget as a kid-friendly speaker. Whenever a Tonie, which is essentially a little figurine, is placed on top, the device plays music, stories, and more. The whole thing is light and soft enough for your little one to manipulate, plus highly durable in case they drop it (they will). And you can purchase more Tonies to expand upon your collection—friends who have the toy say they've quickly amassed quite a collection.

Recommended age: 3+

Rave review: “A major game changer in reducing screen time. My little one (two years old) loves her Tonie box, and it has helped her transition to enjoying playtime by herself.”

A play gym isn’t a gift only for the baby, who will enjoy the time spent manipulating the items hanging within reach, but also for parents who need a safe, clean spot to put their newborn down. We love this one because it has a longer lifespan than most—once baby outgrows the play mat, place the cover on to transform the whole thing into a fort. And, TBH, it's much cuter than your average piece of baby gear, which was a major selling point for me.

Recommended age: 0+

Rave review: “Overall, it's great and extremely high-quality. The wood is smooth, and the mat doesn't feel at all flimsy. A lot of thought obviously went into creating a play mat that is developmentally appropriate for young babies.”

These soft climbing blocks are great for active toddlers (so basically every kid). My kids use them for, well, just about everything. They build indoor obstacle courses for climbing and gymnastics, use them as stepping stones, and even rest their head during family movie night.

Recommended age: 2+

Rave review: “Durable, good sizes, lots of fun. Daughter has been using for almost two years now. We got them when she was two and she had a blast right away.”

This Montessori-style toy is another great way to keep active toddlers busy during winter months when they’re stuck indoors. The whole thing folds out into a climbing triangle so little ones can go up and down and back again.

Recommended age: 1+

Rave review: “This has been the perfect toy to get all my toddler’s climbing energy out!”

Are you shopping for kids who covet your smartwatch? Now they can have one of their own. This little piece of tech does a lot of what yours can—they can use it to play games, listen to music, take pictures, and more.

Recommended age: 4+

Rave review: “Bought this for my granddaughter's birthday, she turned seven and she just loves this watch; she won't take it off, even sleeps with it.”

You’ll need a tablet like an iPad to play this game, but if the child already has one, it’s an excellent way to level up their screen time. Rather than simply watch videos, their kid will use the included game pieces and board to engage in learning games that improve both comprehension and math skills. My six-year-old literally jumps up and down when I take his Osmo sets out.

Recommended age: 5+

Rave review: “Both of our toddlers love playing with this and I don't feel so bad letting them have screen time because it's actually educational.”

Sand? In the house? Don’t worry: This sand is kind of like magic—it sticks together so kids can build all kinds of structures without turning their home into a sandbox in its own right. There are all kinds of sets, but this one comes with construction vehicles for digging and is also surprisingly fun for adults to play with. Don't worry: It's not nearly as messy as it sounds, either. I'm anti-crafts-in-the-house (don't hate!), and this one doesn't bother me. I just vacuum up any pieces to small to grab.

Recommended age: 3+

Rave review: “My child loves his kinetic sand construction toy! This keeps him busy for hours. And kinetic sand is so easy to clean up. Thank you for this! :)”

When it comes to a play kitchen, there’s endless potential. My toddlers have tons of fun taking orders from any adult in the vicinity, then “cooking” and serving up all kinds of snacks and meals. You can also add a cash register and a shopping cart to the set so they can pick up some groceries too.

Recommended age: 3+

Rave review: “Purchased the cute little pink kitchen for my granddaughter’s second birthday. It is adorable and she just loves it. It’s well made and easy to assemble as well. Very pleased.”

Kids love the process of unboxing, and this LOL Surprise! Playset comes with 40 surprises to unbox, including characters and accessories. Once they’ve torn into all the goodies, they’ll have hours of fun playing with them in the clubhouse, which features seven hangout areas: a game room, a skateboard zone, a hammock patio, a movie room, a stargazing space, a bedroom, and a kitchen.

Recommended age: 4+

Rave review: “I bought this for the daughter of my close friend and she loved it and it was so much fun putting it together with her. Awesome gift at a good price for an LOL fan!”

Play songs from any app on your phone—Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Music—then pass the microphone over to your kids, who can use the microphone to broadcast their voice. For even more fun, the precision stereo acoustic speaker comes equipped with four voice effects: high pitch, low pitch, chipmunk, and echo. The voice-changing feature sends my kids into hysterics.

Recommended age: 3+

Rave review: “So much fun and easy to use! If your kids love to sing or you enjoy karaoke, this microphone is for you! Also the funny settings that change your voice are loved by the kiddos! The sound is also exceptional for the price.”

Transformers are a classic for good reason: Kids love manipulating the figure from a vehicle into a superhero. Plus, since each toy functions as two different characters, there’s that much more play potential.

Recommended age: 6+

Rave review: “Just what we were looking for. Great quality. Kids love them.”

You won’t believe how fast active kids fly on these scooters. The two front wheels aid in balance, and an easy-to-operate brake keeps things nice and safe. (Just don’t forget the helmet!) Light-up wheels are a nice bonus. We have one for each kid—and an adult version—so the whole family takes regular scoots together. It's pretty cute.

Recommended age: 5-12

Rave review: “My son got this for his birthday and is in heaven. More sturdy than a regular scooter, and he loves the light-up wheels.”

This isn’t your average board game; it gets everyone in the family up and moving. How does it work? It’s simple, really: Players spin the wheel to determine what color foam stepping stone to jump to. But here’s the catch: They have to make it to the right color without touching the floor, which is molten hot lava. My kids are obsessed with this song (“Alexa, play The Floor Is Lava” on repeat over here), so I can't wait to grab this for them this holiday season.

Recommended age: 5+

Rave review: “My littles love this game, great for indoor play, and all ages can participate—its fun and easy.”

Kids these days aren’t used to seeing snapshots printed on the spot, but this version of the classic camera does just that. It’s perfect for tweens who want to outfit their room with pictures of their besties.

Recommended age: 5+

Rave review: “I got this Polaroid camera as a gift for my stepdaughter. It made her extremely happy. The quality of the pictures is excellent. The feeling of watching the picture develop is unparalleled. It is all about instant memories and a retro feel.”

This DIY baking kit is super fun for kids, but it’s a gift for parents too—it’ll help limit all of those Starbucks trips. (I grabbed this because a single trip costs me something like $16!) The set makes 12 confetti cake pops (vanilla cake with white chocolate and rainbow sprinkles) and comes with premeasured ingredients and beginner-friendly instructions.

Recommended age: 4+

Rave review: “Great gift idea for anyone! Really fun to make. And tastes good too!”

Whether you have a voracious reader on your hands or a child who really needs some extra incentive to pick up a book, this poster is a great motivator. It looks a lot like a giant lottery ticket, but each scratch-off square reveals a classic kid-friendly book to add to their reading list.

Recommended age: 3+

Rave review: “My kids and I are having a blast reading all these treasured stories. My five-year-old loves scratching the box off once we have completed the story. So much fun!”

These life-size building blocks may be on the expensive side, but they make a fantastic gift for any playroom. They’re incredibly easy to manipulate, and each one features safe internal magnets so they click together effortlessly. My kids love creating castles, bridges, rocket ships, and more.

Recommended age: 2+

Rave review: “The blocks are worth every penny!!! I bought the set for my grandson for his third birthday! He played with the the first day for one hour and 45 minutes—he incorporated a lot of his other toys in designs he was making! Since then he plays with them constantly!”

If you ask any kid, they’ll tell you the bigger, the better. That’s why this stuffed animal is so cool. The T-Rex by famed toy company Melissa & Doug is an impressive two feet tall. We love how colorful and realistic it is too.

Recommended age: 3+

Rave review: “My grandson who is two years old... Just loved his dinosaur!! A perfect addition to his bedroom! His sister just loved it too!”

Today’s robots are so much more than remote-controlled toys. This supercool STEM toy has a wide-angle HD camera and high-tech sensors that make it highly functional. In fact, it comes equipped with 50,000 hours of experiences, including more than 1,000 games, puzzles, coding lessons, yoga, and more.

Recommended age: 5+

Rave review: “I brought Miko 3 for my niece and she absolutely loves it; it's like she found a new best friend in Miko. She dances with Miko, plays with it, and learns so many educational things which is great! The best gift to give your lovely little ones!”

Help babies and young toddlers hone their gross motor skills with this classic Radio Flyer walker. This wooden version is exceptionally high-quality, so it can be passed down from one sibling to the next (we've had ours for almost six years now!); plus, it features a handful of activities to keep them busy when they’re not cruising.

Recommended age: 1+

Rave review: "Everything about this wagon is well thought out and a good value for the price. Ease to assembly and a great quality.”

This mystery box opens to reveal three eight-inch supersoft, snuggly, aptly named Squishmellows. Part of the fun is the surprise of it all, but it's not like those other surprise boxes with tiny toys the kids lose track of. My kids are basically tethered to their Squishmallows.

Recommended age: 3+

Rave review: “This product was the perfect treat for some elementary aged students for Christmas. They came in quickly and were great quality. They have lasted almost year and still look relatively new. I will definitely buy some more this Christmas if given the opportunity.”

Part ball, part fidget toy, Nee-Doh has a soft texture that can be kneaded, pulled, squished, or thrown. In my experience, the stretch factor (this thing goes and goes!) is mesmerizing to both kids and adults alike.

Recommended age: 3+

Rave review: “Got this for a gift and she loved it, she carries it everywhere now.”

Flashback to the ’90s! This electronic pet needs TLC, and your kiddo will love feeding, playing with, and cleaning up after their friend as they grow.

Recommended age: 6+

Rave review: “This is even cuter than the ones I had in middle school!! Ahhhh *heart clutch* the nostalgia!! I bought it as a gift but I’m def buying one for myself!”

Another surprise toy kids can’t get enough of, especially bigger kids who can handle the small pieces. Mini Brands Surprise Balls open to reveal four teeny-tiny toys, all of which are classic items you might find in the grocery store. Each compartment in the ball houses its own figurine, ranging from Airheads, to Lipton tea, and more.

Recommended age: 5+

Rave review: “These mini brands were on my niece's Christmas list. One is nine and one is seven. The mystery and element of surprise is the best part. They compared them and got excited about some that they didn't already have and said they use them with their Barbie's as they are the perfect size. They are so unique and adorable mini versions of the brands of things we use every day.”

I don’t know what it is about bubbles, but kids flock to them. Someone’s having a meltdown? The playdate is getting a little out of hand? Turn on this bubble machine, and watch the world turn right side up again. This adorable little dolphin churns out an impressive 500 to 1,000 bubbles per minute for endless fun. And it takes the onus off parents and caregivers, which is always nice. TBH, I first bought one of these because I didn't want to stand there blowing bubbles all day every day.

Recommended age: 3+

Rave review: “Bought for my one-year-old grandson. He absolutely loves it. Enjoys trying to catch the bubbles. Highly recommend this.”

Hot Wheels manufactures so many different track sets, many of which are incredibly large and complex. While these are great for older kids, I’ve found the simple straight track set to be the most reliable and engaging, especially for kids under 10. Unlike the larger sets, these don’t require complex setup and they’re less prone to frustrating malfunctions. My kids work together (yes, really!) to build long runs of track, run around the house looking for new places to secure their ramp to, and take turns zooming car after car down the track.

Recommended age: 4+

Rave review: “The simplest toys are always the best! My kids have spent hours play with just this straight track. No bulky extras needed. They travel so easily, we take them almost everywhere!”

I don’t know what it is about scratch art—perhaps the satisfaction of uncovering a cool rainbow design—but boys and girls can’t get enough of the stuff. My kids are obsessed and would use the whole pack in one go if I let them. I don't love the scraping noise, but I do love that there’s very little mess associated with the craft—just a little bit of black dust and stray paper. But this activity book solves part of the problem, since all of the pages are bound in a small spiral notebook.

Recommended age: 3+

Rave review: “My grandkids just loved this. Great for their creativity and imagination. Will buy again.”

My grandma took what she called a risk when she bought this LED lamp for my (then) five-year-old, but sure enough, it quickly became his most beloved birthday gift. The setup process is very easy and was something fun for him to do with great-grandparents who can’t necessarily get down on the floor to engage with him. And he absolutely loves watching those jellyfish bob up and down while they change colors. In fact, it lulls him to sleep every single night.

Recommended age: 5+

Rave review: “This was gifted to use for my stepdaughter, now I feel like I need one too. Very easy to set up and very fun to watch! This is awesome.”

This toy is undeniably simple, but it’s amazingly useful for keeping kids entertained on the go. The set of 24 colorful sticks are super pliable, so your little one can bend and twist them into unique creations (great for those fine motor skills!). They even stick to surfaces like car or airplane windows.

Recommended age: 3+

Rave review: “These are super great for non-screen time during travel (and honestly, any other time). My child is almost 10 and still really enjoyed these. They offer open-ended play, allowing the child to use their creativity to determine the direction of play. We slid these in a backpack during a long trip. They were a great price, easily accessible, not easily lost or dropped, and kept our child entertained. Just a win all around in my opinion!”

Any parent knows how hard it can be to help your kiddo work through some of the more complex feelings—we’ve all been there. This supersoft stuffed animal and board book combo is specially designed to help parents explain big feelings in a gentle, reassuring way. We have an entire collection that my kids regularly snuggle with, and the books have helped me navigate some big feelings on more than one occasion. I can't recommend this set enough.

Recommended age: 0+

Rave review: “I love slumberkins!! They are adorable and such a good gift for little kids. We collect them all!”

As a parent, there’s something really fun about watching your kid play with toys you once enjoyed so much. And although my kids (under five) are a little young for these beads—affectionately called ironing beads, since you iron your creations into little toys—we’ve had the best time with this craft. It’s a big time suck, which is great for weekends and rainy days, and the creative possibilities are seemingly endless. This kit comes with 8,500 colorful fuse beads, three pegboards, and ironing paper, but you can also buy guidebooks to help you create incredibly intricate designs ranging from animals and food to well-known TV characters.

Recommended age: 6+

Rave review: “I had these as a kid and my son loves it too!! Definitely fun and easy to use.”

Slime has no place in my home—it’s just too much of a mess—but the kids love it, so I was delighted to discover this fantastic alternative. The simple three-step craft is virtually mess-free: All you have to do is mix three packaged solutions in an included plastic cup, then pour it into one of two included “surprise” character molds. (There are 80 overall, and you can keep buying refill kits.) In just an hour, the whole thing hardens into a squishy but structured little toy for your kiddo to play with.

Recommended age: 6+

Rave review: “The kit works great. Cute idea. Easy kit, very little mess. Made with my niece before lunch. We let it sit for an hour and after lunch she had two cute little squishy toys. I will get her more. She wants all the molds! Fun!”

Most kids under five typically have fairly robust collections of Magna-Tiles, but the thing about these magnetic building blocks is you can never seem to have enough. My kids are constantly asking for more—and fighting over that last red triangle. Now Magna-Tiles has a new product even the kid who has everything won’t yet have: magnetic animals. Choose from jungle animals, safari animals, or arctic animals, or solidify yourself as their favorite by scooping up all three.

Recommended age: 3+

Rave review: “These Magna-Tiles do not disappoint! Endless hours of entertainment for my four-year-old boy. Great quality.”

This simple family-friendly game will have the whole family in stitches. The game of luck is simple enough for kids under five—the sweet spot is really that silly under 10 age. All you have to do is load the spring hand with a little whipped cream. Then players take turns sliding their head into the mask and turning the wheel. Will they get a “pie” to the face? Only time will tell—but someone will eventually! It’s a budget-friendly gift worth its weight in gold.

Recommended age: 5+

Rave review: “Your little humans will love this game. Anything where it's okay to make a mess with Mom and Dad and nobody will get upset (but laugh) is worth every penny.”

What every parent really wants (myself included!) is a way for their active toddlers to burn all of that excess energy, especially on rainy days. My kids have had hours of fun with this toy. Part fort, part obstacle course—the play potential is seemingly endless. And, of course, they love the plastic balls in the ball pit. (Just note: You’ll have to buy those separately.) You know what I love? That this structure is lightweight and easy to put away, but comes in a muted color that’s not too much of an assault on the eyes when it’s up…which is most of the time.

Recommended age: 3+

Rave review: “Easy to set up, easy to store. Even individual pieces provide joy.”

This bendable rope makes a great stocking stuffer for tweens, who will delight in molding it into various shapes and phrases before displaying it on the wall. The best part: They can change up their design as often as they'd like.

Recommended age: 8+

Rave review: “I bought several of them and made short signs. They look amazing! Bright colors, easy to shape and they hold the shape well.”