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The 49 Best Gifts for Kids of Every Age, From 0 to 15

Author image: Alexia-Dellner-profile-shot-v2
By Alexia Dellner
•
Published Nov 14, 2022
Additional reporting by

PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and some items may be gifted to us. Additionally, PureWow may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. All prices are accurate upon date of publish. You can learn more about the affiliate process here.

Finding the perfect plaything for the kid in your life is no easy feat. You want to find something that’s durable, fun and—most importantly—suited to the interests of the kid in question. A STEM toy for the budding scientist, perhaps? Or how about a craft subscription for the creative in the family? Good news: We reached out to the experts—child therapists, nannies, teachers, toy shop owners, parenting coaches and actual parents—to get their recommendations for the absolute best gifts for kids of every age. The result is a list of killer presents that includes everything from stacking toys for tots and books for big kids to mini fridges for teens and games for the entire fam.

So basically, we did your Christmas shopping for you. (Feel free to thank us after you peruse the 49 items below.)

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best toys for kids fidget spinner for babies
Bed Bath & Beyond

1. Baby Einstein Curiosity Clutch Sensory Toy & Rattle

This PureWow Happy Kid Awards winner is basically a fidget spinner for babies. Yep, this sensory toy is just as soothing for those under a year old, especially when it’s designed in high-contrast colors and doubles as a rattle.

Recommended for ages 3 months and up

BUY IT ($10)
best toys for kids wooden surprise box
Amazon

2. Melissa & Doug Wooden Surprise Gift Box Infant Toy

Babies are all about textures and sounds and this toy set featuring five separate items (a wooden box, plush toy bear, squeezable fuzzy ball with chime, multi-textured crinkle cloth and a happy-bear cloth book) provides plenty of opportunities for tots to smash, crunch, bash and chew. One mom we chatted with especially loved how portable this pick was: "I can bring it to the park or a restaurant and even if she throws one piece aside, there are still more toys for her to play with!" Don't forget to apply the coupon to snag an additional $4 off.

Recommended for ages 6 months and up

$28; $14 At Amazon
best toys for kids foodtruck jumperoo
Amazon

3. Fisher-Price Servin’ Up Fun Jumperoo

Another PureWow Happy Kid Awards winner, we love this Jumperoo's food truck aesthetic. But what’s even cooler is that when your baby starts crawling, you can remove the cables and turn it into a play car they can climb in. Even the snack-themed grippy toys convert into play food for the truck, so you have a toy they can enjoy from 6 months old through toddlerhood.

Recommended for ages 6 months and up

$150; $120 at Amazon
best-toys-for-kids-baby-stacking-blocks
Amazon

4. B. Toys Building Blocks

Abbi has been a nanny in New York City for over eight years and specializes in early childhood. One of her favorite playthings for infants are these colorful blocks that babies can chew, squeeze and practice stacking. “The reason I love them is because they don’t make a crashing sound when they fall down and scare the baby!” she explains. They’re also great for toddlers to practice learning their numbers and letters.

Recommended for ages 6 months and up

$14 at Amazon
mushie stacking cups best toys for kids
Amazon

5. Mushie Stacking Cups Toy

“I am obsessed with these!” Abbi raves. These pretty stacking cups are great for developing hand-eye coordination, plus they can be used in the bathtub for water play. “They also work great in a sensory bin or in the sand,” she adds. And teething babes will love to gnaw on them.

Recommended for ages 6 months and up

$15 at Amazon
best-toys-for-kids-Musical-Activity-Walker
Target

6. B. Play Musical Activity Walker

Got a soon-to-be walker on our hands? These wheels transition from carpet to hardwood floors with ease. That alone is applause-worthy (as any parent who’s watched their baby tumble due to a stalled walker can attest). The peekaboo star panels, ball-popping game and buttons that play 30+ songs are all just a bonus.

Recommended for ages 10 months and up

Buy It ($33)
soft baby doll best toys for kids
Amazon

7. JC Toys Baby Doll

What’s nanny Abbi’s number one favorite toy for kids? Dolls. “I am a huge believer that any child of any gender should have at least one baby doll,” she says. “It teaches empathy, compassion and allows kids to learn about their own anatomy.” This one is lightweight, fragrance-free, comes with a pacifier and blanket and is available in multiple skin tones.

Recommended for ages 18 months and up

$15; $11 AT AMAZON
best gifts for kids of every age learning resources spike the fine motor hedgehog
Amazon

8. Learning Resources Spike The Fine Motor Hedgehog

This cute little critter boasts easy-to-grasp quills that toddlers can remove and rearrange to their heart’s content—an activity guaranteed to give color recognition, sorting and fine motor skills a boost. File this one under ‘baby’s new best friend.’ (Psst...be sure to apply the coupon to score an additional $3 off.)

Recommended for ages 18 months and up

$16; $10 AT AMAZON
best-toys-for-kids-duplo-animals
Amazon

9. LEGO Duplo Wild Animals of Asia

Elephants and tigers and pandas, oh my! This release from the Danish toy experts features all that and more (think: birds, a monkey and cherry blossom trees) so that your budding engineer can turn into a master builder in no time. But this isn't just any old toy brick set—this one comes with real animal sounds! "My 3-year-old loves this Duplo set, especially the brick with jungle sounds, and I love that the playmat it comes with keeps all the pieces in one place (almost)," one mom on Amazon raves.

Recommended for ages 2 to 5

$90 at Amazon
A close of a kid playing on Piccalio's climber pikler triangle set.
Piccalio

10. Piccalio Climber Pikler Triangle Set

Fact: Toddlers love to climb on everything they're not supposed to. This set made from birch plywood and pine is actually sanctioned for sliding and building forts, since it only reaches 30.5 inches tall and 27.5 inches wide. It also comes with a reversible rock wall/slide ramp to make it even more enjoyable. "My 2-year-old loves it!" one reviewer on Piccalio raves. "He uses it every day. The quality is great, and the wood is beautiful (very sturdy). We have also used it on playdates with a 4-year-old, and she also enjoyed it." Oh, because did we mention it's foldable to store and travel with ease?

Recommended for 6 months and up

Buy IT ($349)
best gifts for kids elefun flyer
Amazon

11. Elefun Flyers

Kids of all ages will love loading the “butterflies” (aka tiny discs) into the elephant’s trunk and then stomping on the tail to send them flying into the air. But how many butterflies can they catch with their nets? You'll have to buy it to find out.

Recommended for ages 3 to 15

$27 at Amazon
osmo best toys for kids
Amazon

12. Osmo Starter Kit

“This is a must have for primary aged kids,” raves says Princess Netherly, a primary school teacher in Wylie, Texas. “Osmo helps kids learn math, reading, and problem solving. You simply connect the Osmo base and reflector to an iPad or Fire tablet and select which free app you'd like to use while playing. Play and learning can be customized based on age level.”

Recommended for ages 3 to 5

$80; $63 AT AMAZON
best gifts for kids cutestone sink
Walmart

13. Cute Stone Color Changing Kitchen Sink

If you’ve got a toddler who loves to play in the sink, but you don’t want to invest in an entire kitchen unit, check out this fun toy that actually sprays water. The role play potential here is strong—the sink comes with cups, plates, utensils, a cleaning brush, dish rack and detergent. The plates even change color in warm water!

Recommended for ages 3 and up

Buy it ($35)
best-toys-for-kids-casa-azul-follies
Play Follies

14. The Casa Azul Set

Inspired by Frida Kahlo’s iconic house, this new play set features big building shapes that kids connect to create giant structures inspired by Frida’s life and beyond. Think: an easel, a pyramid for her animals, her famous yellow kitchen and Casa Azul itself. Made from non toxic plastic material, this unique toy that doubles as an art piece is easy-to-clean and stores flat after kids are done playing. 

Recommended for ages 4 and up

Buy It ($180; $165)
best toys for kids play doh playset
Amazon

15. Play-Doh Care & Carry Vet

When PureWow editors and a dozen families across the country were tasked with finding the best toys for kids, this toy came out as a top pick for the under-7 set. It held three kids’ interest for nearly an hour as they grew the pup’s hair, groomed it and gave it a check-up (complete with Play-Doh bandages, of course). Right now, you can knock an additional $3 off when you apply the coupon.

Recommended for ages 4 and up

$17; $7 AT AMAZON
best-toys-for-kids-wild-mix-up-magnetic-build-it
Mudpuppy

16. Wild Mix-Up Magnetic Build It

If the idea of taking a road trip or hopping on a plane with your brood fills you with dread, fear not. You just need some travel games in hand, like this clever set from MudPuppy that includes two illustrated scenes and three sheets of mix-and-match magnets for creating their own wild animals. And the best part? Clean-up and storage are a breeze.

Recommended for ages 4 and up

Buy it ($17)
best toys for kids black fairy tales
Amazon

17. Black Fairy Tales Coloring Book

This pick from Claudia Walker, founder of The Black Toy Store, depicts scenes from classic tales (like Cinderella, Goldilocks and the Three Bears and Little Red Riding Hood) with black characters.

Recommended for ages 5 and up

$9 AT AMAZON
best gifts for kids of every age stomp rocket stomp racers
Amazon

18. Stomp Rocket Stomp Racers

The only thing better than a good stomp-etition is one that involves sending race cars flying across the finish line, which is precisely why you can expect this toy to keep kids 5 and up entertained for hours on end, indoors and out.

Recommended for ages 5 to 12

$40; $25 at Amazon
best gifts for kids vtech creator cam
Walmart

19. VTech KidiZoom Creator Cam

Got a budding content creator at home? You could try and fight the inevitable or you could embrace it with this nifty toy that lets kids create their own videos and add special effects like different backgrounds. But don't worry parents, this one is internet-free, so you have ultimate control over who sees the final product.

Recommended for ages 5 and up

Buy It ($40)
crazy forts best gifts for kids
Amazon

20. Crazy Forts

Kids love building forts and this time-honored activity just so happens to be excellent for developing STEM skills, too. It comes with 69 child-safe toggles and rods that join together so kids can build whatever structure they can think of (a pirate ship! A castle!). Just throw on a couple of old bedsheets, and their imaginative play space is ready to go.

Recommended for ages 5 and up

$70; $50 AT AMAZON
best toys for kids kapla blocks
Amazon

21. Kapla Blocks

Unleash your kid’s inner architect with these wooden blocks that can be engineered and played with in endless combinations. “While my older daughter loves to build homes for her dolls, my 4-year-old son has a blast pretending they're firewood and knocking down his sister's creations!” says Dr. Han Ren, a psychologist based in Austin, Texas. She’s a big fan of open-ended building toys without rules and endpoints and notes that these blocks in particular are great for nurturing creativity.

Recommended for ages 5 and up

$70 at Amazon
best gifts for kids of every age got2glow fairy finder
Walmart

22. Got2glow Fairy Finder

This whimsical fairy finder game syncs with an app that will get your kid running all over creation trying to catch up to 30 different fairies that magically appear on the screen as they hunt around. What's more, once the fairies have been caught, the toy turns into an interactive experience that allows kids to feed and nurture their pet fairies through the app. Pretty neat, huh?

Recommended for ages 5 and up

Buy it ($40)
best-gifts-for-kids-super-soaker
Amazon

23. WowWee Nerf Super Soaker RoboBlaster  

When the young people in your home start bouncing off the walls, it’s time for some outdoor fun—and these Super Soakers ensure kids are entertained for hours. This little tripod connects to your hose, shooting water up to 30 feet with a 60-degree range. One person can man the blaster, or they can play solo, using a ball or water gun to hit the targets on the tripod to defeat it. Not to mention, you can save $7 when you apply the coupon.

Recommended for ages 6 and up

$30; $23 at Amazon
karaoke mic best gifts for kids
Amazon

24. Wireless Bluetooth Microphone

Family karaoke night, anyone? This stylish mic lets you choose from thousands of songs using an app or their own Spotify, iTunes, or Pandora account. (Psst: Here are 75 easy karaoke songs to get you started.) Plus, when you apply the coupon you can snag an additional $3 off.

Recommended for ages 6 and up

$50; $28 AT AMAZON
glow n grow terranium
Amazon

25. Grow ‘n Glow Terrarium Kit

For parents who are looking for a way to lower their kids’ stress, increase their movement, get them to eat healthier and positively impact their mood, parenting coach Deborah Ann Davis knows just the thing: gardening. “It’s never too early to get your clan interested in growing their own food, and along the way, you can take a few measurements, try a few experiments, and get those STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics) juices flowing.” This cool kit includes everything kids need in order to grow their own ecosystem (just add water). Extra cool factor? It glows in the dark, and is $4 off when you apply the coupon.

Recommended for ages 6 and up

$15; $11 AT AMAZON
dash coding robot best gifts for kids
Amazon

26. Dash Coding Robot

“We love STEM toys and this Dash robot teaches children that they can create anything they can imagine,” says Walker. Dash is a real robot that teaches children how to code and actually responds to voice commands. (Sadly “go clean your room” isn’t one of them.)

Recommended for ages 6 and up

$180; $150 at Amazon
animal crossing switch best gifts for kids
Amazon

27. Animal Crossings New Horizons - Nintendo Switch

Got a kid who’s into gaming (specifically, the Nintendo Switch)? This fan favorite allows children to build a community on a deserted island, customize their characters and bond with other residents.

Recommended for ages 6 and up

$60 at Amazon
best-gifts-for-kids-nintendo-switch
Best Buy

28. Nintendo Switch

Oh wait, your kid doesn’t have a Switch yet? Here’s what you need to know about this popular game console: It’s a portable tablet with two detachable controllers (aka Joy-Cons) and can be connected to the TV (but doesn’t have to be). It’s easy to use and has games for multiple age groups, meaning that your younger kid will enjoy it as much as your teen.

Recommended for ages 6 and up

Buy it ($300)
best gifts for kids of every age puffin hardcover classics box set
Amazon

29. Puffin Hardcover Classics Box Set

OK, but now it’s time for your kid to put down the device. Everyone should read the classics at some point and this set happens to be adorably color coordinated so that it doubles as bookshelf decor.

Recommended for ages 7 and up

$105; $73 AT AMAZON
arteza gouache paint best toys for kids
Amazon

30. Arteza Gouache Paint

From mason jar crafts and fall crafts to rainbow crafts and pipe cleaner crafts, given the right tools (i.e., this mega set of paints), your little artist will be entertained for weeks beyond weeks.

Recommended for ages 7 and up

$50 at Amazon
best-toys-for-kids-blank-slate-game
Amazon

31. Blank Slate

If Charades is getting boring, consider adding this fun group game to cart. Each player takes turns drawing a card with a fill-in-the-blank phrase; everyone else will write in their best guess to finish it on mini dry-erase boards. You earn a point every time your word matches someone else’s, and the first person to score 25 points wins. Score $5 off when you apply the coupon today.

Recommended for ages 8 and up

$25; $19 at Amazon
best-toys-for-kids-american-girl-world-by-us-
American Girl

32. American Girl ‘World By Us’ Series

Another PureWow Happy Kid Awards winner, this part chapter book, part graphic novel, is engaging and thought-provoking. The World By Us line features three storylines and corresponding dolls, all committed to different causes: the environment (Evette), immigration (Maritza) and equality (Makena). It’s the kind of imaginative play that helps kids realize the impact they can have on their community, no matter their age.

Recommended for ages 8 and up

BUY IT ($115)
best-gifts-for-kids-latchkits-yarnimals-penguin
Amazon

33. Playmonster Latchkits Yarnimals

Just look at that adorable penguin! This kit comes with everything budding crafters need to make this 3D plush toy, including the mesh form, yarn, snap-in eyes, a heart charm, a looping hook and instructions.

Recommended for ages 8 and up

$20 at Amazon
boxels best gifts for kids
Amazon

34. Bloxels

“Bloxels is another tech toy that combines coding and critical thinking,” explains Netherly. With this toy, you build your own video game with small cubes called Bloxels. Each color Bloxel represents a different component of the game such as water or land. It’s basically Minecraft meets LEGOs, and your mini-programmer will love it.

Recommended for ages 8 to 13

$35; $25 at Amazon
best gifts for kids of every age crossed signals game
Amazon

35. Crossed Signals Game

A fast-paced spin on Simon Says? A high-tech pat-your-head-and-rub-your-stomach challenge? However you want to describe it, one thing's for sure—this electronic remote-control game relies on light and voice commands to ensure that any tween in your house burns off energy like nobody's business. Better yet, it can be played with up to four players, so the fun can be shared with friends and family alike. (Game night, anyone?)

Recommended for ages 8 and up

$14; $12 AT AMAZON
best-gifts-for-kids-riddle-book
Amazon

36. The Challenging Riddle Book for Kids

For the kid who loves riddles (and which kid doesn't?), this book featuring 200 word games and brainteasers is right up their alley. And if it gets too hard, there are hints to help 'em along.

Recommended for ages 9 and up

$8; $7 At Amazon
best-gifts-for-kids-doodle-crate-subscription-box
KiwiCo

37. Doodle Crate

For the gift that keeps on giving, try this monthly arts and crafts box that comes with everything your little artist needs (materials like yarn and washi tape, step-by-step instructions and online video tutorials) in order to complete a creative project from start to finish. Previous boxes have included tools to create colorful wax candles and black ink wash painting.

Recommended for ages 9 to 16

Buy It (From $19/Month)
best-gifts-for-kids-projector
Amazon

38. AuKing Mini Projector

When we asked teenagers what was on their wishlist this year, one 17-year-old shared that a movie projector was on top of their list. “I’m asking for a movie projector this year so I can have my friends over for football Sundays. When it’s nice out, we can watch the game on the garage door or project it onto the whole basement wall if it gets cold out.” You can take an additional 20 percent off when you apply the coupon.

Recommended for teens

$100; $65 at Amazon
carrom balance board best gifts for kids
Amazon

39. Carrom Balance Board

Want to work on your core? Pick up one of these for your teen and borrow it when it’s not in use (just kidding, they'll probably never put it down). “This is a good way to build concentration and balance,” says family therapist Jodi Aman. (But seriously, can we borrow it please?)

Recommended for ages 13 and up

$68 AT AMAZON
best gifts for kids weighted blanket
Bed Bath and Beyond

40. Therapedic Weighted Blanket

For teens that toss and turn all night, give them a weighted blanket. The benefits (including decreased anxiety, increased feelings of calmness and a more restful snooze) are pretty cool. This one is available in a range of weights (from 12 pounds to 20 pounds) and in gray or navy.

Recommended for ages 13 and up

BUY IT ($80)
best gifts for kids of every age astroai mini fridge
Amazon

41. Astroai Mini Fridge

The fridge downstairs is packed, but your teen can store their skincare and snacks in this mini version instead. Just be prepared for all their friends wanting to crash at your place—after all, they have the coolest room of her their pals.

Recommended for teenagers

$49; $44 at Amazon
best-gifts-for-kids-this-woven-kingdom
Bookshop

42. This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi

Here's one for the YA fans: Tahereh Mafi, author of the bestselling Shatter Me series, has penned yet another can’t-put-down series with This Woven Kingdom, the first story in a trilogy inspired by Persian mythology. The crown prince, Kamran, has heard the prophecies foretelling the death of his king. Alizeh is a servant girl hiding her true identity as the long-lost heir to an ancient Jinn kingdom. What happens when these two characters collide? A gripping tale of destiny, forbidden love, magic... and danger.

Recommended for ages 13 and up

Buy It ($20; $18)
best gifts for kids gloves
Amazon

43. Fanvince Touchscreen Gloves

Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean that your teen shouldn’t be able to scroll through the ‘Gram. Thankfully, these machine-washable, lightweight, polyester gloves will come their hands toasty.

Size range: XS to XL

$17 AT AMAZON
best gifts for kids of every age billie smooth operator gift set
Billie

44. Billie Smooth Operator Gift Set

Billie has made a big splash on IG and other social media platforms, so there's a good chance your teenager hasn't missed the hype. This gift set includes a razor, four razor refills and a full-size shaving and 'Dry-Bye' body lotion so the teen in your life can put the claims to the test and perhaps even enjoy the (coveted) cleanest shave ever. Report back, please.

Recommended for teenagers

Buy it ($30)
best gifts for kids of every age gooseneck bed phone holder
Amazon

45. Gooseneck Bed Phone Holder

This inexpensive accessory—a flexible phone holder that can be attached to a bedside table—has everything the teen in your life wants, in that it provides the possibility of lying in bed all day scrolling through social media without their arms starting to ache.

Recommended for teenagers

$26; $20 AT AMAZON
best-gifts-for-kids-gaming-headset
Amazon

46. HyperX Cloud Alpha S Gaming Headset

For the avid Fortnite player, the best part of the game is being able to talk to other players. This comfortable gaming headset offers surround sound to make the experience that much more immersive. (Just know that your kid may never leave the game room once they open this gift.)

Recommended for teenagers

$130; $100 at Amazon
best gifts for kids of every age moonpod
Moonpod

47. Moon Pod

This is not the bean bag from your college years, friends. The moon pod is not a crunchy, unsightly sack of beans; but rather a memory foam-filled work of art designed to provide a lounging experience so comfortable, your teen will feel like they’re floating on a cloud. The only drawback of this gift—aside from its potential to considerably extend screen time—is that you might end up fighting with your teen for it.

Recommended for teenagers

Buy it ($399; $299)
best gifts for kids lululemon leggings
lululemon

48. lululemon Align Pant

Your teen wants silky soft comfort but that's hard to afford on a babysitter's salary. Do them a favor and gift them a pair of lulus made from the brand's buttery soft Nulu fabric so that they can lounge around in style.

Size range: 0 to 20

Buy It (from $98)
spotify premium best gifts for kids
Best Buy

49. Spotify Premium

Your teen wants to kick back and hang out with their friends, but it’s not so easy when every third song is interrupted with an ad. This card is redeemable for a full year of the streaming service, which means your music aficionado can jam out without fear of interruption.

Recommended for teenagers

Buy it ($99)
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Alexia Dellner profile shot v2
Alexia Dellner

Executive Editor

  • Lifestyle editor focusing primarily on family, wellness and travel
  • Has more than 10 years experience writing and editing
  • Studied journalism at the University of Westminster in London, UK
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Emma Singer

Freelance PureWow Editor

  • Has 5+ years of experience writing family, travel and wellness content for PureWow
  • Previously worked as a copy editor, proofreader and research assistant for two prominent authors
  • Studied Sociology, Political Science and Philosophy in the CUNY Baccalaureate independent study program.
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