If you’re puzzling over what to get the kids in your life for Christmas, you’re not the only one. For most children, Christmas is the most important time of the year, and there’s no better feeling than knowing you helped make their day. But finding the perfect Christmas gifts for kids isn’t always easy.
Gifts need to be age-appropriate to get proper use and avoid becoming a one-minute wonder, soon collecting dust. Meanwhile, teens can have fickle tastes, so you’ll need to keep up with the latest trends.
Searching for Christmas gifts for kids actually means buying for two audiences, because you want the children’s faces to light up when they unwrap your present, while keeping the parents happy (even if the parent is you!). Another consideration when buying gifts for kids is avoiding the gender trap. It’s important not to assume that all girls like dolls and all boys hanker for toy soldiers.
So, whether you’re looking to buy unique gifts, something inspirational and educational, or a toy that’s just plain fun to play with, here, we’ve pulled together some Christmas present inspiration.
Gifts for kids by age
0-2 baby and toddler
There are lots of fun and exciting toys that promote play and help babies develop new skills. The Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle and Sensory Teether is real allrounder; it’s good for dexterity, fun to play with, great for teething, and stimulates visual development.
By the time they’re two, children are more independent and curious. Among the best gifts for two-year-olds are toys that involve pulling or pushing things along, so they can enjoy their newfound toddling freedom. Classic wooden pull-along toys have become popular again in recent years, so you could consider something like the Brio Infant and Toddler – Pull-along Duck.
3-4 pre-school
At this age, children often have favourite toys from films, TV shows, and books, so this is a good starting point for your research. They also love storytelling, pretend play, and exploring, so think of toys that allow them to use their imagination and creativity. Dressing-up costumes and toys like the Kids Explorer Kit or Kids Pirate Dress Up let children escape into imaginary worlds and settings.
Most children will love getting creative with a So Slime DIY Mix In Kit 10 Pack, which allows them to make all manner of slimy designs with ease. And thankfully, clean-up is easy, too.
5-7-year-olds
By this age, children are well-versed in the digital world and often have their own tablets and notebooks. While these devices can be educational, informative, and fun, you may prefer toys that encourage kids to enjoy time away from their screens. Children of this age usually enjoy activities that challenge them and allow them to develop their creative skills.
Good presents for five-, six-, and seven-year-olds include arts and crafts kits, DIY electronic kits, and puzzles. The Galt STEM Science Lab is a fantastic introduction to science and includes 20 specially designed fun experiments. Meanwhile, this Glamour Headband Making Kit makes the ideal gift for 6-year-olds with a flair for fashion.
8-11-year-olds
Between the ages of 8 and 11, kids are often very active, and some may be involved in their school sports teams. So, presents that encourage active pursuits, like sporting clothes or equipment, will likely earn you a big thumbs up. Trainers tend to make great gifts for 11-year-old boys mad about football, for example – but you might want to double-check whether they’re trendy enough first!
Alternatively, games that require kids to use their brains will appeal to their typically inquisitive and competitive natures. For example, Codenames Game is a brilliantly engaging spy-themed board game that really gets you thinking and becomes more fun with each play. Kids who are interested in history will love the Horrible Histories Board Game.
12-16-year-olds
As kids move through this age bracket, they become more interested in growing up and self-identity. They’re much more independent, and picking a gift can be tricky when their tastes can change at any moment. This means that an easy and often sensible present is cold hard cash. It shows you respect their independence, and allows them to choose their own gift.
That said, it’s natural to want to buy a physical present. Gifts that help teens expand their knowledge, or feel grown-up and mature tend to go down well. You’ll just need to think carefully about giving them something they’ll truly appreciate.
Jewellery is an option, as are their favourite aftershaves/perfumes. For budding engineers, the Hydraulic Cyborg Hand Kit lets users build their own robotic hand that simulates the movement of a human hand. Space lovers can expand their horizons with the Thames and Kosmos Astronomical Telescope, through which Venus, Mars, Saturn, and the Moon can be seen.
If you’re not 100% confident in your present selection, it can be a good idea to get the teenagers in your life to write a wish list to help you make your selection. This way, you know you’ll be giving them something they’d like, while maintaining an element of surprise. Children’s experience days are another idea.
Final thoughts…
Few things are as exciting to children as Christmas, yet giving gifts you know they’ll love can be just as enjoyable for adults.
Whether you’re looking for small, cheap gifts and fun toys, or you’re keen to push the boat out, the gift ideas above cover a wide breadth of ages and interests. So, hopefully there’s something to inspire you – and put a smile on a child’s face.
Do any of these gifts interest you? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.