Toy trends change every year, but we're keeping up.
All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.
When it comes to gifting, kids can be particular. The things kids like change not just with age, but also with evolving trends from TV shows and new technology. If parents are lucky enough, their kid will write a long list of the precise items they'd like as a birthday or Christmas or Hannukkah gift and put it up on the fridge with pride. But sometimes, it can be as much of a crapshoot as coming up with a gift idea for someone else's kid. Without further ado, here are the best gifts for kids of all ages — including toy and non-toy gifts alike.
A palm-sized Bluetooth speaker
Best for little playlist curators
Kids can bump their top TikTok tunes through their favorite Star Wars, "Stranger Things," or Marvel character with a portable Bitty Boomer. This particular one is an adorable Groot that's cute enough to melt your heart. Bitty Boomer spherical speakers are also small enough to fit in a pants pocket or backpack and play for up to five hours on one charge.
An instant camera
Best for kids who document everything
There's something so satisfying about being able to hold the physical version of photos right after you take them. The Instax Mini 12 is the newest iteration of Fujifilm's popular instant camera — equipped with cool-cat features like "close-up mode" and a built-in selfie mirror. For kids who will undoubtedly take it everywhere, extra film or a carrying case are foolproof add-on gifts.
Yoto Mini
GIFT OF THE YEAR
The Yoto is a screen-free audio player that puts the power into the hands of the kids. Compatible cards power up everything from chapter books and shorter stories to music and learning-based content. It’s great for little hands, will adapt and grow as kids get bigger, and is both rugged and travel-friendly. We love that this is the kind of device that keeps kids engaged and entertained — without a screen — and will adapt to the whims of our family for years to come.
Their very own bumper car
Best for adventurous toddlers
For the kid who absolutely lost their mind while on the bumper cars at the state fair this summer, these at-home models are sure to be a hit over the holiday season. Designed for the toddler set, they are available in a Minnie or Spiderman theme and can accommodate up to 66 lbs. Glowing LED lights around the base add to the fun.
Toniebox 2
GIFT OF THE YEAR
A delightful, kid-approved audio player that preschoolers in particular will gravitate to. The Toniebox is powered by a collection of Tonies — small figures preloaded with content from a multitude of beloved movies and TV shows, including those from Disney, Pixar, Bluey, Peppa Pig, National Geographic, and many more. Our kids are often just as smitten with the characters as objects as they are with the content itself.
Magic Mixies Magical Misting Crystal Ball
Best for future spell casters
Following its rise to stardom in 2021, Magic Mixies released a toy that keeps topping charts year after year: The Magical Misting Crystal Ball. Aspiring witches and wizards can use their interactive wand to kickstart the creation process for their Mixie, from choosing its voice and color to teaching it to play games and tell fortunes.
Shape sorting cupcakes
Best for 1-3 year olds
Fine motor skills first, fine baking skills second. Learning Resource's sweet spin on color and shape recognition asks children 18 months and older to match colorful cupcake tops to their shape-specific bottoms in the baking pan. Who knows? Maybe this will inspire your little one to win Masterchef one day.
Ice Cream Counter Play Set
Best for kids who love to play chef
Though intended for children who are at least 3-years-old, the truth is that a range of ages will get a kick out of this kid-sized ice cream counter kit from Melissa & Doug. Encourage pretend play and imagination alongside other cognitive skills with the 28-piece wooden playset that includes a scooper, two cones, and a mix of flavors and toppings.
The Bill Nye VR Science Kit
Best for visual learners
As long as another generation gets to learn from the king Bill Nye, we're happy. His VR kit puts a high-tech spin on fundamental concepts with 30 classic hands-on projects (like volcanoes and slime) — all hand-picked by the science extraordinaire himself. Experiments are supplemented by augmented reality instructional videos and VR goggles for immersive journeys to see these phenomena work in real life.
Bark Watch
Best for the gadget-obsessed
The Bark Watch has all the cool features of a smartwatch that kids will love, but with an extra layer of security that parents will appreciate. The companion app lets parents and caregivers track kids in real-time, plus built-in security features automatically scan texts for signs of bullying, predators, suicidal ideation, and more.
No-tie laces
Best for little movers
Tie a kid's shoe as many times as you want, but it'll come untied as soon as you turn around. The Shark Tank success U-Lace is a stretchy "infinity" shoelace that turns any six-eyelet sneakers into slip-ons. Solid colors, rainbow stripes, patterns, and even clip-on charms provide more than enough options to match any kid's personal style. The simple push-pull installation process will also please all parents. Be sure to grab two packs — you'll need one for each shoe.
A mini projector
Best for the young movie buffs
Take family movie night up a notch with a screen that's double the size of a typical TV. As long as you have one empty, light-colored wall, the Anker Nebula Capsule (which is no larger than a can of soda) can project your content cinema-style indoors and out. Stream Netflix, Youtube, and more through the projector itself, cast family favorites through a phone app, or connect via HDMI or USB.
A Squishmallow mystery box
Best for the Squishmallow stan
If you can still see the floor of a Squishmallow fan's bedroom, they don't have enough Squishmallows. The big-eyed plushies have taken the world by storm — so much so that it's hard to choose a gift from all the possibilities. This mystery box adds an element of surprise and will grow their collection by not one, but three 8-inch plushies. Biggg smiles guaranteed.
The Garmin vivofit jr. 3
Best for kids who like a challenge
Kids will want to assume some responsibility with the Disney princess or Marvel-themed reward system baked into Garmin's latest fitness tracker for kids. Parents can assign tasks like homework, outdoor play, or chores, and kids will earn coins and fun animated rewards each time they complete something. The vivofit jr. is swim-friendly, lasts up to a whole year on a single charge (IKR, wild), and can track kids' sleep/step count.
A snow cone maker
Best for kids who adore summer
Whoever gives a child the gift of unlimited snow cones is about to be that child's favorite person. This adorable snow cone maker from DASH shaves ice fast enough to fill multiple cups in a minute, which can then be flavored with whatever syrup or real fruit juice option sounds best to you and your kiddos. Plus, when those kiddos go to sleep, you can use this contraption for a much-needed, fresh cocktail!
Hot Wheels Mario Kart Track Set
Best for kids who live and breathe Nintendo
This Hot Wheels set is one way to bring a truly iconic, timeless track to the physical realm — something kids will be awed by! The customizable raceway features familiar aspects of the game, like the Piranha Plant and Chain Chomp obstacles. Let their imagination run wild with this (quite affordable) toy pick.
A makeup starter kit
Best for experimenting with makeup
A few old lipsticks don't cut it as beginners' makeup anymore. The first eyeshadow palette is like a rite of passage for any aspiring beauty blogger — but it has to feel legit. Petite 'N Pretty has nailed the perfect balance between fun, tween-centric packaging and quality ingredients (which are all pediatrician-approved and nut-free!).
DJI Ryze Tech Tello drone
Best kids' drone that doesn't feel like a kids' drone
Drones aren't going away anytime soon. The Ryze Tech Tello drone is unanimously the best one for kids, created by the experts at DJI. It's easy to control and takes sweet 5 MP aerial photos — much higher quality than most drones made for pint-sized pilots. Kids can even plan patterns in advance thanks to Tello's integration of Scratch: A learn-to-code program created for kids by researchers at MIT.
A talking Bluey plush
Best for devout Blue fans
We're calling it now: A six-year-old Blue Heeler puppy is the next Baby Shark. This official Bluey plush can sing/dance along to four different songs kids will be quick to recognize. Plus, it can utter over 55 adorable phrases — the perfect distraction while you're working. The toy is made with soft fabrics featuring embroidered details and stands about 13 inches tall, so it's ultra-huggable for teeny arms.
A break-open-geodes kit
Best for tactile learners
Breaking stuff, but make it educational. National Geographic's geode kit comes with 10 premium rocks that crack open to reveal 100% natural geodes. Crystals range in colors from tan to blue and purple and can be as big as a tennis ball. Goggles, a hammer, a magnifying glass, and display stands are included, as well as a guide describing how geodes are formed and where they are found in nature.
A modern kitchen playset
Best for future Masterchef winners
There are so many mini kitchen sets out there — now with fancy features like mock-granite countertops — that choosing one for your kid is as hard as choosing backsplash for a real kitchen. Parents on Amazon love this one from KidKraft for its realistic faucet and burner sounds, storage inserts, and modern farmhouse-y style. Soon, you'll have an A+ chef on your hands.
The Osmo Genius Kit
Best for families who share a tablet
If you're not ready to get your kid their own tablet, Osmo is a neat way to make the family tablet more kid-friendly. The add-on connects to iPads for hands-on exercises that coincide with physical pieces; they'll move on-screen when your kid moves them in real life. Subjects include numbers, words, tangram, and art (plus extra packs for more advanced stuff like STEM and coding, if you're raising young Einsteins).
Pelican Hydration Tumbler
Best for teens on the run
For tweens/teens on the run — who want to be edgy and not succumb to the lingering Hydro Flask hype — this Pelican Hydration Tumbler is a beautiful solution. It's vacuum-insulated, fits most cupholders, and has a powder-coat finish that's super soothing to the touch. They'll be all too happy to bring their Pelican along to soccer practice, sleepovers, and everything in between. After all, Hydro Flask is soooo last year.
The Gravitrax Starter Set
Best for kids who like to build
There are a lot of building-themed learning toys out there, but the Ravensburger GraviTrax marble run is easily one of the best. Kids can experiment with the laws of physics by adjusting the angles and shapes of track pieces to make marbles roll faster and complete racing challenges. Psst... if they get good enough, the marbles can do trick shots!
L.O.L. Surprise OMG Movie Magic Studios
Best for those with Barbie fatigue
Though Barbie is the reigning "it girl," she's got some competition as the coolest plastic gal around. The mystery of L.O.L. Surprise dolls has catapulted them onto the scene over the past few years, and this movie studio-themed playset takes them to even bigger heights — Hollywood, specifically. It comes with over 70 surprises to unbox, including 12 exclusive dolls for a full cast and crew.
Barbie Pet Boutique Playset
Best for those without Barbie fatigue
If your child is still very much raving about Barbie — with or without having seen Greta Gerwig's masterpiece — this gift will be right up their alley. Barbie's pet boutique comes with four lovable, furry friends, a grooming station, and even a checkout counter (it's a ~boutique~ after all!). What's more, the puppy dog's "fur" changes color to reveal mud spots when kids put cold water on it. We're living in the future, for real.
Pokémon Labyrinth
Best non-video Pokémon game
You're not having a flashback — Pokémon is ridiculously popular again. This top-rated strategy game for ages 7 and up puts players in a moving maze and challenges them to catch the most Pocket Monsters (while blocking their rivals' paths). Supplement it with a pack or two of cards, if you can manage to find any, and you're golden.
Bean bag toy storage
Best for the stuffed animal aficionado
Seeing more stuffed animals than floor? This stuffable bean bag is a genius solution for toy storage. When it's time to tidy up the plush explosion, DIY chair can be filled with anything squishy (stuffed animals, blankets, whatever) and zippered to double as fully-functional seating. Colors and pattern options for this purchase are as vast as your kid's love for their stuffies.
FurReal Moodwings Snow Dragon
Best for kids who just want a pet
If a real pet is not in your family's cards just yet, electronic pets might cut it. This fantastical snow dragon toy, in particular, comes with an adorable personality and different moods. She can be anything from happy to hungry, depending on how she's cared for (her ever-changing eyes will clue kids in), and she comes with three surprise accessories.
A Nintendo Switch carrying case
Best for Nintendo gamers
The Switch is beloved for its ability to switch between TV and handheld modes. However, the flexibility that lets kids take their console anywhere also means that drops, bumps, or spills during transportation are bound to happen once in a while. This official Nintendo case features hard-shell protection, as well as interior pockets to organize games and SD cards.
Kinetic Sand
Best sensory-rich gift
Sometimes you just need to squish something. Kinetic Sand makes a great fidgeting or stress-relief toy — ideal for taking breaks from homework or chilling out after a tantrum. This set comes with 2 pounds of red and blue sand and 10 tools for layering, molding, squeezing, and organizing. Plus, it's less of a pain to clean up than you'd think.
Shuffle Up Soccer Card Games
Best for the next Messi
If your kid's been into kicking around a soccer ball recently, help them streamline their practice sessions with these soccer skill cards — which prompt young soccer stars to complete challenges, from jumping jacks to shuffle steps, while explaining just how to carry out the motions and what further exercises to try. They can do this solo or with their BFFs, and the cards come in nine different difficulty levels!
An Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet
Best for tech appreciators
We told you that any gifts for kids involving an app, tablet, or e-reader are guaranteed wins — and the Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet is proof of concept. It allows kiddos instant access to books, games, videos, apps, and educational Alexa skills, as well as safe, introductory web browsing and video calls to loved ones over Wi-Fi. Kids break stuff (it happens), so Amazon offers a 2-year free replacement guarantee with this purchase.
The 2022 Kindle Kids
Best for budding bookworms
Even books for kids are unreasonably expensive these days, which is why investing in a one-time Kindle purchase — and then loading it up with tons of books and audiobooks for your little one to enjoy — is a much wiser choice. This Kindle isn't a tablet, so you don't have to worry about them getting distracted on the web or via apps. The adjustable light/glare-free display will also go easy on young eyes and encourage longer daily reading on average!
Frequently Asked Questions
Everyone is familiar with the "terrible twos" rep that the not-a-baby-but-not-yet-an-independent-kid stage of development gets. At this age, kids are bouncing constantly between the desire to explore on their own and the reliance on parents for most basic needs like eating, getting dressed, or going to the bathroom. That's a lot of frustrating emotions to go through in a day. Kitchen play sets, toys that involve different motor skills, and anything with music are gifts that can let toddlers feel in charge without too much assistance from a parent — making them ideal for this age category.
Potentially a more daunting phase than the terrible twos: The one where the pressure to be cool is relentless. This is that age. Though "cool" can lend itself to multiple interpretations, gifts that contribute to an older kid's evolving critical thinking skills and sense of independence, responsibility, and style are all smart ideas. These could be anything from STEM toys to beginner's makeup tools to a fitness tracker or a pretend pet that encourages routine-making. Anything that involves an app, tablet, or e-reader is also a guaranteed win.
Finding a gift that a teenager will think is cool (and that will be on-trend for longer than a few months) might be some of the trickiest shopping you'll do all year. They'll probably offer up a few big softball suggestions, but if you're going the surprise route, remember that they care about brands. Thanks to social media influencers promoting products directly to teens on Instagram or TikTok, Gen Z kids are loyal to very specific brands of tech, accessories, and even water bottles. If you follow the trends as closely as they do (trust us, we do), cracking the "best gifts for teenagers" code isn't rocket science.
