Few things bring as much joy as giving a child a gift, and what’s especially amazing is that young children can be fascinated by just about anything as they play, learn and discover – meaning it’s OK to be on a budget.
Whether you’re shopping for a baby, a toddler or a pre-teen, we’ve got some of the best gift ideas, none of which will break the bank.
The Best Gift Ideas For Kids
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Super Smalls
For gifts under $50, you can't get any better than the ready-to-gift options from Super Smalls. They'll take pretend play to the next level as your little one gets her first taste of the "finer" things with the brand's beautiful baubles (that happen to also be pretty durable). This is a fashion industry favorite for very good reason.
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Bombi
Bombi is a new eco-friendly, lightweight, and affordable (under $200) stroller company that makes the pricey yo-yo look obsolete with their ease of use design, great design and full color ways.
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iClever Cat Ear Kids
Exactly as they sound, these headphones feature an adorable cat ear design, but are also packed with tech including 74/85/94dB volume limited, hearing protection, built-in microphone, 45 hours playtime, colorful ring of LED lights, both wireless and wired modes - plus they're adjustable and padded.
$36.99 at iClever
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Little Partners Chef Series Learning Tower
Not only is this learning tower great because it's safe and secure - the most important criteria when shopping for one - but it includes a plexi glass panel for writing recipes and other creative opportunities.
$269.99 at Little Partners
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Melissa & Doug Alphabet Sound Puzzle
You can't go wrong with anything from Melissa & Doug. Their play things are amazing for fostering imaginative play and for teaching through play. Case in point this "see and hear" alphabet puzzle.
$24.99 at Melissa & Doug
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Sophie La Giraffe Bath Book
When I bought this book I figured we'd use it for bath time, but my son ended up loving it so much it was one of the books I saved for those moments when I really needed him to independent play. I can't recommend this enough as a stocking stuffer.
$16 at Maisonette
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ErgoPouch
Many toddlers are in sleepsacks well beyond the one year mark - and why not? They're cozy and bring womb-like comfort. This one from ergoPouch is especially great because it's quick and easy to get your little one into and it washes exceptionally well.
$39.95 at ergoPouch
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Pop It! Pro
Pop It! Pro is a light up, pattern popping bubble game (a 2022 top Target/Walmart toy list winner) and you'll swear by it for car rides, airplanes or any time you need your little one distracted for a long amount of time (we're talking close to Miss Rachel level entertainment).
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Make It Real Mega Jewelry Studio
Most little girls love making jewelry, but the materials can be surprisingly expensive. This kit has all the basics and then some for a very affordable price. It will provide hours of play.
$24.99 at Make It Real Play
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Skillmatics
If you're looking for affordable STEM items, look no further than Skillmatics. They have a ton of options for ages 1-10.
Prices vary at Skillmatics
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NeeDoh
NeeDoh is a great alternative to Play-Doh for kids who are anxious. It actually works for adults too to de-stress while engaging with its stretchy squishy texture.
$5.25 at Amazon
