Gift ideas · Birthday parties
Birthday party gifts for a kid you barely know
The invite came home in a backpack and the party is Saturday. You don't know if they like dinosaurs or soccer. These are gifts most kids that age will use, whatever they're into.
Remind me beforeor
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Ages 4 to 6
- 1Play-Doh and a few toolsEvery kid this age uses it, and it gets used up. Find one
- 2A big set of sidewalk chalkSomething to do outside the same afternoon. Find one
- 3A floor puzzleBig pieces, a picture they can finish on their own. Find one
- 4A giant bubble wand kitLoved at 4, still loved at 6. Find one
Ages 7 to 9
- 1A quick card game, like Spot ItFast to learn, and they can play it with the whole family. Find one
- 2A craft kit they can finish in one afternoonA finished thing by dinner beats a big project that stalls. Find one
- 3A graphic novelEasy to pick for a kid you don't know. Almost every kid this age reads them. Find one
- 4A small LEGO Creator 3-in-1 setThree builds in one box, so it doesn't end up on a shelf. Find one
Ages 10 to 12
- 1A party card game, like Exploding KittensSomething to play at their next sleepover. Find one
- 2A friendship bracelet kitSocial, easy to share and it gets used up. Find one
- 3A speed cubeKids this age trade tips and times on these. Find one
- 4A sketchbook and a good set of pencilsGrown-up supplies read as a grown-up gift. Find one
What makes these work
- Pick something open-ended or something that gets used up. They're less likely to have it already.
- Skip the big licensed sets. There's a good chance it's a duplicate.
- Tape a gift receipt inside the card.
What usually doesn't get used
Anything loud with batteries. The parents will remember who brought it.
Find gifts that match how they play
The gifts that get used match how a kid already likes to play. The quiz takes two minutes, and nothing about your kid is sent anywhere.
More gift ideas
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