Gift ideas · Christmas
Christmas gifts for kids that last past New Year's
By December 27th most of the pile is under the couch. The gifts that make it to spring are the ones a kid can do something new with every day. Here are the ones that have lasted in our house, by age.
Remind me beforeor
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Toddlers, 1 to 3
- 1A wooden train setTrack to rearrange every day, and it grows with add-on pieces. Find one
- 2A ride-on toyChristmas morning laps around the kitchen. Find one
- 3A play kitchenThe one big gift that gets used every single day. Find one
- 4A set of chunky board booksSomething new to read before the nap. Find one
Ages 4 to 6
- 1Magnetic tiles, a bigger set than you thinkMore pieces means bigger builds, and they come out every day. Find one
- 2A balance bike or a first pedal bikeThe classic under-the-tree gift, and it gets them outside in January. Find one
- 3A kids' audio player, like YotoStories and songs they start themselves, with no screen. Find one
- 4A first real board game, like OutfoxedEveryone plays together, so there's no meltdown over losing. Find one
Ages 7 to 9
- 1A big mixed bin of LEGOIt gets built a hundred ways instead of once. Find one
- 2Snap CircuitsReal circuits that click together, and they'll do it on their own. Find one
- 3A family game night game, like Ticket to Ride: First JourneySomething to play together Christmas afternoon. Find one
- 4A graphic novel box setWinter break reading they'll actually finish. Find one
Ages 10 to 12
- 1LEGO TechnicA long build for the slow days between Christmas and school. Find one
- 2An instant cameraPhotos from the holidays for their wall. Find one
- 3CatanThe game the whole family ends up playing all break. Find one
- 4A beginner guitar or ukuleleWinter break is enough time to learn a real song. Find one
What makes these work
- One big thing, a couple of small things and something to read. More than that and nothing gets played with.
- Hold one gift back and bring it out the first slow week of January.
- Give one thing you'll do together on Christmas afternoon, like a puzzle or a new game.
What usually doesn't get used
The hot toy of the year that does one trick. It's the most exciting gift on Christmas morning and the first one forgotten.
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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