Gift ideas · for a Competitor
Gifts for competitive kids
Competitive kids want a score, a timer or someone to beat, even if it's their own best time. Good gifts give them a fair way to compete and plenty of chances to practice losing.
Skip: Games that take two hours. For a competitive kid, one long game with a loss at the end is harder than lots of short ones.
Not sure they're a Competitor? Take the quiz.
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Halloween for a CompetitorA referee costume they can run in, and a candy count when you get home.See the costumeAges 4 to 6
- 1A first board game, like Dinosaur EscapeOur pick: Dinosaur Escape (Peaceable Kingdom)Everyone wins or loses together, which is easier at 4. Find it
- 2A quick card game, like Uno or Spot ItOur pick: Spot It! ClassicShort rounds mean a loss is over fast and there's always another game. Find it
- 3A stopwatchOur pick: Casio HS-3V stopwatchSuddenly getting dressed is a race. Find it
- 4A soccer ball and a small pop-up goalOur pick: Franklin Sports kids' mini soccer goal setWorks in any backyard or park. Find it
- 5Cones and a sand timerOur pick: SKLZ Agility Cones, 20 packFor obstacle courses they design and time themselves. Find it
One we made ourselves
Ages 7 to 9
- 1A speed card game, like Dutch BlitzOur pick: Dutch Blitz, the originalFast, loud and good for a kid who likes to win. Find it
- 2A chess set, and then teach themOur pick: No Stress ChessIt's the classic for a reason. Winning takes thinking, not luck. Find it
- 3A door-mounted basketball hoopOur pick: Spalding Slam Jam over-the-door hoopKeeps score all winter. Find it
- 4A jump rope and a chart for their recordOur pick: Buddy Lee Rope Master jump ropeCompeting against yourself is a skill too. Find it
Ages 10 to 12
- 1CatanOur pick: Catan, 6th editionTrading, planning and a lot of rematches. Find it
- 2A strategy game you'll actually replay, like Ticket to RideOur pick: Ticket to Ride (Days of Wonder)Long enough to plan, short enough for a school night. Find it
- 3A table tennis set that clips to the kitchen tableOur pick: STIGA Retractable Anywhere table tennis setNo table tennis table needed. Find it
- 4A simple step counter or kids' fitness watchOur pick: Garmin vívofit jr. 3Their own numbers to beat every day. Find it
- 5A tabletop air hockey or foosball gameOur pick: GoSports 40-inch tabletop air hockeyTwo players, fast rounds and a lot of rematches. Find it
Free tonight: a card game they can actually beat you at
Pipsqueaks is a card game for a grown-up and a kid about 4 and up, on one screen. No reading needed, and every game opens a pack for their binder.
Things to do near you
Gifts are one way in. Camps, leagues, classes and weekend events that fit a Competitor are another. Tell us where you are and we'll email when there's a good one close by. About once a month.
Not sure this is your kid?
This list is for a Competitor: keeps score, even when nobody asked. Most kids are a mix of two Play Types, so the quiz is the quickest way to know which lists to use.
Gift ideas for the other Play Types
Gifts by what they love
Holiday gift lists
Buying for the grown-ups too? Gifts they'll still own, scored on warranty and repair: for dad, for mom, under $100.
