Gift ideas · for a Collector
Gifts for kids who love to collect things
Collectors love finding, sorting and knowing everything about what they keep. Good gifts help them organize what they have and learn more about it.
Skip: Blind boxes and random packs. They're designed to keep kids buying, and collectors feel that pull the most.
Not sure they're a Collector? Take the quiz.
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Halloween for a CollectorA bug collector costume, and the great candy sort on Halloween night.See the costumeAges 4 to 6
- 1A rock and fossil kitOur pick: GeoSafari Fossil Excavation KitSomething to sort, label and show off. Find it
- 2A tackle box or bead organizerOur pick: Plano Three-Tray Tackle BoxLittle compartments for sorting treasures. Find it
- 3A display box for rocks and shellsOur pick: Plano StowAway 3700 clear boxSo their finds come out of the pockets and onto a shelf. Find it
- 4A reusable sticker bookOur pick: Melissa & Doug Reusable Sticker Pad, HabitatsStickers can be moved and sorted again and again. Find it
- 5A collecting pouch for walksEvery walk turns into a hunt. Find one
One we made ourselves
Ages 7 to 9
- 1A coin collecting kitOur pick: Whitman State Quarters album and 50 coinsA folder to fill and a reason to check every coin. Find it
- 2A binder with card sleevesOur pick: Ultra PRO 9-Pocket Zippered PRO-BinderFor cards, stickers or anything flat. Find it
- 3A field guide for birds, bugs or rocksCollecting gets better when they know what they found. Find one
- 4A rock tumblerOur pick: Thames & Kosmos Rock TumblerIt's loud and runs for days, so choose the spot. Polished rocks are worth it. Find it
- 5A coin folder for quartersOur pick: Whitman Statehood Quarters folderChecking your change becomes a daily hunt. Find it
Ages 10 to 12
- 1A display case for their collectionTheir best finds, finally out of the drawer. Find one
- 2A shadow box or display shelfFor the best pieces in the collection. Find one
- 3A beginner coin or stamp collecting kitOur pick: Whitman State Quarters album and 50 coinsWith a guide, so they learn what they're looking at. Find it
- 4A label makerOur pick: DYMO LetraTag 100HCollectors this age want a catalog. Find it
- 5Binoculars and a bird list for your areaOur pick: Celestron Outland X 8x25 binocularsA collection they can't lose, and it's free to add to. Find it
Free: a card binder they fill by playing
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 Collector 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 Collector: needs the whole set. 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.
