2024 Holiday Gift Guide: Christmas Ideas for Kids

It’s almost the season for gift giving, which means it’s already the season for holiday gift guides. Whether you’re looking for gifts for a baby or kids of all ages, there are sure to be a thousand articles out there listing great gifts that kids love.

One challenge parents often face is that many of the most popular gifts lead to excess screen time. 

Experts recommend that children get 60 minutes of physical activity per day. However, recent studies from the CDC indicate that less than a quarter of kids under the age of 17 actually do.  

When kids engage in active play, it opens them up to numerous physical and mental health benefits, such as improved mood, body strengthening, and better sleep. In addition, regular activity for kids can help them prevent chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.

You probably don’t have time to skim through a hundred lists of gift ideas to filter out the ones that are fun but not so great for your kid’s well-being. A lot already goes into making each year your kids’ favorite Christmas ever! So, in a spirit of helpfulness, we’ve pulled together a list of exciting kid friendly gift ideas that help keep your kids active and engage their imaginations.

(And for what it’s worth, we don’t earn a commission if you buy any of these other brands’ products. We just like them.)

Instant Camera

A camera for kids isn’t just a gadget, it’s a ticket to adventure. This gift is a perfect blend of nostalgia and innovation by instantly printing credit-card-seized photos, making memories tangible. Encourage kids to capture the great outdoors, whether it’s on a hike or the backyard.

Educational Insights Toys

Educational Insights has been developing toys and games for kids since 1962. Their goal is to inspire “creativity, imagination, good sportsmanship, and out-of-the-box learning.” And, from our view, they’re really good at it.

We especially like the Artie 3000 robot. It gives kids a fun, artistic introduction to coding and has a 4-star review average on Amazon (with nearly 2,000 reviews). Also their Kanoodle Brain Teaser Puzzle is a fun, challenging activity that will keep kids entertained for hours.

The Woobles Beginners Crochet Kit

A crochet kit makes a thoughtful gift for kids, encouraging them to tap into their creativity while mastering a hands-on skill. With a kit suited for beginners, they’ll enjoy crafting their own cozy accessories or stuffed animals, building patience and focus as they create something unique by hand.

Melissa & Doug Pretend Play Set

Melissa & Doug toys are known for their excellent quality and durability, built to withstand years of play. With a variety of toys to choose from, you’re sure to find something any child will love. 

Some of our favorites include the Scoop and Serve Ice Cream Counter, Slice & Stack Sandwich Counter, and Get Well Doctor’s Kit. 

These thoughtfully crafted sets keep kids engaged for hours, sparking their imaginations as they explore real-world scenarios in a fun, screen-free way. Whether they’re serving up treats or giving check-ups, children can enjoy creative play while developing social skills and confidence.

KiwiCo

KiwiCo offers “2,000 expertly designed projects to inspire the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers.” You can purchase “crates” on a subscription model to get monthly shipments tailored to a child’s age and interests. You can also buy individual products. 

Every crate and set includes step-by-step illustrated instructions and all the materials needed for kids to build it themselves. We love that their site allows parents to filter by age and interest.
Take a look at their Jumping Robot as just one great example of KiwiCo’s amazing line of STEAM-inspired projects designed just for kids.

ThinkFun Games

ThinkFun was founded by a husband and wife in 1985 with the mission “to translate the brilliant ideas of the craziest mathematicians, engineers and inventors into simple toys that can be appreciated by boys and girls around the world.” Nearly four decades later they’ve stuck true to that mission with hundreds of products encouraging imaginative play, learning, and thinking skills.

Gravity Maze is an award-winner that’s popular with tweens and Rush Hour Traffic Jam Logic Game will captivate kids with its fun, hand-on approach to problem solving.

EzyRoller

A cross between a bike and a scooter, the EzyRoller is a smooth-riding toy that mimics “an instinctive reptilian movement.” Kids are sure to have fun sliding across the asphalt in these fun contraptions, and many may find these even more accessible than a bike, as balance isn’t a factor in making the EzyRoller run effortlessly. Kids control the toy by moving their legs; you can even incorporate fun games like shooting hoops and racing. Don’t forget a helmet!

Obstacle Course Set

An obstacle course kit is the way to go for kids looking for a challenge, adventure, or a little bit of competitive energy. Train alongside your kids as ninja warriors with a comprehensive obstacle course kit such as this one from Gentle Boom Sports. 

Obstacle course kits encourage confidence, creativity, and trust in oneself as kids learn to build strength, overcome obstacles, climb, fall, and play as they utilize these kits. With an ability to hold up to 440 lbs, this gift can be enjoyed by the whole family and provides opportunities for everyone to get outside and get moving.

Pickleball Set

Pickleball has taken the country by storm in the past few years. It combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping pong. It’s easy to learn and designed for all skill levels. Help kids enhance their hand-eye coordination, agility, and teamwork skills, all while having a blast.

Gabb Devices

Gabb was created to help families thrive in a digital world. If you have a child old enough to be exploring beyond the walls of your own home — but too young for a device designed for adults — then take a look at our kid-safe devices below.

Gabb Watch

The safe phone kids wear. Perfect for any child old enough to be on the go but too young for a phone. Gabb Watch lets kids send and receive calls and texts from a parent-managed list, and allows parents to track the child’s location via GPS.

Gabb Phone

The world’s safest phone for kids. Give your child all the right tools, but none of the wrong ones. Gabb Phone is the world’s safest phone so your child can stay connected without becoming consumed.

Gabb Phone Pro

The safe phone built for teens. No internet, social media apps, or internet browser but it comes preloaded with essential apps and parents can add additional safe apps from our ever-growing, fully-vetted library. Gabb Phone Pro offers the next step in kid’s safe tech.

Each Gabb device was designed to help you stay connected to your child while keeping them safe. That means staying safely connected without labor-intensive monitoring. We might be biased, but we think any of these will make for a perfect gift this holiday season.

Additional Ideas

The best gifts often depend on the child’s interests and preferences. Think of something that aligns with their hobbies or encourages them to try new activities. 

• Sports equipment
• Bicycles and scooters
• Nature exploration kits
• Dance classes
• Martial arts classes
• Music lessons
• Swim lessons
• Water toys
• Art Supplies
• Fishing rod
• Origami paper and guide book
• Gardening Kit
• Cooking or Baking Kit
• Journal
• Local museum or attraction passes

Sometimes we can get caught up in consumerism with all the sales going on. But gifts don’t have to cost a thing! Often, the most thoughtful gifts are those that are homemade. Here are some ideas that will bring the family closer together, won’t break the bank, and kids will enjoy receiving or giving:

• Vouchers for monthly family outings
• Handmade puzzles using a family picture
• DIY terrarium
• Checklist for local hikes
• Memory book with quotes, jokes, photos, and fun memories
• Handmade storybook with personalized illustrations
• Nature scavenger hunt 
• Pressed flower bookmarks
• Camping trip
• DIY bird feeder to observe visiting birds
• DIY miniature fairy garden

We hope you found some ideas that will work for your family. What are some of the most loved gifts in your home? Share in the comments below.