No matter how well you know the kids on your list, they can be hard to buy for. After testing a dizzying number of toys, games, and gifts, we've selected 30 favorites divided by age. All are under $100 and the majority are under $50, so you can mind your budget and delight all the kids on your list at the same time.
Baby–Toddler
Finn + Emma Wood Rattle ($19 at FinnandEmma.com)
For the babies on your list, these Indian hardwood rattles, which are available in lots of adorable designs, make a beautiful and functional gift. They are finished with natural vegetable seed wax and are safe and comforting to chew on.
VTech Pop-a-Balls Drop & Pop Ball Pit ($49.44 at Walmart)
Who doesn't love a ball pit? Filled with 30 colorful plastic balls, this pit will keep babies occupied for hours, with features like a hoop and slides for the balls as well as an interactive panel with lights and sounds. It folds up when not in use.
National Geographic Hey, Baby!: A Collection of Pictures, Poems and Stories from Nature's Nursery ($24.99 at Amazon)
Packed with photographs of adorable baby animals, rhymes, and stories, this lovely hardcover book will be a hit with adults and children alike.
HABA Zookeeper Sorting Box ($34.99 at HabaUSA.com)
This wooden box teaches kids about shapes and colors in a really fun way. There are colorful blocks, sliding panels, assorted openings, and cute animal pictures to keep kids busy.
PLAYMOBIL 1.2.3 My Take Along Farm ($39.99 at Target)
Just in time for holiday travels, this portable playset contains a folding barn that holds a farmer, animals, and several accessories that can help infants with shape sorting.
Moonlite Storybook Projector for Smartphones with 2 Story Reels ($24.99 at Target)
The Moonlite Storybook Projector is a wonderful way to end the day! This clever device projects images on the ceiling through the flashlight on your phone. The images and sound effects accompany a story you read in the app. When not in use, the projector slides into the bookshelf just like a book.
Tonka® 25-Piece Mighty Builders Hard Hat Bucket Play Set ($9.99 at Buy Buy Baby) With these 23 brightly colored blocks, budding builders can build any structure they can imagine, all while wearing the hard hat that also serves as the lid to this self-contained set.
ALEX Toys Artist Studio Desk to Go ($12.69 at Target)
If you know a kid who is on the go, this portable drawing surface is the ideal take-along. The desk will securely hold a drawing pad or activity book, and there are zippered pockets for crayons, markers, and other treasures.
AGES 4–7
Brackitz Bugz Play Park ($29.99 at Brackitz.com)
This 47-piece set allows kids to build over 20 guided structures, or they can design their own crazy adventures for the "Bugz". The unique connecting system provides multi-directional flexibility for endless experimentation.
GeoSafari Jr. Talking Microscope by Educational Insights ($44.99 at EducationalInsights.com)
Teach kids about nature with 5x magnification of high-quality photos of animals, plants, and more with the voice of wildlife warrior Bindi Irwin—in four languages! This microscope makes learning fun!
The Learning Journey Puzzle Doubles – Find It! Dinosaurs ($14.99 at TLJI.com)
This two-in-one toy is loaded with play value. It's a puzzle that, once assembled, becomes a game where kids learn to recognize objects and words within the image they've built.
Skullduggery Maxx Traxx Max Flex RC 200 ($39.99 at Skullduggery.com)
This light-up racing track comes with a remote control, a light-up vehicle, and 200 pieces of colorful, glow-in-the-dark track. Kids can create over eight feet of racing surface!
TCG Toys Jumbo Mega Play Mat ($17.98 and up at Toys "R" Us)
Available in a variety of licenses, like Peppa Pig, Disney Princess, and Thomas & Friends, these 5″ x 3½″ playmats are a fun-filled play surface that can be used both indoors and out. The colorful pictures and winding paths will spark kids' imaginations!
Colorific Build-a-Bot ($39.99 at Colorific.com.au)
Kids can build their own cute robot with 20+ pieces plus stickers. They can build a Bunny, Dino, or Fox—or create their own!
Wonderbly My Golden Ticket ($29.99 at Wonderbly.com)
Kids can experience the delight of receiving their own golden ticket with this personalized book, created in partnership with Roald Dahl. No matter how well kids know this iconic story, they will be surprised by new and exciting elements. Please allow two weeks for standard delivery, but there are expedited options available.
AGES 8–12
KIDBOX ($98 for 6-7 items at Kidbox.com)
Kids who love fashion will be over the moon with a KIDBOX gift card! Once they fill out the gifting form and style profile on the KIDBOX website, they'll receive an e-gift card and six to seven items in the mail with stickers and a personalized card. They choose what to keep. Plus, for every KIDBOX purchased, a new clothing item is donated to a child in need.
Redwood Ventures Smooshy Mushy Pets Bento Box ($14.94 at Walmart stores)
This cute container holds one of eight scented squishable pets, plus a mini container and other extras. Made of memory foam, these pets are immensely satisfying to squeeze and play with!
ThinkFun Roller Coaster Challenge ($29.99 at ThinkFun.com)
A great game for the aspiring engineers on your list, this award-winning building set comes with over 50 pieces—including two tunnels and a vehicle—and 40 different challenges to complete.
Stationery Studio Emoji Sticky Memo Cube ($29.95 at StationeryStudio.com)
Get a cute note pad just for them! This personalized 675-sheet memo cube is covered in emojis and the recipient's name. There are several styles available, but you should allow seven to ten business for manufacturing and delivery.
Snow Tubes by Big Mouth ($24.99 at Amazon)
Imagine sledding on an inflatable unicorn, pizza slice, or yeti. Sledding has never been this fun!
The Bridge Direct Centipede Mini Arcade Game ($17.99 at Toys "R" Us)
Kids can discover the classic video game Centipede in this version that's an authentic miniature of the original. You can also get miniatures of other favorites, like Space Invaders, Asteroids, and Pac-Man.
Star Wars Science Jakku Scavenger Metal Detector by Uncle Milton ($29.99 at Amazon)
Curious kids can search for treasure with this Star Wars–themed light-up metal detector with authentic Star Wars sound effects. Kids can hide and search for metal objects in the included scavenger targets or scavenge for real buried treasure.
Billboard Wireless Karaoke Mic & Speaker ($17.99 at HarmonDiscount.com)
For the songbird on your list, this mic pairs with any Bluetooth device and becomes a speaker and voice amplifier for their favorite karaoke tunes. Karaoke songs can be found for free on YouTube, or for a more robust selection, sign up for Billboard's music streaming service at billboardkaraoke.com.
AGES 13–18
CliqueFie Max ($49.99 at CliqueFie.com)
This is not just another selfie stick. The legs stored in the base allow the CliqueFie Max to function like a proper tripod, which is great for longer-distance photos and videos with the Bluetooth connected remote. This clever gadget is an indispensable tool for teen users of Instagram, Snapchat, Musical.ly, and other social platforms.
Motorola Pulse Escape Over-Ear Headphones ($43.01 at Amazon)
These stylish, affordable folding headphones can be used with or without a cord and have many features, including great sound, noise isolation, built-in mic, touch controls on the ear cups, and up to 10 hours of wireless play time. And it's available in three colors.
Ballpark Blueprints Ltd. Hooded Sweatshirt ($42 at BallparkBlueprints.com)
A unique gift for any sports fan, these soft, pill-resistant hoodies feature an architectural drawing of a favorite stadium or arena. The hoodies are available in navy, black, and dark gray heather, with accents of team colors. Plus they come in a range of unisex sizes—from S to 5XL.
Discovery Kids Glowing Bubble Light ($19.99 at Michael's)
This kit includes seven fascinating lessons in density and polarity—and the result is a DIY lava lamp for their room!
All Things Equal Awkward Family Photos Movie Line Caption Game ($19.95 at Amazon)
A hilarious way to spend an evening with friends or family, this easy-to-play game challenges players to pair the best memorable movie quote with over 150 hilarious family photos.
Basic Outfitters Gift-the-Drawer ($60 at BasicOutfitters.com)
Most teens burn through their clothes like water, so this gift card for basic necessities will sort them out for a while. With this card, they can choose new tee shirts, lounge pants, socks, and underwear, all available in various colors and patterns to suit their taste.
Crosley Cruiser Deluxe Portable Turntable ($89.95 at CrosleyRadio.com)
Vinyl is back in style! This portable suitcase-style turntable not only plays records but also streams music as well. They're available in several colors and patterns, including chalkboard, turquoise, and tweed.
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