The Ultimate 2021 Holiday Gift Guide by Age
Trying to find the perfect gift for your child is no easy task. With technology ever-evolving and your little one's interests ever-changing, how do you know exactly what to buy? How do you know what is appropriate for your child's age? Well, look no further because I am about to lend a helping hand. In this holiday gift guide, we are going to discuss the best gifts for every age from 1-12 years old, which you can easily find on Amazon!
Since they're treating every day like Black Friday, many deals are going on until Christmas with new ones being added constantly! That way you aren't second-guessing yourself and it will be monumentally easier to see what kids in each age group are into these days.
Editor's Note: We know raising kids can be challenging. That's why we're dedicated to making your life easier with the latest and greatest parenting advice and products. We want to let you know that if you choose to purchase one of the items featured in this post, we may receive a small commission for it.
1-Year-Olds
For the Baby That Can’t Stop Staring at Christmas Lights
If you want to skip the lights and sounds but still want an engaging Christmas gift for your little one, then I would try the Playskool Busy Poppin' Pals Pop Up Activity Toy. There are no loose or small parts, and it encourages your child to discover how to make the animals pop up.
Giraffe, elephant, panda, lion, and monkey have come to play. (But shhh, right now, they’re hiding.) Slide the lever! Push the beeper! Flip the switches! Turn the key! HELLO, FRIENDS! This popular pop-up activity toy can reward playtime exploration and discovery with adorable peekaboo critters. Babies and toddlers can delight in discovering different animals, colors, and shapes - while the poppin’ play action can encourage little ones to practice those mighty fine motor skills.
For The Baby Who Loves to Cuddle
Plush toys are also a hit with 1-year-olds and this interactive toy is great for learning parts of the body and colors. This Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Smart Stages Puppy is super cute, soft, and fun.
A great friend listens, keeps you company, and teaches you things you never knew, like how to roar like a lion or count to ten. Your baby’s new bestie, Laugh & Learn Smart Stages Puppy, knows all about being a good friend. He chats, lights up, and loves to cuddle, and he can introduce more than 100 first words, including parts of the body, colors, numbers and more.
2-Year-Olds
Building blocks for toddlers are a classic gift for a reason. The more your toddler grows, the more they will want to explore the world around them and the more they will want to create. Blocks are great for imaginative play while also working on motor skills. They’re simple toys that promote hours and hours of fun. This Christmas, delight your two-year-old with some mix-and-match block sets.
For Your Little Builder
The Melissa & Doug Geometric Stacker is a great gift for a toddler for Christmas. It's colorful, durable, and helps their gross and fine motor development. They will learn while they have fun! Melissa & Doug has a wide variety of building and stacking toys fit for toddlers, so if you are looking for more options, Amazon is chock full. The Melissa & Doug Snowman stacker is another great example.
Match and sort these 21 colorful wooden pieces, and skill-building is just part of the fun. Rings, octagons, and rectangles can be slotted onto the three rods, stacked on top of each other, or lined up to compare shapes, sizes, and colors. This first-concepts set is a manipulatives all-star! Parents and other grown-ups can help their youngsters develop strong skills by playing several games, such as removing the stacking pieces from the rods and placing them on a flat surface, and helping kids name the colors of the pieces. When they are familiar with all the colors, have them to sort the pieces by color and count the pieces in each group. Additionally, mix all the pieces together and have kids sort the pieces according to shape. This Geometric Stacker is an exceptional gift for kids ages 2 to 4 years. Add the Melissa & Doug Shape Sorting Cube to round out the hands-on, screen-free play experience. For more than 30 years, Melissa & Doug has created beautifully designed imagination- and creativity-sparking products that NBC News called “the gold standard in early childhood play.” Today, Melissa & Doug is proudly partnering with the American Academy of Pediatrics to foster early brain development and help children build important life skills through play.
We've taken a classic childhood toy and entered a touch of winter magic to create a wooden stacking snowman! Designed with a solid-wood rocking base for safety, it features eight wooden pieces. With his jaunty scarf and hat and a sweet smile, this cold-weather friend is sure to warm up snowy days.
3-Year-Olds
Did your kid get tons of blocks for Christmas last year? Now it’s time to take their construction skills to the next level with building accessories and toys.
For the Block Expert
Turn the playroom into a construction site with this Cat Dump Truck that can haul even the biggest loads.
7845 Mega Bloks CAT Dump Truck Have your little truck driver get behind the wheel of the CAT Dump Truck by Mega Bloks! Your child can haul all sorts of loads by pushing the truck around. The CAT Dump Truck has a huge rear bin that tilts back and dumps out its contents with ease! Ideal for children aged 1 to 5! Features: Cat large dump truck with a moveable bin that tilts back to dump out blocks! Includes 1 construction worker figurine and 25 blocks Comes with construction site pieces to build an authentic construction zone!
4-Year-Olds
By the time they’re four years old, kids love to pretend to be grown up. That’s why both of these gifts are great to spark their imagination.
For the Foodie
In my opinion, a play kitchen is one of the best toys for children, especially if you have multiple young children. It teaches them to share and how to navigate playing together. A great option is the KidKraft Modern White Play Kitchen. It also comes with accessories as well!
We've taken the best-selling KidKraft vintage play kitchen and added some pizzazz to create the limited edition vintage play kitchen! Golden accents and fixtures and Carrara quartz-look countertops are chic updates that inject instant glam into this popular retro silhouette. With doors that open and close, knobs that click and turn and plenty of convenient storage space, there's an endless supply of fun to keep the most active little chef busy. The removable sink is easy to clean and the durable design can stand up to the most enthusiastic imaginations. Get ready for some magical meals Made by the colorful and glitzy limited edition vintage play kitchen.
For Kids Who Love to Play House
If a kitchen isn't what they would love, you can try a dollhouse instead! This KidKraft My Dreamy Wooden Dollhouse is great for its price and includes so many awesome features and accessories.
Playing house has never been so fun. With the 4-foot KidKraft My Dreamy Dollhouse, kids have 4 rooms to decorate, with a gliding elevator that spans all 3 floors. 2 balconies and a working front door offer plenty of room to explore and enjoy. The included 14-piece accessory kit includes a grand piano that plays music and a toilet with flushing sounds. This dollhouse is a dream come true for 12-inch dolls.
5-Year-Olds
By the time kids are five, they’re ready for more complex games with lots of moving parts and pieces. Plus, five is the age that some parents may start introducing electronics as Christmas gifts.
For Kids Who Like Games of Strategy
A wonderful option for a Christmas gift for your kindergartener (or soon-to-be kindergartener) is the Marble Genius Marble Run Starter Set. It's expandable, customizable, and there's even an app that can be downloaded for instructions. If you have an aspiring builder in your home to shop for, this may be the perfect match.
80 see-through Marble Run pieces allow you to see all the action (NEW for March 2019, this set includes 20 additional pieces and 40 additional marbles)
If They’re Ready for a Tablet
If you are alright with some screen time, there's another awesome option that your child would love to receive as a gift. I am talking about the Amazon Kids Fire tablet. This particular model is the newest one and not only does it come with a 1-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, but it comes with a 2-year worry-free warranty and a cool case!
Our biggest, most powerful tablet, made for ages 3–7
Features an octa-core processor, 3 GB RAM, brilliant 10.1” 1080p Full HD display, dual cameras, USB-C (2.0) port, up to 1 TB of expandable storage, and 1 year of Amazon Kids+. Screen made with strengthened aluminosilicate glass.
6-Year-Olds
As your child is well into elementary school age, they will start to further develop their interests. Some enjoy creating things on their own whether that be drawing, painting, woodworking or whipping up treats in the kitchen.
For Your Little Craftsman
For little boys and girls who love all things cars, and like working with their hands, the Made By Me Build and Paint Wooden Cars are perfect. It is an activity they can do all on their own.
On your marks, get set, GO! Build and Paint Wooden Cars with Made by Me®! Get started by following the fully-illustrated instructions — they’ll show you exactly where to glue each pre-cut wooden piece to bring your racecars to life! Then, get your car ready for the race track — mix and match 7 acrylic paints with awesome sticker decals! When you’re finished designing, put your craftmanship to the test — challenge your friends to a race and see which car zips through the finish line the fastest! Great for little zoomers ages 6+.
For The Future Chef
If you want a completely different idea, how about a cookbook? If your little one is showing interest in what goes on in the kitchen, then it could be fun to let them help learn to cook. The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs has a variety of recipes that you can try to make together.
This cookbook contains over 100 kid-tested recipes and 20 desserts from America's Test Kitchen and is contemporary eye-candy for middle grade readers and teens. Each recipe includes short testimonials from some of the 750-plus kids who were part of the test group, making the book fun and interactive. The cookbook also features informational sections for new chefs, such as "Getting Started in the Kitchen" and "Conversions and Equivalents." Taking a stance on nutrition, the work provides a section on "Healthy Eating 101" in the back matter, which includes information dedicated to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's MyPlate system of five food groups. The design of the book is busy and blocky, reminiscent of Pinterest or Instagram, with informational asides and related tidbits with snappy headings. The organization follows a similar tact, including general information-such as how to choose the right kid-friendly knife-among the recipes, rather than in the front matter of the book that is dedicated to "Getting Started in the Kitchen." The pictures are small (there are no full-page spreads) and few step-by-step photos are included. Younger cooks and emergent readers may feel overwhelmed by the sheer enormity of information contained on a page, as the format sometimes fights the procedural and chronological nature of a recipe. VERDICT Despite some flaws, this is a must-have book to update tween cookbook collections-and a great holiday buy, too.-Shannon O'Connor, Unami Middle School, Chalfont, PAα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
7-Year-Olds
This is a great age to introduce board games! By now your little one's curiosity and attention span have increased enough for you to sit down as a family and play a fun game together.
For the Classic Board Game Fan
Some games that children at this age enjoy most are Battleship and Candy Land.
Battleship is the classic naval combat game that brings together competition, strategy, and excitement. In head-to-head battle, you search for the enemy’s fleet of ships and destroy them one by one. No ship is safe in this game of stealth and suspense. Try to protect your own fleet while you annihilate your opponent’s. It’s a battle that you must win!
If you loved playing the Candy Land board game when you were a child, you can share the experience with your loved ones and start down the "magical" road to sweet surprises! This adorable version of the classic Candy Land game features gingerbread men as movers, colored cards, and fun illustrations that kids love, with different destinations like Cookie Commons and the chunky Chocolate Mountain. Players choose their cards, move their pawns, and let their imaginations soar as they make their way to the castle to win! For 2 to 4 players.
For the Jokester
Exploding Kittens and Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza are two more modern card games that are easy to play and silly too!
Exploding Kittens is a highly-strategic, kitty-powered version of Russian roulette. It is the most funded game in the history of Kickstarter and has paved the way for peace and tranquility in the modern world. It also features cards illustrated by The Oatmeal.
Keep these 5 crazy words in mind. As soon as there is a match between a card and a spoken word, race against each other to slap your hand on the central pile of cards. The last one to do so must take them all.
8-Year-Olds
While 8-year-olds may feel they’re too grown up to play with blocks and basic toys, many kids find that they enjoy putting LEGOS together when they are a little older.This is why a brand new LEGO set would be perfect for your 8-year-old.
For the Future Astronaut
In 2020, the world was delighted to watch the Mars Rover land on the red planet, and it was a great moment to get kids interested in space and science. If you are wanting it to be fun with a little bit of learning thrown in, try the LEGO City Space Mars Research Shuttle. It includes the Mars Space Shuttle, the Mars Rover, and more.
Build an exciting space shuttle toy model that offers plenty of imaginative action possibilities and a Mars rover with articulated grappling arm to retrieve geodes!
9-Year-Olds
Your little one is slowly becoming not so little anymore. So why not splurge and get them a gift they will remember for years to come?
For Kids Who Love to Skateboard
I'm talking about a hoverboard. A popular one that has gotten a lot of praise is this Hover-1 Helix Electric Hoverboard. It has 3 rider modes and cool features like a built-in Bluetooth speaker.
Just don't forget a helmet for safety. This JBM skateboard helmet is great for adults and kids, plus it comes in a variety of colors.
Non-Slip Rubber Footpads- Ultra Bright Color Changing LED Lights- Light-up LED Wheels.
Multi-Sporting Gear: These Skateboard Helmets are flexible and suitable for Multi-sports activities, include Inline & Roller Skating, Skating, Skateboarding and Scooter. These helmets would be the essential protective gear for any outdoor sports-lovers.
10-Year-Olds
As your child's interest evolves, so should your gift-giving strategy. It may feel like it gets harder to shop for kids the older they get, but there are many fun gifts for 10-year-olds and tweens.
For The Selfie-Snapping Expert
A gift that many kids love around this age is a camera so they can explore photography. The Fuji Film Instax Mini 9 Instant Camera is a fun device that they will love to use. Plus, it comes in an array of colors so you can find the perfect one for your 10-year-old.
You can even purchase some extra film or a cool photo album as stocking stuffers!
Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 Instant Camera with Fujinon 60mm f/12.7 lens + Fujifilm Instax Mini Film (40 Sheets) Bundle With DEALS NUMBER ONE Accessories Including Carrying Case, Color Filters, Photo Album, Selfie Lens, Clips, Hanging Frames, Cleaning Cloth, Sturdy Tiger Stickers
11-Year-Olds
This holiday season, your child is fast approaching the teenage stage. Your tween is going to start to ask for things that are trending and it may be difficult to figure out what is unless they tell you. Don't worry because we have the perfect gift idea for you. Most kids love Disney and many retailers have all sorts of gadgets and toys that are Disney-themed.
For Kids Who Are Obsessed with Outer Space
Try this LEGO Star Wars: The Mandalorian Child Building Kit. It's fun to build and even more fun to display when it's complete.
If LEGOS aren't their thing, you can always choose some fun decor for their bedroom. This is around the age where kids start to develop their sense of style, so allowing them to decorate their living space gives them the independence they will want. This BlissLights Sky Lite LED Laser Star Projector is super fun!
Fans can build their own charming, brick-built toy model of The Child (75318) from Star Wars: The Mandalorian, reproducing authentic details in LEGO style to create a delightful display piece
Sky Lite 2.0 instantly projects a field of drifting stars against a transforming RGB nebula cloud (Patent Protected). With no installation required, Sky Lite brings instant mood ambiance to the party, gaming station, meditation space, or mesmerizing night light aura for the bedroom.
12-Year-Olds
With Christmas getting very close, this gift may be a little hard to find. I am talking about the popular gaming console, the Nintendo Switch. It's both a handheld console and can be used with a TV. There's also the Nintendo Switch Lite which is strictly handheld, a little cheaper, but still plays the same games. If this is on your tween's wishlist, you may have to do some searching. If you can get your hands on one, it will give you ideas for stocking stuffers as well.
For the Gamer
But if they’ve already got a Switch of their own, new video games are the perfect present.
Throw in a couple of games such as The Legend of Zelda: The Breath of the Wild or Mario Party Superstars. There are even cool accessories like this Orzly Carry Case.
Forget everything you know about The Legend of Zelda games. Step into a world of discovery, exploration, and adventure in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, a boundary-breaking new game in the acclaimed series. Travel across vast fields, through forests, and to mountain peaks as you discover what has become of the kingdom of Hyrule in this stunning Open-Air Adventure. Now on Nintendo Switch, your journey is freer and more open than ever. Take your system anywhere, and adventure as Link any way you like.
Calling all superstars! The Mario Party series is back with 5 classic boards from the Nintendo 64 Mario Party games. Race to get the most stars (and sabotage your opponents) on boards like the stellar Space Land or the spooky Horror Land! Party at your own pace by suspending a game and picking up right where you left off! The tides can turn quickly in Mario Party, so stay vigilant, partygoers. All modes can be played online*, too!
Fits the Nintendo Switch OLED console with both its Joy-Con controllers attached to it, and the upper section features a separate inner pocket which can fit extra JoyCons, Cables, Games, and other smaller but essential accessories. (Please note this cannot accommodate larger items like the dock or pro-controllers)
