Kid Picks Gift Guide
Ok guys. For once, I’m going to listen to what my kids want! Just kidding…. but in reality, we all know, that kids know EXACTLY what they want. That being said, let’s use it to our advantage, shall we? My kid picks gift guide will help you find that perfect gift for the kids on your list. If you find yourself struggling to find the perfect gift for the kids on your list. you can also check out our more specific STEM kids gift guide or STEM gifts for toddlers.
*Some samples provided. Affiliate links included which means I can make a commission off of your sale.
Busy Box Child Sensory Play
Hands-on tools for children to explore their world through senses. Sensory play activities calms, focuses, and engages a child. Busy Box Child has become super popular ever since school has gone online and with so much time that younger children are spending on the screen. You can purchase one-time themed kits like unicorn, space, fairy garden and more, or you can purchase a monthly subscription. You can also gift themed kits for holidays or celebrations.
In the recent years, technology use amongst young children was already at an all-time high, now enter the “new normal” with online schooling, virtual playdates and more, and it may seem like your toddlers are stuck to the screen. But according to a study published in JAMA Pediatrics in 2019, screen use changes the way kids’ brains are wired.
Look how adorable this unicorn Busy Box Child Kit is.
And the Fairy Garden Busy Box Child Kid is so cute. The little flowers and rocks make it so customizable!
Our girls played with the kits for hours right when they arrived. Two days in a row and there is still so much more play in them.
I love seeing their creative juices flow. they do things I wouldn’t even think of, like putting a star into a straw to make it a wand.
They can even work cooperatively and combine their kits together.
Children who have more screen time have lower structural integrity of white matter tracts in parts of the brain that support language and other emergent literacy skills, and these children also have lower scores on language and literacy measures.
These boxes are great for toddler sensory needs! It slows them down to do a mindful sensory activity away from the screen.
Yowu Light Up Cat Ear Headphones
If your kids are into cats, gaming or music, you’ll want to check out the Yowu Light Up headphones. How cute and fun are they?
You can download the YOWU APP which allows you to customize the YOWU Kitty Headset. The customizable LED lights on the cat ears and the outside of the headphones’ ear cups allow you to change the color of your headphones’ lighting to any hue you want, which adds a satisfyingly personal touch to this product. You can also choose different light effects, which definitely makes these headphones more fun to use.
You can connect the YOWU headphones via Qualcomm Bluetooth 5.0 which provides stable and fast connection within 10 meters. Compatible with Tablets, laptops and desktops. You can also connect with 2 in 1 Type-C audio/charging cable, which provides better sound quality.
The battery allows for fast charging for 48 hours playing time without lighting, or 5-20 hours playing time with lighting.
And, of course, they come with a specially designed headphone carry case which makes them available for easy and safe traveling.
Books
We make sure that books are always included when gift giving. Sometimes they are paperback, sometimes they are hard cover and sometimes they are digital. But we always want them reading. A new one I’ve recently discovered is Guion The Lion.
Guion The Lion is a new children’s book that celebrates the differences in all children through a colorful and exciting journey. The book, which follows the adventures of an imaginative little lion who sees things a little differently from his friends, was penned by mother, entrepreneur and author Rebecca Wilson Macsovits and inspired by her three children including Guion, her oldest son who also has Down syndrome. Full of whimsical delights, discoveries and beautiful watercolor illustrations, this book teaches children that appreciating individual differences and embracing others’ ideas can lead to unimaginable adventures and endless fun. Guion The Lion
is available now via Amazon and online at www.Guionthelion.com where you can use ReallyAreYouSerious20 to save 20% off your purchases.
Stick Together
This year has been mentally draining for all of us, especially young children who cannot fully grasp what is going on with the world in general. Setting time aside for kids to do hands-on activities like puzzles has been shown to improve the brain’s ability to produce dopamine, which is responsible for improving concentration, memory and motivation as well as help boost overall mental health.
Instead of having kids do another jigsaw puzzle with paperboard pieces, switch up the pieces with their favorite thing—stickers! StickTogether is similar to paint by number where the child completing it uses a coded poster board and a color key code that tells them where each sticker goes on the board. Once all of the stickers have been placed on the board, a fun pixelated image forms and there are over 40 kits to choose from.
Cookie Countess
The Cookie Countess, is a modern and innovative cookie decorating supply company out of Rhode Island. They sell the world’s best decorating supplies, ingredients, and airbrush equipment for cookies, cakes, macarons, and other treats!
Their specialty is for decorating cookies you make at home, starting with stencils! Over the years they have added new, high quality decorating tools to their family of products including The Cookie Countess Airbrush System, Airbrush Colors, Gel Colors, our cult-favorite Precision Rolling Pin, and Edible Paint Palettes.
You are sent a cookie that has been stenciled to test out painting. Make note, it says this isn’t edible…and it smells like salt dough, so don’t eat it!
So, we started with that.
We stuck with trying out the stencils and painting some homemade sugar cookies and their provided royal icing recipe. N made round cookies as it was only her second time working with royal icing.
We’ve learned we need to practice some more, but you can see our cupcake stencil and then some freehand the girls did on their own.
The Cookie Countess included recipes tasted really good and had great consistency.
The Cookie Countess also offers monthly subscription serves so you can keep sending gifts!
The Original Magnatab Free Draw
The Original Magnatab was designed with the Montessori learning style in mind, creating a sensory-based creative play experience. Using the magnetic stylus, children pull the beads up to the surface to draw pictures, letters, numbers and shapes. In doing this, they feel the pull of the magnets, hear their clicking sound, and see what they are drawing. The beads are magically “erased” when pushed down by the tip of a finger or the swipe of the side of the stylus. The tablet features easy storage for the magnetic stylus, which clicks securely into place. Great for use at home or in the classroom!
Coloroforms Retro
Colorforms have inspired creative expression and fun for over 60 years! The classic, re-stickable shapes provide endless opportunities for imaginative storytelling, and the countless combinations enhance learning through open-ended play. With pieces that Stick Like Magic, it’s more fun to play the Colorforms way!
With fun sets like Mr. Potato Head,
Colorforms My Little Pony you are sure to find one that your kid (or maybe even your peer) will love.
Spirograph
The classic way for aspiring artists to create millions of amazing designs is back and better than ever! The Original Spirograph Design Set features the iconic wheels and rings of the original, re-engineered and updated for today. The kit features a travel friendly, collectors tin with snap-in storage tray. The precision engineered Spirograph gears work with the 2 design pens included in the set as well as with most standard pens, markers and pencils. The new Spiro-Putty holds the Spirograph pieces securely on the paper so that you can create intricately beautiful designs with no holes in the paper! The set also comes with a 24-page design pad and a full color design guide, which explains the fundamentals of drawing with Spirograph as well as step-by-step instructions for creating your own designs!
CuBirds
For smaller groups, CuBirds is a trick-taking game for two to five players ages 8 and up that challenges players to be the first to build their flock of cards adorned with beautiful artwork of birds. It’s easy to learn and there’s even two different ways to play.
RingMaster: Welcome to the Big Top
For two to four players ages 13 and up, RingMaster: Welcome to the Big Top, is a fast-paced exciting game where players compete to build a circus with the hottest stars and attractions that will dazzle the biggest audience. Sabotage, as in any good card match, is part of the strategic game play. It’s a play-anywhere game, including a stylish carrying pouch for on-the-go players.
Loog Guitars
This is a way to teach kids how to play guitar on a mini sized guitar that is the perfect fit for smaller arms. With a Loog and its accompanying app, a child can learn to play songs -not just scales or exercises- on day one.
This gives little rockers a sense of accomplishment that stimulates them to keep going. With Loog, kids are playing, learning and having fun from the very beginning, acquiring skills that stay with them forever. It come fully assembled and ready to play. The guitar also come with flashcards with chord diagrams and full access to the Loog Guitar app (iOS and Android). (Ages 3+)
Face off in the ultimate Pop! battle – Funkoverse Strategy Game: Harry Potter
Accio Funkoverse strategy game! Go on a magical adventure with your favorite Hogwarts witches and wizards with Funkoverse, a strategy board game that brings the worlds, characters and stories you love home for you to enjoy again and again.
Face off in the ultimate Pop! battle – Funkoverse Strategy Game: Harry Potter. Playing as Lord Voldemort , Bellatrix Lestrange , Hermione Granger, or Harry Potter, combine your favorite Pop! characters and go head-to-head in four exciting board game scenarios. Move through memorable locations like Diagon Alley or The Room of Requirement and use your characters’ unique abilities to capture points and achieve victory!
The Funkoverse Strategy Game: Harry Potter consists of a four-character set and an additional two character set with Ron Weasley and Draco Malfoy sold separately. The four-character and two-character sets are playable together or as stand-alone games and come with exclusive Funko Pop!.
Published by Funko Games, this collectible strategy game is for 2-4 players, and can be a 20-minute quick play or up to 60 minutes for game night. For ages 10 and older. Available at Target.
Discount: Shop at https://shop.funko.com/ for 20% Off Sitewide, Plus Free Shipping Over $50 (After Discount) using code BF2019 (11/25-12/1/2019)
Scroll to the bottom to see how to win your own copy of the game! Win Funkoverse Strategy Game: Harry Potter featuring your favorite heroes and villains from Harry Potter! The Funkoverse Strategy Game: Harry Potter is valued at $40.
Harry Potter Infinity Box
YuMe Toys recently launched its Harry Potter Infinity Box – an advent calendar-style product, perfect for the holiday season! Fans of the Wizarding World can rotate the magical box to reveal hidden compartments, each containing a secret Harry Potter item. The surprise collectibles range from high quality plush to travel tags, enamel pins and more! The Harry Potter Infinity Box is currently available for purchase in 24pc sets on Amazon.
Game Night Games
Creating winning memories has never been easier with Fryin Flyin Donuts, Monkey Trix
, and Let It Fly. Fun games are sure to bring smiles and family memories. What’s not to like about flying donuts? Or what about Shoot the Poop
?
pediped shoes
Shoes that are fun, but also are award-winning are perfect for the next size up. What about something like these fun, sparkly pink shoes?
Exceptional quality, unsurpassed comfort, and distinctive styling have made the award-winning company the fastest growing children’s footwear brand in the United States. pediped® footwear has been awarded the American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance for the promotion of healthy foot development, and preeminent orthopedic medical professionals, Dr. Mininder S. Kocher and Dr. Thomas W. Vorderer, deem pediped® shoes an excellent choice for parents/caregivers who want their children’s feet to develop naturally and healthily.
pediped® is sold in over 2,500 stores in the United States and 40 countries worldwide with an offering of more than 150 designs for boys and girls between its three lines, Originals®, Grip ‘n’ Go™ and Flex®. The award-winning footwear is available in EU sizes 17 to 38 (US newborn to 6 Youth).
Cubcoats
These 2-in-1 hoodies are adorable and functional. They double as a hoodie your kid can wear and also a fun stuffed animal kids can carry around. Cubcoats have their own signature stuffed animals as well as licensed characters like Black Panther, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Poppy (the troll) and many more.
See how they transform from stuffed animal to hoodie and back again here.
DRAW LIKE THIS!
: How Anyone Can See the World Like an Artist–and Capture It on Paper
This book is filled with beautiful and unique hand-drawn pages, this quirky, interactive guide to the basics of drawing will have users gaining more confidence in their face-drawing and hand-lettering abilities.
Headstart stocking stuffers for both boys and girls
These cute babies have a secret for you to discover in the Baby Secrets Series 3 Mystery Tubs! Dip the diaper in the water filled bathtub and it will change color to pink or blue to reveal the baby’s gender. Once the secret is out, you can name your baby on the birth certificate. Will you find all 50 new babies?
Now you can also discover the secrets of the Merbabies! Dip and reveal to see if your Merbaby is a boy or a girl. You can even make them swim in the water! There are 24 Merbabies to collect!
The Hairdooz are now mini! Collect Pixie, Sparkle, Crystal, Lilly, Skye and Candy in their mini versions with their new fuzzidooz! Spin the super cute nail polish capsule to reveal your Minidooz doll and hairstyle. Stick your Minidoo on the suction cup or stick her on the end of your pencil! Create your own Hairdooz salon and give yourself a manicure with the cheeky mark nail stickers!
My Little Pony Explore Equestria Friendship Express Train
All aboard the My Little Pony Explore Equestria Friendship Express Train with Princess Twilight Sparkle as the conductor headed to the land of Equestria.
Alena of Avalor & Princess Isabel
Meet Disney’s Princess, Alena of Avalor! Join Alena of Avalor and her sister, Princess Isabel on magical adventures through their kingdom.
Bop It!
Game Hammer it, Sing it, Selfie it and more with the Bot It game! With 10 new moves, kids need to react fast and perform the action to beat the Bop It.
The TreasureToons Holiday Bundle
These fully animated lyric videos are based on original songs with words directly from the Bible. Kids will be singing along while memorizing scripture in no time.
Get Growing! Greenhouse
Perfect way to get kids involved in gardening.
Backyard Safari Cargo Vest
Take on the great outdoors with this gift idea. Lovely way to go on an adventure.
Knot-A-Lion Craft Kit
Make a lion blanket and pillow all by tying knots in fabric. It is easier than you think… plus, it’ll keep kids busy for a bit.
Pictopia-Family Trivia Game: Disney Edition
Is your kiddo a Disney fanatic? Then this is a must have.
Ravensburger Empire State Building Night Edition 3D Puzzle
Have you seen these 3D puzzles? They are something else. Puzzles sure have come a long way since I was a kid. You can also build the Eiffel Tower.
Candy Construction Building Set
Building a gingerbread house is always fun…. until you have to toss it in the trash. With this kid picks gift idea, you don’t have to. The large pieces are great for little hands.
Neat-Oh! Barbie ZipBin 40 Doll Dream House Toy Box & Playmat
This toy is great because not only does it provide a storage place for all those dolls, it also doubles as a playhouse.
Wonder Workshop Dash Robot
Program this robot to do a variety of things including dancing. You can even program him to avoid obstacles.
Play-Doh Perfect Twist Ice Cream Playset
Use the ice cream machine to make playful tasty treats.
Craft-tastic String Art Kit
Learn the skill of string art to make some lovely creations.
K’NEX Thrill Rides 3-in-1 Classic Amusement Park Building Set
Build a ferris wheel that is 3 feet tall as well as two other amusement park rides.
Lionel Mickey Mouse Disney Ready to Play Train Set
Every kid needs a train set! Especially to put around the Christmas tree.
Gizmos & Gadgets
This kit allows kids to create objects that can be controlled with mobile devices.
PLAYMOBIL Take Along School House Playset
Playmobil toys last forever. This set allows kids to take their toys with them while they are out and about.
Pie Face Showdown
Get ready for some laughs with this game. All you need is a can of whipped cream.
Space Scooter
This scooter looks like a ton of fun. Move the standing platform up and down to make it move forward.
Karaoke System
Kids who love to sing and perform will fall in love with this gift. Turn on the lights to turn any room into a disco.
Cooking Class Book
Get kids in the kitchen and teach them how to cook. It is a skill they will lean on for years to come.
Crayola Emoji Maker
Make your own emoji stampers with this gift idea. You can also mix the colors to make new ones.
Razor RipStik Ripster
These boards put a twist on skateboarding. Don’t forget the helmet!
Hickies
Hickies are a clever shoe replacement system for all ages! They have a huge amount of colors, metallics and more to choose from. They make it super easy to put on shoes without tying them and lacing them. There are a number of configurations too, from loose, to normal, to athletic.
Matching slippers and shirts with a cause from FishFlops.
Madison Nicole Robinson, is the creator and designer of FishFlops Footwear for kids. She created the brand when she was just 8 and now she is a Sophomore at Texas A&M’s Mays School of Business. She is a great role model for other young girls who are wanting to be entrepreneurs.
FishFlops has adorable slippers for cold weather as well as FishFlops for the spring and summer (if you know Texas you know that FishFlops will almost work year-round there!)
They have full size sets, so they’ve got us covered from tiny preschooler feet all the way to my adult-sized 12 year olds (and me!) I’m sure you’ll see a Mommy and Me Monday picture coming soon with our cute FishFlops!
Not only are they adorable, but they are working in conjunction with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN) to raise money for their fine organization this Christmas. When you make a purchase, CMN gets a donation, too!
It looks like the kids did a pretty good job at picking out some fun gift ideas. What are your thoughts? Do you have any must have kid picks gift ideas to add to my list? Share them with me in the comments!
What a ton of great gift ideas!! I think the Pie Face Showdown game would be a huge hit in my household!
I will force my two best friends to play with meeeeee. In full costume.
This would be so much fun to play with my kids. I could see all of them enjoying it.
What a great gift idea list for kids! So many great finds.
This sounds like such a fun game. This is a great guide.
I would play it with my friends on game night
I would love to give this to my nephews!
I would play this with my children.
I would play this with my daughter.
I would play this with my boys!
Loved the ideas, Krystyn! My daughter love reading books that is personalised especially for her. Personalised children’s books can be a great gift too because kids engage more with a personalised book. Personalised children’s books really encourage kids to read, thus increasing the child’s language and comprehension skills.
These are some great ideas! My girls would love the fairy boxes!!
It’s been over a year and they still pull them out and play with them!
There’s so may items here that my 5 year old son would love! The busy box, the building toys.
I am kind of Jealous of some of the toys kids can get today.. I really love the Ravensburger Empire State Building Night Edition 3D Puzzle that might work for an adult as well.. Looks like fun.
What a fantastic gift guide! I love how the suggestions cater to kids of all ages and interests.