Everyone loves the holiday season, but it can feel magical for kids. Most kids will love whatever you buy them, but it’s natural to want to give them the best gifts you can find. Keeping up with the latest toy trends is tough, but there are numerous gifts for every age that are sure to be a hit.
BestReviews’ Jacob Palmer joins Scott Moak to share our picks for the season’s best gifts for kids.
The Toniebox is an ideal gift for preschool-aged kids. This toy plays music and stories made specifically for toddlers. Its operation is straightforward, and our kid testers enjoyed using it to wake up for school every morning. “What we love about it is that when you place these items on it, it then plays music,” Palmer said. “So it gives the child a certain amount of control over what’s being played in the house, a certain amount of control over their environment.”
The Toniebox has numerous character figures that unlock new songs and stories. Additionally, you can record messages for your children that they can play on demand. This device is a great way to help your kids build morning and bedtime routines.
To add a little magic into the mix, gift your child a Magic Mixies Magical Misting Crystal Ball with Interactive Plush Toy. Kids can use the included wand to cast a spell to make their Magic Mixie appear within the crystal ball.
It’s not only magical for kids but for parents too. “It’s basically a gift within a gift,” Palmer said. “You’re getting two gifts. You’re going to open it once, you’re going to play with it for a little bit of time and then eventually something will pop goes the weasel, and you got another gift.”
If you get nervous every time your young child uses your tablet, then you should consider getting them their own. The Fire HD 8 Kids Tablet was made specifically for kids ages 3 to 7 years old and can withstand both the accidental and intentional drops that are common in this age group.
“This Fire tablet for kids comes with a rubber casing on it,” Palmer said. “Throw it down the stairs, throw it wherever they’re going to throw it. It’s fine.” Additionally, this tablet comes with a one-year Amazon Kids+ subscription, which gives kids access to a bunch of safe and ad-free books, games, videos and apps.
Gifts that spark curiosity are excellent for most elementary school kids. The National Geographic Fossil Kit comes with a dig brick filled with genuine fossils your kid can exhume. The kit includes all the toys they need to retrieve the fossils and a learning guide to help your child identify them.
The National Geographic Rock Tumbler Kit is another excellent choice because it lets kids turn ordinary rocks into smooth gemstones. Polishing rocks can take around a month, but our kid testers were incredibly excited to use this product. Once the rocks are polished, they can be used to make jewelry.
If your kid wants to take a break from unearthing fossils and treasures, they can dive into a good book filled with adventure. "The Last Kids on Earth and the Doomsday Race" is popular among children in third grade through seventh grade. It is part of a series of books that was recently turned into a Netflix animated series. This particular book focuses on a group of friends that team up to fight zombies but get thrown off course by a completely different monster.
Many older kids love taking pictures with their friends. The Canon Ivy Mini Photo Printer gives the young photographers in your life an easy way to print their favorite images. This printer connects to your phone via Bluetooth and lets kids print their favorite photos from their social media accounts.
“Star Wars” fans are sure to love the Lego Star Wars Mandalorian Light Cruiser. This set is trendy, and the new season of “The Mandalorian” is set to release in February, so the timing is perfect. The Light Cruiser features numerous interactive parts and pieces kids can play with when they’re done building it.
PS5s can be hard to come by, but if your kid has one, it may be a good idea to get them a new controller. The PlayStation DualSense Wireless Controller has a built-in microphone and top-notch haptic feedback. It also features a create button that lets your kid record their favorite gaming moments.
Kids who love playing outside will enjoy SpikeBall. Spikeball combines elements of volleyball with foursquare. This game can be played casually or competitively. In fact, there are numerous Spikeball tournaments across the country.
This toy offers an excellent screen-free experience that toddlers are sure to enjoy. It’s available in gray, blue, pink, purple and red. This set includes the Playtime Puppy Tonie with 52 minutes of content.
Sold by Amazon
Magic Mixies Magical Misting Crystal Ball with Interactive Plush Toy
Get two gifts in one with this creative toy. Your child will have fun using their imagination and the included wand to cast a spell in order to make their Magic Mixie appear. The crystal ball is equipped with fog and color-changing lights for a truly magical experience.
Sold by Amazon
This fun tablet comes with 32GB of storage and can be expanded to support up to 1TB of storage. It comes with a case to keep it safe if your child drops it. Amazon offers free replacements if it breaks within the first two years.
Sold by Amazon
National Geographic Fossil Kit
This is an excellent STEM toy and can be great for homeschooling lessons. It includes an excavation tool, excavation brush and magnifying glass. The dig brick is made of gypsum that flakes away relatively easily.
Sold by Amazon
National Geographic Hobby Rock Tumbler Kit
This kit includes a rock tumbler, a rock strainer, jewelry settings, polishing grits and an assortment of rough gems. The tumbler is made with tire rubber to help reduce noise.
Sold by Amazon
This compact printer is easy to take on the go. It prints photos with a peel-and-stick back so your child can use their favorite images as stickers. It pairs with Android and iOS smartphones.
This includes 20 sheets of sticky-backed photo paper for a compact printer. Many were impressed with the quality.
Sold by Amazon
"The Last Kids on Earth and the Doomsday Race" by Max Brallier
This fun book features numerous young protagonists fighting zombies. Fans of the Netflix show are sure to love the book series.
Sold by Amazon
Lego Star Wars: The Mandalorian Imperial Light Cruiser Building Kit
This set includes five Lego mini-figures, such as the Mandalorian, Moff Gideon and Grogu. The Imperial Light Cruiser has turrets that fire plastic laser beams and a bridge that doubles as a handle. Many parents said their kids didn’t require assistance when putting it together.
Sold by Amazon
PlayStation DualSense Wireless Controller
This controller features adaptive triggers that enhance immersion with varying resistance levels. It can be used to play the PS5 or for PC gaming. It’s available in seven colors.
Sold by Amazon
This game only requires the included net and ball, making it easy to take on the go. Many said it was easy to assemble and learn. This is an excellent game for kids to play with each other or for you to play with your kids.
Sold by Dick’s Sporting Goods and Amazon
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Cody Stewart writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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