Christmas is here, and with less than a week until the big day, it’s easy to start panicking about that kid on your list you haven’t shopped for yet. It’s difficult these days to find things that kids will like without them specifically pointing to a listing or even sending a link, but that doesn’t mean the thing will be available.
This year, I’ve had a hard time finding gifts for some of the kids in my life that aren’t cheaply made or holdovers from last year. It seems like every store I go into has a smaller toy section than usual, and often the shelves are filled with last year’s toys at not-reduced prices. I don’t know if this is due to tariffs, shipping, manufacturing issues, or simply rising costs, but I had to really dig this year.
Fortunately, my own kids start drafting their Christmas lists around April, so I at least have a heads up, but that didn’t make things easier this year. So I started looking for smaller, fun, and dare I say, mildly educational toys and stocking stuffers. I managed to put together the list below with included recommended ages, in hopes that it can help other parents this year, and even though the hour grows late, there’s still time to fill a stocking or pad out under the tree with these items.
Educational & STEM: Montessori Magnetic Building Tiles
Building toys are always fun, and these magnetic tiles are small, simple to use, and great for travel or quiet play. This set comes with 70 mini-tiles that snap together instantly, making building feel easy and rewarding. There’s no frustration because there are no plans or instructions, just imagination.
These Building Tiles also encourage endless experimentation. Kids can make towers, animals, vehicles, virtually anything they can think of, again and again. This gives kids a sense of control and creativity every time they play, and because they are magnetic, other dolls, action figures, or toys can be worked into the fun as well.
Ages: 2+
Find It On Amazon: Montessori Magnetic Building Tiles
Educational & STEM: National Geographic Magic Science Kit
National Geographic has dozens of science kits that feel like “real experiments.” This particular kid combines science with Magic in 10 different experiments like making a coin float, changing the color of water, having snow magically appear, and more!
Kids will feel not only smart and accomplished as they work through the experiments, but they will also wow their friends with the magic they’ve learned. This Magic Science Kit creates hands-on kids scientists who will love to repeat experiments or explore similar “magic” later.
Ages: 8+
Find It On Amazon: National Geographic Magic Science Kit
Educational & STEM: Paint Your Own Moon Lamp Kit ($18)
Kids love glow-in-the-dark anything, and the biggest glow-in-the-dark object in all of our lives is the Moon. This kit allows kids to paint their own colorful Moon night light, making their rooms glow with otherworldly colors and patterns.
This set includes the paintable moon lamp, a wooden base, paints, 4 figurines, molding tools, and a color-mixing guide. Kids can create and name their own planetary night light as they pore over the craters and ridges that are designed to make it look like a real celestial body.
Ages: 3+
Find It On Amazon: Paint Your Own Moon Lamp Kit
Educational & STEM: Word-Building Letter Magnets ($14)
One of the simplest toys out there for younger kids, Letter Magnets give kids a chance to practice spelling, reading, word recognition, and more. The Magnetic letters (that I’m sure we all had as kids) feel like a game, not a lesson.
Kids will enjoy arranging and rearranging letters, and with a whiteboard or other magnetic surface, Kids can show off their work to the adults in their lives, building confidence and pride as they learn early words. This classic set comes with lowercase letters, uppercase letters, number,s and even math symbols, making it a one-stop fun time.
Ages: 3+
Find It On Amazon: Word-Building Letter Magnet Set
Educational & STEM: Screen-Free Coding Critters ($20)
Coding critters are small, mechanized toys that come with layouts and obstacles. Kids lay out the tiles and work through challenges, turning problem-solving into a physical activity kids can control. Kids love watching the adorable robot respond to their commands instantly.
Because there’s no screen, kids stay focused on the toy itself. Replaying challenges feels like a puzzle rather than homework, encouraging repeated play. With a Fox, a Narwhal, and a Chameleon available, these are great toys to introduce computational thinking and coding to the kid in your life.
Ages: 4-7
Find It On Amazon: Screen-Free Coding Critters
Arts & Creativity: Crayola Washable Paint Set ($18)
Painting lets kids express emotions freely, which is deeply satisfying. Bright colors and big brushes make kids feel like real artists. This Crayola box comes with ten different, non-toxic, and 100% washable colors. It’s a basic set that’s perfect for a budding artist or someone learning the finer points of the medium.
Kids also love the freedom of experimenting without fear of “messing up,” especially when parents aren’t stressed thanks to washable formulas. My favorite part of this set is that, along with the paints, palette, and brushes, it also comes with a smock to keep clothes (and dare I say skin) clean while the colors fly.
Ages: 1+
Find It On Amazon: Crayola Washable Paint Set
Arts & Creativity: Crayola Super Tips Coloring Set ($13)
Kids love having “their own” art supplies all in one case. Opening it feels like unlocking a treasure chest of creativity, and this set from Crayola contains 25 high-end markers, coloring pages, and blank pages, all kept neat and tidy in the carrying case.
I used to think that there were only so many markers that a kid might need. Then I had a couple and realized that markers are a never-ending cycle: get, leave the cap off, dry out, throw away. With this case, kids can keep their supplies organized, together, and hopefully last a little longer than standard marker sets.
Ages: 4+
Find It On Amazon: Crayola Super Tips Coloring Set
Arts & Creativity: Animal Sticker Activity Book ($17)
Perfect for travel or keeping a kid occupied for a decent stretch of time, this sticker book contains stickers, 12 different scenes, coloring pages and more. Stickers are irresistible to young kids because they offer instant rewards and a sense of control, and with this activity book, they can learn about animals while creating habitats for them.
Building stories and scenes with stickers encourages kids to use their imagination while keeping their hands busy during quiet time or travel. This Animal book is fantastic, but depending on what the kid in your life is into, there are also books about dinosaurs, farm life, mermaids, and more to choose from.
Ages: 2-8
Find It On Amazon: Animal Sticker Activity Book
Arts & Creativity: Friendship Bracelet Making Kit ($8)
Taylor Swift isn’t the only one encouraging kids to make and trade bracelets with their friends, but it helps. This bracelet kit comes with over 5000 beads, charms and accessories to combine crafting with social connection.
Kids love making something they can wear or give to friends, and with so many pieces, the combinations are truly endless. The repetitive patterns are calming, while the finished bracelets give kids a sense of accomplishment and pride, plus making things for others is never a bad habit to get into.
Ages: 6-13
Find It On Amazon: Friendship Bracelet Making Kit
Arts & Creativity: Reusable Sticker Book ($17)
Sticker books are a blast, but reusable stickers are where it’s at! Kids can change scenes without “ruining” anything, which encourages experimentation. These books are also made with waterproof, reusable PVC material, so they can hold up over time
A reusable sticker book is a great way to teach kids words and storytelling without putting a screen in front of them. They’re especially loved because kids can tell new stories every time they dig into it, making the toy feel fresh.
Ages: 2-4
Find It On Amazon: Reusable Sticker Book
Games: UNO Card Game ($12)
UNO is a classic. Who hasn’t spent hours with friends or family, gleefully playing reverse cards? The game is fast, colorful, and competitive, pretty much everything kids love. The simple rules make kids feel capable quickly, which keeps them interested longer. Plus, there is a very good chance they will beat you, which makes any kid exceptionally happy,
Kids love racing to empty their hands, and in younger kids, the color-matching and numerical aspects of the game strengthen both those skills. The special action cards like Skips, Reverses, Draw Twos, and color-changing Wild cards will have your kid grinning with glee as they drop them on you one after the other.
Ages: 6+
Find It On Amazon: Uno Card Game
Games: Candy Land (Bluey Edition) ($14)
Two things kids love, Candy and Bluey, are now together in one classic game! You and your little one(s) can race to be the first to reach Bluey’s home to win! The game also depicts fan-favorite locations, such as Shadowlands and Rug Island.
This is a fun game for little ones as well because, along with recognizable characters and fun gameplay, there is very little reading involved. Plus, there are moments where kids can make their adults dance or freeze, meaning there’s an added physicality to the game that the original Candy Land did not have.
Ages: 3+
Find It On Amazon: Candy Land (Bluey Edition)
Games: Connect 4 Frenzy ($8)
Connect 4 is a classic game that kids love, and Connect 4 Frenzy takes it to the next level. Instead of dropping pieces to make or block rows, player must bounce their pieces into a horizontal grid at the same time their opponent is! Whoever’s pieces are left on top and able to make a row wins!
Connect 4 Frenzy is a fresh update on an already great game and even comes with four different challenge modes to take the stakes even higher. Rounds usually only last about 10 minutes, making tournaments, group play, or just one-on-one matches quick and repeatable for extra fun.
Ages: 8+
Find It On Amazon: Connect 4 Frenzy
Games: Spoons Card Game ($10)
One of my favourite card games to play around the kitchen table growing up was Spoons. The game is very easy to play, with everyone racing to get four of a kind and grab a spoon before anyone else can. It’s equal parts poker and quickness as you try not to tip everyone off when you’re reaching for that spoon!
The fast-paced, simple mechanics of Spoons make it a great game for kids, and this set offers up laughs and endless replay value. The travel-sized case makes it easy to store and pack, so you won’t tarnish or lose any of the good silverware.
Ages: 7+
Find It On Amazon: Spoons Card Game
Games: Magnetic Travel-Sized Sorry & Guess Who? ($19)
Travel games are a terrific way for kids to kill time in the car or at the airport without resorting to screens. This set features two classic games, Sorry and Guess Who? In small, compact sizes for small, compact fun.
Both games come in their own travel-sized tin boxes that close securely so no pieces get lost or disappear into the back seat cushions. There are a ton of great travel games to choose from, but for the cost of one, you get two with this set, so it’s a win-win for everyone.
Ages: 8-12
Find It On Amazon: Magnetic Travel-Sized Sorry & Guess Who?
Toys & Play: Mini Stuffed Animal Toys (12-pack) ($17)
It may seem simple, but you can never really go wrong with a soft, cute plush toy. Kids love them because they feel safe and comforted. Whether it becomes a bedtime buddy or a travel companion, plush toys quickly turn into emotional favorites.
The fact that this set includes 12 adorable animals makes it perfect for imaginative play. Kids can create a whole town, assign personalities, create stories, and carry them everywhere, which increases attachment and long-term use. Plus, who doesn’t like to snuggle down for the night surrounded by plushy friends?
Ages: 2-16
Find It On Amazon: Mini Stuffed Animal Toys
Toys & Play: Off Bits Build Your Own Robot ($19)
Ask any kid what they’d like to have, and they will say Monkey Butler. After that, though, their own Robot is pretty high up there. This Off Bits kit uses real nuts and bolts so kids can endlessly create robots and even incorporate recycled items from around the house.
Kids also enjoy the hands-on action of building the robot themselves, which builds anticipation and encourages repeat play while they create and re-create their mechanical pal. The creativity of working out a backstory for their robot and the hands-on building aspects will sharpen motor skills and the mind.
Ages: 6+
Find It On Amazon: Off Bits Build Your Own Robot
Toys & Play: Flower Garden Building Toy Set
Every kid loves digging in the dirt, and my kids, in particular, love to plant seeds and grow things in the garden. However, when it’s rainy or not gardening season, they need options, which is why this Flower Garden Building Set is great for indoor planting.
This set promotes learning through play as kids put together and “plant” a whole garden full of colorful flowers. The best part? The pieces are interchangeable, so kids can create their own unique sets of flowers and blossoms. It even comes with a pretend watering can so kids can tend to their flower patches all year round.
Ages: 2+
Find It On Amazon: Flower Garden Building Toy Set
Toys & Play: Stomp Rocket Jr ($16)
The Stomp Rocket is an air-powered set of foam rockets that you and your kids can launch up to 100ft in the air. These high-flying projectiles even glow in the dark, making them much, much safer than fireworks on the Fourth of July.
Not only is a Stomp Rocket loads of fun, but it can be used to teach about aerodynamics, pressurized air flow, and of course, the adage “what goes up, must come down.” This STEM toy is easy to assemble and comes with a durable base that can withstand the heftiest stomps.
Ages: 3+
Find It On Amazon: Stomp Rocket Jr.
Outdoor & Active: CRA-Z-Art Sidewalk Chalk Set ($13)
Sidewalk chalk is a no-brainer for a fun time for kids. Not only does it let kids create big, bold art, but it also lets them do something every kid likes: draw on stuff they normally shouldn’t. Driveways, sidewalks, and even fences can be given colorful makeovers that will add a fun, lively look to the outside of your home.
Sidewalk chalk also has an easy “start over” button: just wash it away. This particular set is 100% washable and comes with 20 colors. During the pandemic, my kids and I would use chalk to write colorful messages on our fences, then wash them off and start again.
Ages: 1+
Find It On Amazon: CRA-Z-Art Sidewalk Chalk Set
Outdoor & Active: Kids Jump Ropes (2-Pack) ($8)
Are jump ropes still cool? Of course they are! Not only do kids like jumping up and down, but the added challenge of a swinging rope makes kids want to master the jump rope. Learning tricks and counting jumps shows progress, and soon your kid will be the talk of the driveway!
These particular jump ropes have tangle-free beaded lengths, non-slip handles, and even adjustable lengths. Kids enjoy competing with themselves or friends, which encourages exercise and active play. Plus, you, as the parent, get to see if you remember that rhyme that you jumped to in elementary school and make up new ones!
Ages:
Find It On Amazon: Kids Jump Ropes (2-Pack)
Outdoor & Active: Bubble Wands ($17)
What kid doesn’t love bubbles? Bubbles are endlessly fascinating orbs, floating, popping, and shimmering in the air. Every kid out there loves to spend hours chasing and creating bubbles! For parties or just nice afternoons, your kid will love making big bubbles, little bubbles, long bubbles, and short bubbles. In a word: Bubbles.
This set comes with a whopping 28 bubble wands and trays of varying shapes and sizes, letting kids make any kind of bubble they can think of. One of the simplest, guaranteed-fun toys out there, this Bubble wand set is perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, and beyond.
Ages: 2+
Find It On Amazon: Bubble Wands
Outdoor & Active: Mini Carnival Lawn Games Set ($18)
Mini lawn games feel like “real” games kids can play outside, and this set allows for endless made-up or familiar games. Ring toss and tossing games encourage friendly competition. Use the pylons for racing games, or simply make up your own!
Kids love playing together, taking turns, and celebrating small wins, which makes any games played with these simple items great for playdates and family time. Come up with simple prizes for winners, and the fun is virtually endless.
Ages: 2+
Find It On Amazon: Mini Carnival Lawn Games Set
Outdoor & Active: Hand Operated Drone ($17)
What’s more fun than bright colors and constantly changing patterns? How about FLYING bright colors and changing patterns? This rechargeable drone features a glow-in-the-dark LED show and is super easy to fly with hand-motion controls.
The flexible propeller guards allow it to withstand bumps and falls, and the anti-collision sensors prevent crashes, making it a safe toy for indoor or outdoor play. The lights also spark curiosity and focus, making this flying machine a surprisingly long-lasting toy despite its simplicity.
Ages: 4+
Find It On Amazon: Hand-Operated Drone