Holiday gifts for kids of all ages: From fun to functional
Dec 04, 2025
If you’re still searching for the perfect kids’ gifts this year, you’re in the right place. Today’s best presents blend creativity, innovation and thoughtful design — gifts that invite play, nurture independence and make everyday moments a little more magical.
From imaginative playsets
and beginner-friendly instruments to cozy bedding, nostalgic decor and tech that gets kids moving, this curated guide highlights gifts for every age and personality.
This is just the beginning! We’ll keep updating it with new and delightful picks, so stay tuned.
Here are our editor’s picks. NBC does not have any relationship with these sellers and items are sold by the retailer, not by NBC.
Gifts for kids of all ages
Beddy’s — $79.96 +
If you’ve ever watched a kid wrestle with tangled sheets or struggle to make their bed, Beddy’s feels like a total game-changer. It’s an all-in-one bedding system that zips into place so kids can actually make their bed neatly in seconds. Parents love it because it builds great habits, and kids love it because it feels cozy and fun (yes, fun!) to zip their bed closed.
It’s one of those gifts that’s practical and long-lasting, and honestly makes mornings a whole lot easier.
Mini Mioche Cozy-Zip Hoodie — $75.20+
This is one of those pieces you’ll wish came in every size (and color). The Mini Mioche Cozy-Zip Hoodie is light, layerable and insanely soft. It’s the kind of sweatshirt kids live in all season long.
What makes it extra special is how thoughtfully it’s made: Mini Mioche is one of the rare brands that can truly call itself planet positive. Every hoodie is ethically knit, dyed, cut and sewn in Canada using certified sustainable textiles and AZO-free dyes. So whatever touches your child’s skin is not only free of toxins, but made with zero carbon impact. It’s a gift that feels good in every way — cozy for kids, conscious for the planet.
Nex Playground — $249
If you want a gift that gets everyone off the couch, this is the one. Nex Playground turns your TV into an interactive, motion-based gaming system, and you don’t need any wearables or controllers. It’s great for family play and a huge hit with kids who love tech and movement.
Warm Pals — $26.95 (Amazon)
These are one of those gifts that kids and parents both love. Warm Pals are soft, comforting plushies with an inner pack that you can warm or chill depending on what your little one needs. Warm them for cozy bedtime snuggles, or cool them down for soothing fevers and bumps. They’re like a comfort buddy and a mini wellness tool all in one.
Gifts for babies
Skip Hop Baby Stack Crawl 4-in-1 Crab — $32
If you’re shopping for a baby who’s on the verge of crawling (or already scooting everywhere), this little crab is such a winner. It’s one of those toys that truly grows with your child. In the early months, babies can grab, shake and chew on the different shapes, and then as they get older, they start stacking the pieces and discovering lights and sounds as a reward.
But the real magic happens once crawling begins. The crab pops out from under its shell and scuttles around in a way that babies cannot resist. Beginning crawlers love that it stays close, and more advanced crawlers get the thrill of chasing it as it moves unpredictably. With obstacle-avoiding sensors, cheerful music and tons of sensory engagement, it keeps babies entertained while also boosting motor skills, problem-solving and hand-eye coordination. It’s equal parts adorable and truly developmental.
Strider 2-in-1 Rocking Bike — $269.98
If you want a “big wow” gift that truly grows with your child, the Strider 2-in-1 Rocking Bike is such a fantastic pick. Babies can start using it long before they can walk — the rocking base lets them scoot, wobble and get comfortable with the feel of being on a bike. It becomes this fun, confidence-building toy they will love to climb onto.
And the magic happens when you detach the rocking base: suddenly it transforms into a real 12” Strider Balance Bike. Toddlers can take off on it the moment they’re ready, and it carries them all the way through the preschool years. It’s one of those gifts that lasts, gets used constantly and makes little ones feel proud and brave as they grow.
Gifts for toddlers
Madame Alexander My First Baby Dolls — $45.95 (Amazon)
If you’re looking for a first doll that little ones will actually bond with, this is such a sweet pick. These 12-inch newborns are soft, snuggly and lightweight — perfect for tiny arms to carry around everywhere. The plush body makes them extra huggable, and they’re just the right size for little hands learning to cuddle and nurture.
PlaySmol Mini Inflatable Furniture — $120
If you grew up in the ’90s, this mini inflatable furniture set will hit you right in the nostalgia, but it’s designed perfectly for today’s kids. With a floral chair and a striped scallop mini couch, this duo instantly transforms bedrooms, playrooms or reading nooks into the cutest little lounge zone. Kids love dragging them into the living room for movie night or curling up with a book, and parents love that they’re lightweight, easy to move and genuinely pretty enough to leave out.
They inflate in just a few minutes (pump sold separately), and while all inflatable furniture naturally loses a little air over time, a quick top-off keeps them looking and feeling great. It’s such a fun, unexpected gift that totally elevates playtime.
Gifts for preschoolers
CreateOn Eric Carle Magnetic Playset — $39.95 (Amazon)
For kids who love building, storytelling or anything Eric Carle–related, this playset is a total win. The magnetic tiles let them create scenes from favorite stories while sneaking in STEAM learning through sequencing, geometry and problem-solving.
kiko gg Mini Tape Recorder — $35
This little gadget is pure joy and such a fun throwback for parents, too. The kiko gg Mini Tape Recorder is a tiny, portable version of their iconic wooden boombox recorder, and it lets kids capture and replay sounds wherever they go. It’s got a nostalgic, Walkman-inspired feel (complete with a wearable strap), but the magic is truly in how simple and satisfying it is: pop in the wooden cassette, switch it on, hit record and let kids narrate their day, make silly noises or create their own mini podcasts.
Each cassette holds about a minute of audio and can be replayed endlessly, making it a perfect mix of sensory play, creativity and adorable tech. Available in three playful colors, it’s part toy, part accessory and all-around delightful.
Gifts for school-age kids
Fart Monsters — $29.99
Okay, these are hilarious — and kids are obsessed. Fart Monsters are plush toys with a self-inflating whoopee cushion inside, so you get endless silly sounds just by squishing or sitting on them. They even smell surprisingly sweet, with scents like grape or bubblegum. It’s goofy, harmless fun and becomes an instant favorite.
loog x hello kitty Mini Acoustic guitar — $119
If you have a little music lover in your life, this new Loog x Hello Kitty collection is adorable — and genuinely such a great way to start learning guitar. Loog already makes some of the best beginner-friendly instruments out there, and now they’ve teamed up with Hello Kitty to create a cheerful lineup that kids will fall in love with instantly.
The collection includes two colorful Loog Mini Acoustic guitars (in bright pink or white) plus a mini three-string version of the iconic Hello Kitty Fender Stratocaster®. All perfectly sized for small hands, and built around Loog’s genius three-string format, which helps kids learn real chords and real songs fast.
Each guitar comes with fun extras like Hello Kitty chord flashcards, picks, stickers and access to the Loog app — so every practice session becomes an interactive little adventure.
Oribel VertiPlay Magnetic Marble Run — $45 (Amazon)
This is one of those gifts kids cannot stop coming back to. The removable magnetic board transforms any wall or door into a vertical marble playground. Kids design new mazes, experiment with gravity and rebuild as often as they like, and parents love that it saves floor space.
Stickerbox — $99
Stickerbox is one of those gifts that kids cannot stop playing with. It’s the first-ever AI-powered toy that turns whatever they imagine into real stickers — seriously, anything. A dragon in a tutu? Done. A candy-colored rainbow? Printed. A dog dressed as a superhero? Instantly on a sticker sheet.
Kids dream it up, Stickerbox creates it in seconds, and then they can color, customize, trade, decorate … it becomes a whole world of creativity. It’s the perfect mix of art, tech and endless fun, and such a cool holiday gift.
Gifts for tweens and teens
BABY-G Glitter Dial Watch — $120
If you’re shopping for a tween or teen who loves accessories with personality, this BABY-G watch is such a standout. It has all the shimmer and shine they’ll want — a glittery dial, a see-through resin band, and that cool angular shape the BGD565 line is known for — but with a fresh, luxe twist. It sparkles in the best way, without feeling too “little kid.”
And the best part? It’s not just pretty. This watch is built tough: shock-resistant, water-resistant up to 100 meters, and ready for school days, sports and everything in between. It’s the perfect mix of style and function, and a gift that feels special and practical all at once.
FACTopia! — $14.99 (Amazon) | Ages 8–12+
This is such a fantastic pick for curious, fact-loving kids. FACTopia! connects 400 Britannica-verified facts in a choose-your-own-path style that keeps readers turning pages. It’s fun, surprising and there are multiple editions, so you can build a whole collection.
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