2021 Holiday Gift Guide: Best Gifts for Kids

Can you believe the holidays are here already? I’m still trying to figure out how we’re in 2021 already, let alone nearing 2022. But here we are, preparing for all the magic of Christmas.

This year’s gift guide is all for the kiddos. I’ve put together some of the very best gifts for kids of all ages, from zero to teen, to help you find unique and exciting gifts for your kids, nephews, nieces, students, and any child on your list.

The 21 Best Gifts for Kids in 2021

*Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my affiliate links, I’ll receive a commission. However, this happens at no extra cost to you. All items in this post are ones that I’d personally recommend, regardless of affiliate status.

Ages 0-4

My kids are no longer at this age, but it’ll always house some of my favorite memories. Here’s what I’d be picking up this year if I still had babies and toddlers to shop for:

1. Step2 WonderBall Fun House

This Step2 playhouse is sure to be a hit for little ones who are starting to get more mobile. Plus, it can grow with them as they begin to walk and jump around. I love that it has several ways to play, from tossing balls around inside the house to experimenting with all the planks, mazes, and other fun activities.

2. Mega Bloks Shape Sorting Wagon

My son had a Mega Bloks wagon like this one when he was beginning to walk, and I’m not kidding you when I say that it went everywhere with him in this house. That one was for his Mega Blok bricks, but this shape sorting wagon targets cognitive development with its shape-sorting top and fun shapes. The best part is it can double as a carrier for your kiddo’s favorite toys.

3. Little Tikes First Fridge Refrigerator

I’m a firm believer that a kitchen set is an important piece of childhood. Maybe it’s just my nostalgia kicking in, but my kids have always loved theirs as much as I loved mine as a kid. And now there’s this Little Tikes fridge that can pair perfectly with your child’s kitchen (it even as an “ice maker!”).

4. Melissa & Doug Wooden Slice & Stack Sandwich Counter

This Slice & Stack Sandwich Counter from Melissa & Doug also makes an excellent addition to your child’s kitchen play area. I had a playset similar to this (plus tons of other Melissa & Doug toys – they’re the best) in my preschool classroom, and it was a hit for my 3-year-olds.

5. My First Crayola Touch Lights

Give little hands the gift of doodles without all the cleanup for Mom or Dad with this mess-free creativity set from Crayola. They gain motor and creative skills without using messy markers or paints, and they can stay engaged with colorful lights and fun sounds.

Ages 5-7

This age group is all about learning and exploring, so it’s an exciting age to shop for with plentiful options. Here’s what to consider this year:

6. An Epic! Books Subscription

I love, love, LOVE Epic! for kids, especially kids who don’t love to read. Epic! is a reading subscription service for kids 12 and under, so it’s good for older kids, too. But I found that it really helped my son get more interested in reading during those crucial beginning years. There are tens of thousands of books in the Epic! digital library for readers of all levels, so there’s definitely something for everyone. Your child’s teacher might even have a subscription already, and if so, ask him or her for the class code to get access.

7. Creative Kids Spin & Paint Art Kit

Remember having one of these paint spinners as a kid? I loved mine, and I love that they have a new and improved version for today’s kids. This is sure to become a favorite of any child who loves to create.

8. Osmo Kits for iPad

I’ve made my love for Osmo pretty clear, and it’s hitting my gift guide for the second year in a row. Osmo sets connect to an iPad for complete interactivity and learning. Various kits allow kids to decide how they want to play and what they want to learn. Personally, I love the Coding Starter Kit and Detective Agency, but, really, any of them are winners.

9. An Alltruists Box

There are tons of subscription boxes for kids, but none of them are quite like an Alltruists box subscription. These boxes get kids making service projects for the betterment of the world around them. Kids learn concepts like the importance of clean drinking water and how bees help our environment. Subscriptions are available every month, 3 months, 6 months, or 12 months, or you can shop by the box.

10. Razor Crazy Cart Shift

While many go-carts are geared more toward bigger kids, this one is perfectly sized for kids 6+. The Razor Crazy Cart Shift goes 8 MPH at its fastest, but you can also tone it down to just 2.5 MPH for beginner drivers.

Ages 8-12

I LOVE buying for this age group. It’s my favorite. This is when kids really begin to dig into their interests, so I feel like I can get more personal with gift-giving. My son falls in this group this year, and I’ve had a blast shopping for him for Christmas.

Here are some of the best gifts for 8-12-year-olds:

11. The LEGO Super Mario Ultimate Bundle

Super Mario enthusiasts who also love LEGO will flip over this ultimate bundle from LEGO, which features FIVE Super Mario building sets. Your kiddo will get a total of 16 Super Mario figures in addition to the fun and interactive building sets.

12. CodaKid’s Roblox or Minecraft Coding Class

If you have a kid in this age group, there’s a good chance they love Minecraft, Roblox, or both. In that case, gift them a coding bundle from CodaKid, which teaches them how to make Roblox games or Minecraft mods through self-paced, interactive courses.

13. Discovery #MINDBLOWN Maze Planter

Kids who love science will have a blast growing their own plants with this Discovery Maze Planter. The kit includes all the essentials to get your plants growing, but you’ll need seeds and soil to start.

14. A KiwiCo Subscription

KiwiCo is my all-time favorite subscription service for kids. The company has boxes for kids of all ages (even adults can get in on the action!), making it the perfect gift-giving solution for a family. I especially love the crates designed for kids in this age group, like the brand-new Yummy Crate and the creative Doodle Crate. My son has been so excited to get his Atlas Crate in the mail each month, and this Christmas, I’m adding the Tinker Crate to his rotation.

If you’re buying a subscription for your littles, snag free shipping too!

Did you miss my review of KiwiCo? If so, check it out!

15. What Do You Meme? Family Edition

What Do You Meme? is one of the funniest games to play during a friends and family get-together, but it’s not quite kid-friendly. That’s why this family version is the perfect stocking stuffer for kids 8+. Get everyone laughing as they match pictures to funny sayings to create new “memes.”

16. Squad Hero Rechargeable Laser Tag

Have your child invite some friends over and get into a game of laser tag with this rechargeable laser tag kit for up to four players. The set includes a charging station, laser guns, vests, and ammo — everything you need for a show-down.

Ages 13+

There’s nothing I dread more than buying gifts for teenagers because I truly dislike gifting gift cards (SO impersonal) but they’re outgrowing the toy phase at this point. However, these gifts are totally teenager-approved.

17. Oculus Quest 2

Shhh…Don’t tell anyone, but my teen is getting the Oculus Quest 2 this year, and I’m pretty excited about it. I love technology with a purpose, and this VR headset has one. There are all kinds of games and apps that get you moving, like fitness apps and dance games. Plus, you can download apps that take you on a journey around the world, right from your home.

18. 3Doodler Create+

Let your doodler create outside the box with this 3D doodling pen, which brings their imagination to life, quite literally.

19. NSI Wood Burning Kit

This woodburning kit is something completely different for teens to enjoy. Who knows — they might just find a new passion!

20. Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Holiday Bundle

The Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 is complete nostalgia for us, but super fun for them. This bundle brings back the days of instantly developed photos with the Instax Mini 11 camera, a mini photo album, instant film sheets, photo stands, and a photo clipboard.

 

21. Wireless Bluetooth Beanie

If your teen doesn’t yet have a pair of earbuds that are permanently attached to their ears, try this wireless Bluetooth beanie. Not only does it look stylish, but it also has all the capabilities necessary to listen to music and answer phone calls entirely hands-free.

2021 Holiday Gift Guide: The Best Gifts for Kids

There you have it: the best gifts for kids of all ages this holiday season. I’d love to also find out what you’re gifting your kiddos this year, so please leave a comment down below and let me know!