The Only Christmas Gifts for Kids’ Guide You’ll Need This Holiday Season (2024)

The Only Christmas Gifts for Kids’ Guide You’ll Need This Holiday Season (1)

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We all love getting ahead of the game when it comes to holiday prep. If you’re looking to do some early Christmas shopping, just choose a few of these winners from our carefully curated list of Christmas gifts for kids.

I spoke with people on the ground (kids) about what’s new, wanted, and popular, and the answers are telling. Kids are amped about all things Inside Out, but they’re also really into karaoke, gaming, and pretend play. Crafting is seeing a big tick-up, with kids wanting tie-dye kits and fun coloring sets. And for teens, things like Nike Air Force Ones are a hot item they will love.

From imaginative-play toys like the Ada Twist Kit that encourage your kids to step away from their screens and get immersed into a new, magical world, to classic throwback toys created with an all-new audience in mind, we found all of the toys and games that your kid will want to get their hands on this year. Here are the best Christmas gifts for kids in 2024 that we guarantee they’ll love to play with (and will make you wish you were a kid again!).

1

Fun for the Whole Family

Hawaiian Shaved Ice Snow Cone and Shaved Ice Machine

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Help your kiddos make shaved ice, snow cones, snowballs, slushies — and margaritas for the parents — with this Hawaiian Shaved Ice machine! It’s easy to clean, small enough to fit under your kitchen cabinet, and makes the most delicious cold desserts.

More: Kids Want Their Stockings Stuffed With the Coolest Toys

2

STEAM Soothing

Discovery Kids Space Projector

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Planetarium projectors are not all equal. Discovery Kids proves that with their Space Projector. On top, it’s a space projector, similar to many others. But what makes it stand out is the viewer on the bottom, which has three different sets of slides that project images like planets, constellations, and galaxies. This gift for kids doubles as an interactive STEAM experience and a nightlight.

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3

Very Cool Engine Toy

iPlay, iLearn Large Truck Engine Toy

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There’s something really cool about being able to take apart and put an engine back together again, and iPlay, iLearn has figured out how to distill that into the easiest-to-use toy with this truck engine. It comes with the front end of a truck, engine parts, and tools — and kids absolutely love getting to work on it!

4

For the Budding Artist

Coodoo Water Marbling Paint for Kids

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Now 32% Off

Even if you’ve never heard of water marbling, I guarantee your kids have seen videos of people marbling everything from iPhone cases to Nikes. It’s a popular art form online, and kids are aching to learn how to do it. Indulge that desire with this all-inclusive kit from Coodoo.

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I got to play this game, and I can tell you that it is really fun. Imagine if you could make cornhole less like a chore and into an actual game you and your kids will want to play — that's this game. Similar properties, 100% more volcanic eruptions of laughter.

6

Best for Pet Lovers

Mewaii Long Cat Plush Black Body Pillow

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Axolotl amphibians are really having a moment — kids are super clued into their cuteness and darling personalities. However, not everyone has the space or patience to take care of one. The solution? Axolotl accessories for the win, like this adorable 28-inch long axolotl body pillow. All the cuteness of the animal, none of the responsibilities.

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7

Throwdown Ready

National Geographic Pottery Wheel for Kids

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The delight this brings to children is straight-up off the charts. It’s a real pottery wheel set that even young children can use and understand. It comes with everything they need to start throwing pots and bowls. And I wouldn’t be lying if I told you that I am as into this toy as the kids.

8

Best Robot Toy

Educational Insights Artie 3000 The Coding Robot

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Artie 3000 is a friendly little robot that allows your kids to draw program-specific design patterns using intuitive drag-and-drop software. This gift for kids doesn’t even require Wi-Fi to create super cool designs.

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9

For Slime Enthusiasts

Elmer’s Celebration Slime Kit

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I’ve made a ton of slime in the past few years, and this kit is the easiest, best, and most exciting slime kit. It’s also the easiest to clean up, as it's reasonably water-soluble. Anyone who has tried to get slime out of fabric knows how important that is. Plus, look at all those sparkles that are already contained and not all over your floor!

10

Retro Classic

Basic Fun Lite-Brite Ultimate Classic Retro Toy

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Parents, raise your hand if you owned a Lite-Brite or wanted to as a kid. This classic toy will bring back all of the feels when you watch your kiddo play with it.

This throwback toy has gotten a few major upgrades. With a bigger and brighter screen and more pegs, your kiddo will spend hours creating different sparkling designs.

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11

Best for Readers

Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition (32 GB)

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Amazon’s first full-color paperwhite-style Kindle does not disappoint. Kids who love to read will be bowled over by the clarity of the colors and pages combined with the ability to read in any light condition. It’s perfect for the kid who always has a book in their hand but is running out of shelf space.

12

For Sleeping Soundly

Bearaby Nappling

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For kids preschool and up, sleeping can be really hard. One way to help them is a weighted blanket. The sensory input can really change the way they relax at night or at nap time. (We use this very model with our own kids!)

The Bearaby Nappling is a lightly-weighted blanket that never splits, has the softest cover, and is actually really gorgeous in person.

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13

Creative Play Abounds

Heypappy Tangram Puzzles Kids Play Couch

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Now 16% Off

At the cross-section of puzzles and pretend play lives the tangram puzzles couch. It takes the idea of a play couch and turns it up a notch, including shape play with it. Kids can create any number of fun shapes and play areas with the set and at the end of the day, it all fits back in its soft cube that could double as a ball pit.

14

A Silly Winner

Just Play Sesame Street Chicken Dance Elmo

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One of our 2024 Toy of the Year winners, Chicken Dance Elmo will be the hit of your house. He’s 100% ridiculous, and that’s the best thing about him. When you squeeze his belly, he sings, “Elmo wants to be a chicken. Elmo wants to be a duck, cluck cluck cluck cluck!” while dancing. It’s so silly and wonderful.

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15

See Their Name in Lights

OBTAIN Custom Neon Signs

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With surprisingly fast delivery, you can get the kid on your list a fab custom neon name sign. Just fill out the form on Amazon, pick the color, and you’re off to the races. It’s a sweet gift with a big impact.

16

Best VR Value

Meta Quest 3S 128GB

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So your kid wants a VR system, but you took one look at the price and your insides turned to jelly? Been there. Then Meta made the Quest 3S, a more affordable model for everyday fun. It still has all the games you want, with access to videos, music, and more, but at a much lower price point. Plus, when you buy it, you get 3 years of the premium subscription for free.

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17

The Gift of Creativity

Lego Classic Medium Creative Brick Box

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This is really the gift of imagination. A huge box of all different sizes of Lego, ready to build their own world — or just a bunch of square buildings like we did as kids. Get your little brickhead all they need to start their obsession.

18

Best New Blind Toy

Beast Lab Stealth Strike Big Cat Beast Creato

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Moose Toys makes some of the most innovative toys every year — and their unique cauldrons, genie bottles, and crystal balls have all been huge hits. This year, they’re getting into a more monstrous angle with the beast lab creator. With this gift, your kids can pour in the ingredients, follow the directions, and then poof! The liquid swirls, lights up, and the beast magically appears — but there's more! That beast goes into beast mode, and you’ll have to work to calm him. The best part? You can do it over and over again.

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19

A Classic Choice

Sofa Sack Bean Bag Chair

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Now 16% Off

A right of childhood should be the ability to fling oneself angrily or happily into a bean bag chair and gossip with your friends. I did it, you likely did it, and both of my kids have done it. It's the perfect place to land as a kid in need of a good game or chat sesh.

20

On-Trend Game

Hasbro Don’t Step In It Game: Unicorn Edition

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The Only Christmas Gifts for Kids’ Guide You’ll Need This Holiday Season (31)

Now 22% Off

Do your best to avoid the pile of number two (while blindfolded!), and you might be number one. Roll out the game mat and use the spinner to determine how many piles of magic unicorn poo will be placed on the mat. You can laugh, talk, jump, walk, or run as you make your way — but whatever you do, don't step in it.

P.S. This toy's availability fluctuates, so do your best to snag it when you can!

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Cat Bowen

Senior Editor for Commerce, Reviews

Cat Bowen has been covering parenting and home for over a decade. At Best Products, she has tested hundreds of products for parents and for the home, often spending dozens of hours per product to ensure her reviews are accurate and informative. Prior to joining the team, she was at Romper where she covered everything from breastfeeding to child sleep habits to abortion rights access. You can find her work on Bustle, Romper, and more. Cat is a bit of an intellectual magpie and perpetual student, most recently receiving a graduate degree in gender studies where she examined a topic that vexes so many — pockets in women’s clothing.

The Only Christmas Gifts for Kids’ Guide You’ll Need This Holiday Season (2024)
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