Knowing what to buy the kids this Christmas can be really hard, especially if they haven’t asked for anything specific, or they already seem to have everything and you’re running out of unique ideas. Whatever the reason, if you’re looking for some inspiration for what to buy the kids this Christmas then check out our list of suggestions below that range from birth through to high schoolers.
From birth to age 2
A Soft Toy
Babies and toddlers love to experience the world through their senses, especially touch which is why soft toys are always so popular. They offer comfort, joy, sensory opportunities and the introduction of imaginary play.
We particularly love this light grey elephant from My 1st Years which can also be personalised, for free, with the babies name inside the ear making it a great keepsake for years to come.
If you are looking for a soft toy for a slighty older baby or toddler then one toy brand that we are particularly fond of is Lamaze. The My Friend Jasmine Doll is perfect for a Christmas gift, not only is she beautiful, colourful and super soft she also comes with crinkly legs, different fabrics and a rattle for extra play options and additional sensory benefits as well as a a clip so that she can be securely attached to the pram or car seat when out and about.
Bath Toys
Bath time is a super fun time for the under twos. They love to splash and experiment with water so bath toys make great gifts. This Peppa Pig one is sure to be a big hit with both the boys and the girls as it features Grandpa Pig and Peppa on board the boat. Both the characters are removable for play and both can be used as squirters too. The deck is also removable and can be used to sift and sieve water and transfer it onto the moveable steering wheel in the middle of the boat, offering lots of play and explorative options for little ones.
The 3-4 year olds
For those aged between three and four you can usually start to focus on their likes and dislikes a little bit more, such as favourite cartoon characters, animals or careers. That being said lots of people will do the same and the child may well end up with duplicate gifts or something they may soon go off if they get bored of that particular theme. For that reason I have chosen a few different ideas that I think all 3-4 year olds will love.
Wooden Toys
I am a big fan of wooden toys. They are more eco-friendly than plastic ones and they also look nicer and seem a little bit more special when bought as a gift. Here are two that I particularly like for pre schoolers.
Kidoki Teeter Totter shapes
This wooden game is just adorable. The shapes and colours will really appeal to the children and the activity of getting the pieces to balance are great for developing fine motor skills and hand eye co-ordination, not to mention when everything falls down it usually results in giggles. The Teeter Totter shapes is also a relatively small game and doesn’t require much room to play which makes it a great one for taking with you when visiting friends or family or going out for a meal to keep them occupied at the table.
Creative fun
Creative fun is great for pre schoolers as it can help build their finger dexterity and enhance their imagination too. This Gabby’s Dollshouse Dough Doll House set is the cutest and comes with
- 1x House,
- 2x Character Moulds,
- 3x Dough Pots,
- 2x Tools,
- 1x Sticker Sheet,
- 5x Rods for Balloons
Perfect for decorating the inside and outside of Gabby’s Dollhouse. Just like Gabby, they can be imaginative and have fun shaping, moulding, and making their own creations
Headphones
If your three-year-old is a fan of music, youtube, or cartoons then wireless headphones can be a great gift for them and a sanity saver for the parents too. The Buddyphones wireless headphones give you the peace of mind that they can’t accidently get themselves tangled up in wires as well as reassuring you that they won’t damage their ears as they have a safe audio option. It also means that when screen time is a must, like travelling on long journeys, you don’t need to listen to Peppa pig or Cocomelon on repeat. The Buddyphones POP wireless headphones come in four different colours each one with an additional four designs that can be swapped on changed on the outside of the ear covering, so there is something for everyone from animals to DJ’s, patterns to plain colours.
Books
Books always make brilliant gifts if you ask me and I’m Going To Eat A Polar Bear is no exception. It’s seasonal as in it’s set in the north pole to start but not festive enough to only be read at Christmas, instead your child will want to read this all year round, over and over again.
In this book you and your little one will meet a little penguin who is super hungry but totally bored of eating fish. An older penguin recalls hearing of a fluffy creature called a ‘bolar pear’, so the little penguin sets off on an adventurous mission to find and eat this ‘mystery’ creature. On arrival at the North Pole, the penguin can’t see a polar bear anywhere and eventually turns back home, hungry as ever. Little does penguin know that an equally hungry polar bear is following right behind..
If you’re looking for a more festive book then How Many Sleeps Until Christmas? is a lovely (and very relatable) one. Written by Rebecca Patterson and illustrated by Luciano Lozano it tells the story of a little girl and her very excitable countdown to Christmas.
Clothing
Blade & Rose
If you are wanting to buy clothes for your 3-4 year old (or other ages) then again I urge you to check out Blade and Rose. Not only do they have the festive range featured above but they also have lots of everyday designs including this lovely unicorn set. Their leggings are so soft and comfy and don’t restrict movement at all so great for those that love to run, jump and climb all day long.
Another option when it comes to clothing is a super soft dressing gown like this one fro My 1st Years which is available in a variety of different colours and can also be personalised with the child’s name. It is available in sizes 0-6 months up to age 7-8.
Games
Who doesn’t love a good game at Christmas, especially one the whole family can enjoy. Walk like a chicken is aimed at those aged 3 and over and promises to be lots of fun. Hilarious hide & seek activity game for the whole family, complete with funny walks. Race to find tokens in this totally wacky preschool game for 2 or more players. Have an adult hide the pieces around the house or yard, then start the scavenger hunt. But there’s a clever catch – whatever token you’re looking for, that’s the way you have to move! From hopping like a kangaroo to zooming like an airplane, you’ve never looked so silly! With 18 funny cards, this smart game is a great way to get little ones active.
Computer Games
If your little one has a games console, or there is one in the home they can use, then you may be surprised to learn that there is a good selection of computer games aimed at those aged 3 and over.
Bluey The Videogame is perfect for Bluey fans as they get to play a brand-new story set across 4 interactive adventures. They can explore iconic locations, play games like keepy uppy and lots more. It can also be played with up to 4 players so you can join in with them too.
Barbie Project Friendship allows your Barbie fan to explore Malibu, play music as Barbie on the bog stage and even team up with other characters in mini games. This can be a 1-2 player so again you can always join in the fun this Christmas too.
The 5-8 year olds
The 5-8 year olds are our infant aged children. School is now a big part of their life and so too are their friends, so getting the right presents can sometimes be easier as they are full of tales about what their friends are asking for. But if you are still stuck for ideas here are a few suggestions.
A scooter
Scooters are great unisex gifts. Kids can use them on their own or when meeting up with friends and practising tricks, skills and racing each other. They have even been know to make the school run a lot easier too! The Xootz Stunt Scooter -Shred 2.0 Teal from Skates is perfect for those aged between 6 and 12, it is lightweight has a 360 degree bar spin and is great for beginners.
Cooper the STEM Robot
This is a great educational toy that teaches STEM subjects completely disguised as fun! Coding is big in the world today and it’s only set to get bigger and more important as the years advance so why not give your little one a head start with Cooper the STEM Robot. Cooper the STEM Robot brings coding to life through fun, interactive features and 100% screen-free play by allowing young learners to program using four directional buttons, creating code sequences that come to life with the press of the “Go” button. The set includes1 robot, 1 play ball, 1 charger cable, and 40 coding cards giving you hours of entertinament.
Boards games
Board games are another great gift idea for those aged between 5-8. Especially if you opt for games that you can enjoy as a family. Board games offer lots of benefits to kids including fun and family time but also lessons on turn taking, being a gracious winner and loosing without a tantrum! Lessons that may take a while to learn but will be worth it in the end. Here are a couple of recommendations for games this Christmas.
Peek-A-Zoo Bingo Game
The Peek-A-Zoo Bingo game by Kikkerland is perfect for those aged 5 and over. The aim of the game is to identify the animal peeking through the whole and be the first to complete a line to win. It’s a fun game that will help children improve their animal recognition, reflex and attention skills all whilst plating with their friends or family.
Match the Mermaid
Match the Mermaids is a game aimed at those aged 4 and over. It is a memory game where the players must tun over two cards at a time and try and match the merfolk. However, unlike some memory games the matching cards aren’t identical, instead they are similar with two merfolk’s from the same region so you really do have to pay attention. This game is beautifully illustrated and for the older mermaid lovers it also comes with a lovely little booklet that tells you all about the mermaids.
Style 4 Ever Diamond Art LED Case – £19.99
Or how about this Diamond Art LED Case that brings hours of fun. They can choose their favourite design and decorate the pictures with the diamond technique by placing the diamonds on one by one. The set includes over 1500 diamonds! Your little ones an also use the light-up drawing board to draw and trace using the 6 colour pens or create diamond stickers.
Slime sets are so much fun and So Slime Sensations Sugary Crush Street Food – Create. Decorate. Crush. Repeat is fantastic.
Your little one can cook up some seriously squishy delights including; pizza, tacos, and hamburger, or create their own tasty-looking dishes from scratch. They can then decorate each one with slimy toppings before starting all over again. Designed for those aged 6 and over.
A personalised Bag
This personalised cat bag from My 1st Years is simply adorable and the perfect gift for any 5-8 year old who hast started to show an interest in fashion and taking all their worldly belongings with them every time they leave the house.
Books
Bluey First Ever Piano Book
If your little one is starting to learn how to play the piano then this is the perfect gift for them (and their parents too). Bluey: First Ever Piano Book has been designed to help children begin their piano journey through playful games from the world of Bluey. This beautifully illustrated book makes learning fun and accessible for beginners so kids and their grown-ups can learn together . The book contains 40-pages of Bluey fun, with practical activities, recognisable characters and the steps needed to learn how to play fan-favourite tunes from the show, including the catchy Bluey theme tune. It also comes with a page of colourful illustrated stickers which are sure to be a hit with the kids too.
If you are looking for more seasonal books then I recommend Joy To The Whole World by Lucy Brownridge and Sang Miao. This book is festive, fun and educational as it allows your child to learn about all the different ways Christmas is celebrated around the world with lots of fascinating facts and liftable flaps.
Secrets From The North Pole is another beautifully festive book that is perfect for those aged between 5-8. It has been written by Santa’s Head Elf and Saskia Gwinn and illustrated by Daria Danilova and it takes you to every corner of the North Pole, stopping off at the workshop to see how the toys are made, visiting the reindeers in their paddock and seeing the post office where all your letters come in. It will reveal the science behind reindeer flight, show you just how Santa’s suit is designed, uncover all the curious jobs of the Christmas elves and even let you in on some elf magic.
The 9-11 year olds
Nine to 11 year olds, the juniors, the tweens, call them what you will they are by far the hardest age to buy for in my opinion. Too old and too cool for most toys but most likely too young for the things they actually ask for. But fear not we do have a few suggestions.
Jewellery
Jewellery can make for a very special gift and a thoughtful keepsake and Little Stars specialise in jewellery for children with pieces that are small enough to fit but still mature and stylish enough to make them feel grown up when wearing it. They have a number of beautiful pieces to choose from for both boys and girls and many of the options can also be personalised.
One of my favourite pieces from their collection is the India Necklace, as it is a simple yet stylish heart pendant on a chain, not too big or heavy for children but still big enough for them to know their friends can see it.
Personalised light
As they are starting to find their style and interests a personalised light from Laser Made Occasions might be just the thing. You can pick a design you know they will love such as a football shirt, a cricket set, musical instruments, animals and so much more and then have it personalised with their name. This can then be displayed in their room where they will be able to use a remote control to change the colours to match their mood or interior.
Games
One hilarious family friendly game is What Do You Meme? (family edition). You will all be presented with the same photo and using the cards you have you need to battle to select the funniest caption to create the best meme. With 300 captions and 65 photos there are so many potential combinations to be made that you are sure to have hours of fun playing this.
Karate Cats & Kung Fu Dogs
Another game aimed at the over 8’s is Karate Cats & Kung Fu Dogs. This game is a furiously fast card game where you will need to have your wits about you to be able to get rid of all your cards the quickest and karate chop any piles of three when needed. This is a game that is sure to end in laughter and lots of martial arts practice.
Style 4 Ever Fashion Designer Studio
If you know a child that is a budding fashion designer then the Fashion Designer Studio is perfect for them. It has everything they need to create hot new looks, all in one place! They can select their favourite fabric, choose colours and create their final designs with the stencils or draw their own.It’s a one-stop shop for creative design!
Sweets
Most kids love sweets and whether you buy these as their main gift or as an add on they will be sure to put a smile on their face. Swizzels would be our sweet of choice, not only do they have all the nostalgia of party bags from the 90’s but they also taste great, are vegan friendly and have a great choice for everyone.
The high schoolers!
If you are shopping for a high schooler then I wish you the best of luck! Aside from all things electronic, gaming or make up related we have come up with a couple of other suggestions for you.
Clothing
Teenagers are often starting to become aware of their own style, they know the brands they like (and don’t like), what’s cool and what isn’t but they don’t always have the funds to back this up. So, whilst gifting clothes may seem a bit boring, if you get the brand and style right chances are your gift will be one of their favourite and definitely one of the ones they get the most use out of. One brand that is popular at the moment is Helly Hansen who have a range of products covering all budgets from beanies to coats and everything in between. We particularly like these Crewline polo shirts that are available in sizes XS-2XL, so perfect for teenagers and you can choose from 4 different colours.
Mobile Phone
Once the kids hit high school a mobile phone is top of their list if they haven’t already got one, and to be fair now they are traveling to and from school alone, going out with their mates after school and at weekends and maybe even going to extra curriculum clubs without you to chances are they will need one for safety reasons. If you are thinking of treating your teenager to a phone then I can recommend the TLC 36O. You can purchase it on a contract or as sim only whatever works best for you.
The TLC 360 is great for teenagers as it has
- 6.52″ V-Notch screen
- 2 day battery life (usage dependant)
- Tripple rear camera
- 5MP Front camera with HDR and Auto Capture
- Face recognition
- Fingerprint sensors
Phone accessories
If you are buying your teenager a phone this year then accessories will make for great stocking fillers, table gifts or gifts from family members.
A phone stand
Another great gift idea for the tech savvy teenagers is a phone stand and this one from Kikkerland is perfect at only £10. It enables them to use their phone hands free, perfect for streaming or taking endless selfies, it can be adjusted up to 45 degrees, has space to connect the phone charger and an anti-slip weighted tray at the bottom for bits and pieces like their headphone case.
Computer and phone accessories
If your looking for a phone stand with a bit more colour and character and your child is a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle fan these are a must buy this Christmas. They are available in all 4 turtle characters plus a larger Shredder, designed to hold games controllers, earpods, watches and phones. They are a great way to personalise your child’s room with their favourite characters in a more mature and grown up way.
Headphones
A gift that can be just as much for you as for them is headphones, especially if they have just got their first phone and want to listen to youtube shorts on repeat! If you are thinking of headphones as a gift then we can recommend the Canyon True Wireless Headset. These wireless headphones are designed for those who are constantly on the move and love to listen to music in high quality playback. The latest version of Bluetooth 5.3 ensures stable pairing both with the audio source and between the right and left earbuds. They also have an operating time of up to 7.5 hours and they can be paired with a second BT TWS speaker for immersive stereo sound experience. The headset also allows you to receive phone calls and use voice assistant without touching your smartphone. Available in a range of colours you will be sure to find one your teenager loves. Available from Game and Morrisons.
Studio Creator Hollywood Mirror
If your child is a wannabe content creator, a skincare and makeup lover or beauty beginner then the Studio Creator Hollywood Mirror: Get Ready With Me Set will be the ultimate gift this year. This desk-top setup for offers flawless lighting, hands-free filming and effortless organisation.It has three lighting modes, adjustable brightness, a 360° phone holder and a detachable accessory tray, perfect for filming Get Ready With Me videos, make up tutorials, and taking perfect selfies.
Insulated Tumbler with Straw
Insulated tumblers with straws are all the rage with pre teens and teenagers these days and the ones from Klean Kanteen are brilliant and affordable! It holds 36oz of liquid and the lid features straw compatible opening and flip function for two ways to sip and drink. They are currently available in three colours
- Ice Blue
- Orchid Bloom
- Tofu
Jewellery
If you are looking for a gift they can keep then jewellery is a lovely idea, especially as more and more boys are also wearing chains and earrings these days too. One of my favourite places to go for jewellery is Bloom Boutique as they have some gorgeous pieces that are really unique as well as some lovely personalised pieces too. Their jewellery makes great gifts and is a lot more affordable then it looks. If you are shopping for a teenager then how about these Mini Crystal Huggie Hoop earings? They feature a dainty hoop, inset with crystals, with a latch fastening. These earrings are designed to sit close to the earlobe for a neat, comfortable fit. The perfect addition to any jewellery collection.
Stitch Collectable
Lots of teenagers are now into the blind box collectables and these Disney Lilo and Stitch ones from MINISO are simply adorable and perfect for Disney lovers. There are 7 to collect and each box contains a randomly selected Stitch on vacation. The element of surprise is a great way to bring back the magic of Christmas to your teenagers Christmas morning once again.
Books
The perfect book for a high schooler is a Little People Big Dreams book. They are brilliant books that tell the life story of a given inspirational person in an easy to understand way with beautiful illustrations, making them educational, inspirational and a book to be cherished forever. You can choose from your child’s favourite sports star to their most loved historical icon. From scientists to Politicians, singers to actors and the biggest contributors to our society from years gone by.
A family Game
Some times the best gifts are the gifts of time and a family game means a family games night, so why not treat them to Tension. This great game challenges players to name ten things in a given category before time runs out. From naming favourite biscuits to world landmarks, this fast-paced naming game is fun, competitive and completely addictive, the perfect test of who really knows their stuff around the table.
You may also like
7 Christmas activities your teenager will love