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Jingle All the Way to Kid-Approved Gifts

Finding gifts that children will enjoy beyond Christmas morning can be more challenging than it seems. Gift cards to Barnes & Noble or other family-friendly stores, such as the LEGO Store or a local craft or game shop, are always a dependable choice, but choosing toys and activities that hold a child's interest is often harder. With that in mind, we asked our staff - parents of toddlers, young children, tweens, and teens - to share the gifts that have truly lasted in their homes.


Here is a curated list of kid-approved gifts that our staff has found to be genuinely enjoyed and often reached for.


Note: For convenience, we’ve included links to some of the products mentioned in this post. These are not affiliate links, and we do not earn any commission from them. They are simply here to make it easier for you to find the items our staff referenced.



Toddlers (1–3 Years)


These gifts bring together fun and early learning - two things that toddlers (and parents) appreciate:

  • Yoto Mini, a screen-free audio player with a wide range of content (highly popular!)

  • TonieBox, another well-loved audio storytelling system

  • Wooden children’s coffee maker for imaginative play

  • Lovevery toy boxes, known for high-quality, developmentally appropriate toys

  • Baby doll stroller and highchair

  • Weighted stuffed animals for comfort

  • Dress-up shoes for imaginative play


Preschoolers (3–6 Years)


Preschoolers thrive on hands-on and imaginative play. Staff favorites for this age group include:

  • Little Adventures princess dresses

  • Frozen-themed Magna-Tiles

  • Baby dolls and carriers

  • Nerf bow sets

  • Beginner sports sets

  • Puzzles

  • Early board games for family play


Kids (7–10 Years)


Parents on our team highlighted these items as consistent hits for school-age children:

  • Art and craft kits

  • Catholic graphic novels

  • Science and experiment kits

  • Nex Playground for active indoor play

  • Retro tabletop Pac-Man games

  • Engaging book series



Teens


Gift cards to favorite stores or food spots, along with EXIT escape-room style puzzle games, tend to be popular with both teen girls and boys, making them dependable, all-purpose choices. Still, teens can be more challenging to shop for, so here are several specific gifts that have been well received across families on our team.


Teen Girls

  • Makeup or skincare sets

  • Candles

  • Owala water bottles


Teen Boys & Tweens

  • Nintendo Switch games

  • Sports equipment

  • Nerf bow sets

  • Matchbox playsets (younger tweens)

  • Tabletop arcade games



Experience Gifts


Experience-based gifts were repeatedly recommended by our staff, especially for families trying to limit toy accumulation while still offering something meaningful. Consider:

  • Zoo memberships

  • Aquarium passes

  • Science or discovery center memberships

  • Indoor playground memberships

These gifts offer year-round value and create opportunities for shared experiences.



Final Thoughts

Every idea in this guide comes directly from our team - parents who have seen firsthand which gifts become long-lasting favorites and which ones support meaningful, imaginative play. We hope this helps simplify your Christmas shopping and provides a few new ideas for the children and teens in your life.



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