Gifts for kids in the US

Pick by age, then by who is in the room

Ages 2 to 5: wooden blocks, Magna-Tiles, a fire truck, Kinetic Sand and the Toniebox. These are toys a small child can use alone once a parent has opened the box. Keep Plus-Plus away from this group if there is a toddler in the house.

Ages 6 to 8: Exploding Kittens, Pickle Grab, the Ooze Labs chemistry station, the OOLY clay car and Plus-Plus. Kids this age like rules and winning, and a game with a short playtime goes over well with parents too.

Ages 8 to 10: the mBot, the Hydroponics Lab, the brush markers and the Skullcandy headphones. They can run a project on their own and will tell you fast if something feels babyish.

Where the money is worth it

The two big gifts we would buy are the Magna-Tiles XL set and the mBot. Magna-Tiles grow with a child from three to eight, and fifty pieces is enough for two kids to build at once. The mBot builds in about fifteen minutes and teaches block coding, but it needs batteries and a tablet or computer, so check the family has one to spare.

The Toniebox Lite is our top pick because it solves a real problem: the kid who wants the same story forty times. Extra figures cost money, so it suits a family where relatives will keep adding to it. Ask first, because nobody needs two story players.

Cheap gifts that are not junk

For a classmate's party or a stocking, stay with things that get used up or played with outside. The OOLY clay car, the Plus-Plus dinosaur tube, the motion tube, a Waboba Moon Ball and Travel Bingo all sit at the low end and none of them is plastic filler.

Watch for the catches. Air dry clay takes time to harden. The Moon Ball needs a hard surface. Travel Bingo needs a car window. The Hydroponics Lab takes weeks to grow salad. All are fine for the right kid and a letdown for one who wants results by dinner.

Shipping

Most of these ship from US shops, so normal holiday timing applies: order by early December to be safe, and earlier for anything personalised or from a small maker. Check the box for batteries on the mBot and the RC truck before you wrap them.

Questions people ask

What is a good gift for a 5-year-old?

Look for something they can use with little help. Magna-Tiles, the Plus-Plus dinosaur tube and Catan Junior all suit this age, and the Yoto Mini covers ages about 3 to 8. Avoid kits with lots of reading in the instructions. A five-year-old will want a parent nearby for anything with small parts, slime or a motor.

What can I buy a kid who has lots of toys?

Pick something that adds to what they already own or something they use up. Extra Magna-Tiles or Yoto cards add to a system already in the house. A science kit like the Hydroponics Lab or a painting book gets used and finished, so it does not add clutter. A family game also helps, because it gets played with the parents rather than stored in a bin.

Are screen-free gifts worth it for kids?

Yes, if the gift does something a screen does not. The Yoto Mini plays stories without a display, which suits bedtime and car trips. Building sets, card games and outdoor toys like the Waboba ball give kids something to do with their hands. A screen-free gift that the child finds boring will not change their habits, so match it to their interests.

How much should I spend on a gift for a child?

For a classmate's party, under $25 is normal and nobody will expect more. For a niece, nephew or grandchild, $25 to $75 buys a good game or kit. Spend more only if you have checked with the parents, especially for electronics like a story player or a console, which families often have opinions about.