Holiday Gift Guides
The Best Gifts for Kids in 2026
As a mom of three, I’ve purchased a lot of toys over the years. I’ve learned which ones get played with on Christmas morning and which ones are still in heavy rotation by spring. This gift guide has all of my favorite gifts in 2026, and are ones that kids of all ages will love. These are the best gifts for kids in 2026: toys, games, and gift ideas my own kids love, plus the ones I keep buying for birthday parties and friends.
You’ll find everything from LEGO sets and board games to craft kits, STEM toys, and a few screen-free favorites, organized by price so it’s easy to shop. If you’re shopping for a specific stage, I also have gift guides for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and little kids, big kids, and teens.
The Best Gifts for Kids
My kids have a lot of toys. Too many, if I’m being honest. So when I buy toys, I tend to be pretty picky. I want things that get played with long after the wrapping paper is cleaned up and that won’t fall apart by February. Everything on this list has earned its spot, and are what I think are the hottest toys of 2026.
This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase something using my links, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you.Â
The Best Gifts for Kids $25 and Under
The Best Gifts for Kids Under $50
The Best Gifts for Kids Under $100
The Best Gifts for Kids Over $100
Peekimo Interactive Pet
If your child has been asking for a pet, this interactive stuffed toy (that can be worn as a necklace or bag charm) is a great place to start. It reacts when kids play with it, so it feels a little more alive than a regular plush. It’s one of the most popular kids’ gifts this season and an easy pick for a birthday party or stocking stuffer. My kids tested this one and absolutely love it.
Crayola Globbles
These squishy little balls stick to everything, and are so fun and satisfying to squish. They’re a great fidget toy, and are loved by all three. My friend gifted them to her 13 year-olds, and they were a huge hit with her teens, too!
Starbox LED Animal Home Scenes
These light-up scenes are tiny, cozy worlds kids can arrange and display on a shelf or nightstand. They’re perfect for little girls and boys who love to collect figurines and set up their own scenes.
Crayola Airbrush Art Kit
This kit turns regular markers into an airbrush, so kids can spray color onto stencils and paper for a professional-looking result. It’s a fun way to make art and one of the best craft kits for elementary school kids.
Slimygloop Gelli Gels Squishies
Squishy, satisfying, and very fun to hold, these have been a huge hit with my kids. I love squishies because they don’t take up much space, and they’re both fun and affordable. They’re great gifts for kids who love sensory toys, and the price makes them easy to add to a stocking.
Clickeez Fidget Keyboard Keys
These clicky keyboard keys give kids (and adults) the satisfying feel of a keyboard in a pocket-sized fidget. They’re collectible, so kids can trade and swap with friends. My girls are obsessed with them, and keep their collection on a Clickeez keyboard.
Melissa & Doug Cheery Lane Vehicle Play Set
I love Melissa & Doug’s line of toys. These wooden vehicles are made for imaginative play and hold up to years of use. They pair perfectly with the Cheery Lane house further down. Younger kids get great practice with fine motor skills as they move and load each piece.
Hasbro Hypershot Game
Hypershot is a fast-paced game the whole family can jump into. The object of the game is simple enough for little kids to pick up quickly, but it’s competitive enough that the adults get into it too.
Bitzee Virtual Aquarium
This is a digital aquarium kids care for and interact with using touch and motion. It brings back the virtual pet fun we loved as kids, and it’s great for kids who want fish without the tank cleaning.
LEGO Dollhouse Suitcase
This dollhouse build closes up like a suitcase, so kids can take it from the play room to grandma’s house. Building it is great for problem-solving skills, and then it becomes a toy they’ll play with for months.
Melissa & Doug Ice Cream Play Set
Pretend scoops, cones, and toppings make this a favorite for younger kids who love to play shop. It’s a fun way to practice counting, taking turns, and fine motor skills, and it looks adorable in a play room.
Jellycat
I’ve yet to meet a kid who doesn’t love plushies, and Jellycat stuffies are some of the softest out there. These are one of those gift ideas that work for almost any age range, from babies to teens.
Evereden Foam Body Wash
A practical gift that kids actually get excited about. This foaming body wash makes bath time more fun, and it’s a sweet addition to Christmas gifts for little girls or a stocking.
KPop Demon Hunters Dolls
If your kids watched KPop Demon Hunters on repeat last year, these Mattel dolls will be a hit. They’re perfect for kids who love action figures and dolls, and they’re one of the most-requested gifts this season.
East Point Arcade Basketball Game
This brings the arcade home, and it’s one of those games I actually enjoy playing with my kids.
BRIO Flora Flower House Set
BRIO makes beautiful, durable toys, and this flower house set is full of charming details. It’s a lovely gift for younger kids who love building little worlds and telling stories with their toys.
CrunchLabs Crunchinator
From Mark Rober’s CrunchLabs, this STEM toy has kids build something that actually works. It’s a great gift for older kids who love engineering, and it builds real problem-solving skills while they play.
Melissa & Doug Cheery Lane House Play Set
This sweet wooden house is a dream for imaginative play. Pair it with the vehicle set above for an especially great gift that younger kids will play with for years.
Nerf Bounce and Score
This high-energy Nerf game is perfect for kids who want something active. It makes a great birthday party gift and gets siblings playing together.
BaubleBar Bead Kit
Bracelet making is still huge with elementary school kids, and this BaubleBar kit is one of the prettiest craft kits around. It’s perfect for kids who love creative projects, and stringing beads builds fine motor skills. Plus, kids end up with jewelry they’ll wear and trade with friends.
Magna-Tiles Magnetic Building Tiles
Magna-Tiles are one of those iconic toys that have earned their reputation, and they’ve been played with daily in our house for years. They work for a huge age range, from toddlers stacking towers to older kids building elaborate structures, and they’re great for problem-solving skills.
Kodak Printomatic Camera
This instant camera prints photos right away, which kids love. It’s a fun way to get kids off screens and capturing memories, and it’s a great gift for older kids and tweens.
Pajamas
Lake makes some of the softest pajamas out there, and they wash beautifully. Matching sets for the whole family are great choices for the best Christmas morning photos.
Weezie Plush Bathrobe
A plush bathrobe feels like such a treat, and Weezie’s are incredibly cozy. Add their name or monogram to make it a meaningful gift they’ll use every day.
Stickerbox Sticker Printer
Kids say what they want a sticker of, and Stickerbox prints it out to color in with their favorite art supplies. It’s a screen-free, creative gift my kids are obsessed with, and it works for a wide age range.
Boppo Screen-Free Tablet
For parents looking to cut back on screen time, a screen-free tablet gives kids something to engage with without the endless scrolling. It’s a smart gift for younger kids who want a “device” of their own.
SkootCase Scooter Suitcase
Kids travel with a lot of stuff, and this ride-on suitcase gives them a fun way to carry it all. They can pack their own things and scoot through the airport, which every parent will appreciate.
GoSports Gaga Ball Pit
Kids learn gaga ball at camp and school, and having a pit at home is a backyard game-changer. The object of the game is to hit other players below the knees while dodging the ball yourself, and it’s a great way to keep kids outside and active with friends.
Tin Can Kids Landline Phone
This kids’ landline lets them call approved friends and family without a smartphone. It’s a great way for elementary school kids to build independence, chat with friends, and make plans.
LEGO DUPLO Creative Ramps
Building ramps and watching cars race down never gets old for little ones. This DUPLO set encourages building, experimenting, and problem-solving skills for younger kids.
Toniebox Screen-Free Audio Player
We’ve loved our Toniebox for years. Kids place a character on top to play stories and songs, with Tonies for everything from Paw Patrol to Disney classics. Kids love to collect figurines, and it’s one of the best screen-free gift ideas for younger kids.
Superspace Fort Building Magnetic Tiles
These oversized magnetic tiles let kids build forts big enough to climb inside. It’s a fun way to spend a rainy afternoon, and it encourages creativity and teamwork.
The Board Family Board Game
This is a great gift for the whole family. Spending time together around the table is one of the great joys of my life, especially during the holidays, and this makes family game night feel special.
Nugget Play Couch
The Nugget is a staple in so many homes for good reason. Kids use it to build forts, obstacle courses, and cozy reading nooks, and it’s one of the most versatile pieces you can add to a play room.
Nintendo Switch 2
The Switch 2 is the big-ticket item on so many lists this year, and it’s a great option that’s a bit more interactive than your standard video game. It opens up the whole world of Nintendo, from Mario Kart to Animal Crossing. It’s great for older kids, and family game nights with multiplayer games are a blast. My mother-in-law gifted this to my kids last year, and we love playing Mario Kart and Mario Party as a family.
Hot Wheels Mario Kart Rainbow Road Track
This Rainbow Road track brings the video game to life for younger fans. Kids can race their Mario Kart Hot Wheels racers and collect the characters like action figures. It pairs perfectly with the Switch for a Nintendo-themed holiday.
