TOYS & GIFTS
Best Toys and Gifts for Kids
Need kids gift ideas? Start here with quick inspiration for the best toys and gifts we've given (and received).
Gift ideas for teenage guys?
A nice neutral-colored hoodie with minimal or no branding on it.
My high school guy and his friends like to gift each other snacks, either a big assortment as the main gift or as an add-on component. Nerds gummy clusters are a favorite.
LED strip lights for his room.
A portable JBL speaker.
What are some gift ideas for kids you don't know super well?
Puzzles are fun gifts for kids of all ages. From Rubix cubes (or specialty speed cubes for the more experienced cubers!) to jigsaw puzzles, they are fun gifts that are likely to get a lot of use over time, and which can be customized by age/difficulty level. We've liked Ravensburger puzzles for years, but have also recently discovered the fun puzzles from the Magic Puzzle Company, which are great for more experienced jigsaw puzzlers ready for lots of pieces!
Legos. I love that these work well for a wide range of ages and interests, from chunky Duplo bricks to intricate sets in a variety of pieces and difficulty levels. Plus, the many themed sets allows you to personalize for the birthday kids special interests. Minecraft legos, Star Wars legos, Harry Potter legos, Lego Friends...so many possibilities, you can really never go wrong!
A gift card to a local treat place: donut shop, ice cream, boba, etc.
Arts and crafts supplies like crayons, markers, drawing pads, coloring books and craft kits.
Gift ideas for tween and teen girls?
My middle schooler has loved receiving upgraded school supplies from friends. A really nice pencil holder with lots of compartments, fun post-it tabs, mildliners, colorful pens and mechanical pencils, etc.
Gift cards to Starbucks or boba places.
Most of my daughter's friends like to get Sephora products. The most popular brands seem to be Summer Fridays, LANEIGE, and Sol de Janeiro, and they all make products that don't feel too grown-up.
Pura vida bracelets are popular with the girls at our middle school, and they make a great gift because you can't really have too many.
Experience Gifts for Kids (That Aren't Toys)
museum membership
Special behind-the-scene museum/zoo/aquarium adventures or animal encounters. (E.g., shark feeding, penguin painting, etc.)
Afternoon tea time at a fancy hotel. Enjoy a decadant three-tiered array of goodies! But, you may want to confirm if the service offers a children's tea menu should you have a picky eater.
Zip line adventure gift cards
