50+ fun birthday gift ideas for kids

An illustration of a little boy in overalls and a party hat handing a gift to a little girl in a stripped pink dress and a party hat.

Giant fountains full of chocolate sauce. Tubs of neon glitter. Dancing robots that belt pop songs while aggressively playing the drums. What do all these wonderfully whimsical things have in common? They’d make super-fun birthday gifts for a kid (and gain you new mortal enemies in the form of their parents 🙂).

Likewise, we’ve all been there as kids on our birthdays receiving a gift we’re not the biggest fan of. Maybe it’s a pair of socks three sizes too big or a box of peanut butter cookies even though you’re—eep—allergic to peanuts.

Luckily, we’ve got tons of great kids’ birthday gift ideas that will make little ones and their parents happy. Keep scrolling to see ’em all!

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Kids birthday gift ideas for 1-3-year-olds  

Would a sparkly gift bag alone probably impress them? Yes. Should you gift them something with a bit more…heart? Also yes.

  • Simple musical toys, like egg shakers, maracas, a mini piano, tambourine, etc.
  • Educational board books for things like counting and learning their ABCs
  • A book you loved as a young child, with a handwritten dedication from you!
  • Building blocks
  • Tummy-time mat or play/tumbling mat
  • Stuffed animals like these or cute Better Together plush
  • A toy camera
  • An indoor playhouse
  • Book about their latest obsession (animals, dinosaurs, etc.)
  • A bubble machine—they can’t blow the bubbles themselves, but they can still watch!
  • Cute sunglasses: Have you seen mini sunglasses? ADORABLEEE. 😎
  • Sock puppets or, for older toddlers, DIY sock puppet kit
  • Matching pajamas they can wear with their parents

Kids birthday gift ideas for 4-6-year-olds  

There’s a good chance kids in this stage are having their first obsession with something—a cartoon character, a color, weird trinkets shaped like cows (because ya know, kids!). Ask a parent if that’s the case, and you’ll definitely get good gift inspo from it.

  • A kid-friendly chemistry kit
  • Bubbles!
  • Birthday coloring pages, along with art supplies like crayons, markers or colored pencils
  • A play kitchen or cooking set: Just tell the parents to be prepared to be their sous chef. My little brother is obsessed with his toy kitchen!
  • A small backpack for them to carry their toys and essentials like their favorite rubber duck or stuffed animal
  • Flashlight or explorer set so they can feel like a detective/spy
  • Book about their latest obsession (animals, dinosaurs, etc.)
  • Coloring books, construction paper, crayons, colored pencils, washable markers, or other art supplies
  • Sidewalk chalk
  • A superhero cape
  • Cute lunch box featuring their favorite character
  • Paint-by-numbers set: Some books actually use stickers in place of paint!
  • Magazine subscription to a kid-friendly magazine
  • Dress-up items: tutu, fireman’s hat, fairy wings or butterfly wings, sparkly shoes, etc.
  • A magic set: No live rabbits or doves, though, please.
  • Plushies like these cute Better Togethers
  • Plastic bouncy balls to play catch with
  • Age-appropriate building blocks, puzzles or games

Kids birthday gift ideas for 7-9-year-olds  

This is a fun age to play into wacky, whimsical gifts. They’re not old enough to think everything is cringey (yet).

  • Your favorite retro toys
  • Piggy bank, with an initial coin deposit made by you
  • Board games
  • Checkers and/or chess set, with optional promise to teach them how to play
  • A magic set
  • Action figures
  • Robotic sets
  • Microscope kit
  • Art kit (pro-grade shading pencils)—bonus if you get them an easel, too!
  • Age-appropriate book set
  • Paper airplane book/kit
  • Crayola drawing products
  • Video games or gaming gear
  • A cool blanket (glow-in-dark, fave character, etc.)
  • An interesting deck of cards with something like famous art pieces or historical figures
Illustrations of different kids birthday gift ideas, including a piggy bank, a tutu and fairy wand, a microscope, heart-shaped sunglasses, a journal or scrapbook, a water bottle, building blocks, a ball, and crayons and markers.

Kids birthday gift ideas for 10-12-year-olds  

They’ve officially entered middle school. Keep it fun and lighthearted and remind them that they’re awesome just as they are.

  • Fanny pack (believe it or not, they’re cool again)
  • Cute water bottle with stickers
  • A new skateboard with safety gear
  • Bracelet or other craft kits
  • Board games
  • Besties T-shirts (names or faces!)
  • Gift cards to places where they could get video games/accessories, or a Hallmark Gift Card Greeting
  • Age-appropriate book set
  • Gift card to the movies
  • Ask their mom if they have a favorite perfume or cologne or other self-care item. Don’t pick for them!
  • Instant camera with film
  • A DIY food kit for something fun like soda or ice cream
  • If they’re into a sport, get them cool new gear, like a new baseball glove or a gift card to buy new ice-skating equipment.
  • Journal with fancy pens
  • Headphones or ear buds
  • Ink pads and rubber stamps

Pro-tip: If your gift needs batteries to operate, throw a pack in to save the parents a trip to the store and a temper tantrum from an impatient birthday kid.

Kids birthday gift ideas for 13-15-year-olds  

As newbies to the teen club, they’re all about the “cool” factor right now (but still secretly enjoy most of the same things they always have). There’s a mix of both in this list!

  • Lava lamp
  • Merch related to their favorite childhood movie, show or video game
  • Tickets to an amusement park
  • Gift cards related to their interests or favorite restaurants
  • A digital or instant camera
  • Fitness gear for an athletic teen—performance socks, weightlifting gloves, etc.
  • Young adult novel, graphic novels or even a whole series
  • Fun pajama pants—teens need a lot of sleep
  • If they’re into a sport, get them some cool new gear, like a new baseball glove or a gift card to buy new ice-skating equipment.
  • Journal with fancy pens
  • Unique snow globe
  • A coloring book and art supplies (because teens need healthy outlets to relieve stress, too)
  • Better Together plush (you’re never too old for cute plushies)
  • Board or card games they can play with friends
  • A portable mini fridge (because something about having a mini fridge in your room is insanely cool when you’re a teen for some reason)
  • Basket of their favorite snacks
  • Funny slippers
  • Wearable blanket
  • Gifts from their favorite fandom: From Harry Potter to Nintendo to Disney and Star Wars, we probably have something for them.
  • Concert tickets
  • Jewelry! Ask a parent for their preferred metal, though.
  • Small, portable Bluetooth speaker
  • Cash, especially gifted in creative ways like these! Or you could always opt for a Hallmark + Venmo card.

Kids birthday gift ideas for 16-18-year-olds  

We’ve got allll the trendy picks for teens blowing out their birthday candles soon. This is the age where you can start to appreciate practical gifts more, but make sure you keep it festive, too! 

  • If they’re into cooking, a kit with a personalized apron and cool tools or gadgets
  • Concert tickets or a band T-shirt
  • Makeup bag and compact mirror
  • Gifts from their favorite fandom: From Harry Potter to Nintendo to Disney and Star Wars, we probably have something for them.
  • For new drivers: something small but related like a fun key chain or a car air freshener to hang from the mirror
  • Board games, including strategy-based ones that require a little more mental effort
  • Card games that are easy to pack up and take to a friend’s house or party
  • Gifts card to places they can eat with friends
  • Used records if they’re into vinyl
  • Gift cards for thrift shops
  • Nice carry-on bag for travel
  • Travel accessories: scarf with hidden pocket, eye mask, blanket, neck pillow, etc.
  • Beach towel with their name on it
  • Baseball cap or jersey featuring their favorite team
  • Concert poster from their favorite band
  • Comfy loungewear set
  • Cool water bottle (see what’s trending…yes, water bottles can be “trendy”)
  • Jewelry! Ask a parent for their preferred metal though.
  • Portable phone charger or a phone case that charges your phone
  • Funny socks
  • Digital or instant camera
  • Food delivery gift card
  • Jewelry box or earring holder
  • Cash, especially gifted in creative ways like these!
  • Workshop or class related to their interests
  • Gadget or accessory for their car
  • Phone photography accessories for better pictures
  • Young adult novel, graphic novels or even a whole series
  • Nice sketchbook and art pencils
  • Matching pjs for them and a friend
  • Journal and nice pen
  • Gift card for movie tickets

DIY or homemade kids birthday gift ideas  

These sentimental gifts might take a littleee more time to make, so if you’re going the DIY route, start early!

  • Coloring books (there are some you can personalize online)
  • Magnets to stick on fridge/personal mini fridge/locker: Check out how we made these, then make your own designs!
  • Sew a tote bag and put a favorite book from your own collection inside.
  • Make a mixtape for a teen who is into cassettes—or gift them some blank cassettes to make their own mixes.
  • Sew an easy pencil pouch or a fabric desktop tray for keys, small trinkets, etc.
  • Make them a pan of brownies, a batch of cookies or another favorite baked treat.
  • Knitted hat or scarf
  • Hand-sewn toiletry bag or jewelry pouch
  • Personalize a pillowcase with their first name or initials.
  • Start a scrapbook for them or make one for them to start.
  • Vinyl record clock for their room
  • Plant from your garden in a cute pot, if they like plants
  • Desk paperweight you made from found items, like a shell or cool stone

Inexpensive kids birthday gift ideas  

A present doesn’t have to cost a ton to be meaningful and make your recipient happy dance.

  • Cute rubber pen/pencil toppers
  • Puzzles featuring their favorite character or animal
  • Crayons or markers and a coloring book
  • Fluffy blanket—maybe one with a favorite character
  • Pencil holder/school supply holders
  • Stationery: You can get some personalized for a pretty reasonable price.
  • Journal
  • Sampler set of something fun (perfume, nail polish, chocolates, tea, etc.)
  • Bubbles
  • Art canvas with affordable paints
  • Design a magazine for them! You can customize one online and print for relatively cheap.

Creative kids birthday gift ideas  

These can be creative for the giver or creative as in arts and crafts for the birthday kid. 

  • Cash origami: We have a couple cool ideas here.
  • Ceramic trinket jar
  • Jewelry-making kit
  • Easy-care houseplant—it could even be from a cutting taken from one of your own plants.
  • Empty scrapbooks/journals (with some pens and stickers to help embellish)
  • Silly sock puppet kit
  • Art palettes
  • A telescope
  • Tickets to somewhere fun, like a museum, rock climbing center, the planetarium, etc.

 

It doesn’t matter if they seem “too little” to remember your gift. It doesn’t matter if you’re a distant relative, their parent’s co-worker, or someone they don’t know really well. No matter how small an act of care or thoughtfulness may seem, kids remember, and that kindness can stay with them for a lifetime. So, get excited—your gift could give a toddler, tween or teen a sweet core memory! 🥹

 

Want even more fun birthday ideas, for when your kid’s next birthday rolls around? Might as well plan ahead with these!