Non-Toy Gift Ideas for Kids

Christmas and holidays often mean a lot of extra toys around the house. Here’s some great gift ideas that aren’t toys and will keep your kids entertained! 

Need non-toy gift ideas for kids? Here’s a big list for you. If you can’t stand the clutter and chaos a bunch of new toys bring, you’ll want to grab something from this list for your kids!

TWENTY NON-TOY CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FOR KIDS

• DOUGHSIE DOUGH
  • I actually hate play dough, but these play dough boxes are incredible. They each have a theme and come with three colors of dough plus a bunch of fun themed accessories. My kids will play with these for hours!
• STORYBOOK PROJECTOR
  • This Moonlite projector is really cool, and projects images up on the wall as you read a story. My kids love these!
• EDUCATIONAL PLACEMATS
  • We had these growing up and they made mealtime super fun. I love this set for older kids, and this set for younger kids!
• WEIGHTED BLANKET
  • These are so popular right now, and I’ve heard they’re amazing for kids with anxiety. The weight puts pressure on their bodies like a warm hug all night and makes them feel calm. They have fun print ones right here.
• MUSEUM MEMBERSHIP
  • A membership to the zoo, the aquarium, or the local children’s museum would be so fun!
• COOKIE CUTTERS
  • I love making sugar cookies or playing with play dough with my kids, and this 101 piece set is under $25 and includes shapes for all the holidays, plus the alphabet!
• BLUE LIGHT GLASSES
  • I can’t stop talking about blue light glasses! They have changed my life – my eyes were so strained with looking at computer, and blue light glasses give me instant relief. If your kids use screens, they have the most darling blue light glasses for kids!
• CARD GAMES
  • My kids love card games, and they’re so good for family time. We love Sleeping Queens, Bears and the Bees, and Skip-Bo. We also have a few other games from Grandpa Beck’s games and they are all so clever and fun!
• BOOKS
  • THESE Harry Potter Illustrated Book Fivebooks are so fun and my kids love to read them while listening to the audio. just came out this year!
  • Books are always a good idea! If you need good ideas for which ones to buy, my sister has a really good list on her blog here.
• TRAVEL KITS
  • I don’t know what it is about them, but kids having their own travel kits or bags makes them feel so grown up. A monogrammed travel bag (like these super cute ones!), a pretty toiletries kit, or a fun travel backpack would all be great.
• CAMPING GEAR
  • Get your kids their own sleeping bag and head lamp. They’ll be dying for a family trip!
• WATCH
  • This is a great gift for almost any age! Little kids love watches (tons of good options here, and I love this LEGO Star Wars one!), and there are so many nice ones out there for older kids. I really like this Lacoste one!
• DRESS UP COSTUMES
  • Endless entertainment, and great for helping them grow their imagination. There are tons of cute girl dress up items here, and cool ones for little boys here.
• RESTAURANT GIFT CARD
  • This is a guaranteed win from siblings or Grandparents. A $5 gift card to the local frozen yogurt or smoothie shop? Definitely a win. Bonus idea: give it with a card that says it can only be used for a special date with you. They’ll love the one-on-one time!
• AUDIOBOOKS
  • I’ve talked before about how audiobooks are my secret parenting weapon. You can see some of our favorites, and why we love audiobooks so much right here. You could purchase an Audible account as the gift, or buy an actual CD (just make sure the person you’re buying for has a CD player!).
• SNAP CIRCUIT JR.
  • My mom bought this for B for his birthday a couple of years ago and it’s so cool. Fun for little girls and boys who like experiments and putting things together.
• EASEL ART SUPPLIES
  • A few years ago we discovered an awesome youtube channel called “Art For Kids Hub” where kids learn to draw tons of fun things, and my boys are obsessed. So for Fos’ birthday last year, we got him a drawing pad and colored pencils so we can keep all his drawings in one place. An art easel would be adorable as well.
• BABYSITTING KIT
  • This is a fun one for tween girls who are just starting to babysit. I found this good guide on Pinterest, and you could put it together yourself, or give her a special bag, a game or two, and a list of the things she can put in it to create her own babysitting bag.
• FAMILY GAMES
  • I mentioned card games above, but other games are so fun too. Some of our favorites are: Watch Ya’ Mouth, Yahtzee, Battleship, Pie Face, and Apples to Apples.
• MERMAID TAILS
  • Mermaid tails for girls of all ages. These ones are for adults and for kids and you can swim in them! But I also love this one that’s a blanket, so it’s fun and useful!
• CRAFT SUPPLIES
  • If you have a child who loves to craft, get them some new craft supplies! Like this pack of pom poms, pipe cleaners, and googly eyes.
• STICK HORSES.
  • These are so fun, and under $20!
• FLOWER PRESS.
  • Got a nature lover? This flower press is so cool and will help them turn their nature finds into gorgeous, preserved art!
• QUIET BOOKS
  • My mom got us a quiet book for the kids a few years ago and it’s a favorite for church! This one is good and under $33.
  • POTTERY BARN CHAIR
  • These chairs are huge hits for small children. I love that you can monogram them and have one for each kid.
• KINETIC SAND SETS
  • Kinetic sand is the BEST! It’s easier to clean up than play-dough, never dries out, and is such great sensory play for adults and kids.
• OSMO
  • A great STEM toy that teaches kids coding, phonics, and spelling. This is an investment but something your kids will use forever and gives such quality skills.
• TEA SET
  • High-quality tea sets are such great gifts for little kids. Use them on special occasions and fancy dinners – they’ll feel so special!
• ROCKET LAUNCHER
  • This is one of our favorite outdoor toys! They are honestly so fun to use for the whole neighborhood.
• WATER BEADS
  • A great sensory activity for kids and adults. Put these in water tables, baths, sensory bins, etc.
• STAR WARS WAFFLE IRON
  • This waffle iron is perfect for any Star Wars-loving kid in your life. It’s a perfect gift for an older kid who’s getting the hand of using the kitchen alone.

SEE THE REST OF MY KIDS GIFT GUIDES HERE