Gift ideas for kids by age: a guide to children’s presents
Gifting
Children & Baby
Read time: 14 minutes
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Last month it was dinosaurs. This month it’s slime, princesses and a YouTuber you’ve never heard of. Kids change their minds faster than a shift rota, and that’s before you add in that the gift you’re buying might not be for your own child.
Whether it’s your niece, a friend’s little one or a classmate whose party invite landed in your child’s book bag, this guide is your way out of the toy aisle panic. You’ll find presents for children by age, from newborn to 16, including every budget and every situation.
If you’re a Blue Light Card member, use your card when buying gifts so you can treat the little ones without wincing at the total.
Best gifts for kids at every age
Gifts for babies (0 to 12 months)
Babies don’t have opinions yet, which in many ways makes them the easiest people on this list. They do chew everything, though. So, make sure you go for safe, washable and wipe-clean.
Soft sensory books, crinkly toys, teething rings or rattles
A playmat, a baby gym, a sensory ball or a baby bouncer
Adorable baby clothes, a cuddly comforter, muslin squares or a personalised blanket
One-year-olds are finding their feet. Anything that can help them explore their newfound skills is a win. They also love stacking things and then destroying them. Sturdy is the magic word here.
Stacking cups, a shape sorter, nesting boxes or a set of soft blocks
A push-along walker, a first ride-on toy, a soft play set or a tunnel
Chunky board books with flaps, a toy phone, bath toys or a first musical instrument set
Gifts for 2-year-olds
Two is the age of the legendary “no”, “mine” and “again”. Keep with the sturdy theme, but they’ll be starting to show more personality at this age.
For girls, a tea party set, a doll with a pushchair, a toy kitchen or a shopping trolley
For boys, a toy tool bench, a ride-on car, a wooden train set or a toy digger
For everyone, chunky building bricks, a toy hoover, a xylophone or a farm animal set
Gift tip: parents coming off night shifts will thank you for toys that arrive ready to play with. Save the 40-screw flatpack for someone else. It’s also a nice touch to send presents with batteries when needed.
Nine-year-olds are big on collecting things, picking up new hobbies and being slightly too cool for the thing you just bought. Aim for something they can get properly stuck into.
For girls, a baking set, a slime-making kit, a candle-making kit or a bath bomb kit
For boys, a model rocket, a construction kit, a puzzle cube or a trading card starter set
For everyone, the new book in the series they’re reading, a graphic novel or a comic
Gifts for 10-year-olds
Double digits! Too old for some things, not old enough for others. Lean into whatever they’re obsessed with right now, and you can’t go far wrong.
For girls, a crochet kit, an embroidery kit, fairy lights for their bedroom or a pottery painting kit
For boys, a robot-building kit, a toy drone or a mini table tennis set
For everyone, a strategy board game, a chess set, an escape room game or a trivia game
Secondary school is looming, or they’ve just started it. Either way, they’re feeling very grown up. Gifts that help them feel the part are thoughtful additions.
For girls, a stationery set, a diary with a lock, a desk organiser or a personalised pencil case
For boys, a decent sports bag, a water bottle, a new rucksack or joggers
For everyone, a pair of headphones, a watch or a phone case
Gifts for 12-year-olds
They’re starting to follow trends and be influenced by their friends, so think about anything that’s going viral.
For girls, a cosy hoodie, slippers, a dressing gown or a hair accessory set
For boys, a football shirt, a pair of trainers, a baseball cap or a bucket hat
For everyone, a Bluetooth speaker, a lava lamp, LED strip lights or a beanbag
Great gifts don’t have to cost a fortune. If it’s thoughtful and relevant to the person, you’re onto a winner. Here’s what works at every price point, so you can pick your number and get on with it.
Gifts under £10
A sweet spot for all those classmate birthday parties you’ll be attending. They’re quick to wrap, easy to carry on the bus and gentle on your wallet if you happen to have three parties in one month.
Bubbles, a skipping rope, a pack of playing cards or a chalk set
A paperback, a sticker book, a colouring book or a puzzle book
A mini craft kit, a set of felt tips, a paint set or a tub of glitter glue
A little tub of play dough with cutters, a mini jigsaw, a set of bouncy balls or a pack of temporary tattoos
Gifts under £20
Enough budget for something that looks personal. This is where you’ll find most birthday gifts for nieces, nephews and friends’ kids, so there’s plenty of choice.
A jigsaw, a family board game, a card game or a puzzle cube
A football, a set of badminton rackets, a cricket set or a kite
A decent art set, a baking kit, a science kit or a craft kit
A building set, a toy robot or a pop-up play tent
Gifts under £50
A step up in budget and a good price range for milestone birthdays. If you can, suggest that you and your siblings or friends chip in for a gift.
A scooter, a bike helmet, a set of bike lights or a skateboard
A hoodie, trainers, a backpack or a tracksuit from a brand they love
A big building set, a remote-control car, a telescope or a robotics kit
Headphones, a Bluetooth speaker, wireless earbuds or a tablet case
Gifts worth splurging on
Maybe a grandparent wanting to spoil the kids or an auntie who’s feeling extra generous this year.
A bike they’ll grow into with a helmet, a trampoline, a playhouse or a swing set
A decent tablet or e-reader, a digital camera, a keyboard or a drawing tablet, ideally with a sturdy case
A day out for the whole family, such as a theme park, a zoo, a trip to the cinema with snacks or a theatre show
A big building set they can work on over the whole school holidays, a model train set or a chemistry set
Last-minute gifts for kids
The party is in an hour, you’ve just remembered, and you’re still in your work clothes. Here’s how to rescue it.
Digital and same-day options
Cinema tickets. Sort a trip to the pictures for the birthday child and a friend and let the popcorn do the rest.
Gaming credit. eShop cards arrive digitally. Just check the age rating before you buy.
E-books and audiobooks. Perfect for car journeys and bedtime, and no wrapping paper required.
Pop a handwritten card in with any of them, and nobody will know you planned it in 20 minutes.
Where to find them on the high street
Argos. Toys, games, scooters and tech all under one roof.
The Entertainer. A whole shop of toys, so you can tick off every age in one visit.
Supermarkets. Most big supermarkets will sort you a book, card and clothes on the way home from work.
And remember, you can use your Blue Light Card at these retailers, so check the app before you head in.
Gifts by type
Some kids are happiest with a paintbrush, others with a football. Here’s a quick cheat sheet for whatever they’re into.
Educational gifts
Think science kits, number games, jigsaws, atlases, coding toys and anything that involves building something. The best ones sneak the learning in: a microscope for the budding scientist, a world map jigsaw for the geography fan or a board game that smuggles in some times tables.
Early Learning Centre sorts its toys by age, which saves a lot of guesswork. And you can use your Blue Light Card.
Creative gifts
Paints, clay, jewellery kits, sketchbooks, sewing sets, baking kits and a decent set of felt tips that don’t dry out in a week. A big box of mixed materials, such as card, pom-poms, googly eyes and glue, is often a big hit.
Scooters, bikes, balls, kites, skipping ropes, bug-hunting kits and a den-building set. They’ll thank you, and so will the parent who needs them out of the house for an hour.
Halfords is on Blue Light Card for bikes and helmets, and JD Sports for football kit and trainers.
Screen-free gifts
Board games, card games, audiobooks, comics, books, jigsaws and a Tonies character for story time. They’re ideal for car journeys, wet weekends and anyone trying to cut down on screen time.
Grab a book or jigsaw at Waterstones with your Blue Light Card discount.
What to buy a child you don’t know well
Friends’ kids or the classmate whose party you’ve been summoned to. You’ve met them twice, but they were hiding behind a sofa, and your child can’t remember any of their hobbies. Here’s how to buy for them.
Ask a parent. A quick message saves a lot of awkward unwrapping. Most parents will happily tell you what’s on the wish list, or at least what’s definitely not needed.
Go for books, crafts and games. Almost every child can find something to enjoy in a good picture book, a craft kit or a classic board game.
Keep it age-appropriate. Check the box. Anything with small parts is a no-go for under-threes, and a gift aimed at a seven-year-old rarely lands with a 12-year-old.
Think about the parents, too. A drum kit is a bold choice for someone else’s home.
Go neutral for the party. For classmates, something in the £5 to £15 range works. Bubbles, a book, a small craft kit or a pack of cards.
Add a handwritten note. It makes a £6 present feel properly thoughtful.
If you work in a school, you’ve got a head start. You know exactly what makes a child’s eyes light up and what they chat about at break time.
How to save on kids’ gifts with Blue Light Card
Birthday season has a habit of arriving in clusters, and it all adds up. Your Blue Light Card can take a bit off the total at all the places we’ve mentioned, so it’s always worth checking the app or our website to see where you can save a few pounds.
How much should I spend on a child’s birthday present?
There’s no official rule, but most people spend around £5 to £15 for a classmate’s party, and £15 to £30 for nieces, nephews and close friends’ kids. Go higher for milestone birthdays if you want to.
What are the best gifts for kids that aren’t toys?
Books, craft supplies, clothes, sports kits, cinema tickets, days out and subscriptions all go down well. For older kids, experiences and gift cards are often the safest bet.
What do I buy a child I’ve never met?
Ask a parent first. If that’s not possible, choose a book, a craft kit or a classic board game. They work for almost any child. Double-check the recommended age on the box before you buy.
Is it okay to give money or a gift card?
Yes, especially for teens, who’d often rather choose for themselves and spend it on anything they’d like. For younger kids, pair a card with a small gift so there’s something to unwrap.
Gift ideas for kids by age: a guide to children’s presents
