The Ultimate 2023 Holiday Gift Guide by Age
Christmas is once again just around the corner! Gift-giving can feel like an impossible task when it comes to your growing and evolving children. Don’t worry, that’s where we can help! We have put together the ultimate holiday gift guide for kids ages 1-12. You will find everything from cool gadgets to games, and more. The best part is we break it all down by age so you will feel confident in knowing that what you decide to purchase is age appropriate. Holiday shopping has never been so easy.
Lucky for you, Amazon is gearing up for the holidays with amazing deals that are being added constantly. This will make it easier to shop for all the little ones on your list this year!
Editor’s Note: We know raising kids can be hard. That’s why we’re dedicated to making your life easier with the latest and greatest parenting advice and products. We wanted to let you know that if you chose to purchase one of the items featured in this post, we may receive a small commission for it.
1-Year-Olds
For the Baby Who Enjoys Bathtime Fun
If your little one loves to splash around in the tub during bathtime, some fun, interactive bath toys would be a great gift. The Nuby Floating Purple Octopus with 3 Hoopla Rings is a cute floating octopus that helps your baby develop some fine motor skills like grasping.
Product: Nuby Floating Purple Octopus
Product Price: $7.53
Product Description:
“The octopus hoopla by Nuby is another fun and interactive toy that teaches coordination, encourages development and provides hours of enjoyment. Bright colors and fun shapes make octopus hoopla a bathtime favorite! All Nuby products are made of safe, durable materials that exceed all government safety regulations and standards.”
For the Baby Who Loves to Cuddle
Plush toys are also a hit with 1-year-olds and this interactive toy is excellent for learning parts of the body and colors. This Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Smart Stages Puppy is super cute, soft, and fun.
Product: Laugh & Learn Smart Stages Puppy
Product Price: $13.99
Product Description:
“A great friend listens, keeps you company, and teaches you things you never knew, like how to roar like a lion or count to ten. Your baby’s new best friend, Laugh & Learn Smart Stages Puppy, knows all about being a good friend. He chats, lights up, and loves to cuddle, and he can introduce more than 100 first words, including parts of the body, colors, numbers, and more.”
2-Year-Olds
Building blocks for toddlers are a classic gift for a reason. The more your toddler grows, the more they will want to explore the world around them and the more they will want to create. Blocks are great for imaginative play while also working on motor skills. They’re simple toys that promote hours and hours of fun. This Christmas, delight your two-year-old with some mix-and-match block sets.
For Your Little Builder
Introducing your toddler to some fun blocks that encourage them to use their imagination is a great Christmas gift that also contributes to their development. The Mega Bloks are one of our favorite options. There are also large options for building forts and castles like the Melissa and Doug Cardboard Blocks.
Product: Mega Bloks 80-Piece Building Blocks
Product Price: $16.97
Product Description:
“Spark your little builder’s imagination with the Big Building Bag, filled with big and colorful blocks. The perfect fit for little hands and big imaginations, these blocks are easy to grip and easy to stack, helping to develop fine motor skills, creativity, and imagination. When playtime is over, store the blocks in the reusable bag for easy cleanup. Best of all, the Big Building Bag combines with all Mega Bloks building sets to expand playtime for hours on end.”
Product: Melissa & Doug Jumbo Extra-Thick Cardboard Building Blocks
Product Price: $42.49
Product Description:
“The building blocks are lightweight and easy for children to stack. They’re designed with bright and colorful graphics that spark creativity. The Melissa & Doug giant blocks include a step-by-step instruction set for easy fold-together assembly. They also feature a wipe-clean surface for simple clean-up. The Melissa & Doug Deluxe Jumbo Cardboard Blocks are a great gift for kids ages 2 to 5.”
3-Year-Olds
Did your kid get tons of blocks for Christmas last year? Now it’s time to take their construction skills to the next level with building accessories and toys.
For the Block Expert
Turn the playroom into a construction site with this Cat Dump Truck that can haul even the biggest loads.
Product: Mega Bloks CAT Build 'n Play Ride-On Building Set
Product Price: $30.74
Product Description:
“Your little builder can get to scootin' and building with the Cat Build 'n Play Ride-On building set that comes with 10 big building blocks. Toddlers can sit on the vehicle and spin the wheel freely while they use their little feet to scoot around and push blocks with the front plow. Then, they can stack the blocks on any of the 4 building surfaces including the front, back, and both sides of the vehicle. When playtime is over, the blocks can be stored under the seat for easy cleanup.”
4-Year-Olds
By the time they’re four years old, kids love to pretend to be grown up. That’s why both of these gifts are great to spark their imagination.
For the Foodie
In my opinion, a play kitchen is one of the best toys for children, especially if you have multiple young children. It teaches them to share and how to navigate playing together. A great option is the KidKraft Modern White Play Kitchen. It also comes with accessories!
Product: Kidkraft Modern White Play Kitchen
Product Price: $113.73
Product Description:
“We've taken the best-selling KidKraft vintage play kitchen and added some pizzazz to create the limited edition vintage play kitchen! Golden accents and fixtures and Carrara quartz-look countertops are chic updates that inject instant glam into this popular retro silhouette. With doors that open and close, knobs that click and turn, and plenty of convenient storage space, there's an endless supply of fun to keep the most active little chef busy.
The removable sink is easy to clean and the durable design can stand up to the most enthusiastic imaginations. Get ready for some magical meals Made by the colorful and glitzy limited edition vintage play kitchen.”
For Kids Who Love to Play House
If a kitchen isn't what they would love, you can try a dollhouse instead! This KidKraft My Dreamy Wooden Dollhouse is great for its price and includes so many awesome features and accessories.
Product: KidKraft My Dreamy Wooden Dollhouse
Product Price: $99.26
Product Description:
“Playing house has never been so fun. With the 4-foot KidKraft My Dreamy Dollhouse, kids have 4 rooms to decorate, with a gliding elevator that spans all 3 floors. 2 balconies and a working front door offer plenty of room to explore and enjoy. The included 14-piece accessory kit includes a grand piano that plays music and a toilet with flushing sounds. This dollhouse is a dream come true for 12-inch dolls.”
5-Year-Olds
By the time kids are five, they’re ready to engage in more complex games with lots of moving parts and pieces. Plus, five is the age that some parents may start introducing electronics as Christmas gifts.
For Kids Who Like Strategy Games
A wonderful option for a Christmas gift for your kindergartener (or soon-to-be kindergartener) is the Marble Genius Marble Run Starter Set. It's expandable and customizable, and there's even an app that can be downloaded for instructions. If you have an aspiring builder in your home to shop for, this may be the perfect match.
Product: Marble Genius Marble Run Starter Set
Product Price: $36.95
Product Description:
“80 see-through Marble Run pieces allow you to see all the action (NEW for March 2019, this set includes 20 additional pieces and 40 additional marbles)”
If They're Ready for a Tablet
If you are alright with some screen time, there's another awesome option that your child would love to receive as a gift. I am talking about the Amazon Kids Fire tablet. This particular model is the newest one and not only does it come with a 1-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, but it comes with a 2-year worry-free warranty and a cool case!
Product: Amazon Kids Fire HD 10 Tablet
Product Price: $199.99
Product Description:
“Our biggest, most powerful tablet, made for ages three to seven. It features an octa-core processor, 3 GB RAM, a brilliant 10.1” 1080p Full HD display, dual cameras, a USB-C (2.0) port, up to 1 TB of expandable storage, and 1 year of Amazon Kids+. The screen is made with strengthened aluminosilicate glass.”
6-Year-Olds
A child who is in elementary school will start to further develop their interests. Some enjoy creating things on their own – whether that be drawing, painting, woodworking, or whipping up treats in the kitchen.
For the Future Chef
If you want a completely different idea, how about a cookbook? If your little one is showing interest in what goes on in the kitchen, then it could be fun to let them help learn to cook. The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs has a variety of recipes that you can try to make together.
Product: The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs
Product Price: $9.75
Product Description:
“This cookbook contains over 100 kid-tested recipes and 20 desserts from America's Test Kitchen and is contemporary eye candy for middle-grade readers and teens. Each recipe includes short testimonials from some of the 750-plus kids who were part of the test group, making the book fun and interactive. The cookbook also features informational sections for new chefs, such as "Getting Started in the Kitchen" and "Conversions and Equivalents."
Taking a stance on nutrition, the work provides a section on "Healthy Eating 101" in the back matter, which includes information dedicated to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's MyPlate system of five food groups. The design of the book is busy and blocky, reminiscent of Pinterest or Instagram, with informational asides and related tidbits with snappy headings. The organization follows a similar tact, including general information such as how to choose the right kid-friendly knife among the recipes, rather than in the front matter of the book that is dedicated to "Getting Started in the Kitchen."
For Your Creative Thinker
This K'nex Beginner 40 Model Building Set is great for developing motor skills and inspiring your child to use their imagination and work as a team. It uses the STEM model and is perfect for beginners who are eager to build.
Product: K-Nex Beginner 40 Model Building Set
Product Price: $26.69
Product Description:
“Building with K'NEX is easier than ever, with the beginner 40 Model building set! Featuring all-new easy-build parts that allow children ages 5 and up to have a frustration-free building experience. The new parts – a barbell-shaped rod that easily sandwiches between 2 connectors, and a flat panel piece that provides structural support – were specifically designed to address the needs of younger builders, who can easily build 2 flat shapes and then connect them together into a 3-D creation! Plus, newly designed wheels pop right on – they'll be on the go in no time!”
7-Year-Olds
This is a great age to introduce board games! By now your little one's curiosity and attention span have increased enough for you to sit down as a family and play a fun game together.
For the Classic Board Game Fan
Some games that children at this age enjoy most are Battleship and Candy Land.
BattleShip
Product Price: $14.84
Battleship is the classic naval combat game that brings together competition, strategy, and excitement. In head-to-head battle, you search for the enemy’s fleet of ships and destroy them one by one. No ship is safe in this game of stealth and suspense. Try to protect your own fleet while you annihilate your opponent’s. It’s a battle that you must win!
Product: Candyland
Product Price: $11.99
Product Description:
“If you loved playing the CandyLand board game when you were a child, you can share the experience with your loved ones and start down the "magical" road to sweet surprises! This adorable version of the classic Candy Land game features gingerbread men as movers, colored cards, and fun illustrations that kids love, with different destinations like Cookie Commons and the chunky Chocolate Mountain. Players choose their cards, move their pawns, and let their imaginations soar as they make their way to the castle to win!”
For the Jokester
Exploding Kittens and Taco vs Burrito are two more modern card games that are easy to play and silly too!
Product: Exploding Kittens
Product Price: $18.99
Product Description:
“Exploding Kittens is a highly-strategic, kitty-powered version of Russian roulette. It is the most funded game in the history of Kickstarter and has paved the way for peace and tranquility in the modern world. It also features cards illustrated by ``The Oatmeal”.
Product: Taco vs Burrito
Product Price: $19.99
Product Description:
“Created by a Kid, Perfect for Everyone - Alex dreamed up TvB at age 7, but this crazy, fun strategic food fight is a smash with kids and adults alike!”
8-Year-Olds
Your kiddos might be starting to show interest in some of the popular fads like Pokemon or they may even be ready for video games!
For the Pokemon Enthusiast
The Pokemon Lost Origin Elite Trainer Box is a great starter box if your child is just discovering the vast world of Pokemon. It’s great value for the number of cards you receive.
Product: Pokemon Lost Origin Elite Trainer Box
Product Price: $35.99
Product Description:
“Get lost in the abyss and into the zone with a set of new Pokémon, booster packs, and accessories. The Sword & Shield—Lost Origin Elite Trainer Box features everything you need to navigate the depths of the Pokémon TCG including eight booster packs, 45 Energy cards, six damage-counter dice, one coin-flip die, two acrylic condition markers, and one acrylic VSTAR marker. Protect your cards with 65 card sleeves featuring the Legendary Pokémon from the Distortion World, Giratina, and explore the return of the Lost Zone with a player's guide to the Sword & Shield — Lost Origin expansion.”
For the Budding Gamer
The Nintendo Switch Lite is a great handheld gaming console that is not only easy to use for beginners but it is also affordable and plays all the Nintendo Switch titles.
Product: Nintendo Switch Lite
Product Price: $199.99
Product Description:
“Introducing Nintendo Switch Lite, a version of the Nintendo Switch system that’s optimized for personal, handheld play. Nintendo Switch Lite is a small and light Nintendo Switch system at great value. With a built-in +Control Pad, and a sleek, unibody design, Nintendo Switch Lite is great for on-the-go gaming. If you’re looking for a gaming system all your own, Nintendo Switch Lite is ready to hit the road whenever you are.”
9-Year-Olds
Your little one is slowly becoming not so little anymore. So why not splurge and get them a gift they will remember for years to come?
For Kids Who Love to Skateboard
I'm talking about a hoverboard. A popular one that has gotten a lot of praise is this Hover-1 Helix Electric Hoverboard. It has 3 rider modes and cool features like a built-in Bluetooth speaker.
Just don't forget a helmet for safety. This JBM skateboard helmet is great for adults and kids, plus it comes in a variety of colors.
Product: Hover-1 Helix Electric Hoverboard
Product Price: $168.49
Product: JBM Skateboard Helmet
Product Price: $29.99
Product Description:
“These Skateboard Helmets are flexible and suitable for Multi-sports activities, including Inline & Roller Skating, Skating, Skateboarding, and Scooter. These helmets would be essential protective gear for any outdoor sports lover.”
10-Year-Olds
This holiday season, your tween might start to ask for things that are trending and it may be difficult to figure out what is unless they tell you. Don't worry because we have the perfect gift idea for you. Most kids love Disney and many retailers have all sorts of gadgets and toys that are Disney-themed.
For Kids Who Are Obsessed with Outer Space
This intricate set is one of the best gifts for a kid who loves legos and space. The LEGO Ideas International Space Station 21321 Building Kit will keep them occupied and engaged.
Product: LEGO Ideas International Space Station 21321 Building Kit
Product Price: $69.99
Product Description:
“Build and display this spectacular LEGO Ideas 21321 ISS (International Space Station). Packed with authentic ISS details, including a posable Canadarm2 and 2 rotating joints that coincide with 8 adjustable solar panels, this 864-piece set is a wonderful gift idea for space enthusiasts, adult LEGO fans, or an experienced builder.
This awesome LEGO spaceship model comes with a display stand, a buildable mini NASA space shuttle, and 3 mini cargo spacecraft, plus 2 astronaut microfigures to create a striking centerpiece in any room. Illustrated instructions are included, plus a 148-page booklet with fascinating ISS facts and information about the LEGO fan who created this space model kit and its LEGO designer. The infinitely diverse array of LEGO Ideas sets is all created by LEGO fans and voted for by LEGO fans. Inspired by real life, action heroes, iconic movies, popular TV series, or totally original concepts, there is something to delight all ages.”
You could also try this LEGO Star Wars: The Mandalorian Child Building Kit. It's fun to build and even more fun to display when it's complete.
Product: LEGO Star Wars: The Mandalorian Child Building Kit
Product Price: $69.99
Product Description:
“Fans can build their own charming, brick-built toy model of The Child (75318) from Star Wars: The Mandalorian, reproducing authentic details in LEGO style to create a delightful display piece.”
11-Year-Olds
As your child's interest evolves, so should your gift-giving strategy. It may feel like it gets harder to shop for kids the older they get, but there are many fun gifts for 11-year-olds and tweens.
For the Selfie-Snapping Expert
A gift that many kids love around this age is a camera so they can explore photography. The FujiFilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera is a fun device that they will love to use. Plus, it comes in an array of colors so you can find the perfect one for your 11-year-old.
You can even purchase some extra film or a cool photo album as stocking stuffers!
Product: FujiFilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera
Product Price: $129.95
Product Description:
“The Blush Pink Instax mini from Fujifilm has been updated for selfie shooters. Get photos instantly with the sleek, fun, and stylish Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 camera. With its automatic exposure function, there is no need to adjust a dial anymore to take photos based on your lighting. Just snap and shoot! Make your shot even more close and personal by extending the Mini 11's lens barrel to Selfie Mode which will allow you to get a close 11.8" to 19.7" focus and use the built-in mirror on the front of the lens for perfectly composed selfies. Plus, it comes with several accessories.”
12-Year-Olds
With Christmas getting very close, this gift may be a little hard to find. I am talking about the popular gaming console, the Nintendo Switch. It's both a handheld console and can be used with a TV. There's also the Nintendo Switch Lite which is strictly handheld, a little cheaper, but still plays the same games. If this is on your tween's wishlist, you may have to do some searching. If you can get your hands on one, it will give you ideas for stocking stuffers as well.
For the Gamer
But if they’ve already got a Switch of their own, new video games are the perfect present.
Throw in a couple of games such as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
Product: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Product Price: $47.95
Product Description:
“With Nintendo Switch, fans can enjoy the definitive version of Mario Kart 8 anywhere, anytime, even with up to 8 friends in local wireless multiplayer. It’s the biggest Mario Kart ever!”
