One year, much to my 6-year-old’s dismay, I requested “no gifts” on her birthday party invitation. Why? She still had unopened toys from last year’s party. The absolute last thing she—or our home—needed was more toys. We have enough stuffed animals to fill a make-believe zoo, enough LEGOs to build a metropolis, and enough dress-up clothes to rival Cher Horowitz’s closet. So with more holiday gifts about to enter our home—and aiming to prevent over-gifting—I’m looking for holiday gifts that aren’t toys for kids.
If your home is also swimming in oft-forgotten playthings and you are looking for non-toy gifts, below are some favorites to consider. From options to spark learning and creativity to practical items they’ll love, like new winter gear, a fun luggage set, or decorations for their bedroom. Read on for over 20 of the best kids’ holiday gifts that aren’t toys.
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How to choose the best holiday gifts that aren’t toys
When it came to selecting some of the best holiday gifts that aren’t toys, it was important to keep individuality in mind. Kids have diverse interests, so I wanted to include a wide variety of options. The options below are either fun, functional, or the perfect balance of both. Either way, they were selected with kids in mind, meaning they’ll hopefully put a smile on your little one’s face.
I also kept in mind a variety of ages, so you’ll find gifts options for toddlers, little kids, and big kids. Plus, we all know the holidays are expensive, so some of the options below are under $20, while others are more of an investment. No matter what, though, they aim to add value to your child’s life, instead of just their playroom. Keep scrolling for my top non-toy gift picks.
Tech gifts for kids that aren’t toys
For kids not quite ready for a smartphone, the moms on our team love the Gizmo Watch 3. It lets parents stay connected through location monitoring, two-way calling, and texting—without internet access. Get $75 off Gizmo Watches when you purchase a service plan, now until 1/7!*
Little aspiring photographers will love to have their very own camera to take pictures wherever they go. And parents will love seeing the world through their eyes.
Have an avid reader—or a kid you’re hoping will read more? Consider a Kindle to make reading more accessible wherever they go.
Non-toy gifts to encourage creative hobbies
Gift a yearly subscription to Highlights magazine where little ones can have fun with stories, puzzles, jokes, and more. Plus, they’ll love getting their own mail each month!
Just released in time for Wicked: For Good, this Little Golden Book collection includes four titles kids will love reading together: I Am Elphaba, I Am Glinda, I Am Fiyero, and We Are Shiz.
For the kid who’s always asking to make experiments or potions, grab this cute sea-themed potion sensory kit. Holiday-themed potions are also available!
A reader and editor-favorite brand, a KiwiCo crate gets kids creating with cute, hands-on projects that team STEM skills.
Nothing makes bath time quite as exciting as bath bombs. The best part about these is that they are non-toxic, vitamin rich, gentle on skin, and made with real fruit ingredients.
A rockstar in the making has to start somewhere, and this might be the best beginner guitar for just that. Spark their creativity and love for music with everything they need to get their musical journey started.
Few things are quite as exciting to kiddos as stickers. Pick up a sticker book and let them get creative. This book offers of 500 stickers of animals around the world that they’ll love to sift through. Pro tip: gift this with a notebook or sketch pad so they have somewhere to specifically put their stickers.
Find a paint by number that matches their interests—like a kid in her horse girl era—for a gift they’ll love. Plus, paint-by-numbers are a fun way to stay engaged over winter break.
Gifts for their bedrooms or play spaces
Made of 100% cotton canvas, these sensory swings can be used indoors or outside for a comfortable spot where kids can hang out.
more colors available
Made to look like a vintage neon sign, this custom wall art puts a kid’s name in lights and brightens their room.
While a piggy bank isn’t a toy, it certainly will bring as much joy. Kids will be thrilled to collect as much as they can and it can provide a good learning experience on saving for something they really want.
Chappy Wrap are cozy, high quality blankets that last and last, so kids can use them everyday—or become a holiday tradition they look forward to using year after year.
multiple patterns and sizes available
Parents often look for non-toy gifts because their kids have plenty already. If that’s the case, gift them something to house all (or at least some) of their toys in. This adorable option is personalized and adds such a fun element to any kid’s room.
Have a chef-in-training who loves to help out in the kitchen? This Montessori-inspired helper tower that comes in four colors is the perfect big-ticket gift to pick up this year. With it, little ones can safely and independently reach kitchen countertops and help out as you cook, bake, or decorate. Plus, with its functional design, it can easily be converted into a table and stool.
Support their artistic endeavors with their very own art easel. They’ll spend the rest of the winter months showing off their creative side—and you’ll have plenty of new artwork for the fridge.
Practical gifts and apparel they’ll be excited to open
Kids will love a new set of pajamas with patterns they love—from dinosaurs to woodland animals to rainbows and unicorns, editor and reader-favorite brand Little Sleepies has tons to choose from.
Fun and functional are what non-toy gifts are all about. A cozy robe like this one that comes in four colors will be an exciting gift to receive when it looks this cute. Whether they wear it after bath time or lounge in it all season long, it’s sure to become a kid favorite.
For kids who have a growing collection of the cute and soft Squishmallows, grab a pair of slippers to keep them cozy all winter. Also, perfect to wear for school PJ days.
For a practical gift that still shows off their unique style, grab a cozy beanie with a sports patch for their favorite activity.
If they’re not quite ready to pack for a trip themselves, at least make it easy for them to transport their own luggage with this set that includes a backpack, rolling suitcase, lunchbox, neck pillow, and luggage tag.
more patterns available
Why You Can Count on Us
The Everygirl Media Group has brought valuable content to our readers for 12+ years. In 2018, The Everymom set out to ensure that all moms know they’re not alone. If you find yourself seeking advice on how to style the latest fashion trend or searching for the best kid-friendly coffee table, we have the answers. And if you’re wondering what’s actually worth it from a sale or looking for a review of the hottest new kids’ product, we’ve got that covered too. From our annual Registry Awards and beloved holiday gift guides to the shopping round-ups you find on our site every day, The Everymom commerce team is well-versed in sifting through thousands of products to curate a digestible list for you. We combine our own experience with in-depth research to bring you a selection that meets our high standards for both fashion and function.
Kathy Sisson, Senior Editor
Kathy Sisson has been a key contributor in the editorial parenting space for eight years, not only as a full-time editor at The Everymom but previously as a freelance writer for top parenting sites, including Scary Mommy, Motherly, Parent Co., and more. As an editor at The Everymom, she has produced hundreds of articles on a range of parenting topics, reviewed dozens of family-focused products, interviewed leading experts in the children and parenting world, and created viral parenting social media content. A mom of two, she is committed to sharing the honest, helpful, and often humorous stories of motherhood.
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This post contains a sponsored inclusion of Verizon, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board.
