"I find it tricky during the holidays to find the right balance between giving my kids a magical, gift-filled season and not adding too much to their playroom that seriously needs some decluttering. Of course, there’s more to making the holidays magical than gifts, but there’s no denying that so much of the childhood thrill is tearing into beautifully wrapped presents from Santa and family. That’s why I’m focusing on fewer, big-ticket holiday gifts for my two kiddos this year—ones that won’t find themselves carelessly tossed aside when a newer, shinier object enters their world.
My husband and I believe in investing in quality pieces that can be used for multiple seasons. If you’re also into the less-is-more approach, I’ve rounded up 22 of my favorite extra-special, big-ticket Christmas presents to consider for holiday gifts for your kids this year.
How to Choose the Best Big-Ticket Gifts for Kids
When selecting the best big-ticket gifts for kids, I wanted to make sure I covered a broad range of interests. That’s because no two kids are the same! Each of them have hobbies and interests that excite them and spark their individuality. With this in mind, I looked to popular hobbies like sports, music, and more. Plus, for the littles, we included plenty of pretend-play items that will spark their creativity. The same goes for picking the perfect big-ticket gift for your own kiddo. Look at their interests and any of their personality traits that you want to encourage and you’ll nail down the perfect gift in no time. Read on for my favorite options, split up between little and big kid selections.
Big-Ticket Holiday Gifts for Little Kids
This confidence-building first bike will teach them how to balance, steer, and hit the brakes without the complication of pedaling. And with six fun colors to choose from, it’ll help 1.5 to 4 year olds transition to a pedal bike in style. Plus, they’re currently offering up to 33% off and free shipping so there’s never been a better time to buy.
If you have a kiddo who’s on the go but isn’t quite ready for a phone, this kid-safe smart watch is a great start. Meant for kids ages 5-12, this wearable phone makes keeping track of kids and staying in touch with them easier. In addition to getting a safe taste of independence, they’ll also love finding a watch band that fits their style. Get the Gabb Watch FREE when you sign up for a Gabb Cellular Plan until 12/26!
If your LO loves a play kitchen, they’re going to love this play grocery store. They can crank the conveyor belt, scan items in the beeping scanner, bag groceries, swipe their “credit card,” or use the cash drawer. Another great option for sibling play, with one side dedicated to shopping and the other for checking out.
A bounce house is guaranteed to keep kids entertained and playing for hours—and this one is extra-special because it includes a slide and a ball pit. How fun is that?! We also love that it can be used outdoors during warm weather or inside in the basement during the colder months. Make every day feel like their birthday with this one!
If your kids like climbing all over and/or deconstructing your furniture the way mine do, the colorful Nugget play couches are a great solution to that. Available in tons of fun colors and neutrals, this is a gift your littles will love that you definitely won’t mind adding to any living space or playroom.
How fun is this play diner?! A great gift for preschoolers, this wooden play space features a diner kitchen on one side and a booth with seating for two on the other.
Easy to construct and bound to inspire hours of exciting, imaginative play, this canvas playhouse has four windows and an open front door. We love its simplistic and neutral design that’ll fit seamlessly in any space. It can be personalized with your little’s name, too!
A kid-favorite, big-ticket Montessori gift recommended for littles ages 6 months to 6 years, this Pikler triangle provides a safe space for children to climb and practice their balance, coordination, strength, and independence.
This multi-functional light and sensory sand activity table is unlike any I’ve seen before. It includes a backlit panel with 20 color options, glows in the dark, and can be used with sand, water, and more for sensory activities that will enthrall your kids.
Building a fort has never been easier! This unique tablecloth will turn any table into the pretend play space of your little one’s dreams.
This is a big wow item for kids that, thankfully, stores in an itty bitty bag. Just make sure you have or purchase a box fan or 18″ tabletop fan separately so they can use it right away.
This classic play kitchen from editor-favorite toy brand Melissa & Doug will blend into any home decor and has everything your little one needs for plenty of interactive, imaginative play—even a working ice cube dispenser! Plus, it includes a fridge and storage shelf for all their kitchen accessories.
Big-Ticket Holiday Gifts for Big Kids
Basketball stars in the making will love receiving this hoop that’s perfect for them to grow into. If they’ve had a smaller one for a while now that they’re stating to outgrow, now may be the perfect time to get one that will stay with them for years to come.
Is your kiddo ready for their first iPad? If so, there will be plenty of sales throughout the holiday season to pick one up, like this 9th generation option from Target. iPads are great for watching their favorite shows, viewing YouTube videos, playing games, and creating in fun artistic apps—with parental controls, of course!
While we’re on the electronic train, their own set of headphones will come in handy more often than not. This popular pair from Beats are totally in style and come in four cool colors.
Make every gamer’s dreams come true with the shiniest and newest Xbox Series X console. Known for having advanced performance features, this console is sure to last for years to come—and so will the joy!
Adventure is out there! And now your kiddo can set out to find it in the coolest way possible. This NatGeo set includes a telescope, a microscope, binoculars, and accessories for each. With this complete set, they’ll see more of the world than they ever thought possible.
An electric scooter is just as fun as you would imagine. This option from the Segway brand is suitable for ages 6-14 and designed with safety in mind. Plus, kids will love it for the built-in Bluetooth speaker.
Combine their love of Harry Potter and LEGOs into one epic gift. This set is an investment piece that they’ll love to keep on display when they’ve completed it. If Harry Potter isn’t their thing, there’s sure to be a set out there that they’ll be thrilled about.
Skywalker Trampolines is loved by parents for safety features like enclosure nets, sturdy construction, and safety padding. If a trampoline has been on your radar recently, consider this option that parents will love for the thoughtful features and kids will love for the built-in basketball hoop.
While it may be easy to say “no” to instruments as gifts due to the noise, there are few things that spark as much creativity and dedication than music. With a strategic placement in the house (or garage!) and some parameters, a drum set may be the present of your budding musician’s dreams.
Young readers will be thrilled to receive a Kindle that opens the world of words up like never before. The newest edition includes a dreamy cover that comes in three colors, a six month subscription to Amazon Kids+, and a two-year warranty.
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
A mom of two, Kathy is passionately committed to sharing the honest, helpful—and often humorous—stories of motherhood, as she navigates her own everyday adventures of work, marriage, and parenting. She honed her creative and strategic skills at advertising agencies in Detroit and Chicago, before pivoting from marketing to editorial. Now instead of telling brand stories, she’s sharing her own, with articles published across popular parenting sites—including hundreds of stories on The Everymom.
Brett Nicole Hayden, Assistant Editor
As the Assistant Editor, Brett works with the editors of The Everymom on the content creation process by updating stories, sourcing images and graphics, and pitching and contributing her own articles. Her favorite topics to write about are culture, relationships, and living. She’s also The Everymom’s resident baby names and family movies expert!
This post contains a sponsored inclusion of Guardian Bikes and Gabb Wireless but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board.