"This 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 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 boots, a fun luggage set, or decorations for their bedroom. Read on for 20 of the best holiday gifts that aren’t toys.
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. Another consideration is age, so you’ll find options for the littles ones, toddlers, and little kids. I also wanted to keep budget in mind. 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.
The Best Holiday Gifts That Aren’t Toys
If you’re considering gifting your kid their first phone this year, this smartphone is specifically designed for ages 9 to 13. With smart message filtration to flag and block high-risk content, GPS tracking, and zero access to the internet or social media, it’s the phone that’ll keep them connected and protected.
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Make soggy, wet socks and snowy slips a thing of the past with these affordable kids boots that are as warm, cozy, and durable as they are stylish. With five fun colors and a price point parents will appreciate, it’s the non-toy gift that’ll make your kiddo and wallet happy.
If you’re looking to make screen time more educational and beneficial for a toddler or little kid in your life, we recommend an ABCmouse subscription—an awesome platform for littles aged 2 to 8—that can help kids learn with games and shows designed by educators. Try it free for 30 days!
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!
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!
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.
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
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.
Speaking of creativity, little photographers will love to have their very own camera to take pictures wherever they go.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Inspiring our little ones to read, and reading with them, is always a great idea. Consider gifting this exclusive boxed set of Little Golden Books to introduce them to the classics.
A new set of pajamas they can cuddle up in all season will be a win for all. If your family has the tradition of opening one gift on Christmas Eve, let it be this one so they can wake up even more excited the next morning!
more colors available
Speaking of cozying up, wrap them in a blanket featuring their favorite blue heeler pup, Bluey. This option not only comes with a snuggly blanket, but a comfy pillow as well.
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.
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.
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 Gabb Wireless and Dream Pairs Kids but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board.