Our 2016 Holiday Gift Guide for Kids is here! Every December, the hunt for the perfect Christmas gifts begins. I look for gifts that won’t just collect dust or be played with for 2 seconds. I especially love creative gifts that inspire creative play or useful gifts. This guide is based on recommendations from other parents and meeting my creative/useful criteria above. There are no paid spots on this guide, as I handpicked all of the products listed below. What you see is really what is sitting under our tree (or what we have already tested). This post does contain affiliate links for your convenience. I hope this helps you come up with some gift ideas for your own children!
Official Elf Kit: This is a great pre-Christmas gift, to get everyone in the holiday spirit. The Official Elf Kit has everything any kid needs to become a real Santa’s helper. From now until Christmas, kids can earn their official elf hat by doing festive activities. The handbook is packed with step-by-step directions in different categories, like Be Helpful & Nice, Family Time, Recipes, Arts & Crafts, Entertain, and Christmas Traditions. Choose the activities that work best for your household, and track the progress on the Elf Meter.
Shark Blanket: If you are looking for a fun gift for your shark loving kiddo, Fin Fun’s Cuddle Tails shark blanket is a must! The blanket super soft and kids can get warm while having some fun in the shark hoodie. If you have a mermaid loving child, Fin Fun also carried mermaid tail blankets. My shark obsessed son is going to go crazy over this blanket under the tree!
Stuffed Wool Unicorn: I was first introduced to Cate & Levi when my son was a baby and received a handcrafted reclaimed wool puppet, made by them. Their puppets and stuffed animals are beautiful crafted and all unique. My daughter is obsessed with unicorns and horses at the moment. She’ll be thrilled to receive a Cate & Levi wool unicorn to cuddle with at night! The flower detailing is my favorite.
Darth Vader Lightsaber 3D Deco Light: I don’t know who is going to be more excited about this gift, my husband or my son. The 3D Deco Lights by 3D Light FX are comforting, cordless, decorative night lights. From Spider-Man to Disney Frozen, there’s a night light that’s perfect for anyone. Aside from a great Christmas gift, these lights are also our go to birthday gift.
Orbeez Ultimate Soothing Spa: My daughter and I have regular mother – daughter “pedicure nights”, so this spa will be a fun addition! The foot spa comes with Orbeez, which begin as tiny seeds and grow when water is added. The spa has a waterfall feature that looks very relaxing. Check out Orbeez on YouTube to see the fun for yourself!
Crayola Air Marker Sprayer: If you have a creative kiddo, like my son, The Crayola Air Marker Sprayer is likely at the top of their list (or it should be)! It turns Crayola markers into spray art – just like a real artist’s airbrush! The electric-powered Air Marker Sprayer allows kids to airbrush just like a professional artist, without the mess of paint. Hours of creative fun!
Ballet & Dress Up Clothes: If you have a little ballerina in your home or someone who loves dress up, AlwaysUnderPay.com has the cutest stuff! From tutus and bows to princess dresses and butterfly wings, they have it all. They even has clothing and accessories for dolls! A new tutu or headband would make a great stocking stuffer!
Super Girl Shimmer Markers & Workbook: These Dab and Dot markers by Doodle Hog make the perfect stocking stuffer! We especially love the shimmer markers and the workbook is great for practicing letters. I always have these on hand for my kids. They are perfect for little hands, completely washable and less mess.
FunBites Sandwich Cutter: Here’s another great stocking stuffer idea, that’s both functional and fun. FunBites makes food fun for kids with their bite-sized, fun shaped cutters. I use our FunBites cutter for lunches and my kids tend to eat more when their food is bite-sized and fun. FunBites is available in different shapes and even cartoon characters, like Minions and Paw Patrol. You may have seen this company on the Shark Tank show.
Craft Supplies: If your kids are like mine, they go through glitter glue, pipe cleaners and googly eyes like water. I always throw a few essential craft supplies in their stockings to replenish our stash. Check out CraftProjectIdeas.com for a specific craft idea, so you can make sure to stuff the stockings full with those supplies.
WeeWork Kit: My son and I recently received a WeeWork kit and we had a great time being creative and chatting about compassion together. Each kit contains the materials and instructions for your fun activity, an educational booklet about an important social issue, and a keepsake to remind kids that they can, and do, make a difference. WeeWork for Good activity kits provide an easy, fun and safe way for children to help make the world bright.
Step2 Grand Luxe Kitchen: If you are in the market for a play kitchen, this is the most amazing kitchen. Like I want one, grown up size, for myself. You can read my Grand Luxe Kitchen review HERE. A play kitchen is a must for any toy room and would make such a great holiday gift!
Little Passports: Kids will love receiving Little Passports, an educational subscription box, in the mail! My son received the World Edition subscription and has enjoyed learning about different countries! With the subscription, kids will receive a new package every month from Sam & Sofia, Little Passports “pen pals”. The monthly package includes letters, souvenirs, activity sheets, stickers/passport/map, photos and access to online games. Such a fun way to learn about the world!
Home Made Luxe Subscription Box (FOR MOM): Calling all my crafty mamas, this one is for you! Home Made Luxe is a monthly subscription box containing all the materials you need to make a beautiful home decor project. Send the link to your significant other or gift one to yourself. Better yet, get your girlfriends all boxes too and plan a craft night to make your projects together!
What will you be getting your children for the holidays this year?
Check out Official Elf Kit, Fin Fun, Cate & Levi, 3D Light FX, Orbeez, Crayola, Always Under Pay, Doodle Hog, FunBites, CraftProjectIdeas.com, WeeWork, The Step2 Company and Little Passports for gift ideas!