Gift Guide #1: Your Chatty Kids Who Are Learning Algebra But Still Want Bedtime Stories.
For toddlers: A warming goose (and corresponding heart explosion!!!), which doubles as a heat pack or cold back, $72.
All kinds of fun play food, from $10.
For older kids:
A magic mind-reading book, $17, that looks legitimately clever.
A frozen bubble kit for rosy-cheeked afternoons, $30.
Pajamas, like skis, gingerbread, bears, or flowers. From $15.
Jill Krementz’s books about young girls doing cool things (I LOVED these when I was little), used from $10.
Giant floor puzzle of a tiger or koala, from $28; or a shark to build on your wall, $17.
Press-on nails, $34, or sticker earrings (these are cute, too), from $11, for an at-home spa day.
A visit — or an annual membership — to a museum or aquarium you know they’ll love. Priceless?
A marbling kit for meditative mornings, $30.
Truly delicious Swedish sour candy, from $20.
What would you add? What gifts have been hits in the past? My kids also love electronic piggy banks and indoor balls; and I’d wear these star tights myself!
P.S. The 2024 kids gift guide, the 2023 kids gift guide, and the 2022 kids gift guide.
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Tags: 2025 holiday gift guide, gift guide, gifts, gifts for kids
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199 commentsThank you to whoever recommended this click counter https://a.co/d/iuS3hXh as a stocking stuffer! I gave one each to my 13 and 10.5 year old boys and they love them! My 10.5 year old was walking around with his this morning, clicking away, and I overheard him explaining to his brother “it’s a lifestyle” lol
I loved stick-on earrings growing up. What a great gift idea for a little love! Can’t wait for my baby girl to grow into girlhood and discover the whimsy in them, as well.
If I’m missing it, apologies but I loveee this marbeling kit but the link isn’t working. Could we get an updated one? Thanks for all you do, love these lists every year!!
Hey Jessica! Thanks for the heads-up! Looks like the shop we linked to sold out and removed the page. I’ve updated the link to another museum shop that carries the same kit for the same price. :)
Some of the best gifts that I’ve given my daughter have cost no money or involved very little stuff. One year “Santa” brought coupons like “your mom has to be quiet for 10 minutes” or “you can watch dinner in front of the TV”. She was so giddy with excitement. Last Christmas, Santa gave her $300 in $10 bills, along with ziplock bags. The gift included instructions to fill the bags with cash (she could choose the amount per bag) along with a Cliff bar and note (e.g., “We wish good things for you”). The deal was that she had to give these all away to people who needed it. I worried she might be disappointed but she was intrigued and excited to make it happen. We keep the bags in our car and give them to people asking for money at stop lights. It’s helped our family normalize helping strangers in a way that I’m really grateful for.
Erin, this is SO inspiring and wonderful! What an amazing way to teach her about the joy of helping others.
My siblings got my 2 year old the Highlights magazine subscription for her birthday and she is obsessed! We read each one a million times over and I cannot wait till the next month’s arrive so we can retire the previous month’s!
When I was growing up, my dad would give each kid a budget for a donation & we got to choose what to donate to. We LOVED it. I cannot remember many presents I received, but I remember spending daysss discussing the big decision with my dad & siblings. Sometimes we would try to pool our money together so we could make a big donation, other years we’d spread it all over the place. It was the best & I still make a big donation at the end of every year. It’s our tradition. Also, park passes are a great gift for outdoorsy people, especially families that live in another area.
What a great idea re: the donation! I’m going to try that with my daughter this year.
Oh God I love these gift guides soooo much! Every year I wanna be a husband, grandma, child and sister all at the same time.
My boys are 6 & 4 and last year we got into board games and it’s been so fun! My favorite at the moment to gift are Sleeping Queens, Rush Hour Jr (one player logic game), and Outfoxed. :) will be getting the Klask for Christmas as their “big gift” which comes highly recommended!
Tween suggestions: Tortilla blanket Wearable blanket Titan 13 figurines Nail polish Uno or Taco Goat Cheese Pizza Legos, obviously Hot cocoa mix The Week Junior is a really great news magazine for ages ~8-13 (my teenagers and I get sucked into it, too). I’m so impressed with how they handle divisive or difficult news, cover international events (often better than my ‘adult’ sources), and have a lot of fun content. It’s my favorite “not stuff” gift for curious kids
Big second for The Week Jr!
Same for this week jr – my 10 year old is suite curious and into history and current events – she devours it every week
Great list!!! Thank you! Also thank you to those who replied about “the week jr”. I was mentally debating about it as I scrolled down I saw the 2 endorsements, which was super helpful!
Any fun ideas for a first Christmas for a 7 mo old? I figure just the wrapping paper will be the most exciting, but I would love to find some silly little things to have under the tree for baby.
Board books and lush bath bombs! Homemade safe play dough! They will put it in their mouth now, but you’ll know it’s safe.
This year I’m planning to get some instruments for an 8 month old! An egg shaker, baby piano, and xylophone were hits with my older kid and little sister has loved them since she was 5 months or so. This year I’m thinking of adding bongos or a steel drum to the collection. Sturdy to smack and will grow with them.
We wrapped up kitchen utensils when our son was this age. He was overjoyed. Every year, we tell him about it and he thinks it’s the funniest thing. “Mom – is this the wooden spoon you gave me for Christmas???”
We wrapped up a dedicated tissue box that was purely for the delight of the baby to pull them out
That’s a great time to get a skip hop activity center if you’re looking to get a gift that is also for you! Also stacking cups will be a huge hit soon and inexpensive. Otherwise bath toys are usually my go to
Gift Guides time!!!! I’m Mariah melting. So excited! It’s Tiiiiiiiimmmme!
An idea that others may love as much as I do: My partner and I don’t have kids, but at Christmas we love ‘adopting’ a child through Angel Tree. We’ve got a 5 year old boy this year and just can’t wait to spoil him. He’s a little artist! This is, in part, such a special tradition for me especially because my mother used to take my sister and me to help shop for an angel each year. One year there was a girl our age that wanted a bike, something we loved to do. I remember that so vividly and it’s always given a lot more meaning to the holidays for us. Highly recommend if your family is able <3
I have young kiddos and am going old school for one of our gifts – a metal slinky that can actually go down our stairs! We live in NYC so there’s lots of stairs for it to travel down.
I was obsessed with A Very Young Dancer as a child and I just introduced my 3 year old and 4 year old daughters to the book. The pictures are as wonderful as I remember, particularly the series of Stephanie and her friend as frogs. ❤️
I’m very excited for my friends’ kids to get to reading age so I can buy them animal fact advent calendars from Skype a Scientist: https://squidfacts.bigcartel.com/ Got the crab one for myself (a fully grown adult haha) last year and have not taken it down yet, because it looks nice and sometimes you just want to remember some crab facts.
I had A Very Young Rider! Where is she now? I wanted to be her!
The current year’s Guinness Book of World Records is always a hit at my house (boy 12, boy, 9, girl 6). Bonus if you can buy at a local bookstore or kids’ school book fair to support local.
Love this thoughtful gift guide (and the lack of Amazon links)!
The subject of The very Young Gymnast is my sister in law!!!
What?! That is so cool!
OMG I was in gymnastics and loved that book as a kid! Maybe CoJ could do a where are they now post about each of the girls?
omg fangirling! I was OBSESSED with that book as a kid (and I didn’t even do gymnastics). I remember sitting with the book in this cozy little corner of my school library, reading it over and over. My 6yo is now on the gymnastics team and I can’t wait to introduce her to this gem.
Confirming the marble paper kit is an awesome gift at any time of the year. I got a kit off etsy for my son’s 9th birthday and it was a hit! Also I love the NYC shops you linked and now have a shopping plan for a trip there that is coming up! Yay!
Ohh can you share the Etsy link?
I love that you linked to Cranbrook! MI represent
I want that goose!!
We all need that goose!!
Yes!!! 🪿
These are some things I have bought my elementary-aged sons that they have loved and play with all the time. I’m putting this out into the universe in hopes that someone will respond with a similar list (but of things my kids don’t have), and my shopping will be done! Nok Hockey https://carrom.com/products/nok-hockey%C2%AE?srsltid=AfmBOooX_N-oA39jBh5HVo2an9z_0DwPrp13Bv7w7aDwdq5bxupKBUCj X-tra large Magna Tiles amazon.com/PicassoTiles-Supersized-Stabilizer-Construction-Engineering/dp/B07G33CMC6/ref=sr_1_3?crid=39E0TZ3BQXDV5&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.1HnLz8BRsNuhpQr8WVmHKtJdXChXx_AMOq4tycaFcL8KITRW7AXWhi9GP3ybHfPYtUzFN-V1Kjb1TIQuIc55G-64qV6pjM14Ylcyq47TtScyXIkcBZQLeFnxUmSX5-RaZ0mjMyO4jemJ5GvX0aIMWJtd1f0w2tZQg-81thbcDEjUUaC9x8MG24Kggetpr0OHQqAYR_U_Y41rAS_RPDMZMHKkhJFjI9kqauNca6AZQFLHanUAY1riqL09bJA7SCpGhSp5umui-Fj-RX0I5oce23Ea79A9RY0oyU6cYgef3Rk.HK-Tis1wEubJgovlOauyUMVUD8PAMt3vGseL2nVbq5o&dib_tag=se&keywords=x+tra+large+magna+tiles&qid=1762894518&sprefix=extra+large+magna+tile%2Caps%2C132&sr=8-3 Yoto Box with Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Roald Dahl books Snap Circuits A real pasta maker for Play-Doh (you can usually find these at thrift shops) Hex Bugs to use with Magna Tiles These stocking stuffers have also been big hits Hand-held milk frother for hot chocolate This weird counter thing:https://www.amazon.com/SDARMING-Counters-Counting-Knitting-Coaching/dp/B0971CF137/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=PX5PS800AHBN&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.CZTuZJXUkAPcd5Xj1xnhMy9cs7-7ysjsdoVMT-JmEE5EpSwnJjsLR1EtcImkNBguFhXdszMS1vWP0IWhx85ONJqP1pwfb2UMpq0VwwjAQPUkgCtfYOJAv7ukMmZCCty56XHus2bqyi_lUqLL0EWyq2IEAVNuIaB-NpEKgbncFR36MdJ2qiv3l7G1eXE8nQaw9S_vZjjM-folj886U_YCCoLA7Ze9j8WQ9M3CQeu2_COVSTHtTXOvkfNFXjEUUYN5qfUbzTsdCQgqVjt-crYCcng2aCxFRcvOtDonjzEByQo.pKRy7qXb1IbgTEuCjTDJccn-_Hx1dbfCffq6-jD9-6U&dib_tag=se&keywords=metal%2Bcounter&qid=1762894258&sprefix=metal%2Bcounter%2Caps%2C201&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1
Your thrift shop pasta maker reminds me of one of the best used items I’ve gotten my kids: an overhead projector. They use it quite a bit, and it’s great with magnatiles as well! You can do the plastic sheets and wet erase markers, but honestly my kids just draw directly on the glass with dry erase and it’s been fine.
Hex bugs with magna tiles is a super fun combination! My boys played with those for hours and hours!! I don’t have ideas locked in for my 12 and 10 year olds yet so can’t share anything except these washable window markers, which I imagine they’ll use to make targets for Nerf darts: https://share.google/iozg1cnM75Mux8nZe
Marbling kits are REALLY fun, for all ages. I fondly remembering hours spent with my girls making beautiful designs. It’s a very meditative art project.
Okay, reaching out for ideas b/c you all are the best! I have a 10 year old son: loves soccer (but has all the soccer stuff he needs), art, science & engineering. But never uses any of the awesome sets or kits that he gets for Christmas/bday. (Seriously, his closet is full of unopened kits that I’m slowly taking back and saving for his younger sibling.) But he still wants that Magic-of-Christmas present experience. I’m at a total loss. A shoulder massager was a hit last year (the kid loves touch and massage), as was a 3D pen, but the fun of that really only lasts a couple of days. He’s a rabid animal lover, and a new pet would make his world… but I’m not going down that road (we have a dog that will eat anything that moves). We have all the art supplies a house can reasonably hold. He loves building HUGE things out of cardboard, but aside from a rainbow set of duct tape… I’m stuck (pun intended).
Have you heard of this for cardboard construction play? https://www.make.do/
Fellow cardboard crafter here. Zygote brown designs may have a template that suits him— this plus some high quality cardboard (make friends at any store that sells appliances near you) could be a winner. https://www.zygotebrowndesigns.com/ Or maybe there is a maker space near you where he can do a class/workshop?
Long brass brads that you connect cardboard wheels and steering wheels were a giant hit at our house
What about a coupon book of ideas is things to to or build – a series of specific challenges if you will. That might be one way to draw out the fun. 1. Build a fort & have a movie night. 2. Invent a travel machine to visit grandma/aunt/friend in … But you cant touch the ground 3. If you could combine the features is any three animals what would they be, what would it look like, what’s its name, natural habitat etc. A zoo pass or robotics challenge were the other things that come to mind.
What about experiential? Tickets to a pro game, engineering camp over winter break, museum membership and promise of some solo dates there, a weekly date at an animal shelter or adopting an animal at a rescue (my 7 year old “has” an otter in Montana.
Sounds like my now-20-year old at that age. Complicated Lego kits were the answer. She’d finish them that same day but it kept her happily occupied all of Christmas while she ate every bite of candy from her stocking.
Give him An Invention Box. Maybe this is a tackle box or metal toolbox or some other container with bits and bobs for his cardboard adventures : metal brads, washers, tape, x-acto knife or box cutters, safety goggles, a ruler.
I know that books might have a limited wow factor but this book The Photo Ark by Joel Sartore, which is “a National Geographic project to photograph every species in captivity, with a focus on endangered animals” has had my kids obsessed. It’s a beautiful book with creative juxtapositions and would be great for an animal obsessed kid
Klever kutters for his cardboard projects! And make do!
Tickets to a professional soccer match ?
Does he have a favorite player or team on the world stage? Turns out my son’s favorite player is Son Heung-min who was playing for Tottenham Hotspurs (now he’s with LA Galaxy). Both the sport, player and the team are completely unfamiliar to me but we were happy to surprise him with a personalized jersey.
Damn, the meditative marbling kit is out of stock already! 😭I was going to buy it for my 7 year old budding artist and sneak a couple of turns for myself.
Just Google meditative marbling kit and you’ll find that exact kit elsewhere along with tons of other options!
Hey Meredith! FYI, we’ve updated the link to a different museum shop that still has it in stock (at the same price)! :)
Wonderful list!! Unfortunately the Marbling Kit is sold out! But I LOVE when I clicked the link it was to the Cranbrook Art Museum! I adore walking through the grounds at Cranbrook
Everyone needs a warming goose. My heart!
I’m getting all of my nieces and nephews (ages 4-17) an Aloha Tiny Board! Think a tech deck, but a tiny surfboard that you can “surf” through the air or play with in the bath, pool, beach, etc. They’ve been a huge hit with my friend’s kids AND they are under $20 a pop and can be personalized with stickers! https://www.alohatinyboards.com/
This looks super cool. Thinking of my great niece and nephews. I wish I could see a video of a kid using it. Do they hold it with their fingers and fool around with it in the air ? It looks neat, with the mini stand, wax, stickers, etc. and the charitable causes.
I see there is video of people using it on the website ! I’m sorry ! I was so excited, I missed that part. These are cool !
Can anyone point me to the video on the website? This looks sooo awesome, but I’d love to see how they use it!
Hilary, what I saw was a hand out a car window, moving the tiny board and also at the shoreline in the water. It is kind of embedded and not a separate video. I didn’t notice it at first either. I had fun picking out specific board stickers for each of 3 kids , my great niece and nephews, and reading about each creator with their picture and the causes they support. I’ll add these to the books I always get them. Have fun !
I received my tiny boards ! I ordered 3 and Eric packed them each in their own very sturdy and cute cardboard box. The board, board sticker and stand in each individual box. I’m not going to wrap them. They are cute as is with the tiny board logo on it. Came in recyclable packaging. Each creator’s name and cause the purchase supports is printed on back of sticker paper which I appreciated. Now off to my East Coast great niece and nephews they will go !
Sharing an easy craft, making candle holders from ice for outdoor use. It’s very cosy to line the path to our home to welcome guests when we host a dinner party. Maybe your little ones are excited to try too? Fill up mixing bowls with water and set them out overnight to freeze. Unmold them the next day, where I am it doesn’t get cold enough for them to freeze entirely, once you tip out the excess water, they become these beautiful organic half – formed ice globes. I like the look without but it can be extra fun if you want to add leaves or flowers into the water prior freezing.
Love this list! Also wanted to add these watercolor books which I’m eyeing for my girls – https://shop.emilylex.com/products/watercolor-workbook-animals
I have these! They are great!
I got these for all my nieces last year! They were great for 11 and 14, but the 9yo had trouble with it. But they’re beautiful and very high quality for older kids or adults!
I really have to knock it out of the park with a gift/s for a 16-year old boy. He’s super bright, loves math, computers, cubing, magic the gathering, games, trivia, cats. He seems allergic to bro culture but he really loved the owala water bottle and hoodie I got him. His dad (my partner) is a widower and not in touch with the 16-year-old world. Help? Things that make high school easier on a delightfully geeky boy without trying to rebrand him?? Or things that say “I see you and I think you’re awesome”??
I live with a sixteen year old boy, our Go-to’s: Gift Cards, Food, fast food, co op, gas, Dick’s. We are going to splurge- Boise over the ear headphones Anything NIKE (thus Dick’s GC)
Hi! My teen nerd (his term for himself) loves punny t-shirts (“Never trust an atom, they make everything up”), books full of did-you-know type facts, Randall Monroe’s books and gift certificates to favorite stores. Good luck!
Has he ever tried Raspberry Pi? My husband is a software engineer and this is always his suggestion for beginning coders and programmers.
Take a look at CrunchLabs! Also a Makey Makey could be a cool thing to experiment with. If he’s not into it already, Settlers of Catan is a classic. Sounds like you’re an excellent adult for this kid to have around — someone who sees and loves him for who he is.
Similar kid in my life really loved the DK “Big Ideas Simply Explained” series: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=dk+big+ideas+simply+explained&crid=22HTBNT2HCI4&sprefix=dk+big+ideas+simply+explained%2Caps%2C98&ref=nb_sb_noss_2 Pick up a few that reflect your giftee’s interests! Also, if he’s into gaming, I want to point you to https://www.artofplay.com/ (They also have a store in Brooklyn) which has gob-smackingly beautiful playing cards, puzzles, and games of all sorts. But maybe the best gift I’ve given teenage boys was the MetMuseum playing cards featuring items from the Arms & Armory exhibit! https://store.metmuseum.org/lingo-armor-playing-cards-80055314
Could you write him a card that said, “I see you and I think you’re awesome”
If it’s within your budget and you live in an area where these are available, I’d recommend getting him an experience… Escape Room tickets (maybe group tickets so that he can take a friend or two) Laser Tag or Paintball tickets Magic Show tickets or hire a private magician Cat Cafe tickets Gaming expo or convention tickets Rent a game truck
How about a 3d printing pen or sticker creator/printer? A visit to a cat cafe? A game the three of you can play? Catherine Newman always has great lists of recommended games for different ages.
What about an experience package? Like an indoor rock climbing lesson series? Or event tickets for two (so a parent, or you, can take him to a sports event or a play or some kind of geek tournament that he is into) ?
What about a glass-blowing or metal-working class? In my area (Boise, ID) there are a bunch of places that offer a one-time 2-3 hour class where you get to make a couple of items to bring home. The classes are usually priced for 1 or 2 people with a single instructor. (My 13 yo–with similar interests to your 16 yo–loved this idea but I’ve never followed through. Sigh. I owe him.)
You guys, these are fantastic. And the Art of Play is owned (in part!) by my neighbors! (We went on a camping trip and they brought along an amazing assortment of puzzles.) Will definitely write a card, too.
Louisa, what a wonderful adult influence you are! This is a splurge as well but i wonder if he might be interested in an entry level 3D printer like Bambu A1, maybe used. My college aged kids asked for Bose over the ear headphones as well. Also give http://www.uncommongoods.com a browse for unique gifts
Do you have a local table top game shop that he likes to go to? That he gets MTG cards at? Go talk to the people at the shop and see if they have any ideas, and/or they may have upcoming events (like drafts, or pre releases or something) where you could give him sort of a directed gift card towards it, and tie in other things like lunch around the corner from the shop, or a gift certificate to go out after a day of “cube” or “commander” with his friends. There are also special boxes for holding their “deck” and also albums that have sleeves to hold the cards, if he doesn’t have either of those yet. My high school boy was very into MTG, and I have no idea how to play it, but I just know those terms. It is generally a *fantastic* community of people of all ages that are really respectful, nice, and fun. I can’t recommend enough getting him involved (or encouraging his involvement) in your local neighborhood game shop. My kid is in college now and doesn’t play MTG really anymore (too busy), but when he’s home on break he will go down to the shop for an afternoon or evening of MTG. He may also like books by Terry Pratchett (his Discworld series), and Brandon Sanderson. Math/logic type books that are super engaging: “Here’s Looking at Euclid” and “The Grapes of Math,” both by Alex Bellos.
May not be the right vibe for your teen boy, but if he is at all into Nike/shoe culture, this ‘history of sneakers’ poster is what I plan to get my partner’s teenage son. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UHJVV1G/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?smid=A2DYKOTGVFDP6T&th=1
If he doesn’t have one, maybe a nice wallet? It’s an age where it can be fun to have your *own* adult things. I got one recently from portland leather- their seconds sale is very affordable and the items are in near perfect condition!
Adding Sam Kean and Theodore Gray books to this excellent list. And every teen I know has or wants an Ikea Blahaj stuffed shark.
If he doesn’t have any already, some good bluetooth headphones. If he’s a gamer, he may want a mic. My teenagers love their over-ear headphones. My 16 year old just received hand-down Beats and may lurves them. (FWIW, I’ve intentionally picked not noise-cancelling, because I do want them to – theoretically, eye-roll – hear what’s around them at the same time.) Ditto the witty t-shirt. Snorg tees is a good source for nerdy ones. The wallet is a good idea, too, especially if a drivers permit/license is in play. It’s a symbol of independence, I’ve observed, and he may want one with personality that mirrors his own. Slip in a gift card for one of his favorite places for treats. A keychain with an airtag can also be a good idea.
Love these! I think my 10 yo stuffed-animal-loving son would ADORE that warming goose. (I was thinking of getting him a warming capybara, because… well, honestly, I just want a capybara.) A couple of quick hits for our family: – balance bikes for littles (we loved our Striders!) – FIVES mosaic tiles for 3-8 (fivesdesigns.com; not on Amazon, unfortunately). We got them when my daughter was 3 and they’re still a hit around here 3 years later. Not many building toys have an art emphasis, so this fills a very specific niche in our house. Lots of open-ended play, and they can follow patterns or make up their own designs. Even my 10 yo will still build with them! Plus they can play on top of what they make, so we get lots of Minecraft pictures out of FIVES and then lego and wood-block buildings on top. (Also important to me: they’re designed/produced in the US–no tariffs!–and made from 100% recycled plastic.) – A dancing, talking cactus, naturally. My 6yo got it for her birthday and still carries it around the house with her. It can play songs or record what you say and play it back in a helium-like voice. Lots of curse words and “six-seeevvvven”, and it’s all hilarious in the playback. The whole family just laughs and laughs… everything’s funny when it’s high-pitched, apparently!
The Krementz books are such a welcome bit of nostalgia. Just went down a rabbit hole and learned she was married to Kurt Vonnegut for decades!
I always buy at least one gift from the COJ gift lists each year. They’re creative and resourceful, and I’m sure it’s so much work — but thank you!!
aww that makes me happy!
Any of Emily Calandrelli’s books of science experiments for kids. (Her Netflix show and YT channel are great, too!) https://www.amazon.com/Stay-Curious-Keep-Exploring-Experiments/dp/1797216228
Sentimental comment warning! How many years have I been reading these gift guides all the way through, every single one? Almost 20 years?! And now, in 2025, I have this beautiful 3-year-old daughter who is going to absolutely die over the frozen bubble kit and the marbling kit?! <3 <3 <3 <3 (crying emoji)
Julie, you can probably do a frozen bubble at home right now! Take regular ol’ bubbles you can get from the dollar store, catch one on the wand, and gently put it in the freezer. Watch it periodically- if it gets too cold it starts to crumble.
I’ve heard from so many people how great that goose is (and other stuffed Senger toys) but the one we got was so stuff and crunchy and un-soft that I sent it back immediately. Did I get a dud??
I got Senger elephants for my kids a few years ago and had the same experience – my kids never liked them unfortunately
Also- you have to warm it in the oven. Not the most energy efficient, except if you plan a bit ahead and warm it after having used your oven to cook? It’s a shame because it’s so cute (this picture!) that I think I would have bought it for my always cold 5 year old.
A very nice woman got me a hot water bottle with a knit cover when I was going through a hard time. I use it daily in the winter to this day and I now have one for each of my kids that I put into their beds to warm the cold winter sheets. I think the goose is so cute but these are practical, old fashioned, and easy to use https://www.hotwaterbottleshop.co.uk/products/2-litre-fashy-hot-water-bottle-with-zig-zag-knitted-cotton-cover
Warmie brand stuffies are smaller, but soft and easy to heat in the microwave. Everyone in our family has their own.
Definitely check out Marley and Moose online (https://www.marleyandmoose.com/) or in-person if you are nearby in Colorado this holiday season. It’s a lovely, curated assortment of thoughtful and intentional children’s gifts, put together by a mom and early childhood education expert who moved there from Brooklyn!
This is such a great recommendation! I live in Longmont and didn’t even realize that this was right up the road in Berthoud.
My second grader is officially into football cards – he can only afford $7 packs so going to blow his mind with a full box. And all the board games for my 6th grader…the trick is to get ones that I’m okay playing, too. He also came home from school one day talking about “this thing my teacher had to print name stickers for our computers” – he was describing a label maker! So I may get one of those for kicks.
Btwn my husband and I we have 14 relatives under the age of 7. Our sibs, kids kids. Our holiday gift is babysitting, read books together, going to the holiday show or baking for the older child. We leave other box gifting to the parents.
Great ideas! I’m trying to find some Canadian equivalents, as the US shipping is astronomical. The frozen bubble kit would definitely be a hit with my niece and nephews.
Fellow Canadian here. Try a Mastermind store – if you’re not near one they are online. Great selection of smart and fun stuff for kids. I was a diehard Christmas and birthday shopper for family young ones until they aged out. Still miss going – remote controlled bugs, fashion design and magic kits, stuffies, crafts. They nail it. And no, I’m not an owner and I don’t work there!
Imaginaire is also a great store out of Quebec – lots of games, legos, books, puzzles, etc.
Fellow Canadian here…If this helps, I just ordered frozen bubbles from Bass Pro Shop. I got several stocking stuffers from there and the shipping was beyond reasonable (we don’t live near one of the stores).
As the parent of boys and a frequenter of the library, I can tell you there’s nothing elementary aged boys like than a good nonfiction book about farts and butts. We’ve enjoyed: – Does it Fart? – the entire Butt or Face? series – Battle of the Butts All three of these are nonfiction books, so science + silliness! Bonus Buy: Collen Paeff’s “The Great Stink” which is basically about how poop and disease were the driving force behind modern plumbing – so science + history + poop – but my kiddos really enjoyed it!
This made me laugh more than you know – my 7 year old has adapted Jingle Bell Rock to Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell FART…..and you can imagine all the other words he has thrown in. HA!
A good fiction picture book we added to our halloween collection this year: My Brother’s Butt is Haunted (spoiler, it’s about farts)
Seconding the Butt or Face series! So well-written, informative, and – best of all – funny!
Taylor the Tooting Turkey has been a hit in our house for years… My son was probably a little too young when I first got it for him and there was definitely some “please don’t repeat this at school” moments. Worth it for the giggles!
A marbling kit for meditative mornings; as long as your child is over 10. Having just done some marbling with a 5 year old I can confirm it was . . . not at all meditative.
Lol I was also laughing about the word meditative
Haha… thanks for that input! I was just tagging it for my 6yo, but maybe it’ll go on the “Future” list.
My kids (now 9 and 12) LOVED the Melissa and Doug wooden school bus that was recommended here like a decade ago. It’s one of my go to gifts for toddlers! This year my 7th grader only wants soccer jerseys and money to spend on video games, and my 4th grader is asking for expensive Lego sets.
Same circumstance – I have 2 boys 10 and 7. We bought the bus for the toddler version of my 10 year after reading about it here. We still have it as my 7 year old will occasionally play with it. Plus, I’ll probably never part with it. It’s special in many ways.
I checked out Jill Krementz‘s books more than any other fr my school library. I read the dancer and gymnast books over and over, and while I didn’t do much of either, I now have daughters who love to dance and tumble. Maybe it soaked into my DNA through osmosis – had my hands on those pages often and just ordered both books!
Same! Oh I must’ve read those 2 books hundreds of times. I bought used copies a few years ago from Amazon for myself. They are still fun to flip through :-)
My teen just heard me say “Oh wow!” out loud at the Jill Krementz books! I definitely took those out a zillion times from the library as a kid. I remember looking for them when my kids were a bit younger, but drew the line at a $100 used copy!
I loved that Very Young Dancer book so much when I was a kid!
I remember my mind being blown that she ate dinner out of a thermos!
Oh the marbling kit is such a fantastic idea ! I seriously consider it for myself. Also I would add to your list a card game which has been our favorite for years, Piratatak by Djeco. And it’s small so easy to travel with. For books I would highly recommend All Around Bustletown (the one with the 4 seasons) by Rotraut Susanne Berner : endless fun at following each character through the pages !
Omg I love All the Town All Year Round! that was a favorite when the boys were little. and thank you for the card game rec!!
I love all things Djeco! Such beautiful craft activities for kids too, like origami paper planes and sticker art
Could you add the warming goose to every gift guide, because I would happily receive that as a gift or give it to a friend :)
hahaha yes, me too! (raising my hand for huggable goose!)
I put the chicken version of the warming goose on my baby registry – gonna be little one’s first fancy stuffy. It arrived yesterday and instantly my husband (and our dog) both wanted it for themselves hahah. Such a precious little gift!
Cup of Jo team I think you linked the 2023 gift guide twice, for both 2024 and 2023
Fixed! Thanks for the heads-up!
Wondering if y’all can source the stick on earrings in the picture? The link sent me to pearls earrings. Thank you!
Here you go!
Love the sticker earrings and will get a set for my 4 year old who, every day, asks to wear earrings. Debating on the stick-on nails; they still seem too mature for a preschooler. She would love the “day in the life” books too, but maybe when she’s a little older (and can read lol)
My Kindergartener loves the nail stickers. Just beware that they will probably end up on your nails too: https://supersmalls.com/collections/nail-care/products/everyday-polish-nail-art-sticker-booklet#Image28505421512752
Omg I had A Very Young Dancer as a little girl and was obsessed! I didn’t know there were other books by the same author! Thanks for reminding me. I ordered my son a used copy of his favorite origami book that he has repeatedly checked out from the school library (like…every single week for the last year). A couple years ago we got the out of print The Boy Who Sailed Around The World on eBay, another book from my childhood that I loved, and we enjoyed reading it together before bedtime over a couple weeks. What an adventure!
In addition to museum passes (yes!) you might consider taking your toddlers, kids, and teens to see a play. If you aren’t sure how to find this type of thing outside of touring/Broadway performances, here are some good google search combos: – “Theatre for the Very Young”, [your city] – “Theatre for Young Audiences”, [your city] “Theatre for the Very Young” is for 0-5 year olds and is less common in the US but can be found in many major cities and across the globe. Theatre for Young Audiences is more ubiquitous (in the US, at least) and searching for that specifically will help you find a local youth-focused theatre (that’s still professional) rather than a touring show. In the US, local, professional TYA theatres are often more risk-taking, inclusive, and meaningful than a touring Disney show. Kiddos in your life (yes, even 0-5 year olds!) can see theatre by incredible artists who are thinking about their development and communities. Highly recommend!
I love this idea. I grew up in Chicago in the early 60’s and Goodman Theater had matinee performances for children, which we attended regularly. I grew up into a committed theatergoer as a result.
Oh my god, a very young dancer!!! I loooved this book and it was such a treasure!
This year I’m hosting my sister’s family for Christmas! Beyond excited to spend a week together! We decided that our kids will exchange games as their gift to one another. Any good suggestions for games for a 7 and 4 year old? :) thanks!
My 5 year old loves Outfoxed (and it’s enjoyable for older kids/adults too). Qwirkle is our very favorite and we play as a family a couple nights a week and it’s fun for everyone and simple enough for the 5 year old.
Jenga, unless that is something they have already? The 4 yo may not have the dexterity, but that is a game that can be played from 6-7 yo to infinity!
Catan Jr and Sleeping Queens are winners at my house.
“Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza” and subsequent versions are great for all ages
Spot It, and it’s many variations, is great for younger kids because it doesn’t require any reading or strategy, so a young kid is on equal footing with others! Also for a 7 year old ticket to ride junior is a hit in my house!
With my 5 and 8 year old we love: –Monopoly Jr (goes soooo much faster than the regular version, thank god) –Forbidden Island –Sorry! –I second Outfoxed –Lion in my Way (more for the younger kid than the 8 year old now) –Sushi Go! would be fun for the older one –And Storytime Chess has been a surprise hit for us lately
Qwirkle is a favourite here too, but I wouldn’t suggest it for a 4yo. I’m in the minority in being so very bored by outfoxed but it’s a good fit for that age group. Uno is great for all ages. And you can get an Uno Junior version, which has animals to help any players who haven’t mastered all their numbers yet. Matching games are great for those ages too (the kind where you have to turn cards over and remember where they are – also good for adult brain workouts!) and come in lots of lovely designs. Pizza Party is good for small kids. I don’t know if you have the Orchard Toys games in the US, but those have loads of great options for 4-7yo kids too.
We love My First Carcassonne. The 4yo might need a little help; we played as a team when my daughter was that age. Also Guess in 10!
Race to the Treasure is a hit for both my 3 year old and 6 year old, and one I enjoy playing too. My 6 year old and I both like Ticket to Ride junior. And my 6 year old basically learned to count playing classic chutes and ladders when he was 4.
tenzies and slapzies are fun! also… not a board game, but you can’t beat stomp rockets at those ages!
My 6 year old has been loving No Stress Chess, Guess Who, and Trouble.
Second the recommandation for My first Carcassone. My 5 yo loves it and its interesting for the grown ups too.
Deduckto is a fave with my six year old
Happy Salmon is the absolute funniest game to play with extended family. We die laughing every single year.
My 4 year old loves UNO. It’s genuinely fun to play with him and he can play with lots of family. He uses this card holder to hold his hand and it works so well. It’s a UK link but I know these are available in the us at stores too https://www.hamleys.com/little-hands-card-holder
Big fan of the beautiful game Bears and the Bees. There are a couple of iterations available, and I love them both. Also: it’s “out of print” now, but when my youngest was around those ages, he always, always wanted to play Payday, which is kind of a cross between Life and Monopoly, but short and sweet. xox
These are so good! I am so excited for your gift guides!
Omigosh, the Jill Krementz books! I have quite a story about A Very Young Dancer. Like many girls growing up in the 1980s, my sister Gretchen and I took ballet lessons and cherished our copy of the book–its jacket is almost completely shredded at the edges yet still on my bookshelf. My sweet sister Gretchen died of cancer at 13 in1993, performing in her final ballet recital in our Michigan hometown just a few months before, so graceful in her costume and bald from chemotherapy. In the months following Gretchen’s death, my mom, a nurse practitioner who cared for Gretchen until the end of her life, reached out to Jill Krementz to share her gratitude for the book, sharing how much Gretchen loved it and how she continued to dance through her grueling chemotherapy treatments. Jill responded with a gracious letter and offered to come to Michigan from her home on the East Coast, meet our family, and do some outreach events in the community. And indeed she came, sleeping in Gretchen’s bedroom and meeting with our family, friends, and community. I was away at college during Jill’s visit, but my parents have a photo album of her visit. And when Jill came, she brought a whole collection of her books with her that is still at my parents’ house today. <3
Thank you for sharing this beautiful story. How incredible that the author would take the time to respond to your mom’s letter in this way. I am sorry for your loss. But heart warmed to hear of how your sister’s memory was honored.
This is such a moving story, Renee. What a tender memory of Gretchen at her recital, and what a sweet response from Jill Krementz. Thanks for sharing.
This is amazing – thanks for sharing.
Wow. I am truly floored. What a special moment for your family in the wake of such grief.
oh my gosh, this is so incredibly beautiful. thank you so much for sharing, Renee, and I’m so sorry for your loss. your sister sounded so lovely. xoxo
This made me tear up. What a beautiful gesture from the author and a touching way to honor your sister Gretchen.
SO into my second hand bookstore these days. Late November goals: block off 2 hours to find 10 + second hand books – knocking off stocking stuffers for people age 6 – 76*, for a fraction of what I normally spend. * there will still be chocolate.
Perfect!
Jill Krementz’s books, so amazing! I spent hours with that Very Young Dancer. More and more the natural history museum feel weird to me — a bunch of killed and stuffed animals — and the aquarium too — a bunch of captive live animals. Instead, how about David Attenborough’s Ocean? And a day walking shelter dogs together?
For anyone who is money-conscious but still wants to be a fun gift-getter — you can make frozen bubbles at home without buying a $30 kit! 1. Make a bubble solution by mixing 4 tablespoons of dish soap with 1 cup of water in a beaker Add ½ tsp of glycerin and stir well. 2. Wet the plate with your bubble solution. (Pour a little onto the plate, swirl it around, and pour off the extra.) 3. Dip one end of the straw into the bubble solution and gently blow on the other end to form a bubble on the plate. Carefully blow a bubble and slide it on the plate 4. Carefully remove the straw from the bubble. If it pops, just try again until you get a good one. Place in freezer 5. Open your freezer and make sure there is a spot where you can set the plate. Moving slowly and carefully, pick up the plate and set it in the freezer, then gently close the freezer (so as not to pop the bubble). Frozen bubble 6. Check on the bubble after 5-8 minutes to see if it has started to freeze. You should see ice crystals forming on the bubble. If it doesn’t look completely frozen yet, leave it for a few more minutes, but keep in mind that it doesn’t take long for a thin bubble to freeze, so check back soon! 7. If your bubble pops after it begins to freeze, you’ve left it for too long. Just take the plate out and leave it to thaw for a couple of minutes, then try steps 3-6 again with a new bubble. View ice crystals when the bubble pops 8. Once the bubble is frozen, carefully remove it from the freezer and set it on the counter. Depending on the temperature of your freezer and the temperature of your kitchen, the bubble may form a hole and collapse almost as soon as you remove it from the freezer. That’s okay—you can still check out the ice crystals on the plate and the wisps of the frozen bubble that remain! Use a magnifying glass to examine the ice crystals more closely.
Thanks for the tip! One (perhaps dumb) question: where do you get glycerin? I saw it available at a drug store as a beauty product—is that the right stuff?
Kat – you can get glycerin at natural food stores – often used in making homemade soap.
Wow, I had bookmarked this one as a group gift for our young cousins, but will instead print your instructions and make a little set with glycerine and straws. Thanks, Max! That will let me stretch the budget to the nail art or a book, too :)
Passing along this gift win purely because it was so surprising–by far the biggest Christmas present hit for my four year old was this stacking body puzzle: https://knottytoys.com/products/hape-your-body-5-layers-wooden-puzzle-girl-boy. I threw it in as the educational present but she was so fascinated, and still loves it two years later!
When you look at the Jill Krementz books and they’re all white girls……..
I know, feels very dated.
Jo, how are you going to post that goose and not give credit to Kaitlin Philips?! That’s actually crazy lol let’s please stop pretending we don’t just pull all the material from other people’s substacks.
oh I actually don’t follow her! I found the goose by searching Smallable’s online store; we’ve regularly featured their toys, wallpaper, and clothes since CoJ was founded in 2007. many gift guides have some crossover. hope that helps!
It’s so odd to assume that just because one other person found that goose, nobody else can find it organically? Chill, Norah!
I think it’s reasonable to guess that Jo takes things from other substacks, esp since Gift Guide is one of the biggest, most well-known substacks in NYC.
I’ve literally never heard of this person or their Substack. So I looked it up and it’s been around one year? (Though apparently doing their thing via Google Docs since 2020.) Nowhere on the top Substack lists either (vs Big Salad is #1 for Lifestyle and Fashion FYI). Whereas COJ has been doing what I’d call the OG Substack, aka a blog, since the beginning of internet blog time with gift guides every year, and we’re clearly all COJ readers so we know this….I guess I’m just saying just because some influencer is popular in your radar, or even “NYC” popular, doesn’t mean they’re widely popular.
Jo very commonly credits other bloggers/substackers when she has found a product or idea or article through them. Think about how often you see Jo link to something with the words “found via my friend xx” or “discovered via the great xx Substack”. I’m sure she would have done the same if that is how she had come across the goose. As others have said, it’s not crazy that two gift guides have chosen to recommend the same toy.
The Senger goose has been around for ages. Most families I know have one — I don’t know who Kaitlin Phillips is but I don’t think she owns the idea.
A VERY YOUNG DANCER?! Are you shitting me, I read that book 7,000 times when I was little and literally haven’t thought about it in probably 35 years!! Her dark green leotard?? And she looked exactly like my mom?? Oh my fucking word, blast from the past!!
hahahahahhaha
I’m not familiar with the books but the CoJ excitement must be contributing to the fact that they’re now all sold out on secondhand book sites! Was going to try to buy them for my daughter so will check again in a few months!
Ahhh gift guides!! Appreciate this guide (and the comments that will flow in) as I shop for my nieces. Tweens are such a tough age, so I’m saving any and all ideas.
As a pediatrician, I’m going to choose to assume that the baby pictured at the top is over one year. As reminder, all kids under 1 year should sleep without blankets or stuffed animals (or crib bumpers!) as part of SIDS prevention. Those who can’t yet roll over should sleep on their back.
I’m also a pediatrician and I was also going to comment! This photo gives me palpitations and not in a cute way. This is not safe for babies – it just isn’t worth it.
Omg Ellen thank you! Their website actually shows tiny newborn babies under animals with wing-like blankets. I was going to buy one but now I’m not. TYSM!
Thank you for the crucial reminder, Ellen. I appreciate you.
The recommendation from the website for age on the goose was 2 months, which surprised me given the safe sleep guidelines!
Thank you- I felt nervous seeing this too for the same reasons. The warming goose looks lovely for cuddling and calming your baby, warm stroller walks, etc but doesn’t look safe for SIDS reasons (but hoping this is a toddler in the pic!)
Yes, Ellen! I’m a family doctor who came to the comments to say the same thing!
That was my first thought as well.
YEP! Second I saw this I knew what was to come…. Thank you, Ellen.
I was most keen for this guide this year. This year I’m in a new relationship & beyond thrilled with the chance to buy Christmas presents for kids for the first time in my life! I have 10 & 14 old girls & a 16 boy to spoil and I have no idea where to start!
as an aunt of now teens i love to buy them clothes that are a little spendier or cooler than what they would normally get, but I am assuming that you are in a relationship with one of their parents (?), so that could be trickier! Have fun.
I have a 13 year old girl and these things have been hits in recent years: silk scrunchies and a silk pillowcase for her unruly head of hair (Quince for both); pimple patches (despite the absence of pimples! lol); books! always – recent favourites, anything by Katherine Rundell and she just finished A Language of Dragons and declared it the best book ever, and graphic novels (try Witches of Brooklyn). My sister is also buying her copies of all the books she loved as a teen and it’s so sweet – the books are great but also it creates connection between them. She loves soft warm clothes – affordable cashmere (also from Quince) has been a triumph, and she stole a cashmere beanie from COS my brother bought me one year. Good art supplies are never wrong – paints, brushes, amazing pencils by Blackwing. Earrings from Oh Clem and Pip Pop Post are cute, affordable and super comfortable (flat backs, totally non reactive, can sleep and play sports in them). Complicated Lego sets took up a lot of her time a few years ago; the game rat a tat cat has stayed popular for ages; fun make up from ELF (super bright colours for younger girls to keep it playful, I will die on this hill), and a giant box of chocolates from See’s Candies every time. Hope it helps!
Oh also! magic tricks and jokes objects are so so good (think whoopie cushions, rubber eggs, disguises like fake mustaches). A few years ago I got her a magic box and a real top hat. So much fun!
Aw, I love the Jill Krementz books! I always checked out A Very Young Skater from my local library. I also loved Oh, Boy! Babies! by Alison Cragin Herwig which follows a group of 5th and 6th grade boys taking an after school babysitting class. As a mom of 3 boys, I can attest that boys like hanging out with babies too.