Headed to a birthday party and need a gift idea? We’ve got you covered. In this list, we’ve compiled the ultimate list of children’s gift ideas broken down by age. Every single gift on the list is gender-neutral and $30 and under - not to mention sustainable, eco-friendly, minimalist and educational!
Gifts for the 1 Year Old
- Plan Toys Stacking Rocket ($26) Take off to outer space with this Stacking Rocket that supports fine motor skills, logical thinking and problem solving! There’s nothing quite like seeing a little one’s excitement the first time they successfully stack a ring!
- Plan Toys My First Camera ($16) We’ve yet to meet a kid who doesn’t LOVE this toy! Unlock creativity and imaginative thinking by viewing the world through the kaleidoscope lens. Pretend play with the camera offers children the opportunity to story tell and make up scenarios that ultimately support their creative thought process.
- Begin Again Balance Boat Shapes and Colors ($14) This fantastic balancing puzzle game helps kids learn colors, shapes, motor skills, and spatial relationships in a fun and educational way.
- Wee Gallery Beginner Puzzle ($22) Sure to inspire a growing problem solver, our Beginner Puzzles contain 6 puzzles in each box! The large sturdy pieces of each 2-piece puzzle are suited to developing motor skills in young children. These amazing puzzle will keep little ones entertained!
- Wise Elk Wooden Tower ($16) Did you know that when babies hold something made of wood it actually releases anxiety? We like to think of it as a sensorial grounding effect. It’s just one of the many reasons we love wooden toys. This wooden tower is designed for kids entertainment and enriches the baby's knowledge, strengthens fine motor skills, logic, learns numeracy, spatial thinking and even resilience as they experiment with building, knocking blocks over, and building again.
Gifts for the 2 Year Old
- Uncle Goose Planet Blocks ($24) So much to explore. Which planet has the most moons? Which has the least? Which is the closest to Earth? Which is farthest? Which is the biggest? The smallest? How will you line them up? In order from the sun? Or stacked to please your eye for color and design? This small and colorful set is also one of our most popular.
- Plan Toys Rain Maker ($20) Explore creative expression through musical play! Turn this Rain Maker over and hear the sounds of a peaceful rainfall. Combine with other musical items to start a family band and experiment with interactive, social play.
- Green Toys Tug Boat ($22) Embark on a cruise across the bathtub. Navigate the wading pool. Even splash around in the occasional mud puddle. There's no end to the Good Green Fun young sailors can have with the Green Toys Tugboat. This colorful craft floats great, and has a wide spout to scoop and pour water. Made in the USA from 100% recycled plastic milk containers that save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, our trusty Tugboat is both good for the earth, and - most importantly - safe for the busy little folks who play there.
- Begin Again Wooden Alphabet Tracing Board ($22) Get a jump start on writing letters with this tracing board. Fine motor skills, concentration and focus, visual-spatial skills, creativity and drawing skills -- all of the above are considered benefits of tracing boards. If its both fun and educational, it’s a great gift in our book!
- Eco Kids Finger Paint ($22) These finger paints are especially fun because they are made of natural food-based materials and you have to mix them with water to get started. It’s a science experiment and fun craft all in one! They even smell great too - in four natural ‘flavors’
Gifts for the 3 Year Old
- Petit Jour Paris Large Playground Ball ($18) When my little one was 3, I thought the “ball” obsession would go on forever! It was the only thing on her birthday list – she wanted every color, size and pattern she could get her little hands on! Keep this one in the bottom of the stroller and forever be the coolest one on the playground!
- Petit Collage Floor Puzzle ($24) At this age, floor puzzles are great for collaborative play and then, as they grow confidence, independent play. We love this puzzle for its vibrant, detailed artwork.
- Petit Collage What Am I? ($22) This game is so much fun for the whole family. Ask “yes” or “no” questions to figure out what is on the cartoon card on your headband. The categories are simple, allowing everyone – even young children – to join in on the family fun. With this game, children can develop their deductive reasoning skills and practice critical thinking skills!
- Eco Kids Dough 3 Pack in Primary Colors ($22) This safe and non-toxic dough is hand made in small batches using natural ingredients. It provides hours of artistic exploration as well as engaging children with an opportunity to learn the basics of color theory by experimenting with mixing and blending the primary colors included in this assortment.
- Plan Toys Alphabet A-Z ($26) These multi-functional letter tiles encourage children to learn all 26 letters of the alphabet by creating stories thinking of other people animals or objects that also start with the same letter developing short phrases and sentences and further supporting their own understanding of communication. Children can develop their ability to recognize letters, spell words, and finger trace with stimulated tactile skills. Phonetic skills are also improved as little ones sound out each letter and begin to understand vowels and consonants. A toy that truly grows with the child!
Gifts for the 4 Year Old
- Workman Publishing Paint by Sticker Book ($9.95) It’s mesmerizing! Peel the sticker, place the sticker, and watch your painting come to life. Paint By Sticker is a compelling activity for artists, crafters, doodlers, and colorers of all ages, with everything you need to create vibrant, full-color “paintings,” and have a mindfully good time doing it.
- Tender Leaf Toys Green Hills ($21) These three green solid wooden hills and sheep and fox toys are perfect for open-ended play.
- Do A Dot Art 5 Pack ($22) Each marker comes in a no spill, no splash bottle, which makes set up and clean up a breeze. Just twist off the cap and let the fun begin!
- Once Kids Eco Bricks 24 Piece Set ($25) Eco-bricks Bamboo are natural and biodegradable bamboo construction blocks. Durable, beautifully crafted, and even compatible with most of the other major interlocking block brands (so you don't have to start your whole collection all over again), the Eco-Bricks™ Bamboo 24-Piece set is a brilliant first step into healthier, greener, construction block fun.
- Hauck Toys Cash Register Play Set ($30) We love to see the feeling of responsibility wash over a little one’s face when they take on the role of cashier. Going to the store is probably one of their favorite activities and the magic of the cash register is so much fun to play with at home.
Gifts for the 5+ Year Old
- My Mama Says Yoga Deck ($20) The 30 character and yoga poses on these cards help a little one create a mindful check-in with their feelings. We love the message that emotions do not control us, and we do not control our emotions.
- Omy Giant Coloring Posters ($20) These coloring posters provide hours of fun coloring alone or with friends and can be used as a poster, tablecloth, or wallpaper!
- Eco Kids Face Paint ($28) This silky smooth selection of face paint colors, approved for use on the lip and eye area, offers bold coverage, fine line details or soft pastel glows. Simple to apply and easy to remove, our professionally formulated palette of 10 colors can be used worry free on children and adults alike. Two applicators included.
- So Handmade Car Roll ($30) Does your child love cars? Do you have to keep a stash in you handbag just in case they need some quick entertainment? This handmade car roll is perfect to carry all your children's favorite toy cars to bring out and about. It can hold 6 cars and rolls up into a small package to fit into any bag. The road pattern on the front also serves as a great track to drive your cars on before parking them back into their numbered slots.
- Magic Forest 50 Piece Reversible Puzzle ($30) Spanish toymaker Londji creates heirloom quality puzzles, activity toys and wooden toys and games. Their attention to detail in design and engineering give all their products exceptional play value and their unique packaging makes them perfect for gift giving.