Christmas gift ideas for kids, by age
Updated · Prices and stock from UK shops, checked daily
Every year it goes the same way. The grandparents ask what the children want, the aunts and uncles ask the same thing, and somebody ends up texting a blurry photo of a toy catalogue at midnight. The ideas below are a good place to start, sorted by age and taken from what UK shops have in stock today.
Prices and stock come straight from the shops and change daily, so treat them as a guide. When something looks right, add it to a list and share that instead of answering the same question five times.
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Toddlers (1 to 3)
At this age the best presents are sturdy, simple and a little bit noisy. Wooden toys last for years and get handed down, and anything they can push, stack or climb on tends to beat the toy with forty sound effects.
Check the age on the box and keep small parts and button batteries well away.
AIYAPLAY Wooden Baby Walker, Push Along Walker Toys with Speed Control, Xylophone, gears and Bead Maze, Green
£37.99Little ones (4 to 6)
Imagination takes over: small-world play sets, sticker books and the first proper craft kits. A craft kit is a good one to slip in — it buys a parent a quiet hour on Boxing Day.
Big kids (7 to 10)
Peak LEGO, peak board games, and the age when “how does it work?” turns into a hobby. Science kits and family games make good shared presents, which matters when the box says two players and there are six of you round the table.
Tweens (11 to 13)
Tweens know exactly what they want and will tell you, usually with a link. Headphones, instant cameras and anything for their bedroom go down well.
If in doubt, ask them to put three or four things on a list — you’ll get the right colour first time.
Stocking fillers
Small, cheap and plentiful is the brief. Sticker books, slime kits, fidget toys and mini LEGO keep them busy while the grown-ups find the coffee.
Questions people ask
- What do I buy a child who already has lots of toys?
- Go for things that get used up or shared: a craft kit, a family board game, books, or a day out. Better still, ask the parents for a list — they know what’s already in the toy box.
- How much should I spend on a niece or nephew?
- There’s no rule. Many UK families settle somewhere between £10 and £30 for nieces and nephews, and more for godchildren and grandchildren. If you’re unsure, agree a figure with the parents — they’ll be glad you asked.
- How can grandparents see what the children want?
- Make a free list on Gift List Guru and share the link. Everyone can see what’s still free and what’s been taken, but never who’s buying it, so the questions stop and the surprise stays a surprise.
More gift guides
- Stocking fillers under £10Cheap and cheerful stocking fillers under £10 for kids and grown-ups: games, puzzles, beauty treats and sweets, from UK shops.
- Gifts for teenagersPresents teenagers will actually like: earbuds, gaming gear, bedroom upgrades and hobby kit, from UK shops including Currys and Argos.
- Gifts for grandparentsGift ideas for grandparents that they’ll love and use: photo frames, cosy throws, garden treats and puzzles, from UK shops.