We Answered Your Hyperspecific Kid-Gifting Questions
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In our semi-regularadvice column“Ask the Strategist,” we answer your most burning shopping questions by surveying friends, calling up experts, and drawing on our extensive personal experience with shopping for very specific stuff. This time around, because buyingholiday gifts for kidsis often a lot harder than it sounds, we invited you to send in your most challenging and specific kid-gifting questions, and you did not disappoint.
Below, I’ve done my best to find the most delightfultoys,books,tech, and more tailored to each of the children in question. But if you’re still looking for inspiration, we have gift guides for1-year-olds,2-year-olds,3-year-olds,4-year-olds,5-year-olds,6-year-olds,7-year-olds,8-year-olds,9-year-olds,10-year-olds,11-year-olds, and12-year-olds— plus theStrategist Toy Store, filled with all our greatest hits.
Shopping for an almost-3-year-old obsessed with numbers, also machines. I want to move away from gendered gifts but also want to give him something he will play with (also no noise or plastic).
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I too have an almost-3-year-old, and my first thought after reading your question was theHape Monster Math Scalethat I have been thinking about buying for him as a birthday gift. It’s a variation on a classic toy that helps kids understand comparisons like bigger and smaller or heavier and lighter. It also challenges them to balance the scales by adding multiple small pieces on one side to equal one or two larger pieces on the other side. This one has the added fun of a one-eyed monster who looks in the direction of the heavier load.
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But since you mentioned not wanting plastic, there are also nice scales you can get that are made of wood. Some havetwo scales, and some havejust one scalelike you would see at the grocery store, which would make for a nice addition to anyplay kitchen.
My 5-year-old niece on the spectrum who is currently obsessed with Labubu and basically nothing else? The gift cannot be a Labubu.
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For this question, I went back in time to find other creepy-cute monsters that predateLabubuand likely inspired the artist who created Labubu,Kasing Lung. Tove Jansson’s Moomins are adorable and weird and currently having a moment thanks tosocial mediaand a show at theBrooklyn Public Library. There are lots ofplushand evenblind-box keychains, but I’d start with a picture book because that was Jansson’s medium of choice.This bookintroduces young readers to the cast of Moomin characters through brightly colored illustrations and clever cutouts.
You could also get her apuzzle with the characters fromWhere the Wild Things Are, featuring Max and two very Labubu-esque monsters. Or for a more modern pick, a cheerful pinkaxolotl stuffed animal— the weird animal of choice for many elementary-school kids. And if you think she’d like the sensory element of a weighted stuffie, you can heat up thisyeti from Warmiesin the microwave for extra comfort. (You didn’t mention whether she already has a Labubu, but if she does, someclothing or accessories for dressing it upwill likely go over quite well.)
A 9-year-old daughter who wants to be young but feels social pressure to act older.
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Your daughter reminds me of me — I was very into playing with myAmerican Girl Molly dollway past when I thought I should be. I also loved creating tiny rooms in my desk drawers using dollhouse accessories, colorful erasers, and whatever else I had around. I would have loved a set ofCalico Crittersback then; they’ve been around for decades, but the cute animal families, like thisset of penguins, are much more popular these days, even with young adults — and therefore recognized as cool rather than babyish.
If your daughter is into building worlds like I was, she might like one of theseSuite Spacessets orMiniverse Make It Mini Spacesthat let kids construct miniature rooms and shops with magic reveal wallpaper, furniture, stickers, and other bits and bobs. You could also get her a couple of blind-box toys likeMiffy in different roomsor aPusheen blind boxwith different adorable fruit plushies.
Preteens — 13-year-old girls who are in that awkward stage. They like K-pop, but no one is allowed to know. They like reading, but it’s not cool to talk about it in public.
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Does she have aKindle? If not, that would be a fantastic gift, especially if you add on aKindle Unlimitedsubscription or anAudiblesubscription so she can listen to audiobooks too.Anywaymagazine, which is aimed at tweens and teens from ages 9 to 15, would also be a good subscription gift. As far as wanting tolookcool in front of peers, I’d suggest aShark Watchand/or one of thehoodiesfrom Strategist tween and teen correspondentBella Druckman’s investigation into thesweatshirts that teen girls actually want.
2-and-a-half-year-old boy who loves vehicles of any kind and books but something that still keeps him active and learning.
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My son is a car and train guy, but sometimes I get tired of doing the voice of a pickup truck or pushing a locomotive around its wooden track over and over. So I am very curious about thistoddler-size working traffic lightthat I keep seeing on Boy Mom Instagram. It basically takes the place of a parent yelling “red light, green light” and gives kids the satisfaction of hitting a big button to turn the light cycle on or off. But it’s also got lots of pretend-play potential and would look cute in a bedroom or playroom.
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Another idea: I have written about thiswindup trainbook before (there are alsocar,tractor,fire-engine, anddiggervariations), and I am pleased to report that it’s still a hit in my house. It’s a favorite at bedtime and more recently during quiet time in the absence of naps. My son doesn’t use the train anymore; he just traces the tracks with his finger, which has a visible calming effect on us both.
I have a 12-year-old nephew who I’m kind of stumped for. He’s kind of introverted, loves LEGOs andHarry Potterstuff. Reads fantasy-fiction kind of books. Not really into sports. Not very into video games. I’ve gotten him all the LEGO andHarry Potter–related things already. Looking for something a kid his age would use and appreciate. He doesn’t have a cell phone yet (parents’ rule).
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I know you said he has all the LEGO stuff already. But if he doesn’t have thisbuild-your-own mini-figure vending machine, you should definitely get it for him. I am not a LEGO person, and I want it for myself. Plus, vending machines are hot right now and it’s something that he could share with family and friends.
I also love LEGO room décor, like thisbrick nightlight, because a lot of it is surprisingly nice-looking and doesn’t read too “young.” For books, if he hasn’t already burned through Rick Riordan’sPercy Jacksonseries,the box setwould be a nice gift — it’s a contemporary story based on Greek mythology that appeals to manyHarry Potterkids. Roshani Chokshi’sAru Shah series, with a title character who happens to be 12 years old, is also in this vein, but it’s based on Hindu mythology (and it’s explicitly endorsed by Riordan, so it has his stamp of approval).
Otherwise, you can’t go wrong with a nice pair of wireless headphones. They are great for podcasts and audiobooks or just to drown out parents. We’ve heard about thispair of Beatsfrom multipleteen boys, and they are currently on sale.
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A 10-year-old daughter who is into Greek mythology (not a girly-girl), loves science and drawing, and is a huge fan of thePercy Jacksonbooks.
TheGreeking Outpodcast has come up a lot this year in the Strategist parents’ Slack conversations as a fourth- and fifth-grade favorite. But did you know there are alsoGreeking Outbookswith vibrant illustrations and stories told in the same tongue-in-cheek tone as the podcast? If your daughter is already a fan of both the podcast and the books, you could get her aGreek-mythology coloring bookor a book that teaches kidshow to draw ancient Greek stufflike winged horses and Medusa. Then all she needs is a new set of fancyPrismacolor colored pencils. I’d also look atD’Aulaire’s Book of Greek Mythsand check out DK Publishing’s extensive collection ofgorgeous anthologies, which cover all sorts of subjects she might be interested in, fromNorseandEgyptian mythstoThe Secret World of PlantsandThe Mysteries of the Universe.
A 5-year-old who lovesSonic the Hedgehogand superheroes, but I want to avoid video games and plastic if possible.
So much of the Sonic merch available online is low-quality and not very nice-looking. But H&M has a surprisingly stylish Sonic collection — I like thismatching sweatshirt-and-sweatpantscombo best, or there aresocks,underwear, andcostumes. You could also get him acoloring book and activity set from Crayolathat comes with Pip-Squeak markers, stickers, and coloring pages featuring Sonic, Knuckles, Tails, and Shadow. For something more generally superhero-focused, you could get him one of the custom superhero capes from our guide to thebest gifts for 4-year-olds.
I have an 11-year-old boy who loves tech, but we already have all the computers and Nintendos we need. What’s something else we could get him? He likes podcasts and reading as well, but not big into crafts.
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How about someage-appropriate booksabout tech? You could get him a book aboutawesome inventionslike the X-ray and superglue that were actually born out of accidents. Or you could get him a graphic novel that tells the story of theinventor of the video game. If that seems boring, you could get him aRubik’s gravity mazeor aPerplexus, which are both puzzle balls with a metal marble inside that you have to guide through a series of obstacles. Or Strategist tech writer Jordan McMahon suggests this funminiature TVthat can actually play videos and full-length movies.
I have a sassy 7-year-old girl who loves drawing and painting.
Not sure why, but the phrase “sassy 7-year-old girl” made me think of Shrinky Dinks. There are lots of kits with pre-drawn designs for keychains or charms. But I like the idea of getting herblank sheets of Shrinky Dink paperand a set ofpaint markersso she can come up with her own creations.
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An 8-year-old who’s into zoos, especially designing his own zoo. I already gave him the board gameZooloretto, which was a big hit, but now what?
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Whatever kids are into, no matter how niche the obsession, Playmobil makes a building set to match. So I knew it would have azoo play setbefore I even typed the words into search. But it’s even better than I expected: The 215-piece set has a giraffe and a penguin exhibit as well as six human figures, a zoo shop with balloons and maps, a viewing walkway with a telescope, and tons of zookeeper accessories. Playmobil also makes smallsets of animal familiesthat would be perfect additions to the zoo. You might also consider a subscription toRanger RickorZoobooksmagazine.
Girl, 3 and a half years old, who likes rainbows, unicorns, princesses.
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She probably already owns some sparkly Elsa, Ariel, Cinderella, Belle, Tiana, or Moana dresses. So this more subtle Disney princess dress from Hanna Andersson is a nice change. It has an almost 100 percent cotton bodice, which is rare for this kind of dress, and looks less like a costume. So it’s easier to wear casually, or to a holiday gathering, while still aligning with her royal tastes.
As far as rainbows go, there’s nothing better than a Sarah’s Silks mini streamer wand. It’s portable and gives a lovely flutter when waved side to side, making it ideal for dance parties and turning dolls into frogs. I’d also consider Battat’s rainbow balance beam for some active gross-motor practice. I love that it’s affordable, lightweight, and packable, so you don’t need a big playroom or yard to enjoy it. Lastly, this four-pack of Melissa & Doug reusable sticker pads — the included themes are fairies, castles, ballet, and playhouse — are a favorite among Strategist parents, especially for keeping kids busy while traveling.
Girls, 10 and 13, who like fashion, nail care, skin care, and crafts.
Fortween- and teen-friendly skin carethat isn’t too expensive, try the brandsBubbleandByoma, which both come in really colorful packaging and have a lot offun gift setsout right now. Or choose something fromSincerely Yours, abuzzy new brand that just launchedin September, or established favoriteSol de Janeiro. For nail stuff, the brandOlive & Junehas high-quality press-ons and funstickers and gems. On the fashion front, Strategist writer Kitty Guo recently told me aboutMildewmagazine, which focuses on secondhand fashion. And for crafts, since they’re a little older, I’d recommendkits that require a bit more focus and skill— in addition to more advancedjewelry-making, I’d try thislanyard-making starter set from Klutz, one of thethe Woobles’ beginner crochet kits, or, if they’re especially dextrous,Rolife’s intricate book nooks.
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The Strategistis designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read abouthere. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
