WHILE kids can get enjoyment out of the smallest of things, they’re also the harshest of critics, meaning that buying gifts for them can be a minefield.
Our 2024 guide to the best gift ideas for kids has you covered with fun and exciting presents that will have them grinning from ear to ear.
From the latest must-have toys to creative craft kits and interactive games, we’ve rounded up something for every kid’s wish list.
You’ll find big names in this list including the likes of LEGO, Barbie and Harry Potter – but we’ve also considered a selection of treats for every budget.
So whether you’re shopping for tiny tots or trendy tweens, these picks are bound to bring big smiles.
Dive in and get ready to make gift-giving a breeze this year!
(AD) LEGO Simba The Lion King Cub
Simba the Lion King Cub, £17.99 from LEGO
There’s a veritable treasure trove of gift ideas on the LEGO website, with something for every interest and budget.
However, there’s something heartwarming about this Simba figurine, which is just £17.99 and is a great way to celebrate the 30th anniversary of The Lion King (feel old yet?).
Standing at 4in (11cm) tall, he comprises 222 pieces and can be posed in a multitude of ways thanks to a rotating head and moveable legs and tail.
Included in the box is also a buildable leaf and four bugs, to help kids imagine creative stories.
Nintendo Switch Lite Animal Crossing Bundle
Nintendo Switch Lite Animal Crossing Bundle, £199.99
The Nintendo Switch Lite Animal Crossing Bundle is a dream come true for young gamers this Christmas!
The compact, handheld console is ideal for kids, offering hours of fun with the much-loved Animal Crossing: New Horizons game included (via digital download code).
The bundle also comes with a Nintendo Switch Online 12-month membership which gives access to ‘a selection of classic NES games with online functionality.’
With its colourful turquoise design and Animal Crossing leaf pattern on the back, the Switch Lite is perfect for playing on the go or at home.
Animal Crossing, meanwhile, lets kids explore, create and connect with friends in a delightful virtual world, sparking their creativity and imagination.
50 Taylor Swift Waterproof Vinyl Stickers
50 Taylor Swift Waterproof Vinyl Stickers, £4.99£4.49
Looking for affordable Taylor Swift memorabilia?
These vinyl stickers are a dream gift for any young Swiftie this Christmas!
The vibrant, high-quality stickers feature iconic Taylor Swift imagery, album covers and lyrics, letting kids personalize everything from their water bottles to notebooks with a splash of style.
Waterproof and durable, they’re perfect for decorating skateboards, laptops and school supplies too – without peeling or fading.
Each sticker is a little reminder of Taylor’s music and message, making the set both fun and meaningful.
‘Fab stickers,’ says one five-star review.
‘Got these for my daughter and she loves them. Really good quality.’
For young fans who love to show off their Swiftie pride, these stickers will be a Christmas hit!
LEGO Fortnite Battle Bus
LEGO Fortnite Battle Bus, £89.99
The LEGO Fortnite Battle Bus is set to be a Christmas favourite for young Fortnite fans!
Bringing the iconic in-game Battle Bus to life, this LEGO set lets kids build, play and imagine their own Fortnite adventures.
With fun details, mini-figures and cool accessories, it’s perfect for hands-on, creative play that goes beyond the screen.
The buildable bus is packed with imaginative elements, letting kids recreate epic Fortnite moments or invent new ones.
Whether they’re seasoned players or new fans, this set combines the fun of LEGO with the excitement of Fortnite, making it a surefire holiday hit!
LEGO Hogwarts Castle and Grounds
LEGO Hogwarts Castle and Grounds, £149.99
The LEGO Hogwarts Castle and Grounds set is the ultimate Christmas gift for young Harry Potter fans.
This beautifully detailed set lets kids build and explore the magical Hogwarts grounds, including iconic locations like the Great Hall, Chamber of Secrets and Hagrid’s Hut.
With plenty of enchanting details, towers and hidden features, the set brings the wizarding world to life in an engaging, hands-on way.
Building Hogwarts encourages creativity and patience, while sparking excitement for the adventures of Harry, Hermione and Ron.
For any child enchanted by the world of magic, this LEGO set is a truly spellbinding holiday surprise!
Toy Vlogger Sindy
Toy Vlogger Sindy, £19.99
Looking for a Christmas gift that’s packed with nostalgia and fun?
Meet Toy Vlogger Sindy!
In 2021, Kid Kreations brought back the beloved Sindy doll, giving her a fresh twist for today’s kids (and parents who remember her fondly).
The Sindy Play! collection includes six super-cute playsets, each featuring a doll, themed accessories and a Sindy magazine with games and puzzles inside to spark creativity.
Sindy isn’t just about style — she’s ready for adventures in vlogging, baking, and crafting, creating endless possibilities for imaginative play.
We’ve spied the vlogger Sindy available to purchase at Onbuy, plus you can grab the Sindy Music Star Doll Playset and Sindy Fashion Store Doll Play set from there too.
Hot Wheels City Ultimate Hauler
Hot Wheels City Ultimate Hauler, £59.99
Looking for a Christmas gift that’s sure to thrill little car enthusiasts?
The Hot Wheels City Ultimate Hauler is a powerhouse of fun!
This isn’t just any truck: it’s a rolling city with enough room to store 20+ Hot Wheels cars and tons of action-packed surprises.
Kids can pop open the hauler to reveal epic ramps, tracks and stunt-ready zones for hours of racing excitement.
Plus, the hauler transforms, so kids can go from storage to action in no time.
‘Bought for my six-year-old grandson as it combined his interest in both cars and dinosaurs and it’s proved to be a big hit.
‘Aso makes tidying up fun,’ writes one shopper.
‘Fun and easy to assemble. A great addition for any Hot Wheels fan.
‘Easy to assemble and good quality plastic so doesn’t seem like it’ll break easily,’ writes another.
BarbieDreamHouse Doll Playset, Slide and Accessories
BarbieDreamHouse Doll Playset, Slide and Accessories, £169.99£149.99
If you’re looking to make Christmas dreams come true, the Barbie DreamHouse Doll Playset is the ultimate gift!
This three-story mansion is packed with surprises and fun details like a working lift, a pet-friendly pool with a slide, and more than 75 accessories.
Kids can let their imaginations run wild, setting up each room with stylish furniture, cooking up fun in the kitchen, or splashing down the slide into the pool.
With endless play possibilities and room for all Barbie’s friends, this DreamHouse will be the setting for endless adventures – making it a Christmas gift they’ll never forget!
‘So fun!’ writes one happy shopper.
‘My girls got this for Christmas and absolutely love it! We were surprised with how big it is so everyone can play together,’ they add.
While another five-star review says: ‘Got it for my daughters 5th birthday.
‘She absolutely LOVES it, she’s been playing for the last hour.’
Personalised gifts for kids
A personalised gift for a child adds an extra layer of charm and sentiment to any occasion or celebration.
Whether it’s a name-engraved toy, a custom-designed umbrella for rainy days outside, or their name in lights; these gifts are tailored specifically for the lucky recipient, helping to make them feel special.
Personalisation in gifts allows for a unique touch that reflects the child’s personality, interests and preferences.
Older kids may also love a personalised piece of jewellery that they can collect and add to as they grow up (Make sure you check out Pandora for personalised jewellery and charms).
These thoughtful presents create lasting memories and some will serve as treasured keepsakes for years to come.
- Personalised Colourful Print Classic Mini Backpack, £23, My 1st Years – shop here
- Personalised Text LED Colour Changing Desk Light, £27 at Prezzybox – shop here
- Your Treasury of Nursery Rhymes, £24.99 at Wonderbly – shop here
- Matching Pink Siblings Denim Jacket Set, £65 at My 1st Years – shop here
- Personalised Stars Children’s Bean Bag Chair, £59.99 at Not on the High Street – shop here
- Engravable Heart Tag Dangle Charm, £35 at Pandora – shop here
Experience gifts for kids
If you’re hoping to create lasting memories, an experience gift for kids offers unforgettable opportunities for adventure, learning and fun.
Rather than trying to figure out what to buy a child who appears to have it all, an experience gift provides memories that they’ll treasure for a long time.
Whether it’s a day out conquering outdoor challenges, a virtual reality arcade, or a visit to a zoo or aquarium; these activities stimulate creativity and exploration.
These experience gifts cater to a wide range of interests and preferences for kids of all ages, and we’ve also included a few options that encourage quality time with family.
- Zip World Fforest Coaster for Two, £55, Virgin Experience Days – buy here
- MegaChoice for Kids and Teens, £39 at Find Me a Gift – shop here
- Treetop Adventure at Go Ape for Two, £42 at Red Letter Days – shop here
- Harry Potter Walking Tour for Two Adults and Two Children, £49 at BuyAGift – shop here
- Young Driver Off-Road Adventure, £31 at Virgin Experience Day – shop here
- Two Entry Tickets to SEA LIFE London Aquarium, £56 at Red Letter Days – shop here
- Family Treasure Hunt Experience In London, £49 at Not on the High Street – shop here
Craft gifts for kids
Craft gifts for kids ignite imagination and creativity for endless hours of fun together as a family or in their downtime.
Perfect for little creators, craft kits are something to consider for the artist in the family.
From DIY kits to art supplies, these gifts provide the perfect opportunity for children to express themselves.
Whether it’s painting, sculpting, tie-dying, or creating awesome magic tricks these gifts encourage fine motor skills, problem-solving and of course, hours of fun.
We’ve chosen various themes and skill levels, catering to different interests and ages.
Not only will they entertain, but they’ll foster a growing love for artistic expression.
- Water Marbling Paint Set, £19.13 at Amazon – shop here
- Lego 100 Years of Disney Animation Icons, £49.99 at Lego – shop here
- Decorate Your Own Canvas Tent, £47 at Hobbycraft – shop here
- Marvin’s Magic Ultimate 250 Tricks & Illusions Set, £25 at Argos – shop here
- Barbie Make Your Own DreamHouse, £24.99 at Very – shop here
- Tybo Tie-Dye Design Studio Craft Kit, £17 at Argos – shop here
- Mixed Media Easel Art Set, £49.99 at Ryman – shop here
Science gifts for kids
Get ready to spark curiosity and ignite a passion for exploration and discovery in little scientists.
We’ve selected a range of kits for kids to learn, from chemistry sets to telescopes and experiment kits; these gifts provide hands-on learning experiences and hours of playtime.
These sets encourage critical thinking, problem-solving and experimentation in a fun and interactive way.
By fostering a love for science at a young age, these gifts lay the foundation for future innovation, shaping the minds of today’s kids and tomorrow’s scientists.
- The Original Sea Monkeys Ocean Zoo, £10, Argos – shop here
- Science4you – Betabot Robot Building Kit for Kids, £19.99 at Amazon – shop here
- Nickelodeon Experimake Colourful Crystal Creations, £12 at The Entertainer – shop here
- John Adams Edible Science, £23 at Argos – shop here
- 120+ Experiments Science Kits for Kids, £25.99 at Amazon – shop here
- Lego Planet Earth and Moon in Orbit, £69.99 at Lego – shop here
- National Geographic Earth Science Kit, £23.79 at Amazon – shop here
Editor's Pick: Learning Resources Botley 2.0 The Coding Robot Activity Set
The Botley 2.0 is the perfect way to introduce your little ones to the world of STEM, turning learning into a playful adventure in science, technology, engineering, and maths.
With everything you need for endless coding fun, this set includes Botley 2.0 The Coding Robot, a Remote Programmer, two face plates, 40 coding cards, six double-sided boards, 27 obstacle-building pieces, and a handy starter guide bursting with thrilling coding challenges.
Joined by Botley, your little ones will tackle challenges, crack codes, and conquer obstacles using coding cards.
But it’s not just about following instructions: it’s about sparking critical thinking and discovering creative solutions along the way.
- Learning Resources Botley 2.0 Coding Robot, £89.95 – buy from John Lewis
Harry Potter, Minecraft and character gifts for kids
If you know a huge Minecraft fan, die-hard Disney fan or Harry Potter buff, then picking up a game or toy from either of these franchises is sure to go down well.
Luckily for shoppers, there’s plenty of choice out there, with everything from LEGO to video games and merchandise (I don’t know about you, but I still want a Star Wars lightsaber).
- Minecraft Art Set, £18.99, Amazon – buy here
- Spider Web Shooter Toy, £12.99, Amazon – buy here
- Pokemon TCG: Battle Academy, £22, Argos – buy here
- Star Wars Lightsaber Forge Yoda, £23.99, Amazon – buy here
- Disney Illusion Island Nintendo Switch Game, £24.99, Argos – buy here
Editor's Pick: LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts: Room of Requirement Set
Wizarding enthusiasts will love this LEGO set.
This LEGO set features the iconic Room of Requirement scene.
It’s part of a series of modular sets that can be combined to create the complete Hogwarts Castle.
This set includes a removable room for the Grey Lady, with Harry, Hermione, Draco, and Blaise mini-figures.
Players will be able to immerse themselves in the magical world, stepping straight into scenes from books and movies, and build their figures such as Fiendfyre figure, and mischievous Cornish Pixies, ready to stir up some chaos.
Whether your little ones are seasoned LEGO masters or just starting on their magical journey, the possibilities are endless.
- LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts: Room of Requirement Set, £45 from Argos – buy here
What is the best gift for kids?
The best gift for kids will be heavily dependent on the child and their interests.
The best gift will likely be the gift they keep mentioning every so often, something to do with their favourite character or film.
Listening to your child’s interests will help you to make the best decision, although, if they’re still quite young, a gift that offers new opportunities to play and learn is always a good idea.
Ultimately, the best gift for kids is one that reflects their interests, engages their senses, and nurtures their growth and happiness.
Are drones good gifts for kids?
Drones can be excellent gifts for kids, as they offer opportunities for exploration, outdoor activity and learning about technology.
They provide an exciting way to engage with STEM concepts, fostering curiosity and problem-solving skills and ultimately, are fun to fly around.
However, it’s essential to consider factors like age appropriateness, safety features, and supervision requirements when opting for a drone.
Make sure you follow age guidelines when buying drones.
Parental guidance is crucial to ensure safe and responsible drone use, especially for younger children.
With all things considered, drones can be thrilling gifts that spark an interest in aviation and technology.
How much can a parent gift to a child each year?
There is no specific annual limit on how much a parent can gift to a child.
How much you choose to spend on your child for the various occasions and celebrations throughout the year is completely down to personal preference and circumstances.
Some parents might opt to spend more for occasions such as birthdays and Christmas, as opposed to seasonal holidays like Easter, Halloween and others.
If there is a celebration for an achievement during these times, you might also want to commemorate the special day with a nice gift – which can sometimes be costly depending on the occasion.
What is a good amount of Christmas gifts for kids?
There is no right answer to this question, as determining a suitable number of Christmas gifts for kids can vary, and can depend on family traditions, budget and personal preferences.
While some families opt for a minimalist approach, focusing on quality over quantity, others may prefer a more generous approach, providing several gifts to create a sense of abundance.
Ultimately, the emphasis should be on thoughtful presents that cater to the child’s interests and needs.
Whether it’s a few carefully chosen items or a larger selection, the most important aspect is ensuring the gifts bring joy and create lasting memories for the children you’re buying for.
What is a good budget for Christmas gifts for kids?
Setting a budget for Christmas gifts for kids is important and will depend on various factors such as finances, the number of children and personal preferences.
A good starting point is to allocate an amount that feels comfortable, manageable and considerate of other expenses.
We’d recommend prioritising quality over quantity and focusing on gifts that align with the interests, hobbies and likes of the child.
Additionally, savvy shopping strategies like taking advantage of sales and discounts ahead of gift-giving can help you stretch your budget, while still providing memorable and meaningful gifts.
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