The Best Kids Gifts for 2023

With younger and younger smartphone owners, wireless Bluetooth speakers are another of this season’s essentials, even for little ones.  Bitty Boomers mini Bluetooth speakers are available in a number of different designs, including baby Grogu from Disney’s The Mandalorian. Easily portable, they can be secured to any bag or backpack.

If you’re not quite ready for your kids to have their own smartphone, try this smartwatch instead. Not only can they send messages to other Kurio Watch wearers, but they can also contact Android phones the same way. The watch also has a camera with filters, one- and two-player games (some of which are played through motion), and standard features you’d expect from this type of technology, from a calendar to a calculator to a clock. The best part for parents: you can program emergency information, like phone numbers, blood type, allergies, or other important information. Watches range from $30-$50, depending on the seller and specifications—which is still considerably cheaper than a smartphone! Recommended minimum age is 3 years.

Combining reading, learning, and virtual reality, kids can get up close to their favorite animals with this STEM learning activity set. The book features over 96 pages of interactive content, allowing for a more immersive learning experience. Recommended for kids 8 and up, this set includes VR goggles.

For old school kids who remember there are more things to play with than phones and video games, this takes Legos to a whole new level. Light Stax are your standard, everyday building blocks, with one teeny little difference—they light up. The blocks connect to a USB-powered base or battery, making the whole structure glow and shine. Perfect for kids who dig bright colors, have architectural dreams, or love hands-on toys, Light Stax are great for encouraging creative development. And they’re pretty! Get the 36-piece classic set for $40 or the 102-piece mega set for $80.

For the younger kids on your list, try the Rocktopus, perfect for preschoolers to work on cause and effect. The code-a-pillar comes with a set of segments that are easy to connect to his tentacles. Each segment comes with a different ingrained command—left, right, forward, and pause—helping improve problem-solving skills. Rated one of the top STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) toys of the season, the Fisher-Price Think & Learn Rocktopus features three modes for Math, Music, and Games! Get it here for under $45.

Making bracelets and flower crowns is always a popular activity with kids, and it gives the whole family a little meditation time. Ideal for girls, the 90-piece kit gives your kids enough materials to make four crowns and four bracelets. And the best part is it’s the gift that keeps on giving because you can keep buying materials when they run out. This kit is available for just $15.

Plenty of kids love painting and drawing, but it’s even more fun for kids when they can paint everyday objects like rocks. This rock painting set works as a great gift for kids from ages 4 to 12. Kids can get as creative as they want with glow-in-the-dark paints and glitter at their disposal. Worried about the mess? Send them outside! It’s a great gift for around $20.

For the little tech enthusiasts in your life, the RADCLO Mini Drone with Camera is a fantastic option. Kids can get a birds-eye view of almost anything and take pictures to their heart's content. The drone can be connected to any phone or tablet, and it’s incredibly easy to use. Unlike many full-size drones that cost around $200, this one is just $50 this holiday season.

You can never go wrong with Legos. Whether you are buying for a boy or girl, there’s something for every child and their interests. Building things is something every child can get behind. Kids can either practice following the directions to a T or make their own designs. There’s no limit with Legos. Many sets are available for around $20, while more extravagant ones can go up to the $200 range.

This simple electronic memory game has been popular for many years now, and it’s easy to see why. Simon assists kids in developing hand-eye coordination, concentration, and pattern recognition, as well as memory. Kids can play the game alone or with friends. Either way, it will keep them occupied for hours upon hours for around $20.

Miko mini, the AI robot for kids, comes equipped with stories and games that facilitate conversational learning. With daily activities and new experiences added each month, there’s always something to do for kids aged 5 to 10. Miko also keeps parents involved, allowing parents to customize settings while also giving them analytical reports that track their child’s developmental progress. At $150, the price may seem kind of steep for some, but you’ll definitely get your money’s worth with this one.

If there is one fool-proof gift for kids, it’s a trampoline. Trampoline prices can vary from around $100 to nearly five times that, but it’s another gift that won’t be used once and neglected. If there’s one thing that every kid finds entertaining, it’s jumping around for no reason. So, enjoy your quiet time inside while the kids expel all that excess energy outside. This trampoline retails for $389.

Like adults, kids love music and singing along to their favorite songs. A karaoke microphone lets them do just that, so they can practice becoming the next Taylor Swift or Ed Shereen. Allow your kids to let loose and embrace the power of music this holiday season with a Karaoke microphone that will only cost you about $25.

Marbles and mazes collide with this excellent gift for kids. Exercising young minds has never been as creative or fun as it is with this 75-Piece STEM Building Set from National Geographic. Kids can design and build their very own mazes, testing their functionality and running them in real-time. This fun set is enough to turn today's kids into the passionate engineers of tomorrow. Get it for around $45 this holiday season.

This simple game lets kids mix and match, teaching patience and creativity all in one as they spin a wheel and create their very own critters. The first kid to build their bug first wins! It’s a great game for adults to play with kids but simple enough that kids can play just fine on their own.