Gifts for Kids Under 12

Kids under 12 are the easiest and most fun people to shop for — they get genuinely excited about gifts, and they'll play with something for hours if it captures their imagination. The best gifts at this age blend fun with just a touch of learning. Here are picks that'll make you the favorite gift-giver.

1A Building or Construction Set

Whether it's LEGO, magnetic tiles, or marble runs, building sets are the gold standard of kid gifts. They encourage spatial thinking and creativity while being endlessly replayable. Match the complexity to their age — simpler sets for younger kids, detailed kits for 8–12.

LEGO Speed Champions Lightning McQueen Toy - Disney Pixar Cars Building Blocks for Kids, Boys & Girls, Ages 9+ - Pretend Play Race Car & Bedroom Shelf Display - 77255

$27.97

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2Art Supplies or a Craft Kit

A quality art set — colored pencils, markers, sketchbooks — or a themed craft kit lets kids create something they're proud of. Look for kits that include everything needed to complete a project: jewelry making, painting sets, or DIY science kits.

Art supply set, craft kit, or DIY science kit$15–$35

3A Board Game the Whole Family Can Play

Family board games create memories that last way longer than any toy. Pick something with simple rules that adults won't be bored by — cooperative games work especially well for mixed-age groups. Bonus: it's a gift for the whole household.

Family board game (Ticket to Ride: First Journey, Outfoxed, etc.)$15–$30

4An Outdoor Toy

Anything that gets them moving outside is a win. A stomp rocket, a kid-friendly drone, a slackline, or a sports set — these gifts compete directly with screens, and they often win. Weather-proof options mean they'll get use year-round.

Stomp rocket, kid drone, outdoor sports set, or slackline$15–$40

5A Kids' Book Set or Series

A complete series of a book they'll love — Dog Man, Wings of Fire, Diary of a Wimpy Kid — is the gift that keeps a kid reading for months. If you're not sure what they've read, a boxed starter set of a popular series is a safe bet.

Popular kids' book series boxed set$15–$30

6A Stuffed Animal or Plush Toy

Don't underestimate the power of a really good stuffed animal, even for kids approaching 12. Weighted plushies, giant-sized animals, and character plushies (Pokémon, Squishmallows) are wildly popular. They double as comfort objects and room decor.

Squishmallow, weighted plush, or character stuffed animal$12–$30