Shopping for kids is a huge part of the holiday season. Instead of going on a search for the latest toy fad of the year, consider giving some gifts that will encourage creativity and active learning in children. When I’m shopping for kids, I try to find gifts that will be engaging, appealing, and fun, but still help kids develop skills. My own children are well past the toys stage, but when they were younger, we got them each a couple of the traditional toy items, and the rest of their gifts leaned heavily toward activities, games, and items that would help them spend time productively. More than the toys, they appreciated the chance to try new things and feel a sense of accomplishment as well as spending time together as a family working on a project.

Time spent playing a board game, flying a kite, or learning a new art technique is valuable for children and provides a much-needed break from screen time.

Here are some of my top picks for fun and engaging toys available from Amazon. I am an Amazon affiliate. Please see about page for full information. Thanks so much for supporting my blog! 🙂

PicassoTiles 100 Piece Set 100pcs Magnet Building Tiles Clear Magnetic 3D Building Blocks

ThinkFun Gravity Maze Marble Run Brain Game and STEM Toy for Boys and Girls Age 8 and Up – Toy of the Year Award Winner

126 Piece Deluxe Art Creativity Set with 2 Drawing Pad, Art Supplies in Portable Wooden Case- Crayons, Oil Pastels, Colored Pencils, Acrylic Paints, Watercolor Cakes, Brushes – Deluxe Art Set

5000 Awesome Facts (About Everything!) National Geographic Kids) Hardcover

Eezy Peezy Monkey Bars Climbing Tower – Active Outdoor Fun for Kids Ages 3 to 8 Years Old

My World Interactive Map – Educational Talking Toy for Kids of Ages 5 to 12 Years

2 Pack Kites – Large Rainbow Delta Kite and Red Octopus with Long Colorful Tail

Exploring Nature Journal for Kids: Observe and Record the Outdoors 

Klutz Book of Paper Airplanes Craft Kit

150 Piece Set Wooden Castle Building Blocks Set FAO SCHWARZ Toy Solid Pine Wood Block Playset Kit with Bridges and Arches

FAO Schwarz Kids 8-Piece Arts and Crafts Weaving Loom Set: Create Your Own Weaves and Fabric Projects with Colored String; Kit Includes Loom Frame, 4 Colored String Bundles, 3 Wooden Shuttles, Ages 4+

Quiksilver Mission Mittens Kids

Kids Dinosaur Knitted Hat

Clay Lab for Kids: 52 Projects to Make, Model, and Mold with Air-Dry, Polymer, and Homemade Clay

Thanks for reading my blog today. Enjoy the season shopping for all the kids in your life, and have a beautiful day! 🙂