In these gift guides for kids and teens, you'll find affordable tried-and-true toys, books, and more for the younger crowd on your shopping list (ages 6 and up).
Gifts for kids and teens, whether they're your kids, grandkids, or nieces and nephews are sometimes the hardest to find and keep on budget. So I polled the kids I know (pre-k to high school) and asked them to tell me their favorite toys, books, games, and things they'd like to receive to create this easy to use gift guide.
All the highlighted links go to Amazon affiliate links for your convenience (hint: now's the time to sign up for a free 30-day Amazon Prime trial and get them delivered to your door!), but you can also just use the links for information in creating your in-store shopping list, too. (Note: affiliate links are links that if you click on them and purchase something I will receive a small commission at no cost to you.)
I hope these guides help you get some things checked off your list early! (If you need more favorite things gift ideas, check out this gift guide for men and this gift guide for women.)
Affordable Gift Guides for Kids
1. Gravity Maze game. My elementary aged nephew loves this.
2. Forbidden Island game. My sisters families are big board game people and this is one of their favorites.
3. Ticket to Ride game. This is the other favorite the whole family enjoys.
4. Make 'n' Break game. My niece voted for this game - she loves it!
5. Rubik's Cube. Apparently a classic that doesn't go out of style (2018 update: my nephew has been playing this for years now it keeps on giving!).
6. Classic Card games everyone loves: Pit and Nerts
7. Amazon Kindle with Kids Subscription - good parental controls according to my elementary media-library specialist sister.
8. Legos! Can a kid ever have too many? According to my kids, no.
9. Hot Wheels & Hot Wheel tracks. Another classic that hasn't gone out of style - the look on my nephew's face when he opened his gift was the same as I remember my brother reacting back in the 70s.
10. Art supplies. A kit with lots of art options thrilled my daughter all the way through middle school.
11. Liberty puzzles. Some are pricey since the pieces are all very uniquely carved and have some fun shapes, but are worth it, making for special gifts.
12. Sports balls. Always a safe bet for boys - this is a set of four types with a pump.
13. Books all the kids polled have enjoyed: Paper Airplanes, The Genius Files by Dan Gutman, Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat by Lynne Jonell, Ivy & Bean books by Annie Barrows
Affordable Gift Ideas for Teens
2. Real leather notebook with personalized engraving of your choice.
4. Reusable laptop stickers This is a huge collection of stickers for a low price - nice stocking stuffer.
5. Waterproof small wireless speaker (great reviews on this under $25 speaker rugged enough that you don't have to worry about it)
6. Fun phone cases This is a marble one, but there are lots of choices if you look around.
7. Cute sleep mask My daughter always sleeps with one after getting one as a gift.
8. Hydro Flask insulated water bottle I have one, too, and they are amazing and keep ice in your bottle for hours.
9. Leather key chain for guys & faux-fur pom-pom key chain for girls (so adorable!)
10. Retro instant-print camera
12. Arts and crafts supplies like premium colored pencils, origami kit, and how to draw cartoons
More Gift Ideas
Here's our guide from last year of my kids all-time favorite gifts from both their childhood and teen years - I love seeing the classics that are on both of these lists like the Klutz Paper Airplane book, Legos, and art supplies!
Gifts for Kids that they'll really use & love: tried-and-true favorites from our kids
2. Legos of course!
3. Klutz Books (so many options for so many ages - love. love. these) Pictured: Paper Airplanes & Mini Pom-Pom Pets
4. "Real" Art Supplies (instead of the kits for kids) like: Pencil set, Oil Pastels, and a sketch pad
6. Floral Kimono. This link has lots of color and pattern choices.
8. PJ bottoms
10. Converse shoes
Not pictured above are some of their all-time favorite books they wanted to make sure I included:
- Anne of Green Gables
- My Side of the Mountain
- Julie of the Wolves
- The Little Princess
- Magic Tree House series (books 1-4)
- Redwall Series (book 1, and on)
Have any favorite gift ideas from the kids in your life to add to these lists?
This article is part of the 8 Weeks of Christmas Ideas series where you’ll find resources for cooking, gift ideas, time savers, recipes, traditions & more all November and December through the 24th.
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Jennifer says
Great ideas! Thank you! My kids are similar ages to yours. Any ideas for early 20s? Many of the teen ideas work, and even some of the kids ideas, like puzzles. Are there any games your family plays?
Jami says
My whole extended family likes to play games when we get together, Jennifer - we like to play our favorite card games (the kind you play with regular cards), Cribbage (though it's only 2-3 players), and games like Guesstures, Settlers of Catan, Balderdash, Apples to Apples, UNO, Mexican Train dominos, and one more that I can't think of the name (you roll a die and then have to either act something out, draw, come up with a like phrase, etc.).
My kids put a few of the things they've loved on last year's list, so that's current (they're still using/wearing them). Also the men & women gift guides work for them (I'm probably getting my son an Echo Dot for his gift, too!). Hope that helps some. 🙂