The Best Gifts For Kids

The holidays are going to look a little different this year. But they can still be special with a family meal, fun decorations, and, of course, presents. Although knowing what to get can be a little tough, especially when there are so many options. Luckily, resources like the Toy Insider have you covered. They release themed lists like The Best Stem Toys and Hottest 20 Toys of the Year, so you know exactly what to get the kids in your life. I tapped them for some suggestions and did a little more research to find some great options. Check them out below. 

Squeakee The Balloon Dog

Has your kid been asking for a dog? Well, Squeakee for $59.99 is the answer. It’s an interactive balloon pet dog that youngsters can feed and train. The crazy creature will actually listen and react with over 60 sounds and voice and touch-activated actions. It’s so fun, Toy Insider even named it one of the hottest 20 toys of 2020.

Kadoodle Kids Mask Kit

Unfortunately, 2020 was a scary year, and it looks like mask-wearing will be here for a while. So, make staying safe fun with a Kadoodle Kids DIY mask kit starting at $19.99. The new crafts brand for children just launched themed kits where kids can design masks for themselves and their toys. The kit comes with markers, glitter pens, pouches, and paint stampers to customize each one. 

A Kids Book About 

Beyond coronavirus, 2020 was a year filled with a lot of societal strife that’s difficult to explain to kids. Thankfully, the A Kids Book About series (starting at $19.95 a book, monthly subscriptions start at $16.95) was created to help grownups have those tough conversations. Each book is designed with a straightforward and honest approach with colorful imagery. Some of the top titles include A Kids Book About Gratitude, A Kids Book About Racism, A Kids Book About Empathy, and A Kids Book About Belonging. 

Art2theextreme Crayons

Known as the home of “The Original Rainbow Crayon,” founded by Nicole Lewis, a former art teacher, Art2theextreme Crayons created custom-made crayons for kids ($19.95) and was the first Etsy shop to do so. Today, Nicole and her husband create custom crayons by hand, breaking them by hand and setting them into molds or melting pods before the designs are finalized. Nicole makes more than 680 crayon shapes, which come in multiple colors, sizes, and themes for every occasion, ranging from personalized letter name crayons to mini doughnuts and rainbow rock crayons.  

Bakery Bling’s Designer Cookie Kits 

Bakery Bling makes the perfect hands-on gift for kids with an easy (and delicious) cookie kit kids can enjoy right at home. Bakery Bling’s designer cookie kits ($9.99) are the perfect way to enjoy the holidays, birthdays, or other special occasions. The themed kits bring together everything needed for a fun activity to fuel creativity. Kits include eight cookies, glittery sugar, royal icing pieces, icing, and step-by-step instructions to make the creations right at home. 

Fire HD 8 Kids Edition Tablet 

Perhaps kids had a little more screen time than usual this year (and that’s ok). But maybe it’s time to get a tablet that’s all their own. The Fire HD 8 Kids Edition Tablet ($139.99) is the fastest ever, has 20% longer battery life, and access to content kids love. What’s more is it comes with a kid-proof case that can withstand drops, bumps, and the typical mayhem caused by kids at play. Plus, with one year of Amazon Kids+ included, there’s endless age-appropriate content.

Made by Me My Very Own Pottery Wheel with Terracotta Clay

Use all this time at home to have your youngster learn a new skill. How about pottery? Made by Me My Very Own Pottery Wheel with Terracotta Clay ($19.97) helps kids create a pot or any other clay pieces. It comes with a potter’s wheel, paint, clay, and all the tools you need. Even if it turns out a bit messy, it’s a fun sensory activity to pass the time.

VTech KidiZoom Creator Cam 

Another top pick by Toy Insider was the VTech KidiZoom Creator Cam for $49.44. It allows kids to feel like their Tik Tok-loving tween family members while being safe and easy. They can create personal videos with this high-def video camera kit that features more than 20 animated backgrounds and on-screen editing capabilities. Plus, the kit includes a green screen, a tabletop tripod, and a selfie stick. Just sit back and watch the magic happen.