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Non-Toy Gift Ideas for Kids
When it comes to gift-giving, toys are often the go-to choice for kids. But if you’re looking for something different—something that won’t add to the clutter or be forgotten in a toy bin—there are plenty of creative and meaningful alternatives. Here are some fun non-toy gift ideas…
1. Experience Gifts
- Zoo or Aquarium Membership – Kids love animals, and an annual pass lets them visit again and again. We try to get our memberships on Black Friday, as many places have discounts!
(For my Philadelphia locals: Elmwood Park Zoo, The Philadelphia Zoo, and the The Adventure Aquarium are our favorites!)
- Children’s Museum Pass – Perfect for hands-on learning and exploration.
(For Philadelphia locals: The Please Touch Museum, The Franklin Institute, and The Hershey Story Museum are so fun for kids!)
- Music or Dance Classes – A fun way to get kids moving and learning new skills.
(Look for something like a Makin’ Music class near you!)
- Outdoor Park Passes/Gift Cards – Great for burning energy and enjoying special outings.
(For southeast Pennsylvanians, we love: Hershey Park, Dorney Park, Sesame Place; Cherry Crest Farm, Longwood Gardens)
- Movie or Theater Tickets – A fun family outing with popcorn included!
- Art Studio Gift Card – For creative kids, a trip to an art studio to make their very own creation is a perfect gift!
(Find something like Made By Me Creativity Studio near you!)
Playground Membership or Gymnastics Classes – Access to an indoor play gym or tumbling class makes for an exciting adventure.
(For Philadelphia locals: The YMCA, Ninja Warrior Gym, Philadelphia Rock Gyms, Chatter Splatter, Urban Air, LEGOLAND, and The Barn Yard are so fun!)
Nurture curiosity and imagination with gifts that inspire learning.
- Books – There are so many books out there to quench curiosity and inspire creativity. The Little Kids First Big Book of Why, the Natural History: The Ultimate Visual Guide to Everything on Earth, and The Never Get Bored Book are a few of our favorites!
- Kwik Stix – These paint sticks are a hit in our house! My son loves using them on his big pad of paper to create colorful masterpieces. The colors are so vibrant, and I love how easy they are to use—no mess!
- Watercolors – Watercolor painting is a simple and surprisingly relaxing activity to do with your child. Or a mess-free activity for them to do solo!
- Modeling Clay – Modeling clay is a fun, hands-on activity for kids to shape, squish, and create. Check out the HEY CLAY app for inspiration!
- Craft Kit – This is a fun kit packed with beads, glitter, stickers, and foam shapes. It’s perfect for kids aged 4 and up to create cards, decorations, and other crafty projects.
- Paper Dispenser – A simple but very useful gift! This paper roll dispenser allows children to get their own paper for crafts and they can choose the length that they need, which is perfect for banners, murals, etc.
- Simply Piano Gift Subscription – This app is incredible. It turns piano lessons into a game. We were amazed when our 7 year old was playing piano with two hands just a few units in.
- Ukulele – This ukulele is the perfect size for beginner musicians and if they learn three or four basic chords, they will be able to start playing some tunes!
- Keyboard – We got our Casio keyboard used on Facebook Marketplace, so be on the look out! But if you are looking to get your child started on piano, we love this keyboard! One of the most important things to look for is a keyboard with weighted keys, so that your child can get used to what if feels like to play on an actual piano.
3. Subscription Boxes
Subscription boxes make gifts last beyond a single day. Each month, kids get excited about something new arriving just for them!
Cooking Kit Subscriptions – My kids absolutely love the eat2explore cooking kits. You get a box for a specific country, and it includes recipe cards for three meals, along with a few shelf-stable ingredients, and a cool kids’ kitchen tool. There are also little booklets that have fun facts on the country/culture of your box. You can also just purchase one box as a gift if you don’t want to commit to a subscription.
Book Subscriptions – Services like Bookroo or Cratejoy deliver books tailored to their age and interests.
Craft and Activity Boxes – KiwiCo and Green Kid Crafts provide hands-on projects that spark creativity.
STEM or Nature-Themed Kits – Monthly science or nature exploration kits make learning fun! Crunch Labs, Kiwi Co. and Little Passports have kits that focus on science and engineering.
Gifts that are both useful and special to the child are always a hit.
- Fun Sheets – These Amazon Basics Kid’s Sheets are so soft and the designs are vibrant and fun (there are solid colors, butterflies, kittens, stars, spaceships — lots of options to choose from). We have had ours for about 8 years and they are still like new. Highly recommend!
- Electric Pencil Sharpener – At first, I thought this pencil sharpener was too pricey, but after seeing its features, I’m so glad I got it. Kids have a blast sharpening their pencils, and it feels more like a toy than a tool! With adjustable sharpness and a pencil gripper for short pencils, it’s a fun and practical gift your kids will love.
- Astronaut Night Light – Transform any room into a starry night sky with colorful nebula clouds and twinkling stars!
- Root Viewer – A fun and educational way for kids to watch plants grow. The clear window lets them see roots develop underground as they sprout above the soil. It’s a simple, hands-on way to learn about nature and gardening!
- Watch – This children’s analog watch is a great way for kids to learn to tell time while feeling grown-up with their own watch. The clear, easy-to-read numbers and labeled hour and minute hands make it perfect for beginners. It’s also waterproof, durable, and designed for everyday wear.
- Electric Toothbrushes – These Oral-B Electric Rechargeable Toothbrushes (Frozen or Spiderman) are a fun gift that turn daily routines into something they’ll actually look forward to! Download the Oral-B Magic Timer app to motivate your kids to brush even more!
- Rainbow Timer – This is a great gift because it comes in handy for clean up timers, homework timers, or play! Its bright, colorful design engages kids and has them racing to clean up toys!
- Character Blanket – Find a blanket for your kids’ favorite tv show or movie! This blanket comes in tons of different designs (minions, princesses, spongebob, etc.).
- Soft Luxury Blanket – This Saranoni blanket is so soft and cozy! It’s the perfect size for my kids to snuggle up with while watching TV or reading. It’s like wrapping up in a cloud!
- Personalized Blanket – Another soft, warm blanket — but this is customized with their name. It adds a special touch to bedtime or lounging. Perfect for birthdays, holidays, or just because, it’s a unique keepsake they’ll cherish!
5. Special One-on-One Time
Sometimes the best gift is spending quality time together. Plan a special outing, such as:
A one-on-one “date” to get ice cream or hot chocolate.
A home baking day where they pick the recipe.
A themed movie night with their favorite snacks.
By thinking outside the toy aisle, you can give a meaningful, memorable gift that brings joy to a child’s life — without the clutter! Do you have a favorite non-toy gift idea? Share in the comments!