Santa season is on its holly jolly way, and that means you’re going to need some seriously impressive presents under the tree for the important little people in your life. Whether you’re looking for Christmas gift ideas for kids of your own or for someone else’s, these festive finds will earn you top spot on the ‘nice’ list. We’ve got fun, educational and unique Christmas gifts for kids, ranging from preschoolers to tweens.

Best Gift Ideas for Kids in Preschool

These gift ideas for kids under 5 such as wooden toys, puzzle sets, and Play-Doh will be sure to surprise and delight.

When choosing toys for children 2 and over, wooden toys are not only durable and incredibly charming, but they’re also a sustainable alternative. Gift the young ones in your life this adorable magnetic bug-catching set and not only will you be helping develop their fine motor skills, but you could be planting the seed for the next David Attenborough-style naturalist to develop. Alternatively, this cute Australian animal puzzle set includes 12 two-piece jigsaws featuring somewhat fluffier fauna, with everything from kookaburras to koalas needing to be put back together.

Continue the learning (and wooden) theme by helping under 5s with their ABCs in an engaging way. This alphabet board performs triple-duty as a puzzle, magnetic board and whiteboard so they can boost literacy, practise their handwriting and doodle to their heart’s content. Speaking of activity boards, Crayola’s light-up version is ideal to help littlies learn about shapes, colours and problem-solving. 

Encourage sensory play and creative minds while also maintaining your cool aunt or uncle status with some sparkly and fluoro playdough or, depending on how much you love the parents, a toy drum to make, er, music with…  (It will also strengthen their arm muscles for writing and help their hand-eye coordination.)

What To Try

SEE ALSO: Best Gift Ideas Under $15

Christmas Gift Ideas for Kids in Early Primary

Wondering about gifts for kids aged 5-7? You’ll get a thumbs up for popping a Build a Bot under the tree, which teaches kids early STEM skills such as engineering, robotics and problem-solving. For engineering on a masterpiece scale, look no further than the human body. A stethoscope lets young learners 6 and up discover sounds such as a beating heart or inflating lungs… or the rumbles from a tummy full of turkey!

For a gift that keeps on giving long past the new year, this Watch Me Grow Hairy Head is a fun gardening-inspired project where kids can grow their own pet plant from seed. If the great outdoors is calling, a backyard explorer set (complete with whistle, tweezers, shovel, brush and mirror) will provide green-fingered kids with hours of fun. And, on the topic of time, a smartwatch that doubles as a GPS and activity tracker will teach them how to use technology to stay active, stay in touch and become responsible for taking care of something valuable. 

Amid all the Christmas chaos, a colouring book will bring a sense of calm to festivities, while sensory sand is a hands-on activity that’s as soothing as it is satisfying. Speaking of peace and quiet, a new set of kids’ headphones will get them excited for quiet time watching movies, playing games and listening to audiobooks. This pink and purple Bluetooth-enabled pair have a maximum volume level of 85dB so they’re ideal for sensitive ears, while these dinosaur-themed headphones are totally roar-some. 

What To Try

SEE ALSO: Inspiring DIY Christmas Cards and Wrapping Paper Ideas

Christmas Gift Ideas for Kids in Late Primary

Cool yet educational gifts such as science kits or a terrarium make for perfect gift ideas for kids in late primary.

If you’re in need of a present to impress kids aged 8 and up, a set of walkie talkies will do the trick nicely. These handheld radios take imaginative indoor and outdoor play to a new level and, with a coverage distance of up to three kilometers and an operating time of up to 20 hours, it’ll keep them occupied all evening.

Want more fun but educational gift ideas for kids? This scientific discovery kit has more than 40 experiments for your young scientists to try out, including tabletop volcanic eruptions, making square bubbles and more. Slightly more subdued, but equally as stimulating, is this grow-your-own-crystals terrarium, complete with mini dinosaur figures. Combining creativity with chemistry, it enables kids 10 and up to grow four different types of crystal and make a prehistoric paradise. 

Creative types will love a set of puffy fabric paint for fashioning their own slogan T-shirts, banners and accessories. With five bright neon hues to choose from, they’ll enjoy letting their imagination run wild.

Or, in a bid to make bedtime more appealing, a star projector will earn you serious kudos. Switch off the lights and watch in awe as their bedroom walls and ceiling transform into their own private planetarium. Pretty out of this world. 

What To Try

SEE ALSO: The Best Christmas Gifts Under $50