Non-Toy Gifts for Kids

LCD Microscope

This. Microscope. Kids (especially those under age 10) have a hard time with traditional microscopes seeing through the small eye piece. This takes away that variable AND everyone can see all at once. It’s a dream.

Art Kit

This has been a stand out through the years: I gave this to my daughter two Christmases ago and it’s still being used. So is the kit we bought for her best friend: he is still using it 2 years later. It’s a great set for kids and they love the way it’s laid out and packaged.

Shopping for an artsy kid? Check out my list of the best art supplies to give as gifts. It’s full of more perfect ideas for kids.

Keyboard

This 32-key keyboard is perfect. My parents (who were music majors) researched high and low to find the right, basic keyboard for my youngest. Instead of jumping in to buying a full piano, this was a great place to start. We have a full piano now, and this little keyboard still lives in my 9-year-olds room for when he wants to play without an audience.

Kids Calendar

We’ve owned a kids calendar since December 2015 when my oldest was 2.5. I’ve loved having one for my kids. This version (by Melissa and Doug) is what we had for many years.

Cash Register

We can argue the semantics later on if a cash register is a toy, but it’s the full breadth of this that has me adding it to this guide. My kids obsess over playing shop. They have a cash register, fake money, a server black book, and guest checks to write orders on. This set up has held their attention since I gifted them the supplies in 2020. It’s a magical collection.

Other gifts to pair with a register:

• Server’s check book (what the bill comes in)
• Guest check tab (the note pads servers write on)
• Set of food for pretend shopping (love this small size)

Kids Pod Swing (indoor or outdoor)

These are sweetest, coolest – just a great little space for growing big kids. They can relax, grab a book, unwind, etc… all in the comfort of their own pod. Lots of different colors available.

Stepping Stones

They don’t look like much, but this indoor/outdoor product is brilliant for kids. After seeing how much my “Floor is Lava” loving kids took to these at a museum, I bought a set for my daughter’s birthday, and four years later, it’s still one of the most used outdoor toys for all the kids.

Pocket Microscope

We got this for my then-8 year old, but it was my then-4 year old that imprinted on it most. He LOVES seeing the world up close. This is a great way to introduce microscopes to any age.

“Just Checking In” Journal

I always found a journal intimidating as a tween so when I heard that this book was being released (it just came out in September), I couldn’t wait to buy it for my tween. The prompts are awesome, but there’s no pressure to write each day or go in any certain order. It’s a great option for thoughtful big kids.

Globe

A globe is a fantastic non-toy gift for a family. Grandma gifted us a globe six years ago and it’s been a really important part of our house. This one is bright, the right size, and quality.

Gifts to pair with a globe

• Children’s Illustrated Atlas
• World map puzzle
• Hugg-a-Planet

Paper Flying Dragons

Such a fun non-toy gift for kids who love paper airplanes and also have a passion for mythical creatures. This book comes with special paper and directions for how to fold flying dragons. It is awesome and my 8 year old is obsessed.

Gifts to pair with Paper Flying Dragons

• Dragon stuffed animal with baby dragons & eggs
• The Dragon Atlas: Legendary Dragons from Around the World (this is a brand new release – published October 1, 2024)
• Small dragon figurines/toys

Rock Tumbler

My third-born’s big gift last year was a rock tumbler – and it was a hit. If you’ve got a little rock hound who’s forever stuffing pockets (or your purse) with treasures, this is the ultimate upgrade. One caveat: it’s a delayed-gratification gift. Each batch takes 4–6 weeks to polish. Along the way, kids check in, swap out grit to smooth the stones, seal it back up, and wait some more. But when the lid finally comes off? The payoff is epic.

Stationary Set

I couldn’t love this little kit more. Picked it up for my 9-year-old: what a treasure. The cards are adorable (they fold up into animal faces), the carrying case is great, the stickers are *chef’s kiss*.

Real Tools

Yes, these are real tools specially sized for kids. You can decide if your child is ready for this, but there’s no substitute for learning to working with real tools. Tools are for all genders – all kids can build. All kids can create. Real tools have been a real big hit with kids in my neighborhood, ages 5-12.

Gifts that pair well with real tools

• Nails and wood
• A manual hand drill
• Caution tape (trust me)
• Safety/traffic cones

Screen Free Camera

I’m so obsessed with our Camp Snap camera. It’s a digital camera but with no screen and no games, so it feels like an old 35mm. The pictures have a vintage filter too and have that feel of old Kodak prints. We have loved our camera, letting kids take pictures, but stay present in the moment because there’s no screen to see if they got the photo “perfect.” 10/10.

Balance Beam

We love a balance beam at my house. This one is great for indoor or outdoor play – and kids will find a million uses for it: a boundary, an obstacle course, gymnastics, a parade route… and they’ll use it for years. This is a toy that the toddlers in my neighborhood are as likely to grab as the twelve year olds.

Metal Detector

Yep, it’s a metal detector and it’s awesome. If you have a budding treasure hunter, this is exactly right for them. This is a gender-neutral, multi-age hit on our street really all kids over age 5. The big kids have a little easier time holding which is why I chose this list. This is a really fun gift for a kid to receive – gets them outside and moving.

Calmee the Caterpillar

Looking for a fantastic gift for regulation? The Calm Caterpillar is lightly weighted and designed to offer regulation support. It’s a gem and something my kids have grown really fond of.

Cat’s Cradle

I know you smirked when you saw this old throwback. This book is awesome and Cat’s Cradle is a banger. I said what I said. Each of my kids has gone through significant “Cat’s Cradle” phases – right now, it’s my 8 year old. He kills it with this book (and my husband learned along with him). It’s pretty remarkable “these days” to see a kid completely occupied by a string… just a fun gift to consider.

Gymnastics Bar

Yes, it’s a pricier gift, and yes, it’s big. But it’s also made a huge impact for our family. Having a space where the kids can flip, swing, and get their big movement energy out (without literally running laps through the house) has been incredible. It’s especially perfect for bad-weather days. We first borrowed one from our neighbor, who bought hers when her kids were 3 and 4. My kids at 8, 10, and 12 loved it so much that we ended up getting our own. We paired it with this gymnastics mat underneath for extra safety and fun.

Whittling Kit

Whittling took my kids and their friends by storm this year. From ages 6+, whittling has been all the rage. Of course, whittling needs lots of supervision and care so whether this will work for your child is up to you.

Paper Airplane Book/Kit

We’ve been deep into paper airplanes at our house for five years now – all thanks to this book. The step-by-step instructions are simple enough for kids to follow (and perfect for adults who aren’t exactly paper-airplane pros).

Otamatone

This was a gift for my kids from their quirky aunt. And it’s hilarious, awesome, perfect, and really fun especially for my youngest who’s musical. The Otamatone is an electronic musical instrument shaped like a musical note. You play it by sliding a finger along its neck to change pitch and squeezing its mouth to alter the tone. There’s a video on the Amazon listing and it’s worth a watch.

Magic Kit

I have a kiddo who loves magic. This was a great set for him because it came with a cape, hat and gloves. He’s had this a few years now and it’s a really fun way for him to explore his showmanship.

Kid Binoculars

We love having sets of binoculars just right for the kids (these come in several different colors). Great set for kids and a fun gimmick to pack on hikes to keep kids motivated.

Gifts that pair well with a binoculars:

• Compass: My kids think these are magical
• Hydration backpacks: These make hikes seem fancy for my kids.
• Bird Guide of North America: A great book for budding bird watchers

Music Player

This is NOT a phone – it’s an MP3 player, a modern-day Walkman. I bought this for my music-obsessed tween last Christmas and couldn’t be happier. He can stream his Spotify playlists and that’s it – we removed browsers and social media (locked behind parental controls). It’s been so fun watching him have “his” music, just like I did as a kid. I know the reviews aren’t glowing – that’s pretty typical for this kind of device – but we’ve had great luck with ours.

Treasure box

A treasure box is another great option – and this style is perfect. It has 3-shelves and a clear top (it’s similar to a name brand many folks had in the 1980s/1990s…). Kids who fill their pockets each day with treasures might love a special place to put everything. You can also prefill this with things the child enjoys, like geodes, small animals, jewelry, lotion, etc.

Travel Watercolor Set

This blew my mind the first time I saw a child (11) with it and immediately bought one for my middle kid (then-7). What an awesome product. It’s perfection for kids who want to take their art outside, on vacation, or in the car.

Gifts that pair well with a watercolor set:

• Watercolor paper notebook: this paper is different and is incredible to paint on
• A Child’s Introduction to Art: this non-fiction book introduces kids to famous works of art

Telescope

This is a gift the whole family will love: a telescope. We have so enjoyed using a telescope to learn about space and track stars. If you have a child into outer space, take it up a notch with this gift.

Gifts that pair well with a telescope

• Really cool non-fiction book on space
• My favorite space puzzle (48 piece) or this 300 piece puzzle

Happy Dino

I never thought I’d add a stuffie to a gift guide, but Happy Dino won our hearts. There’s an indescribable quality and joy to this stuffie. Kids see it immediately, and that’s why I had to add this small business to my gift guide. Especially if you have a dinosaur loving child, Happy Dino is one to check out.

Chemistry Kit

We have this, we love this, it’s shockingly good. I was skeptical when we got this (other kits have been lack luster). This has been great. The supplies are good, the directions are great, and my kids have learned a lot.

Gifts to pair with a chemistry kit

• First Big Book of Science (National Geographic)
• The Kid’s Book of the Elements

Lava Lamp

One of my favorite “non-toy gifts” to give kids. They’re magical, just like they were in the 70s. Lots of colors and styles are available, and these are often sold at local toy store (that’s where we get ours).

Outdoor Adventure Kit

I’m so impressed with this kit. If you’ve got an adventurous kid in your life, these are seriously cool. There are a few different themes – we have the Navigation Trailblazer Kit, and my 12-year-old is obsessed. You can grab them on their website, too. Bonus: it’s a small business owned by a mom in the Busy Toddler community.

Zither/Lap Harp

We gave this to my son for Christmas 2020 and it’s been the most fun for our whole family. We aren’t exactly musical, but this comes with sheet music that even we could follow. This is definitely a 5+ gift, but is used all the way up to my 42 year old husband.

Sewing Machine

This was my 9 year olds big gift Christmas in 2023 and it’s been a joy to watch her learn to sew. If you have a child interested in sewing, snag this small adult machine instead of a kids machine. It sews beautifully and is a much better place to start this skill.

Watch

A basic watch like this is a gem. It helps kids learn to read an analog clock, which is a necessary but often forgotten skill. There are lots of colors available in this watch.

Butterfly Garden

This is such a cool non-toy gift. It is absolutely magical to watch butterflies go through their metamorphosis. Talk about giving a child an experience they will never forget. The kit portion is reusable – you can buy new caterpillars each year.

Gifts that pair well with a butterfly garden

• A Butterfly is Patient book
• Caterpillar to Butterfly book
• Butterfly wings
• Butterfly toys

Flower Press

What a old school, simple, sweet joy this has been. My 8 year old spent all year learning how to press flowers. This takes patience and a calm hand, but it appeals to meticulous kids. It’s been a fun project.

Personalized Note Pads

Who doesn’t love seeing their name in print?! For Christmas one year, I got my then 6-year-old a few personalized note pads and cards, and he LOVED it. It was sweet little gift.

Gifts that pair well with a note pad:

• Fancy gel pens
• Nice colored pencils

Air Fort

A fantastic “non-toy gift.” The gift of a fort. This giant tent inflates in seconds with a box fan (sold separately) to make a cozy, inviting, imaginative play space for kids to hang, but that’s also big enough for adults. It’s a great size and perfect for kids who love forts.

Kid-Safe Kitchen Set

Have a child that loves being helpful and cooking? Check out this kid-centered and kid-safe kitchen set, and the gifts I’d pair with them as a great option for our budding chefs. This set works so well – everything is top to bottom fantastic for kids (and even adults).

Gifts that pair well with a kitchen set:

• This Kid-Friendly Cookbook is A+++ (for ages 5-8)
• A big kid-friendly cookbook (for ages 8+)
• A kid-sized apron
• Tiny kids pitcher for pouring: We can’t live without this.

Desk Bells

Bless these sweet bells and the joy they’ve brought my youngest. This has been a huge reason for him learning note names, scale, and understanding of pitch. The music is easy for him to follow (my mom got this book with it).