Top 5 Gifts for Kids in 2024: Your Ultimate Guide
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Hi everyone, I'm Jeanine - a Senior Editor at theCityMoms - and as the holiday season approaches, I know you're on the hunt for finding the best gifts for kids of all ages. Hey, kids can be tough to shop for and sometimes the hottest toys from last year are no longer the the perfect gift (helloooooooo expensive headphones, we're talking about you!).
Today we're sharing our top 5 Christmas gift ideas for kids in 2024 in our weekly segment on Fox 59's Indy Now, but also wanted to share them with you. Plus we're including a great place to snag them all - including that viral wooden climber company that is saving winter cabin fever one playset at a time.
The good news? All of these unique gift ideas have been tested by our CityMoms, and are ready for gifting this holiday season.
Gifts for older kids and young kids this year fall into five specific categories:
Sustainable or eco-friendly
Active play
Arts and creativity
Innovative tech
STEM or educational
We're sharing below a top pick from our CityKids' wish list in each!
Top 5 Gifts for Kids in 2024: Your Ultimate Guide
1. Sustainable or Eco-Friendly: Avenlur Wooden Climbers
When I tell you we're obsessed with Avenlur wooden climbers, it's not just because it's one of our top holiday gift ideas - it starts with the fact that all of their offerings are a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastic play structures. These beautifully crafted wooden climbers are super durable, encourage kids to get active, and offer multiple ways to explore and play. As an added bonus, assembly is a total breeze.
Why we love it: Winter is coming, and these play structures offer an easy way to enjoy active play indoors. Plus a few are also foldable, making storage simple.
Where to buy: Thru our exclusive link! Avenlur have offered big sales since Black Friday and will continue thru the holiday season.
2. Active Play pick: Foamnasium Play Furniture
Foamnasium is a Midwest company (hi Hoosiers!) that creates play furniture perfect for active play. These soft, durable foam pieces can be assembled to create various structures like forts, chairs, and climbing blocks. Kids will love using their imagination to build and explore while developing their fine motor skills.
Why we love it: In 2024 Foamnasium announced their new Color Lab, allowing parents to customize the furniture colors to your home's decor, rather than rely on a previously-set color palette.
Where to buy: Peek their Amazon store, or shop their website's More the Merrier sale for up to 50% savings.
3. Arts and Creativity pick: Kinetic Sand
Kinetic sand is not only a sensory delight but also a great tool for fostering creativity in children. This moldable sand comes in different colors, and can be shaped, squished, and molded into endless creations, making it an ideal gift for kids who love art and tactile play. Plus it has been one of my kids favorite toys across many ages!
Why we love it: The pricepoint. Small sets start around $7, and can scale up to $30. Plus it often comes in a kid-proof case (because IYKYK).
Where to buy: Pretty much everywhere, but our favorite selection is at Target.
One of the most popular searches on our website?
1 year old stocking stuffer ideas (no really)
4. Innovative Tech: Toniebox Audiobox Player
The Tonies Toniebox storybook player combines storytelling with innovative technology to create an immersive and interactive experience for kids. Children can listen to their favorite stories by placing a Tonie character on the player, sparking their imagination and love for storytelling. This tech-savvy gift is a great gift for kids who enjoy audio books and imaginative play.
Why we love it: The Disney universe has heard the call from parents that this is one of the top toys of 2024, and has stocked up - i.e. no fighting crowds for the last one!
Where to buy: Again pretty much everywhere, but Target has a great selection.
Need other tech gifts for older kids? Gotchu - I'm a big fan of the Beats Solo wireless headphones, which come in a few different colorways.
5. STEM or Educational: Any LEGO set
LEGOs have stood the test of time as a classic educational toy that also promotes STEM learning through creative building. From building robots to constructing buildings, they also offer endless possibilities for kids to engage in hands-on learning while developing critical thinking skills. They also range in designs from general cityscapes to intricate flower patterns (although as Harry Potter fans, we're partial to anything from the HP universe!).
Why we love it: They're really the perfect gift for every age group in the whole family, and not only are our young kids asking for them, so is my 14 year old.
Where to buy: Target again. They've been sliding in 40% off sales all season and offer a price match if it drops after you buy.
