Gift ideas for kids that they will actually use all year long

I have four kids, and I’ve noticed a difference between toys and gifts that kids play with over and over all year round, and the ones that lie forgotten in a closet once the holidays are over.

The best type of gifts encourage creativity and imagination. These gifts can be used over and over in multiple ways.

I’ve compiled a list of our personal favorites- the things my kids have just not gotten tired of– and divided it into age categories below.

Come take a look!

Related: Non-Toy Christmas Gift Ideas for Kids.

Note: As an Amazon and Chatbook Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post contains affiliate links, meaning that if you choose to click through and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Baby/toddler

Let me start by saying that babies (and young toddlers) do not need a lot. So think small for these guys. But, with that said, here are the tried and true things that all my babies or one year olds have loved:

A lovey

These special animal/blankets have been dearly loved by my kids ever since they were babies.

Chatbooks

Our kids LOVE their chatbooks! We get the monthly minis every month. You upload up to 60 photos through the app, and they send you a little photo book each month.

It’s super affordable, and my kids look at them over and over. It’s such a fun way to remember special times together as a family.

Stacking rings

There’s a reason this toy is a classic: All my babies have loved it! I’m not sure what it is about this thing, but they just don’t seem to get tired of it.

Stacking cups

Here’s another concept that is so simple. Nothing light ups. There are no noises. Just cups that stack. And- I’m telling you- all babies love them.

You can even throw them in the bathtub or in the baby pool in the summer.

Little People Farm or Nativity

These little people and animals are very durable, and fit perfectly into a baby’s little hands. The farm makes animal noises (which you can turn off if you prefer!) and the nativity plays Silent Night.

An outdoor swing

Swings are the first piece of playground equipment that babies can use- even before they learn to walk. You can get one like this to add to your existing swing set (just replace one of the regular swings) or you can get one that attaches to a tree branch.

Scarves or shaker eggs

If you like to listen to music with your baby, these additions can be really fun. Even tiny babies like to play with scarves and shaker eggs.

(Not sure what music to play for your kids? Check out this post I wrote about the best movement songs for toddlers and preschoolers.)

Older toddler/preschooler

For the older toddler and preschooler, the things they tend to love are the open-ended toys that encourage creativity and can be played with in multiple ways.

They also love anything that looks like something that a grownup would use!

A sensory table

This is the sensory table that we have had for years. All my kids (even the older ones) love when I make a new sensory table, and the possibilities are endless. Click here to check out one of the ideas that I shared over on Instagram.

A cleaning kit

I assembled this cleaning kit with supplies from the dollar store. My son loved it, and was always so eager to join me with his own supplies anytime I started cleaning.

A functional kitchen

We gave my 2 year old a functional toddler kitchen with running water one year for Christmas, and I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say he has used it just about every day since then.

This has been a huge favorite in our house, and it wasn’t hard to make at all! See how we did it here. (Or check out this cute video to see the kitchen in action!)

Kitchen accessories

Kids at this age also love to help in the kitchen. Here are a few of our favorite accessories that give them a chance to help prepare their own food!

A listening center

When kids stop napping, but you still want them to have a quiet time in their rooms, a listening device of some kind is key. This will allow them to listen to stories without you being the one to read to them.

There are a few different options available right now. We decided to get our kids an actual CD player, because our library has tons of books on CD, which we never have to pay for.

Melissa & Doug play sets

When it comes to imaginary play, Melissa & Doug toys are just the best. We have tried a lot of them, and these are the 3 favorites that my kids keep coming back to play with over and over.

You can check out a video of my son using the sandwich shop here.

This chemistry play set

Note: I am an affiliate for KiwiCo, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I really love. 🙂

As a former science teacher, I cannot speak highly enough about this chemistry play lab. I’ve purchased a lot of science kits for kids, and this is the only one I’ve ever seen that is truly designed for kids to play and experiment with, rather than to just follow a set of directions.

My son got this when he was 3, and I would recommend it as a gift for kids up to age 6 or so. It is just so good!

You can see the play lab in action here. 😉

A little backpack

This is perfect for little ones who are starting to mimic older siblings, or who just want to feel a little bit more grown-up. They love having the ownership over their own bag, and getting to decide which things to take with them when they go out.

Magnetic tiles

These things are amazing. My kids play with them all. the time, and in so many creative ways.

We have the Playmags brand, but I’ve also heard great things about PicassoTiles, which are a bit more affordable.

The great thing about magnetic tiles is that you can always add on to your collection if your kids are really into them. We have the additional sets above, and each one has been a huge hit.

Little People

My son is 4 now, and he still plays with his Little People all the time. (The vehicles- especially the firetruck and the school bus- are his favorites.)

He uses the characters in so many different creative ways: Building houses for them out of his magnetic tiles. Playing in the sandbox. My kids recently used an old basket to make a zip-line for them. It’s amazing.

Cars and trucks

Here’s another set that gets used super creatively. The construction sets especially get used in sensory tables, with play-doh, kinetic sand, etc.

My son is constantly lining up and organizing the cars. He builds parking lots and parking garages for them, races them down ramps, really just plays with them all the time.

OK to wake clock

This clock has been a favorite of all my kids. You can set it to start glowing at a certain time each morning, when it’s OK to get up.

It also has a nap setting, so we have our kids stay in their room for quiet time until the clock is glowing. Our kids have all gotten really attached to their clocks, and even pack them in their bags when we go on trips.

A balance bike

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A balance bike in a small bike with no pedals. Even a really little kid can “ride” this bike by walking with their legs on either side.

Kids feel so grownup with these bikes. And the best part it, they tend to eventually teach themselves to ride a real bike by balancing while they glide downhill. My daughter completely skipped training wheels, and went right from this to her two-wheeler.

Games

These are our favorite 2 games for preschoolers. Race to the Treasure is a cooperative game, so everyone works together to try to win as a group. It’s very good.

Pengoloo is a family favorite. All the pieces are really good quality and made of wood, and the game is simple enough for really little kids to understand.

Play-Doh

Play-Doh is something that all my kids still get excited to play with every time I pull it out. And this dentist set has been their very favorite- I’m not totally sure why. But it’s the one they fight over and all want to use.

Elementary-aged kids

I have two girls who are in elementary school, and there are certain things they go back to over and over again. Once again (surprise, surprise!) it’s always the things that allow them to be creative and use their imaginations. (Along with a few things that allow them to feel like little adults)

Art supplies

Art supplies are the ultimate gift for creative and imaginative kids. Here are some of our favorites:

Pastels – Much more vibrant and fun to use than crayons

Markers – I like to give the kids a big, new set at Christmas, and throw away all of the old set that’s usually missing colors and half dried out. It feels good to start fresh.

Watercolors – This set is fantastic. The colors are super vibrant and fun to paint with.

Paint sticks – These are a blast. They go on like glue sticks, dry within a minute, and look just like paint.

Legos

Legos are a classic for a reason. They’re just so good, especially for kids with active imaginations.

My girls love the Lego Friends sets. And after they complete a set, they’ll play for hours making their own new creations from the pieces.

Swing set accessories

If you have a swing set in your backyard, you can mix things up by taking down one or two of the swings and putting up something different, like this. It’s a great little trick to get the kids to play more outside.

Then, a few weeks later, put the swings back on, and it’ll be like a brand new swing set again. It’s toy-rotation for your swing set, and I can’t recommend it more highly!

Sleeping bags

My kids love their sleeping bags. We pack them for sleepovers at the grandparents, or we get them out for special occasions like a sleepover movie night in Mom and Dad’s bedroom. Sleeping bags = adventures.

Games

We have (and have tried) a lot of board games, and we have quite a few favorites. But this one has consistently been our most favorite.

Kids as young as 4 or 5 can play this game (no reading required) but there’s enough strategy involved that it’s fun for 8 or 9 year olds as well.

Play school supplies

This one definitely depends on the personality of your kids. My girls love to play school, and it’s an activity that they go back to over and over. Our play school set has been very well used!

A mud kitchen

I created this mud kitchen for our backyard last summer out of a potting bench. We hook it up to our garden hose, and the kids have a blast “cooking” using things they gather from the backyard.

You can see the full tutorial here if you’re interested in creating your own mud kitchen. Your kids will love it!

Flashlights

The possibilities for ways to use a bright new flashlight are endless! My kids love to turn off all the lights in the house and play flashlight hide and seek.

Reading in a dark room with a flashlight is oh-so-spooky and fun.

Going on a walk is way more fun if it’s at night with a flashlight.

Well, that’s my list for this year! What would you add? Let me know in the comments!

-Laura

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