The Best Gifts for Kids, Toddlers, and Tweens of 2024

Shopping for kids can feel like an overwhelming and intimidating task, no matter their age. Kids’ interests can shift quickly, and trends seem to change overnight.

Fear not! We combed the year’s hottest toy lists and recruited real parents and kid-at-heart shopping editors to test and curate the absolute best Christmas gifts for kids.

From educational toys and family board games to beloved characters, these gifts are guaranteed to be a hit on Christmas Day and beyond.

Top Gifts for Kids

• Pickleball Blast Game, $10 with coupon (orig. $15) ; amazon.com
• Goliath Jelly Blox Creative Kit, $20; amazon.com
• Fisher-Price Rockin’ Record Player, $26; target.com
• Ms. Rachel Speak and Sing Doll, $30; amazon.com
• Hot Wheels City Ultra Shark Car Wash, $49 (orig. $60); amazon.com
• Transformers One Power Flip Optimus Prime Action Figure, $37 (orig. $48); amazon.com
• Magna-Tiles Space Magnetic Construction Set, $40 (orig. $50); amazon.com
• Magic Mixies Pixies Supremes Magic Mirror, $50 (orig. $60); target.com
• Bluey Cook with Chef Kitchen Playset, $67 (orig. $80); amazon.com
• Play-Doh Pizza Delivery Scooter Playset, $71 (orig. $95); amazon.com

Gifts for Toddlers

The best gifts for toddlers are interactive and encourage creativity, exploration, and sensory development. These little ones are on the move, so consider toys that are stimulating and improve fine motor skills, like grasping and hand-eye coordination.

And, of course, make sure they’re durable enough to withstand lots of play and contain no small, detachable parts.

If your little one loves the Heeler family, they’ll adore this interactive kitchen playset that allows them to cook breakfast, lunch, and dessert alongside Bluey and Bingo. The kitchen has over 20 sounds and phrases and includes over 20 play pieces, including a matching chef hat. The stovetop burners even light up!

Bring Ms. Rachel’s soothing voice off the screen and into your child’s arms through this plush doll that plays over 15 signature phrases and four songs from her hit show. It will encourage little ones as young as six months old to build communication skills and aid in cognitive development.

Gifts for Preschoolers

Preschool-aged kids are trying to understand the world around them. Consider toys that are simple for them to use on their own, offer educational value, and will keep them engaged through their current interests — but also allow them to be creative and imaginative. Think building sets, art supplies, dolls or action figures, and simple board games.

Introduce your child to the timeless beauty of vinyl with this fun musical toy that will have the whole family dancing. The adorable miniature player comes with five records that play 20 unique songs, from pop to hip-hop. They can even move the tonearm onto the record to make it play — just like the real thing.

Beep, beep! This ride-on scooter lets kids manage their own pizza delivery business, from creating fun Play-Doh pizza garnishes to delivering their pies across the house. The playset comes with everything they’ll need for hours of play, including 16 tools and 10 dough colors. Plus, all the accessories can be stored right under the seat for quick cleanup at the end of their shift.

Gifts for Little Kids

Kids ages three to five are developing critical thinking skills, so opt for gifts that may be more complex, like building sets, puzzles, and games. Help them expand their creativity and world of play with interactive, hands-on toys that dive into problem-solving and strategy to build on the skills they’re learning every day.

Craft shimmery potions and recite the secret spell to free the enchanting Pixie Supreme from her magical mirror. The mirror has over 50 lights and sounds for exciting and mysterious interactive play during the reveal. Once Luna is free, kids can extend playtime with the mirror’s Fortune Mode to get answers to their burning questions about the future.

Inspired by Optimus Prime from the Transformers One movie, this complex action figure can convert between four different modes, including a Cybertronian Truck and Orion Pax, and can grow up to 10 inches tall.

Push its chest to activate lights, sounds, and phrases, with special effects for each mode. Conversions range from three quick steps up to 13 more complex sequences that will help little ones practice following instructions.

Gifts for Tweens

Tweens typically have their interests dialed in and are often immersed in what’s considered trendy or “in.” For this guide, we kept our gift suggestions a little broader and more gender-neutral to suit a variety of personalities. But if you want something more specific, check out our tailored gift guides for teens and teen girls.

Taylor Swift’s long-running Eras Tour may be coming to an end, but friendship bracelets aren’t going anywhere. This bracelet maker allows kids to string more than just beads. The loom can create a variety of different bracelet styles, including knotted, macrame, and more. With hundreds of bead options, the design possibilities are endless

If they love the popular Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza game, they’ll find this holiday version just as much fun. The fast-paced card game is quick to learn and a perfect way to involve the whole family. Plus, it might just turn into a new holiday tradition.

Why Trust PEOPLE? 

Kayla Kitts is a shopping editor at PEOPLE and the mom of a 5-year-old boy. Her son’s interests span from Bluey and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to Lego and Harry Potter. She likes to think she has perfected Gen Alpha gift-giving after five years, especially after buying dozens of birthday gifts for her son’s friends. His favorite toys right now? The Yoto Mini and Hot Wheels Ultra Shark Car Wash. Both can keep him entertained for hours, which is always a parenting win.

We also tested dozens of top-rated toys from Amazon and Walmart’s 2024 holiday lists, and many of those made it onto this list, as well.

What Is PEOPLE Tested? 

We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.

In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.