Finding the perfect small gift for a child can be tricky, but it’s definitely worth the effort!
These small gift ideas for kids will not only make your recipient be delighted, but you’ll also get to feel like a kid again yourself.
This list has something for everyone, with ideas ranging from toddler to pre-teen.
Whether you’re looking for a birthday present, Christmas gift, something to toss in an Easter basket, or just a little something to make someone smile, you’ll find what you need here.
27+ Small Gift Ideas for Kids
Choosing a gift is always tough, but it’s especially difficult when it comes to children.
They often don’t know what they want or are drawn to high-dollar expensive technology gadgets.
But never fear. It IS still possible to get a perfect gift that is meaningful and will resonate with them long after the initial excitement of receiving the gift has worn off.
It can be a great way to show you care and are thinking of them, without breaking the bank.
You know that saying good things come in small packages?
Well, it rings true even for children!
(Most of the time they don’t care how big a gift is anyway. A fingernail sized dinosaur could be just as oved as one their body size.)
Here are 27 small gift ideas for kids that are practically guaranteed to leave them smiling.
1) Art Supplies
One small gift idea for kids that is sure to please is a new set of markers. A good set of markers will last for years, and your child will be able to use them again and again.
I like these mini markers in a travel carrying case for ages 4, 5, 6, and 7. The case makes this set easily portable which I love.
Another great gift idea for kids is a watercolor set. Watercolors are perfect for kids who love to paint and draw. This small gift is sure to bring hours of enjoyment.
I recommend this watercolor set with 48 colors for boys or girls of 4 and older. It also comes with 3 brushes so they can get right to creating their masterpieces.
For the ultimate art supply gift, consider this all-in-one easel. It’s great for kids who love to draw and paint. The easel is double-sided so two children can use it at the same time.
It also comes with crayons, markers, oil pastels, and so many other art goodies! Preteens will love this one.
2) Card Games
Card games are small, but they pack a big punch when it comes to entertainment. They’re perfect for rainy days or a fun way to spend time during long road trips.
A few of our favorites include Uno, Go Fish, and Crazy Eights. These classic card games are always so much fun and easy to learn.
Here’s a set that includes all the best classic card games for kids>>
If you’re looking for something a little different, check out this card game called Find and Seek. It’s great for kids who are just learning to read, as well as older children.
The object of the game is to find items in your home (or wherever you are) that fit what the card describes. It’s a lot of fun to play for practically any age!
You can find this small gift here >>
3) Small Musical Instruments
Is your child always tapping on the table or drumming their fingers on their leg? If so, they might enjoy playing a small musical instrument.
Drums are always a hit with kids. This small gift is perfect for young kids and big kids alike – or anyone else that likes to make noise.
If drums aren’t your thing, how about a small recorder? This one is perfect for kids who are just starting to learn the fundamentals of music.
This set comes with two recorders so that you have a spare…or a gift to share with a friend! Your child will be able to make beautiful music in no time!
You can find the mini recorders here >>
4) STEM Toys
STEM toys are small, but they pack a big punch when it comes to learning. They’re perfect for kids who love to build, tinker, and experiment.
One small gift idea for kids is this set of magnetic blocks. They’re great for building and exploring magnetism.
This set comes with 30 pieces so your child can dream up all sorts of shapes and structures. You’ll be amazed at what kids can do with these—it’s no wonder magnet tiles constantly show up on the various list of the best gifts.
I also love that these tiles are great for practically any age 3 and older. If you’re looking for a toy that gets siblings playing together, this is it!
5) Bath Toys
Bath time is always more fun with bath toys. These small gifts are perfect for toddlers aged 2, 3, and 4 who love to splash and play in the tub.
This set of bath toys comes with 8 cute animal figures that are great for pretend play.
And when bath time is over, these guys work great on “land” too to explore the land outside of the bathroom.
Get the animal bath toys here >>
If you are looking for bath-related small gift ideas for kids that are a little bit older at age 5, 6, or 7, these bath crayons are a ton of fun!
They turn bath time into an opportunity to draw and create, as well as learn!
Your child can use the crayons to write their name, practice letters, draw a picture or just doodle. The best part is that the crayons wash away easily with no mess.
This set even comes with a mesh bag so they can drain out into the tub. That way they are ready for the next bath time adventure.
You can find the bath crayons here >>
6) Board Games
Kids of all ages love board games! These are small enough to take with you on vacation or to a friend’s house, but they provide hours of fun.
Trouble is one of my children’s favorite games to play – it’s always a hit! This version also makes a great travel gift since it’s a portable grab and go size.
Get the travel version of Trouble here >>
Another great game for creative kids of practically any age is Pictionary. Kids will love drawing the different objects, animals, and people.
I love that you don’t have to be an artist to win at this game. In fact, the worse the drawing the funnier this game gets! I have great memories of playing this with the whole family.
And if you want a small gift idea for kids that’s perfect for one or more players, check out this easily portable game, Boggle. It’s one of my favorite simple games!
To play, shake the letters up and write as many words using those letters as you can think of before the timer goes off. This is a GREAT game for emerging readers as they build their vocabulary, but can also be quite challenging for older children and adults too.
7) Hot Wheels
Hot Wheels are small gifts that are perfect for kids who love cars! These die-cast metal cars are awesome for racing, doing tricks, and collecting.
My son loves Hot Wheels and always has a few in his pocket when we go out. You never know when you might need a car to race down the stairs or across the table!
You can find a fun set of Hot Wheels here >>
8) Picture Books
Little kids under 4 will love these small, but mighty, picture books. They’re chock full of beautiful illustrations and simple stories that are perfect for bedtime or anytime.
“The Very Hungry Caterpillar” is a classic story that has delighted children for decades. It’s a great book to help teach little ones about nature, the life cycle of a butterfly, and the days of the week.
You can buy “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” here >>
Another great small gift idea for kids is this set of Eric Carle board books that come in a little case. The case is perfect for taking on-the-go, and the stories are just right for bedtime or naptime.
This particular fun gift includes 12 baby-friendly board books for less than $10! The colorful illustrations are guaranteed to keep baby occupied and happy and are a great way to introduce them to the wonderful world of reading.
Click here to buy the set of board books >>
9) Sticker Books
Sticker books are small gifts that are perfect for kids who love to be creative. These books come with tons of stickers and scenes to decorate. They’re perfect for road trips, rainy days, or anytime your child needs a little bit of quiet time.
My daughter loves sticker books, and I often find her curled up on the couch with one, lost in her own world.
This set of reusable puffy sticker books is one of my all-time favorites! >>
10) Travel Games
Travel games are small gifts that are perfect for kids who love to be on the go. These games are small enough to take with you on vacation or in the car, but they provide hours of fun.
I Spy is a great travel game for kids of all ages. It’s a simple game that can be played anywhere, and it’s perfect for road trips.
To play, one player looks for an object and gives the other players clues to help them find it. The first person to find the object wins the game!
11) Sports Equipment
Know kids who love to be active? Then sports items are some of the best small gift ideas for kids! These gifts are perfect for kids who love basketball, baseball, soccer, or any other sport.
Basketballs, bats, balls, and other sports equipment make for hours of fun. One great idea is this mini basketball hoop. My son loves his, and he plays with it pretty much every day.
Grab your sports lover a mini basketball hoop here >>
12) Hula Hoop
Hula hoops are small gifts that are perfect for kids who love to move. These brightly colored hoops are great for indoor or outdoor play.
Hula hooping is a great way to get kids moving and grooving. It’s also a lot of fun!
I like this version because it snaps together and snaps apart as needed, so it’s easy to tote around.
Buy the snap together hula hoop here >>
13) Slime Kit
Slime are small gifts absolutely perfect for kids who love to get messy. These kits come with everything you need to make your own slime.
Slime is a great way to encourage kids to use their imaginations. It’s also a lot of fun!
They also come in many varieties like glow in the dark, rainbow, and neon. Our personal household favorite is glitter slime!
See the glitter slime kit here >>
Or, if you prefer not to let your kitchen become a science lab (no judgment because I’m right there with you!) you can find affordable pre-made tubs of slime to purchase too.
My kids love the texture of this 9 pack of cloud slime which is currently under $15 on Amazon >>
14) Tea Party Set
There’s nothing quite like a good tea party set for little girls. These small gifts are perfect for kids who love to play pretend and host their favorite stuffed animal friends for a fancy afternoon tea.
This tea party set comes with a teapot, two cups and saucers, plates, silverware, and even some fancy wooden treats. It’s the perfect way to have an indoor picnic or tea party.
You can find this tea party set here >>
15) Sleeping Bag
Looking for more practical gifts? Sleeping bags are small gifts that are perfect for kids who love camping, sleepovers, or just lounging in the living room with a good movie.
These bags are great for indoor or outdoor use. They are a great way to encourage kids to get outside and explore the world around them. It’s a lot of fun!
Boys and girls love sleeping bags as gifts. Whether it’s for a sleepover or camping it will definitely get a lot of use.
This particular sleeping bag I recommend comes in 3 different colors. At $15 each, it’s a great value!
My kids love these because they have a cool glow in the dark design and an interior pocket where they can stash their flashlights.
Grab the Coleman sleeping bag here >>
16) Gift Card
Gift cards are small gifts that are perfect for kids of all ages. They can be used to buy clothes, toys, books, or anything else your child may want or need.
Plus, gift cards are a great way to let kids choose their own gifts. They’re also a great way to make sure you get the perfect gift for your child.
You can get a gift card to practically any store or restaurant! You can also treat them to an experience gift somewhere locally such as a local play spot via gift card.
These are one of my favorite non toy gifts to hand out to children. It also offers them an opportunity to learn to budget, calculate taxes, and shop by themselves. It’s fun!
Not sure where to get a gift card too? Amazon has pretty much anything a kid could want, so that’s a safe bet. Plus it’s budget-friendly as you can buy them in increments as low as $1!
Buy an Amazon gift card here >>
17) Building Blocks
Looking for more small gift ideas for kids? Help young children age 1, 2, or 3 develop those fine motor skills with this popular toy.
This set of nesting blocks is perfect for small hands. And when your child is done playing, they can nest the blocks inside each other for easy storage.
Plus, I love that this set features Disney characters. It also has all the ABCs as well as numbers 1-10, so there are plenty of learning opportunities in this small package!
You can find the nesting blocks here >>
18) Jump Rope
Jump ropes are great small gifts practically made for mainly younger kids between 5 and 10 years old who have excess energy to burn (and don’t they all??). These brightly colored ropes are great for indoor or outdoor play.
Jumping rope is a great way to get kids moving and grooving. It’s also a lot of fun!
I like the beaded style jump rope as you can easily adjust the length as your child grows. It also makes a fun sound as it skims the ground which can help get them in the right rhythm.
Buy the adjustable beaded jump rope here >>
19) Sidewalk Chalk
Sidewalk chalk is a small gift that is perfect for kids who love to be outside. These brightly colored sticks are great for drawing pictures and writing words on the sidewalk or driveway.
Sidewalk chalk is a great way to encourage kids to use their imaginations too. You’ll be amazed at what children come up with!
Plus, chalk is every parent’s dream because the designs simply wash away with a hose or a rainfall. Then, your child has a blank slate to decorate all over again!
Have toddlers? No need for them to miss out on the chalk fun! I absolutely love this chalk with a special grip made especially for babies aged 18 months and up.
Buy the sidewalk chalk for toddlers here >>
20) Bubbles
Bubbles are small gifts that are perfect for kids of all ages. These magical little balls of soap are sure to delight any child.
Bubbles are great for outdoor play. They can also be used indoors in a small space such as a bathroom or laundry room. Just be prepared for wet floors!
I like this bubble gun because it makes it easy for small children to blow bubbles. It’s also a lot of fun!
You can find the bubble gun here >>
For ideas on gifts under $10 check out this post
21) Glow Sticks
Glow sticks are small gifts that are perfect for kids who love the dark. These fun little sticks can be used to decorate a room or backyard for a party. They can also be worn as jewelry.
For kiddos, these small gifts can open up a world of imagination! You’ll be amazed at what they can come up with. My children have played with a basic glow stick for hours!
Even better, glow sticks are non-toxic and safe for children to use. And yes, they are also a lot of fun!
Grab a set of inexpensive glow sticks here >>
22) Playdough
Playdough are small gifts that are perfect for kids of all ages. This popular toy is great for developing fine motor skills. Plus, it’s a great (and fun!) way to get children to use their imagination.
I also really appreciate that playdough keeps kids busy and off screens.
There are so many different ways to play with playdough. Your child can use cookie cutters to make shapes. They can also use their hands to squish and mold the dough.
This is a great small gift that can provide hours of fun!
You can find playdough here >>
23) Small Stuffed Animals
Tiny stuffed animals are small gifts that are perfect for kids of all ages. These popular toys are great for cuddling and providing comfort.
If you put a bit of work into it, stuffed animals are also a great way to teach children about different animals. They can learn about the animal’s habitat, diet, and more!
Plus, they’re just really cute. And who doesn’t love a cute stuffed animal?
You can find small stuffed animals here >>
24) Water Balloons
Water balloons are small gifts that are perfect for kids who love to be outside, especially in those warm summer months. These fun little balls can be used to play games or just have fun with water.
Just be sure to supervise children when they’re playing with water balloons. And, of course, have a hose nearby to fill them up along with plenty of towels to dry off once the action’s over.
You can find water balloons here >>
25) Polly Pocket
Polly Pocket is the ultimate when it comes to small gift ideas for kids. Little girls who love to play with dolls are obsessed with these!
These popular toys are great for children aged 4 and up as some of the pieces can be choking hazards for young ones.
I love that they’re easy to carry around and don’t take up a lot of space.
Polly Pocket sets usually come with a few different accessories too which can help spark your child’s imagination.
This farm-themed Polly Pocket is a current favorite in our household. Buy it here >>
26) Their Own Travel Bag
This small gift is perfect for kids who are always on the go! A small travel bag is great for carrying around snacks, toys, and other essentials.
This is a great way to encourage kids to be independent and responsible for their own belongings.
It’s also a great way to teach them about packing light and only bringing what they need.
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You can find kid-sized backpacks perfect for travel here >>
27) Water Bottle
A water bottle is a small gift that is perfect for kids who are always on the go. These bottles come in a variety of colors and designs. They’re also great for kids who love to be outside.
I like this water bottle because it has a built-in straw for easy sipping. It also is insulated to keep their drink cold throughout the day.
Grab the kid-friendly water bottle here >>
No Need to Break the Bank for Your Kids’ Gifts!
The small gifts on this list are perfect for kids of all ages and they’ll make excellent stocking stuffers, birthday presents, or just a small token to show your love for your young one.
While I included links for easy online shopping for each item, you can also find these small gift ideas for kids at grocery stores or shops so it’s easy to pick up something small as you’re running errands.
Even if all you can do is hand them a few dollars and let them loose in the Dollar Tree, they will be excited and make a memory with you that they will take with them forever.
I’m sure you’ll find something that the special little someone in your life will love!
Do you have any small gift ideas to add to this list? Share them with us in the comments below!
Happy gifting!
More Gift Ideas
- 40 Practical Gifts for Kids of All Ages
- 21+ Perfect Gifts for Kids that Cost Less than $10
- 15 Great Gifts for Kids Who Love Art
- 15 Cool Gifts for Adventurous, Outdoorsy Kids
- Top 10 Gifts for Super Smart Kids
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