Kids Holiday Gift Guide 2022 (Picked by Parents)

Kelly R. said:  There are many different Snap Circuits kits to choose from, but they all give kids a fun and hands-on introduction to how electronics work. This is a great introductory set, and my kids have really enjoyed snapping together the real circuit components to create working electronic circuits and devices. Each kit can be used to create a variety of different projects, including doorbells, radios, alarms, and much more.

Amanda Banta said:  A good marble race set can keep your kid occupied for hours because he can do something different with it every time he plays with it. Marble runs are some of the best toys for 4 year olds because they encourage problem solving and engineering skills and can be used for years. Splurging on a big set is worth it for the opportunities your kids will have to use it on their own and with you.

Kelly R. said:  The 3-wheel design of this scooter is perfect for younger kids who are still working on balance. No turning required - just lean the handles to steer.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  My middle school boys love the Hazardous Tales series by Nathan Hale. The books are straight-up history told through a comic book like manner with fun and jokes along the way. They are learning about historical events in an entertaining manner and literally stay up late reading these books and not wanting to put them down. Some of the topics include the Underground Railroad, World War I and II, The Alamo, Cold War and more.

Amy S. said:  Are my kids the only ones who hate using regular crayons? At least in the hands of my 3- and 5-year-old boys, basic crayons seem difficult and unsatisfying to use. They’re always breaking and it’s tricky for younger kids to lay down vivid color. These gel crayons, however, are super fun to draw with. The colors are rich and vivid, and with a just a light touch they go down smooth and thick. The neon colors have a beautiful translucent quality. The chunkier body of these crayons makes them fairly easy for little hands to manipulate. Yes, they’re more expensive than a 24-pack of Crayolas, but they’re also way more exciting to use.

Alexandra F. said:  What I love most about this magnetic building toy is how it inspires kids to be creative by building - and testing, and improving - structures they can actually play with once they’re done. Unlike other magnetic building toys, Squaregles actually hold together well without randomly collapsing, and the set comes with fun pieces like ramps and towers for making things like castles or racetracks. It takes a little practice to master putting the pieces together, but even my three year old loves building with them, and my older kids (and me!) get a kick out of trying out new creations every time we play.

Kelly R. said:  We loved these leakproof water bottles for kids so much when we bought them for back to school last year that we ended up buying them for the whole family. The spout is genius: you can drink from it upright like a super-comfortable straw, or tip the bottle back to chug. The lid and straw don't have any nooks and crannies to hold scary gunk, and get totally clean in the dishwasher. The 24oz size is plenty big for school or sports, but still fits in our minivan cupholders. My only complaint is that I wish the bottle was more durable. I made sure to add on a bottle boot when I had to replace my son's demolished bottle this year.

Vanessa M. said:  Cool new bath toys make great gifts for 3 year olds! Stackable cups, an automated spout, and spinning suction cup gears allow kids to create different water effects for endless bathtime fun.

Alexandra F. said:  I have been enjoying The Week for years, with its short, comprehensive and diverse roundup of the most significant news of the week, from current events, lifestyle, business, science, entertainment and more. This version for younger readers is a wonderful and digestible way for older kids to begin keeping up with the news, and learn interesting facts tailored for their age.

Weekly issues

Kelly R. said:  These Echo Dots with a digital clock are a great step up when kids are ready for something a little more grown up than the toddler alarm clock. You don't need to buy the kid-specific Echo Dot in order to use the parental controls...this one works great for us. My kids love having them in their rooms as alarm clocks, for the fun Alexa skills, and to listen to music when they want some alone time. If you have multiple units in the house, you can also use them as an intercom system to "drop in" on other rooms...this comes in handy when we're downstairs and need to coax our tween out of bed!

Kelly R. said:  This game has been a family favorite in our house for years! This is a great way for kids to learn concepts like probability and strategy. One of those rare games that is just as much fun with 2 players as it is with more.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  I bought several Minky Couture blankets for recent holiday gifts and for my kids and they are the softest and most comfortable blankets around. They have all different sizes, colors, patterns, warmth levels and collections and frequently have sales, plus free shipping.

Alexandra F. said:  Waldorf play stands are the ultimate open-ended toy, and I wish I had known about them when my first was born so we could have gotten a couple of decades of use out of them! The simple, versatile design inspires imaginative, open-ended play, serving as a play kitchen, market, fort, reading nook - whatever your kids can imagine! Plus, they are functional AND beautiful. This is the set I’m planning to get, but I've seen other beautiful play stands on Etsy. Though pricey, they are one of those toys that will get used over and over again over the years, and can replace other possible toy purchases (like a play kitchen). Some stands can also be purchased individually.

Alexandra F. said:  We got this tool bench for my 2-year-old because he and his 4-year-old brother love playing with their toy tool sets so much, and it has been THE biggest hit. It will honestly keep them (and their older siblings and cousins!) entertained for so much longer than most toys, and the set is really well made and super easy to put together.

Kelly R. said:  Every holiday gift guide needs a low-key family activity to enjoy over the long Christmas break, and we love these giant coloring posters from Pirasta! We're now on our third one, and I think our family favorite so far is the America one.

Mommyx3 (Monique H) said:  This cool ball lights up, changes colors and is able to fly at the same time. You're also able to do different tricks which is pretty amazing and exciting.

Kelly R. said:  My 9-year-old daughter loves the LEGO Friends sets because they're so fun to play with once assembled, and this one is at the very top of her wish list this year.

Kelly R. said:  The newest installment of the gorgeously-illustrated Harry Potter books is out in time for this year's holiday gift guide!

Kelly R. said:  This is the game that got my tween to take a break from his usual online multiplayer games to enjoy his Switch again.