Best Kids Christmas Gifts for 2021 (According to Parents)

Alexandra F. said:  This awesome new toy is a perfect gift for kids who love magnetic building toys. What makes them especially great is that the sturdy, magnetic frames connect not only to each other but to themed panels like ramps and slides, so that kids can actually play with their creations once they are done making them! My kids have already spent hours playing the set we just got, and I am looking forward to many more hours of creative play to come!

Alexandra F. said:  These super soft, cuddly plush toys have been really popular for a while now, and come in a variety of sizes and designs to please anyone on your list who can appreciate a good cuddle, making it a great Christmas gift for kids from toddler to teen!

Alexandra F. said:  This combination fidget toy and puzzle cube is addicting for all ages, and would be an awesome gift for teens or older kids who love puzzles and brainteasers. Be aware that it's made out of 36 rare-earth magnets, and as with all magnets, should be kept away from children who might put them in their mouths.

Alexandra F. said:  If you've got the room for it, I can't recommend this home basketball game highly enough! It has gotten daily use at our house since we got it, and is both a fun way to play together and a great solo distraction for all ages. It would make an awesome Christmas gift for the whole family.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  My teen and tween boys put the Oculus Quest Virtual Reality system on their list this year after playing it at a friend's house. It features interactive games for the family such as sports, music and puzzles along with unique experiences and fitness options. I know it'll be a hit for my kids and their friends!

Alexandra F. said:  I love to get my kids gifts that encourage them to play outside and get active, and I have my eye on this well-reviewed scooter as a Christmas gift for my tween this year. Micro makes really great scooters for all ages, including some high-quality three-wheelers for young kids.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  If your kids like remote control vehicles, the FAO Schwarz RC Retro Bumper Cars are the perfect Christmas gift! My kids love to play with this set and bump into each other while trying to get the driver to fly out. The remote control is easy to maneuver and can go in all directions. It's a very fun gift!

Sarah Calamita said:  If you have a 1-5 year old, this is the best gift! Pair with some fun fake food (Melissa and Doug has great produce, boxed goods, pizza pie, ice cream scoops and cupcakes). Hours of entertainment!

Alexandra F. said:  A similar Hot Wheels garage has been a favorite for all of my boys, and this new and improved version would make a great Christmas gift for kids who love car toys. It has plenty of space to fit lots and lots of cars (storage!), with plenty of fun to be had sliding them down the ramps, pulling them up the lifts, and seeing if they can make the jumps. As a parent I especially like that it's tall enough to be exciting for my kids, but compact enough that it doesn't take up nearly as much floor space as many of our other Hot Wheels sets.

Alexandra F. said:  One of the best cartoons for preschoolers (and their parents!) will inspire many kids Christmas gifts this year. Bluey's Caravan Playset is particularly fun because it is both a house and a vehicle - what kid could ask for more?? Note that you can buy the set with just one figure (Bluey's friend, Jean Luc) or three (Bluey, her dad, and Jean Luc), in case you need to buy extra Bluey figures, too!

Alexandra F. said:  Christmas is a perfect time to upgrade your family's snow toys and sleds, and this high-quality snow tube from L.L. Bean consistently ranks as one of the best!

Alexandra F. said:  These small plush toys popularized by Tik Tok are a cute spin on the fidget toys kids love, with various colors and designs that all turn inside out to show a different mood. In addition to the octopus, you can find reversible unicorns, narwhals, cats, dogs, pandas, turtles and more!

Alexandra F. said:  Barbie's Dreamhouse was probably the most special Christmas gift I received as a child, and the same is true for my own daughter. This 2021 version of the Dreamhouse is just over 3 and a half feet tall, with three levels and a slide going from the second level down to the pool. Any doll-loving kid would love to find this dream house under the tree on Christmas morning!

Alexandra F. said:  CoComelon is one of my favorite YouTube channels for kids, with short, sweet songs & nursery rhymes that offer some really great quality content for little ones. Given the show's popularity, it's no surprise that this new JJ doll is one of the top kids Christmas gifts for 2021. The interactive doll sings when you press his tummy, and comes with a bowl of peas that kids can feed him to reenact the crowd-favorite Yes Yes Vegetables song.

Alexandra F. said:  Legos have been some of our favorite gifts to give and receive over the years, as they are fun across all ages and come in such a wide variety of themes, difficulty levels and price points. This Mandalorian Starfighter set is new for 2021, and would make a great gift for your Star Wars fan if they are currently watching the hit TV series.