Does it feel like toys are multiplying in your house? It stresses me out a bit to think of where to put everything after Christmas or birthdays. So I compiled a list of the best non-toy gifts for kids of all ages. You’ll find something for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, kids, and teens to make you a star this year. Read on for unique gift ideas…and some bonus promo codes for great deals!
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Indoor Playground Equipment
If you are looking for a way to help your child burn energy year round, look no further than indoor playground equipment. You can get a ninja warrior set, swings, play mats, or whatever fits your space and budget. The wildly popular Nugget couch is often on backorder, but this kids modular loveseat is a great alternative for climbing and imaginative play.
Personally, I think this is a really cool non-toy gift for any child. But thinking of my kiddo in occupational and physical therapy, this could give them a place to climb and regulate at home. We got my daughter the swing a couple of years ago, and last year she got a mini trampoline. As an added bonus, you can avoid the germs of public indoor playgrounds. Win/win for everyone!
Personalized Children’s Books Non-Toy Gifts
Books are a great non-toy gift for any age, but the personalized children’s books at Kabook! let your child be a part of the story.
I like Kabook! because they go beyond simply putting your child’s name on the cover. It’s sort of like a mad lib where you fill in details about your child during the ordering process to truly personalize the book. You also upload a photo so they become part of the illustrations.
Then you get to see the finished product before you order to ensure it is perfect. Kabook! does personalized children’s books better than anyone I’ve seen.
The Kabook! personalized stories are certain to be a fun non-toy gift for now and a keepsake for years to come.
Pretend Play and Dress-Up Clothes as Non-Toy Gift Idea
Kids love to imitate grownups and pretend play is an essential part of child development. You can spur their imaginations with dress-up clothes and accessories as non-toy gifts.
Melissa and Doug has great dress-up sets so your child can be a police officer, chef, construction worker, and more. Or find great deals on out-of-season Halloween costumes for tons of dress up options. And this astronaut suit might be my favorite!
These pair well with indoor fort building kids like this one from Crazy Forts or this blanket fort kit.
Give your child a place to store all their dress-up items with a kid-sized storage closet like the one below.
Electronic Non-Toy Gifts
I always find myself torn on screen time for kids. While I recognize that technology is a part of life today, I don’t want my children to overindulge. That’s why I love the Fire Tablet Kids Edition from Amazon. We got one for my son last year and it has been perfect for him!
And since this frugal mama can’t justify the expense of an iPad for myself, I sure don’t want to pay that much for my kid to play games on. The Fire Kids Edition is affordable and can be customized with only the apps and content you want your child to use. This is sure to be a popular non-toy gift!
While this may be a debatable non-toy gift, the Nintendo Switch is a popular gaming system that lets your family play together docked to your tv, or your child can undock for on-the-go play. Maybe it’s a good family gift option for you.
With these, and most electronic gifts, extra memory cards are always a good bet to increase their capacity.
Art Supplies
You can’t go wrong with art supplies as an alternative to toy gifts for kids. Providing things like markers, crayons, paper, and paint spurs creativity while entertaining them for hours. You don’t have to spend a lot to make a big impact.
Some of my favorites are the Crayola Super Art Kit with over 100 pieces, perfect for younger kids who like to color with crayons, markers, and pencils. Or the Crayola Washable Paint Pour Art Set ideal for ages eight and up.
I got the Crayola Light-up Tracing Pad for my elementary-aged niece. This one is popular and often sells out, so get it soon!
For a big gift for toddlers or preschoolers, the Step2 Deluxe Art Master Kids Desk has tons of storage for supplies, a light, chair, and a large work area complete with a built-in dry erase surface.
Or the Melissa & Doug Deluxe Standing Art Easel with dry erase board, chalkboard, and paper roller.
For teens or more advanced painters, the US Art Supply Acrylic Painting Set with Wood Drawer Table Easel is a nice non-toy gift.
Subscription Boxes as a Non-Toy Gift
If you want a non-toy gift that keeps on giving, subscription boxes are definitely the way to go. There are so many creative ideas out there that you can find one for your child to fit just about every interest. My son has had a few different ones over the years and they are great for introducing you to items you may not have considered on your own. Most places will let you purchase one so that you have something to wrap for gift exchange, then they continue getting a box each month. Here are some of my favorites:
Walt Life Disney Boxes
Bring the magic of Disney to your doorstep each month with Walt Life Fan Club subscription boxes! You can build your own box at a variety of price points with Disney mystery items, Disney Parks snacks, and other Disney Park items. There is even a Surprise! Box that you can use to make a Disney vacation announcement. I know so many of you frequent Disney World or Disneyland, so this keeps these boxes bring the fun to you all year long.
Green Kid Crafts STEAM Boxes
Green Kid Crafts subscription boxes deliver hands-on science and art kits to help foster a love for science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) in kids ages 2-10+. I love that this company has three different age groups (2-4, 5-10, and 10+) so the products and activities are appropriate for your child’s development level.
Each themed box contains between 4-8 STEAM kits with quality project materials, step-by-step instructions, and 12-page activity magazine. There is also a sibling option that gives you two boxes at a discount. If you don’t want a full subscription now, they also have individual STEM boxes that make the perfect non-toy gift.
Cratejoy
Or if you want to browse the many subscription box offerings for kids, Cratejoy has compiled them into one convenient website. There is something for every interest–books, unicorns, crafts, science, baking, and much more.
Non-Toy Gift Experiences
If you want to give something that won’t gather dust on the shelf, try an experience gift. Tickets to plays, concerts, or sporting events can be fun for the whole family. My friend’s parents get her kids a museum or zoo membership for Christmas each year. I have asked for a season of sports or a class for my children’s birthdays. For a great way to save on local outings and events, check out Living Social.
Bonus Non-Gift Toy Ideas
In addition to the seven non-toy gift ideas above, here are a few bonus suggestions for kids, tweens, teens, young adults, or maybe just for you!
Clothing and Accessories Non-Toy Gifts
Most of the teen and tween gifts I’ve purchased the past few years have been clothing and accessories at the request of my nieces and nephews. But these items are practical gifts for all ages. Below are some of my favorite places to get gifts.
- The Children’s Place – With free shipping with no minimum purchase and great sales, I often start here for kids’ clothing.
- Jane – If you are looking for a unique boutique find at a fraction of the cost, Jane is the best! One of my favorite finds was a handmade girly sock monkey hat for my daughter. Inventory changes daily so be sure to check back often for great gifts.
- RuffleButts – I think these clothes are adorable! They have cute stuff for boys and girls with personalization options to make them a perfect non-toy gift.
- Bitty Bows Boutique – These are my favorite bows and clips for my daughter’s fine hair. Plus, I know the mama who owns this local business and she’s great!
Do you have another non-toy gift idea? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below!
If you want some great educational toy ideas, check out my 10 Best Developmental Toys for Young Children post. And Miranda over at the Reluctant Cowgirl has tons of gift ideas for tween girls.
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Hi! I'm Jessica! I help people fund adoptions, navigate parenting, save money, and enjoy the good things in life. 
Love these ideas for the kiddos! I’m trying to get rid of toys that my toddler doesn’t use to make space for the new ones… even though I know eventually they will sit there untouched and we will have to do some more cleaning. So toys is out of the question this year!
I made a rule that for every new toy that comes in, we give one away. I had some push back at first, but my son even told me this year he wants fewer toys. Mom win! Thanks for reading!
These are all such cute ideas. It’s nice to give kids useful things that they can actually use. These are great for learning and gaining new experiences too.
I like useful gifts as well, especially when kids accidentally learn something! 🙂
I love the gator clips on bows! Helps those bows stay on my girl’s hair for much longer! Happy, happy momma over here!
And they last longer because the girls don’t lose them, which saves money in the long run. Bitty Bows are great for that. Thanks for reading!
My friend was just talking about wishing she could get an indoor playground for her kids so they could get some energy out! I just sent her the link.
Wallbarz has really cool stuff. I especially like that the kids can get active play even on rainy/snowy days. Thanks for sharing!
I love these creative and unique gift ideas! THAT INDOOR GYM IS AMAZING!!! My daughters have been cooking for Girl Scout badges, so just want cooking accessories for Christmas this year! (and, of course, books…)
I know! I want to play on the indoor gym! And I LOVE that your daughters want cooking supplies and books.
I love all of these gift ideas. The bows are absolutely adorable, I can’t wait to splurge and get a ton of cute ones for my daughter, as her hair is growing in more! 🙂
The good thing about Bitty Bows is that you don’t even have to wait for her hair to grow in. They have some that clip to even the smallest wisps of hair. Its seriously amazing!
It’s almost December and these ideas are so perfect for the gift giving during the Holidays. I love the indoor playground my toddler will definitely love it.
Thanks so much for reading!
So many great gift ideas! I just wish I had the space for wallbarz in my home!
I feel ya! Wallbarz has several different sizes that will fit a variety of spaces.
I love the global boxes. That will be perfect for my niece.
I think they make such a nice gift because they keep coming each month and don’t get lost in the chaos of Christmas.
Our Christmas list is basically the amazon tablet and art supplies! Lol So many toys she’s hardly ever uses. Last year she was gifted a zoo membership and it was the best non toy gift ever!
I love memberships and experiences as non-toy gifts as well. Thanks for reading!
The “I see me” books would be a hit at home with our 2 and 1-year old! Art supplies are also always a good gift idea.
Art supplies and hair accessories are always a win in our home. I LOVE that indoor play thing though!
We definitely don’t need more toys around here. I love all of your suggestions! I was trying to pick my favorite, but they’re all so smart!
Lots of great ideas! I know our playroom is full of toys so I love finding other fun alternatives to entertain the kids without adding to our clutter.
Books are always a great idea! I also can’t wait to get my hands on a Nintendo switch, we’ve been wanting one for a while now for the whole family!
We always do a want, need, wear, and read plus a family game for Christmas. I’m considering the Nintendo Switch for that this year. Happy shopping!
Nice article keep it up like this in your future.I hope you do best afford and make future bright.
Books are always a win in our home. I can find our fellas somewhere curled up with a book.
Love these gift ideas! Thank you for sharing!
I hope you find the perfect non-toy gift!
When it comes to gifts for kids, personalised children’s books come to mind. Personalised books for kids encourage reading. When children see their name in the story, they are more interested in the story. They are also more motivated to continue reading the story and read it many more times! And by encouraging the child to read more often, he or she is able to improve his or her reading skills. In case you’re wondering, you can get them at personalisedchildrensbooks.com
Thanks for the post!