2024 Holiday Gift Giving Ideas For Kids

Finding the perfect gift for your child can be both exciting and challenging. Whether you’re aiming to encourage their creativity, support their emotional growth, or simply bring a smile to their face, we’ve curated a list of thoughtful gift ideas that cater to the unique needs of kids of all ages.

From fun activities that spark joy to tools that help them express their feelings, these suggestions will help you make this holiday season truly special for your kiddos.

Note: All prices reflected are subject to change at any time without notice. Please see the individual manufacturer’s website for current pricing.

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Taylor’s Pick:

Grumpy Monkey Book | $10

Taylor says: “I recommend the Grumpy Monkey book as a great gift and book for families to read together! This is a great book that gives insight into understanding and sitting with the feelings that we all experience.

The characters and humor in the book promote great conversations among all family members!”

Courtney’s Picks:

Do You Really Know Your Family Card Game | $15

Amazon Description: “Get ready to compete against your family to see who really knows each other best. Learn about each other and build new family memories as you answer interesting questions, spark conversations and perform silly challenges together. This card game will surely become a family game night favorite!“

Blink Family Card Game | $6

Courtney says: “This fast-paced card game is similar to Uno in that the object of the game is to get rid of your cards the fastest. It requires impulse control, quick decision-making, flexible thinking, and sportsmanship.

Best of all it’s a lot of fun and isn’t as endless as Uno can sometimes be! It’s great for players as young as 5.”

Who I Am Picture Book | $15

Courtney says: “Who I Am is just one book in the ”I Am” book series. While the entire series is fabulous, this book in particular is a favorite. The message is great for a variety of ages and increases awareness of the internal thoughts we all experience from time to time.

Who I Am speaks to the importance of practicing positive self-talk and the impact it can have. This is a great book to use at bedtime, especially on those rough days. It can be healing for parents and children alike!”

Lauren’s Picks:

Crazy Aaron’s Transparent Thinking Putty | $15

Lauren says: “Thinking putty is a favorite fidget that can be used to de-stress, calm down or focus when needed. Stash the mini ones in your bag to keep in handy for a kid who may be overstimulated, overwhelmed or bored. The scented ones and other varieties are fun too!“

EggXpress Yourself! | $18

Lauren says: “EggXpress Yourself is the most loved game in my toy box with preschoolers! They go wild for this simple but versatile toy that teaches about different feelings.

Practice taking turns choosing eggs and “cracking” them open to see what shape and color are inside, play a memory game trying to match the tops and bottoms or just use your imagination to create a story with them.“

Uno Emoji Card Game | $10

Lauren says: “Uno Emoji makes family game night fun but with feelings. This is a fun take on the classic card game that also encourages emotional understanding giving players the chance to talk about feelings and be silly while connecting with others.”

Big Life Journal | $27 – $53

Lauren says: “Big Life Journals are a great gift for parents to give kids who are looking to explore the idea of journaling but need prompts and intriguing questions to get the ideas flowing. They help shift mindsets into a positive place and encourage celebrating small successes over time as well as big accomplishments.

Reframing and reshaping how kids see themselves and the world can help improve their self confidence and self esteem over time as they reflect back.“

Liz’s Pick:

Intentional Connection | FREE

Liz says: “Sometimes the best gift you can offer is you! Spend the day together without distractions. You can create a new tradition, explore a new place, do a special craft, try something new together, make cookies, or go on a nature walk in a place you haven’t been before. These moments and memories will be timeless.”

Cheryl’s Pick:

Gobblet Gobblers Board Game | $25

Cheryl says: “This game is an exciting update on the classic tic-tac-toe. It’s simple and fun while also offering a good amount of cognitive challenge. It’s perfect to be played anywhere. So play it at home or while waiting at a sibling’s activity.

With this game you can be connected and playful with your child for five minutes or twenty depending on what your time allows. I also like that it provides an opportunity to work on age appropriate executive functioning skills. Overall, this game is sure to be entertaining for both child and parent alike.”

Sophie’s Pick:

The Mindfulness Coloring Book | $7

Sophie says: “Coloring books can be a fun, relaxing and helpful tool for supporting the integration of the right brain with the left. This mindfulness coloring book is especially great for teens and older children to support their emotional regulation and make space for connection, as coloring together can provide a slow and regulated space for parents to spend time together with your child.

This is also a great tool for parents to throw in your pocket or purse and pull out in the KMC waiting room, during nap time, or on lunch break to support mindfulness and grounding in the midst of all the stress that parenting brings. “

Lizzie’s Pick:

Sensory Activity Board | $16

Lizzie says: “I chose this for a Christmas gift because it will encourage screen free regulation, anxiety management, and a form of stress relief.”

Jon’s Pick:

Family Cookie Factory | FREE – Low cost

Jon says: “This is a family activity that promotes a fun shared connection within a family. It can be also used to create a gift (cookies) to give to family and friends for the holidays that is based on creativity, generosity and thoughtfulness without spending much money.”

• Each family member selects a cookie, parents can help!
• Create a shopping list of ingredients and shop for them together if possible.
• Make a baking plan, day, time and duration. (baking can be split up or done all in the same time frame.)
• On baking day, everyone dresses up in their favorite cooking clothing and the fun begins!
• Package and decorate the cookie plates/platters
• Enjoy eating some and giving the others away to friends and family.
• Tips for success include, being flexible with outcomes, have a clean up plan and a bakers tasting policy in place.

Susan’s Pick:

Air Dry Clay | $30

Susan says: “Clay is a wonderful way to aid imaginative interactions with children and to play out scenarios that can help children interact with their feelings in a projective way. The possibilities are endless, the colors can be mixed and molded in a way that evokes feelings and emotions in adults and kids alike.

I enjoy that this clay is soft and non-sticky. It doesn’t fade after repeated kneading, is easy to shape, doesn’t stain, naturally air dries and does not crack! The company claims it is made of natural and safe nontoxic material which is an added bonus!”

Allison’s Pick:

Mindfulness Coloring Book for Teens | $6

Allison says: “I would definitely suggest art supplies and coloring books! Painting, coloring, and drawing are all great ways to take a break and practice mindfulness.“

Carly’s Pick:

The Gift of Story | FREE

Carly says: “Parents share a holiday memory of their childhood with their child at bedtime. This fosters healthy relationships, with connection, and models vulnerability.“

Need More Gift Ideas?

Check out our 2023 Holiday Gift Guide with some of our favorite therapeutic gifts for kids!

And, if you are in need of additional resources for support during this (or any) season please reach out to us at Kid Matters Counseling. As always, we are happy to share our best resources with you.  It’s important to stay equipped for the parenting journey, so remember, don’t parent alone!

Have a wonderful holiday season and happy new year!

Kid Matters Counseling Staff

Hinsdale,IL