As my children grow and make new friends, so do our weekend calendar plans. These days, it feels like our weekends are jam-packed with kids’ birthday parties. I have learned that birthday party gift-giving doesn’t have to be exhausting or costly. Luckily, I have gathered my favorite birthday gift ideas for kids under $15 that I keep on hand. These are the best birthday gifts for kids.
RELATED: I love kid activities and simple toys. You’ve come to the right corner of the web if you have a toddler, preschooler, or big kid.
- Genius tip for gift-giving
- Toddler gifts
- Preschool birthday gifts for kids
- Big kid birthday gifts for kids
- Alternative gift idea
- What are the best birthday gift ideas for kids?
- What if there is a no-gift policy?
- How much should you spend on a kid’s birthday party gift?
- Kid birthday gift ideas don’t have to be stressful anymore.
- Craving a calmer morning?
- FAQ
Genius tip for gift-giving
Nothing is worse than it being the day of a birthday party and still having no gift. Ugh, take three kids to Target on the way? No, thank you. Instead, I like to keep a few items in a large basket. When it is birthday party time, I grab what I need from there! We are golden having some of our favorites on hand.
RELATED: Check out our 100+ Best Toys for Kids list to stock up on lots more ideas!
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Toddler gifts
Use this list of toddler gifts to introduce friends and family to open-ended play. If you are new here, check out my DIY birthday gift idea from the dollar store. And if you are planning a birthday for YOUR toddler, check out our SIMPLE space-themed party for two-year-olds. Little kids adore these toys!
Droppers
These droppers are the best. We first purchased them in 2016 and still use them. (I know it!) They are fun to use in a sensory bin or in the bathtub.
Helping Hands Sensory Scoops
Ages 3+ will enjoy sifting, pouring, scooping, and using a funnel with this colorful set. It is a few items of great value.
Triangular Crayons
These triangular crayons are easy for little hands to grasp and color, making them the perfect way to introduce coloring. Bonus: They won’t roll off the table!
Shape Sorting Cube
A classic all-in-one gift that introduces young children to different shapes and puzzle sorting.
Peekaboo Farm
Peekaboo Farm is so much fun for little ones. Toddlers enjoy imaginary play as they explore the different animals and barns.
Mr. Potato Head
Another quintessential toy that brings awareness to facial features and creativity.
Preschool birthday gifts for kids
These preschool birthday gifts are open-ended and allow children to spend time playing independently and using thier imagination. Bonus points – the cardholder is $5! I included a few price points, all under $15.
GeoSafari Kidnoculars
Gift the outdoor explorer with their own set of binoculars that are the perfect size for preschoolers.
Colored Tape
We LOVE colored tape over here. The boys create forts in their rooms, make art on cardboard, and find ways to use this tape that would never have crossed my mind. This is a simple gift that will go a long way!
Card Holder
Preschoolers want to be included in card games, and now they can. This is priced under five dollars!
Magic Painting Book
Preschoolers love this fun activity, which requires no paint and essentially no mess. It reveals beautiful pictures using only water. It is the perfect coloring pad.
Seek and Find Sticker Pad
Sticker books are the best! This book has children matching stickers to the objects in the black and white picture.
Pizza Party Dice Game
A favorite in our household, this fast-paced matching game is based on (almost) everyone’s favorite food: pizza! Small toys like this make great portable toys for on-the-go and eating out.
All Better Book
This favorite interactive and hands-on book comes with real sticker band-aids. It teaches all about taking care of boo-boos and managing feelings.
Big kid birthday gifts for kids
Older kids (kindergarten through second grade) enjoy fun games and art supplies! These easy ideas are great to keep on hand for your next birthday party celebration. I included top deals for $5, $10, or under $15.
Paint by Stickers
This fun sticker book lets big kids create amazing sticker art using number matching and develops fine motor skills.
UNO Flip
This is UNO with a twist! Play as usual until someone gets the flip card. Then, flip the entire stack to play with brand-new colors! The whole family will have a blast.
Joke Book
Joke books are some of my favorite unique birthday gifts to give – and this one is a great choice. (It is under $10!)
Bike Lights
Kids can add bike lights to their bikes or favorite scooters. This gift is sure to be a hit for your next birthday celebration.
Arteza Kids Colored Pencils
Gift 100 colors with this collection of 50 double-sided pencil crayons. We love everything, Arteza kids! Excellent quality. (The Price did go up, making these $16.)
LEGO Classic Creative Monsters
10/10 I am obsessed with this set. It’s a fantastic little LEGO set for a big kid who loves building and creating.
Digital Coin Bank
Do you have a child who enjoys collecting coins? This digital coin-counting bank is a game changer. Include a small bag of coins, and have your child slide each coin into the container as the counter adds it.
Alternative gift idea:
Rather have the child pick something out themselves? There is no shame in passing along a Target gift card. This allows the birthday child to find something that feels right for them and practice spending money earned or received.
$20 Target Gift Card
What are the best birthday gift ideas for kids?
Walking down the toy aisle at Target alone can feel like you’re on stimulation overload.
And if you’re like me, being indecisive does not make birthday party gift-buying a quick walk in the park (or down that Target toy aisle)! Don’t spend too much time searching for the latest trends for the next child’s birthday party.
As both a former teacher and having three boys of my own, I have finally realized that the best gifts are those that keep giving. I avoid themed gifts specific to characters, as children can quickly grow out of these phases. Hands-on and open-ended gifts help build independent play and are an excellent source for nourishing self-confidence.
The best types of gifts are usually:
What if there is a no-gift policy?
We must note that some birthday party invitations request a “no-gift” policy. If this is the case, etiquette experts recommend you follow these no-gift requests to avoid making anyone uncomfortable. However, it is still typically welcomed and appropriate to bring a card. Homemade is the best card for both the budget and the heart!
How much should you spend on a kid’s birthday party gift?
Let’s cut to the chase: birthday parties are expensive. And if you have multiple kids, with multiple birthday parties each weekend, you could spend your weekend’s grocery list money just attending multiple parties in one weekend.
So, how do I find the best birthday gift ideas for kids within my budget?
Stick to a budget. Determining what you feel comfortable with is up to you. The birthday child’s gender may also be a factor. Is it a cousin? A best friend? Or a classmate?
In our family, a general rule of $10 – $20 for a birthday party gift is reasonable. This is why $15 feels most comfortable for the average birthday party gift.
When shopping for birthday party gift ideas, it is most important to find meaningful and useful gifts that can be used repeatedly. These will surely be the best use of your money and promise to give the birthday child the best kind of play and fun!
Planning a party? Kids do not need to leave with a goodie bag or party favors. The cupcakes count!
Kid birthday gift ideas don’t have to be stressful anymore.
Stop overspending on last-minute birthday party gifts! Buying gifts does not have to be expensive or stressful. Investing (only $15!) in a few favorite hands-on gifts that will keep toddlers, preschoolers, and big kids engaged and excited to open up on their birthdays is quite simple.
Save this Under $15 Birthday Gift List and stock up on all your favorites!
Craving a calmer morning?
Breakfast Invitations are simple learning games that begin the day with play.
FAQ
Although unnecessary, it is common courtesy to bring a gift to a kid’s birthday party (unless a “no-gift” policy is requested). But don’t worry, that doesn’t mean you need to break the bank. Keep your birthday gift-giving ideas simple and easy by stocking up on a few of your favorite things to grab and wrap before running out the door.
Open-ended toys and gifts are the best kinds to give (rather than themed character toys that kids grow out of). Puzzles, books, and hands-on toys that develop independent play are great choices for birthday gift ideas.
Deciding what you feel comfortable with is most important. As a general rule of thumb, $10 – $20 is reasonable, so we typically suggest $15.
