Sharing my 2023 kids gift guide — a curated collection of toys, books, clothing, and gear our children actually use and love. These are tried-and-true favorites for babies, toddlers, and elementary-aged kids.
I say it every year, but this may be my favorite gift guide yet. With an 8-year-old, a 6-year-old, and a 2-year-old at home, I’m confident in what the kids genuinely enjoy. Many items remain on our list because toys get passed down and re-loved as children grow. One huge category I didn’t include here because it’s massive: LEGO — both older kids are still obsessed and build nonstop.
Below are our top picks for 2023. These are items that get played with regularly, stand up to real life, and make great gifts for a range of ages.
2023 KIDS GIFT GUIDE
Lovevery playkit subscription. I started this for our youngest when he was born and we’ve adored it — these kits consistently rank among the most-played items in our home.
Little Sleepies PJs. Soft, durable, and long-lasting. We wear these constantly. Use code Jessica15 for 15% off (not sponsored).
Rainbow Loom. Max’s current favorite — he happily spends hours making bracelets.
Paint brush cleaner. A simple tool that keeps painting tidy — I bought several for the kids.
The Big Dig. A fun, hands-on gift for little excavators and sensory play.
Toy sink. We have the Lovevery version and it provides hours of imaginative play.
Yoto Mini Player. One of the best purchases of the year — our daughter uses it daily for stories and music.
Balance bike. Great beginner bike for toddlers gaining confidence and balance.
Nerf target set. A perennial hit for older kids who enjoy active, outdoor play.
Folding balance beam. Portable and fun — all three kids love practicing balance and coordination on this.
Tamagotchi. A nostalgic hit with the older two — brings back classic virtual pet play.
Digital bookmark. A small gadget that helped encourage more reading for our kids.
Scribble Scrubbie Pets. A favorite for creative, repeatable play — kids wash and recolor the toys again and again.
Simple Modern kids tumbler. Well-made and spill-resistant — the kids use these daily.
Chunkies Paint Sticks. One of our preferred coloring tools — easy for small hands and low mess.
Babiators sunglasses. My go-to kids’ sunglasses — durable and stylish, we’ve used them since our oldest was a baby.
Anywhere Chair. Loved by each child — comfortable, portable seating for reading or quiet time.
Pottery Barn Anywhere Couch. Comfortable and kid-friendly — another great seating option for playrooms.
Anywhere Beanbag. Cozy and perfect for reading corners and lounging.
Baseball beanbag toss. A fun active game that’s been requested by our baseball fan.
Super Mario light-up alarm clock. A playful wake-up option that’s more exciting than a plain clock.
Mushroom table lamp. A whimsical bedside lamp that kids adore having on their nightstand.
Twee Fancy Chalk. Fancy chalk options are always a hit for sidewalk drawing and creative outdoor play.
Hill House Rainbow Robe. Fluffy, warm, and adorable — all three kids have one and love them.
Baseball Hall of Fame book. A detailed, engaging coffee-table style book that keeps young sports fans occupied for hours.
MLB stadium pinboard. Cute room decor for a baseball fan’s space.
My First Play Table. A versatile early-play table we bought for our oldest and still use years later. I’ve purchased multiple sizes for different needs.
Widgeon fleece jacket. Great for little ones — velcro closures make dressing easier than zippers.
Sports speaker. A compact speaker for music and audiobooks that’s great for active kids.
Micro Mini scooters with light-up wheels. Highly recommended — choose the LED wheels for extra fun.
Barbie Dream House. A classic playset that encourages imaginative role play.
Mondo Llama painting set. Convenient single-use painting kits that save cleanup and keep kids entertained.
Magna-Tiles. A long-standing favorite for open-ended building and cooperative play across ages.
1000 Things to Eat. An engaging book our kids love browsing through — perfect for curious little foodies.
Melissa & Doug One Stop Shop. An imaginary-play staple that’s been a favorite for years in our household.
Melissa & Doug Cool Scoops ice cream set. A perennial classroom and playroom favorite for role playing and sharing.
Melissa & Doug Grill & Pizza Oven set. Another play kitchen item that remains popular with all three kids.
Illustrated Harry Potter books. A beautiful edition our family treasures; older kids enjoy reading and sharing them.
Super Smalls play jewelry set. Cute, collectible play jewelry that’s a hit for dress-up and pretend play.
Rainbow Unicorn rollerblades. Bright, whimsical skates that thrilled our little unicorn fan.
Ugg slippers. Warm, cozy slippers are a seasonal favorite and practical in cold climates.
Sorel waterproof boots. Durable, warm boots that look great for both play and dressing up.
Bogs waterproof boots. Our go-to rain and snow boots for reliable outdoor protection.
Big coloring posters. Oversized posters are a huge hit for group coloring and creative projects.
Fat Brain Tobbles. A tactile, fun stacking toy that offers sensory play and fine motor practice.
Duplo bath toys. Perfect for bathtub play — added this for our youngest and can’t wait for bath-time fun.
Color-changing raincoats. Magical and practical — umbrellas and boots with coordinating sets make for exciting rainy-day gear.
The Nugget play couch. Two of these are central to our living room play setup — endlessly adaptable for building, lounging, and games.
Doona Liki Trike. A compact trike that converts modes and has been a favorite for toddler mobility.
My Big Wilmmelbooks. Detailed scene books that engage kids for long stretches — great travel and quiet activity books.
Construction plate and utensils. Fun mealtime items that make eating more engaging for young children.
Car road tape. A lifesaver on rough days — apply around the house for instant racetracks and imaginative drive play.
Type Set Co boards & letters. Soft magnetic letters and boards that are visually appealing and encourage literacy play.
Yeti In My Spaghetti. A silly, fast-paced board game our kids love for family game nights.
[This is not a sponsored post; items I own were purchased by me. Some links may be affiliate links for which I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for reading! xo]