Gift Guide :: active and curious kids (and teens, too!)

You know those kids who are active and curious and just kind of rock your world? We do too! And they are sure fun to shop for :) So with help from our littles and their cousins, age newborn through teen, we’ve rounded up gifts for kids and teens. You won’t find screens on here, but you will find curiosity-invoking and active gifts that are just plain fun. And with prices starting at just $8, there are some excellent stocking stuffers in the mix.

psst: our 2024 gift guides include the ladies in your life, active and curious kids (and teens!), men in your life, polished home, and the handy homeowner.

Hat - this adorable hat is sure to keep any stylish kid warm. ($29)

1 Wood suduko game set - This large table-top sudoko board turns the solo game into a family affair! ($46)

2 Yoto Mini (2024 edition) - this new audio platform allows kids to listen to books without the need of a screen (no microphone, no camera, no ads!). It doubles as a white noise machine, wake up clock for sleep training, and a portable sound machine. Get the matching wireless headphones to keep the peace at home ;) ($69.99)

3 Roller blades - we took our kids to the roller skating rink last month and they all came home clambering for roller blades! Love the look (and price point!) of these, and don’t forget wrist and knee protection! ($42-$62)

4 Pickleball paddles - we’re just as obsessed with pickleball as the rest of the country and these paddles are sure to be the cutest on the court! ($59)

5 Punch needle beginner kit - get your kids into crafting with this adorable punch needle kit. No punch needle experience required! ($40)

6 10ft basketball hoop - this portable hoop can be set up in your driveway or any flat surface. We picked up a similar one on FBMP a few weeks ago and it’s already provided hours of entertainment for our kids and a couple of neighborhood boys, too. ($269)

7 Holiday pajamas - we gift our kids holiday pajamas every year and this brand is 100% cotton, long-lasting, and oh so cute! ($34)

8 The Wild Robot box set - everyone in our family loves these new classics! We’ve gifted this box set to cousins and friends and it’s always a hit. ($37)

9 Polish set - this cruelty-free, vegan nail polish is one of the cleanest long-lasting polishes on the market and comes in adorable colors. ($36)

10 Screen-free digital camera - this camera is screen-free and easy to use - just point and shoot! It comes in a ton of fun colors and is a perfect first camera for a budding photographer ($65)

11 Books - there were so many good kids books this year and here are a few: Eyes that Kiss in the Corners, Heros, and Dog Man: The Scarlet Shedder (Dav Pilky is hilarious!). ($8-$14)

12 Skateboard - this wood skateboard will keep them active and looks good doing it! Pair it with Banwood’s classic helmet. ($99) And don’t forget the helmet! ($59)

13 Activity walker - for the toddlers on your list (and their parents!), this stylish and contemporary activity walker is sure to delight! It’s inspired by the weather. ($139)

14 Stuffie - this cotton bear is adorable and sure to be loved by the little ones in your life. ($40)

15 Baby sleep set - an adorable bamboo newborn set is always a great gift for the littlest people you know! This one includes everything they will need for their first day - fitted bassinet sheet, swaddle, knotted gown and topknot hat. ($109)

16 Games - We’ve been playing a lot of family games this Fall and Sushi Go, Skip-Bo, and Apples to Apples are some of our favorites. They’re great to play with kids and teens alike! ($11-$16)

17 Sleeping bag backpack - warm, water-repellent, and ready for adventures, this sherpa lined sleeping bag folds up into a backpack! ($69)

18 Fox hat - fair isle hats are classic and always in style and how cute are the foxes?! For kids 1-12. ($29)

19 History of Space Travel Puzzle - this 500 piece puzzle will surely capture the attention of any budding astronaut! ($17)

20 Skip ball - a friend brought one of these over to our house and it was a huge hit with our kids! A great way to get the wiggles out indoors! ($15)

21 Playset - this seesaw, swing, stomp + side will be the best get-the-wiggles-out friend for your little on those rainy days spent inside. ($255)

22 Dog slippers - Daphne flipped over these plush toys…errr slippers! They’re perfect for keeping toes warm around the house! ($32)

23 Butterfly garden activity kit - for the garden-lover on your list, this kit includes a non-invasive pollinator seed blend that they can spread to create a home for their favorite pollinators. ($18)

24 Lego Technic kits - these new lego kits have been keeping our kids occupied for days on end. Bonus, once they build the car, the wheels can turn and roll! ($49)

25 Gemstone dig kit - this was such a hit with our kids that we’ve gifted it to their friends. Fun for anyone that’s into rocks and stones! ($24.99)

26 Wraparound sunglasses - big with teens and tweens, these sunglasses offer full lens coverage and are non-slip. ($55)

27 Yoyo - yoyo’s are big in our house and this tug-return number is great for beginners. Great stocking stuffer potential! ($13.99)

28 Tattoo pens - these pens made the rounds at swim meets this summer and I have to admit, they’re pretty dang fun! ($25)

29 Magazine subscriptions - years ago, Grandpa gifted our kids National Geographic Kids magazine and they still look forward to it every month. And for the puzzle-obsessed kiddo, Brain Play is a great magazine, too! ($21-$34)

30 Posca markers - all three of our kids insisted we add these non-toxic markets to this gift guide. They’re water soluble, quick drying, and work on a variety of surfaces - the gold standard for durability and quality. ($31)

31 Instant camera - Give the gift of instant memories with this camera. With automatic exposure, a selfie lens, and instant pictures, everyone will love this camera from little kids through adults. ($136)

32 Lip balm - I have it on good authority that this lip balm is all the rage with middle school girls these days. ($19)

34 Bubble bath - this natural, cruelty-free bubble bath is great for the whole family! ($18)

35 Skincare headband + facemark - if you haven’t heard yet, skincare is all the rage with the girls these days and these masks hit the mark. And if you can pry them away from their friends, maybe a mama-daughter facemark date is in order! ($7 -$8)

36 Gold hoop earrings - classic and chic, these gold hoops are easy to gift! ($25)

37 Wood hockey game - we’re always looking for screen-free activities at home, and this wood hockey game is something our kids would love. Bonus: it’s so pretty that I wouldn’t mind if they left it out! ($79)

38 Patagonia fleece - this fleece is the only thing my middle-schooler will wear besides oversized sweatshirts. Love the company’s commitment to quality and longevity! (from $40)

39 MLB Hats - The World Series wrapped and lots of teenagers are still repping their team. Pick the Yankees or Dodgers or your hometown team (go Mariners!). ($39)

40 Beats headphones - these are on our oldest’s wishlist…and probably most other tweens and teens! ($99)

41 Custom coupon - this year we’re planning on gift each of our kids an activity and unwrapping a coupon makes it even more exciting! We’ve done lots of version of this, including… pincnic at your favorite park, a movie night at the theater, golf round, brunch at our favorite local restaurant, etc. ($8)

42 National Parks scratch-off chart - track your travels to the 63 US National Parks with this scratch-off chart! ($25)

43 Smartphone printer - this printer easily prints photos from your smartphone. Includes 10 pack of Fujifilm install mini film for a nostalgic vibe. ($89)

44 Root beer kit - for the soda lovers in your life, let them make their own artisan root beer from scratch with this kit. ($35)

---

Happy holiday shopping!

xx

ps we may receive a small affiliate commission if you purchase something through our links, at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting the Grit and Polish!