Ultimate List of Gift Ideas
for Creative Kids

In case you haven’t noticed I’m all about keeping the holidays simple and meaningful.  One thing that can cause a lot stress however, is finding really great gifts for kids.
Starting in about October, every commercial on television, and every store bombards us ALL with non-stop advertisements for the latest plastic toys that our children can’t live without.  They aren’t all junky…just so many of them !
It’s toy overload ! Makes the kiddos crazy and the mamas too!

My friend and I were just talking about this today. One of her favorite gifts
as a child was a box all packed with colored construction paper, markers, crayons, and other crafting things. All these years later, THAT is the gift she remembers.  Nothing fancy. And no batteries lol

So, I’m making my own Ultimate Gift Ideas List for Creative Kids.

**BONUS ! 
You can sit in your pjs, with a cup of coffee,
browse, and shop away.
No noisy advertisements. No lines.
Getting it done and keeping it simple !!

And…I promise this is NOT just another
Christmas gift guide with some randomly thrown together ideas!

These are real gift ideas for your creative and curious children!

I have carefully and thoughtfully put together not just lists,
but groupings of related products for easy shopping for you,
and fun, quality, educational toys for your creative kids.

Maybe you’ll find some creative gift ideas from several of the lists, OR  you 
could choose one whole list,  put the items into a themed backpack,
 insulated lunch bag,  tin, or other container,  and make them into the ULTIMATE gift basket.

To give you an example, under the  “Gift Ideas for Kids Who Love Building & Inventing”, you will find motivational stories of kid inventors, several hands-on activity books (for different reading levels), a few choices for Invention Kits, and also some related QUALITY toys to let your little inventors and budding builders spend the next month working away !
And be sure to check out the sweets & treats I tried to find to compliment each creative kids interest gift list !
The bug lollipops are my favorite…or maybe the gummy rainforest frogs.  lol

YUM ! 

I’ve tried to include themes of interest for both girls and boys of many ages (even a few ideas for the babies & teens in the bunch)!
If you do not see a list of gift ideas for your child, please leave me a comment and I’ll update this post to include it !
I absolutely LOVE hearing from you guys!

*This is quite obvious, but for full disclosure, the gift ideas below are linked directly to products on Amazon. As an Amazon affiliate, I will receive a small commission on any sales made by clicking through these links. Thank you guys for supporting my work in this way !

*Gift Ideas for Kids Who Love Nature /Animals/Adventure*

*The Ultimate Nature Nut Basket*
–Annual passes to a nearby state/national park
*National Parks  (Listed by State- from the National Park Service)
*State Parks

– Trekking The National Parks Game

– Fun With Nature – A Take Along Guide
– Because of an Acorn   (younger)
– Backpack Explorer- On the Trail
– Guided Nature Journal (younger)  Nature Journal  (older kids)
–Ranger Rick Kids Magazine Subscription   or   Ranger Rick Jr.
– My Side of the Mountain  and the Companion Pocket Guide to ‘My Side of the Mountain’
– Hatchet  and Brian’s Winter
– Summer of the Woods
–Birding Binoculars for Kids
 

–Kids Pod Swing Hammock 
– The Kids Outdoor Adventure Book  (446 Activities To Do In Nature)
– Obstacle Course  (for the Littles)
*We have this one.  It’s easy to store, can be used inside on rainy days, and the toddlers LOVE it!
– Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course  (for the Bigs)
– Survivor Kid
– The Boys Book of Adventure  and  The Girls Book of Adventure
– Disney’s My Side of the Mountain   (DVD)
– Planet Earth DVD Gift Set
– Disney’s Up!
– Nature’s Bandits Fruit Snacks
– Mountain House Freeze Dried Dinner  (Just for fun !)
– Buffalo Bob’s Wild Game Snacks

–
–International Adventure Snack Box
–Gone Camping Socks
*It’s a tradition in our family to get themed PJ’s for Christmas.  😀
– Adventure Pjs  (boys design)  and  In the Woods Pjs    (girls design)

*The Ultimate Bug Basket*

–Little Kids First Big Book of Bugs   (younger)
– The Ultimate Bugopedia
– Caterpillars, Bugs, and Butterflies Take-Along Guide
–Pocket Genius Bug Guide
– How to Draw Insects  and  Entomology Notebook/Sketch Book
or  Bug Log for Kids
– DK Real Bugs Dig Kit
–Bug Card Game
–Bug Bingo Game

– James and the Giant Peach
– Cricket in Times Square
– Backyard Critter Exploration Case
– Quick Catch/Release Bug Magnifier
– Lifelike Plastic Insect Set
– DK Ultimate Glow in the Dark Bugs! Sticker Book
– Bug Building Kit
– Bug Lab
– Roly Poly Farm   (Does anybody else have kiddos who are OBSESSED with Roly Polys?!?!)

– Insect Lollipops    (yummmmm)
– Bug Bites Cookies
– Dover Insects Coloring Book  and  Pre-Sharpened Colored Pencil Set
– It’s a Bug’s Life  (DVD)
– Insect T-Shirt
–Insects Novelty Socks
– Insects Rain Boots   (so cute!)
*Last but not least… a pair of Bug PJ’s.  These are SO CUTE !!  I LOVE THEM!!
– Bug PJ’s  (from big kids to baby sizes)

*The Ultimate Animal Aficionado Basket*

– Annual passes to a local/nearby Zoo
(Here’s a list of zoos, state by state)
or
Homemade “gift certificate” for volunteering or trips to a local animal rescue

– DK Animals- A Visual Encyclopedia
– 125 True Stories of Amazing Animals
– Little Kids First Big Book of Animals
–Zoobooks Magazine Subscription

– Because of Winn Dixie
– Just So Stories
– James Herriot’s Treasury For Children
–25 Piece Animals Set
– Dog Science Unleashed  (22 Activities to try!)

– Tracks, Scats, and Signs- Take Along Guide  and  Big Tracks, Little Tracks  (younger)
My kids LOVED LOVED LOVED this whole series of books!
– Tracking Expedition Kit
– Animal Tracks   (Game)
–Guess In 10- Animal Planet Game
–My First Safari Board Game
– Draw 50 Animals-  Step By Step
– Zoo Animals,  Forest Animals,  Wild Animals, and  Sea Animals Dover Coloring Books
– The Jungle Book  (DVD)
– The Blue Planet –  Seas of Life 
– Disney Nature Movies:
+African Cats    +Monkey Kingdom    +Wings of Nature    +Chimpanzee
– Gummy Rainforest Frogs 

– Old Time Animal Lollipops
–Shortbread Animal Cookies   (These are so good !!)
–Animal Novelty Socks
– Animal Print  PJ’s  (Girls & Boys)  or   HERE 

*Gift Ideas for Kids Who Love Building/Invention*

*Passes/Tickets to Science Museum    (Science Museums List, State by State)

-Mistakes That Worked: 40 Familiar Inventions
–DK 100 Inventions That Made History
–The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
–Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
– Iggy Peck, Architect   and   Iggy Peck’s Big Project for Amazing Architect
–Rosie Revere, Engineer   and  Rosie Revere’s Big Project Book for Bold Engineers
–The Toothpaste Millionaire

–If I Built a Car  (younger)
-My Crazy Inventions Sketchbook
–The Kids Invention Book
–The Kid Who Invented the Popsicle

–Amazing Leonardo da Vinci Inventions You Can Build Yourself
–DaVinci’s DIY Invention Kit
–Fun Facts About Every Day Inventions    (Dover Coloring Book- I LOVE this one !!)
–ZOOB Inventors Builderz Kit
–Science Wiz Inventions Kit 

–Genius Lego Inventions with Blocks You Already Have
–Klutz Lego Gadget Kit
-Lego City Building Sets
+Ice Cream Store   +Modern House
–ArtChitect House Design & Building Kit

–Mindware KEVA Contraptions Bundle Set
–Robotics Tinkering Kit
–Physics Laws Construction Set
–Roller Coaster Challenge Game

–Space Roller Coaster Building Set
–Gingerbread Build It Yourself Village
–Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs
– Lego Novelty Socks
– Genius Boys Pjs   and  Dream Big   (Girls PJs)

*Gift Ideas for Kids Who Love Arts/Crafts*

-Annual Passes to nearby Art Museum   (State by State List HERE )
-Gift Certificate for Art Lessons
or  a local Crafting Class   (Michaels Crafting Classes/Events  offers them frequently )

–Child’s Introduction to Art: World’s Greatest Paintings and Sculptures
–Colorful Dreamer
–The Noisy Paint Box
–From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
–The Amazing Collection of Joey Cornell
–Drawing:  Art For Kids
–Paint Lab for Kids
–Oragami Activities  (Asian Arts & Crafts for Creative Kids) *This is a really unique series!
–Discovering Great Artists  (Hands-On Art)
*This is one of my all time favorite art books!  Small bites of info on so many artists, and an art activity for each one!!
–Discovering Great American Artists  (Hands-On Art)   *Same author

–Quality Weaving Loom For Kids
–Learn Knitting Kit For Beginners
–Yarn Tree Kit
–Fleece No Sew Quilt- Creative Crafting
–Pottery Wheel For Beginners

–Wood Whittling Kit For Beginners
–Twisty Wire Sculpture Kits
–Wooden Art Set
(This is really a quality set…I love they have included “take along” smaller versions of some of the tools as well ! )
–Premium Sketch Pad  and  Graphic Drawing Pencils in Metal Tin
–Artist Blending Stumps  and  Kneaded Erasers
–Oil Pastels
–Watercolor Pencils in Tin Case  (with brushes… these are super fun!!)

–Painting Set with Easel
–Wooden Desk Top Easel
–600 Piece Mega Craft Supply Kit
–High Quality Vivid Construction Paper
– Art Dice

–Famous Paintings Novelty Socks
– Artist Suckers
–2 Piece Tie Dye Pajama Sets  (boys & girls)

*Gift Ideas for Kids Who Love Growing Things*

–Square Foot Gardening For Kids
–Earth Boxes
(I live in Texas and it is hard to grow things here… these are WONDERFUL!)
–Up In the Garden, Down In the Dirt   (younger)
–Roots, Shoots, Buckets, and Boots –  Activities to Do In the Garden
–The Secret Garden  (book)    The Secret Garden  (movie)

–A Big Garden
–Our Community Garden   and   Rainbow Stew   (younger)
–Seedfolks
–Kid’s Gardening Tool Set
–DIY Kids Gardening Box
–Design Your Own Butterfly Garden  (I really like the simple ideas in this one!)
–Plant a Fairy Garden
–Hydroponics Kit
–Sprout and Grow Window

–Indoor Herb Garden Kit
–Veggies Novelty Socks
–Garden Pack Grown Your Own Kit

–13 Organic Seed Packets    (Great Starter Pack!)
–Morning Glory Seed Packets
(These grow quickly with vivid results!!  I plant mine in pots though because they spread everywhere 😀 )
–Chia Heart Grow Kit
–ReGrow Science Kit
–Flower Press
–Butterfly Growing- Habitat Kit
–Garden Stones Kit
–Daisies & Ladybugs Lollipops
–Gummy Flowers   (they have a smaller bag too, but it isn’t Prime)
–Gummy Peppers  , Gummy Butterflies
*Apple Blossom PJs   (girls)  and  Tree Print PJs   (boys)

*Gift Ideas for Kids Who Love Puzzles (of all sorts!)*

–What You Do With a Problem
–What You Do Matters:  Boxed Set
–Your Fantastic Elastic Brain
–Great Book of Whodunnit Puzzles  and  Challenging Whodunnit Puzzles
–Secret Agent Activities Book

–The Ultimate Puzzle Challenges Book
–Totally Awesome Mazes & Puzzles Book
–Brain Games For Clever Kids
–The Brainiest Insaniest Ultimate Puzzle Book
–The Cube   (Remember Rubick’s Cube?)
 
–Coogam Puzzle Game
–Wooden Tetris Puzzle
–Qwirkle
–Kanoodle Extreme
–7 Piece Brainteaser Set
–Ultimate Puzzle Board and Storage    (This is on my wish list!)

–Escape Room & Puzzle !
–Penguin 3D Crystal Puzzle
–3D Unicorn Puzzle
–Wooden 3D Marble Run Coaster Puzzle
–Frozen Castle 3D Puzzle

–Frederick the Literate Puzzle  (aka cute cat)  *750 pieces
–Tiny Bubbles Puzzle  *300 pieces
–Animal Buddies Puzzle   *300 pieces
–Christmas Floor Puzzle

–Dog Park! Puzzle   *1,000 pieces
–Disney’s Encanto Puzzle    *1,000 pieces
–Jigsaw Puzzle Storage Case
–Puzzle Piece Lollipops
–Candy Puzzle Pieces  (Build & Eat)
–Brain Novelty Socks
*Spies PJs   (boys)  and  Dream Big!  (girls)

*Gift Ideas for Kids Who Love Cooking*

–Better Homes & Gardens Junior Cook Book
–Baking Class  (With 50 Fun Recipes)
–The Complete Baking Book For Young Chefs
–Chop Chop Magazine Subscription
–How To Eat Fried Worms
–Chocolate Fever  and   The Chocolate Touch
–Kids Cook Around the World

–Kitchen Science
–Edible Science :Experiments You Can Eat
–TruChef  Cut Resistant Gloves
–Real Chef’s Knife Set for Kids
–Montessori Kids Kitchen Set
–Curious Chef- Measure & Prep Kit
–Food Dice
–Deluxe Cooking Set
–Kids Chef Hat and Apron

–21 Piece Baking Set
–1 Quart Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt Maker
–Our Family Recipes  (I made one of these for each of my children last Christmas!)
–Ratatouille  DVD
–Chopped Junior Series
–Food Novelty Socks
–Kids Sushi Making Set

–Pizza Making Kit
–Gourmet World Seasonings Set
–Infused Sea Salt Sampler
–Ultimate Cake Decorating Kit for Beginners
–Wilton’s Cake Decorating Book:  Step By Step Guide
–Wilton Icing Colors
–Gourmet Chocolates
–Gourmet Macaroons
*Girls Cupcake PJs  and  Pizza PJs   (boys )

*Gift Ideas for Kids Who Love Sports*

-Tickets to a local sporting event!

–Sports Duffle or  Sports Backpack
(You could pack the bag with your picks from below!)
–Sports Bottle
– Obstacle Course  (for the Littles)
*We have this one.  It’s easy to store, can be used inside on rainy days, and the toddlers LOVE it!
– Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course  (for the Bigs)
–Rising Above   and  Rising Above:  Inspiring Women In Sports
–Tim Tebow: Shaken  (Young Readers Version)
– No Summit Out of Sight
–Two Minute Drill  (Comeback Kids Series- there are lots of different sports represented!)

–The Final Game
–The Moccasin Goalie
–Maniac Magee
–Kid’s Book of Hockey  and   Soccer Smarts for Kids
–The Football Fanbook  and  The Baseball Fanbook
(skills, strategies, rules of the game, and more)
–Year In Sports 2024
–The Top 10 of Everything In Sports    (Sports Illustrated)
–Sports Illustrated for Kids Magazine Subscription
–Pogo Ball Balance Board

–Glow In The Dark Baseball
–Glow In The Dark Football
–Glow In The Dark Soccer Ball
–Hookey
–Franklin Sport Air Soft Glove and Baseball
–Wilson Football with Pump and Tee
–Inflataman Football Challenge

–Deluxe Folding Hockey Goal Set     (My poor garage 🙁 This is a nice net !)
–Mini Frisbee Golf Set
–Rubber Horseshoe Set
–Popup Foldable Soccer Goal
–Soccer Socks
–Soccer Training Dice
–Weird But True Sports

–Soul Surfer   (DVD)
–The Blindside  (DVD)  (*note: PG-13)
– Angels In the Outfield  &  Angels in the Infield  (DVD)
–Little Giants  (DVD)
–The Big Green  (DVD)
–Like Mike  (DVD)
–The Mighty Ducks  (3 DVD Set)

*Gift Ideas for Bright Babies & Toddlers*

*I tried to include some books and other ideas for younger kids in the gift ideas above, and as a Grandma of 8 beautiful grands 9 years old and under, I definitely didn’t want to leave out all the littles out of those lists!
Here are some more of my favorite books and toys especially for the babies & toddlers on your list!

–Fuzzy Bee and Friends
–Taggie Hedgehog  and Hello Hedgehog
–Baby Activity Gym Mat
–Baby Einstein Musical Take Along Toy
(I’m not sure why, but this toy has been a favorite of every single one of my grandchildren at some point!)

–My Family & Friends Photo Book for Babies
(My babies LOVED these!  I gave them each one on their first birthday)
–Babies & Doggies Book  and   Doggie
–Global Baby Faces   and   Musical Globe With Lights
–Solar System Board Book  and Rocket Ship Play Tent
–Geosafari Kidnoculars
–Doctor Kit
(This is the one I happen to have.  It’s lasted us through a lot of kids!)
–Soft Fruit Set  and  Soft Veggie Set
–Wooden Fruit Cutting Set  and  Food Fun Set

–Slice & Bake Wooden Christmas Cookie Playset
–IKEA Wooden Play Kitchen
(This kitchen isn’t cheap plastic that will break!  We got ours second hand from a family with 3 boys… it has now been through 7 other children and it’s still hanging in there!)
–My First Cars & Trucks Duplo Set
–Smart Wheels Vehicles
–Crayola Color Wonder Set
–Laugh and Learn Tea Set  and  Bunnies For Tea
–Laugh and Learn Purse
–Fisher Price Doll House
–Baby Doll  and  Magic Bottle Feeding Set
–Magnetic Bath Boats,   Crayola Bath Drops ,  and  Hooded Shark Towel
–Egg Matching Puzzle
–The Very Hungry Caterpillar Sensory Book
–The Little Blue Truck Book    and  The Little Blue Truck Plush Toy

So there you have it !
I hope you’ve found some great gift ideas to get you started on finding the perfect presents for your favorite creative kids !
Be sure to PIN this post for Birthdays too !