It’s easy to go overboard with presents for kids — whether it’s the holidays, a birthday, or anything in between. Everywhere we look, the pressure to buy, buy, buy is real. Gift guides pop up from every blogger, brightly colored catalogs keep landing on our doorsteps, and the message always seems to be: the bigger and flashier, the better.
I get it. We all want our kids to light up with joy, or at least not roll their eyes (iykyk) when they open a gift. But the truth is, when you choose something thoughtful and just right, it doesn’t have to cost much at all.
Check out these 25 affordable, screen-free gift ideas for kids ages 0–17.
Gifts Under $25 for 2025
For Babies & Toddlers (Ages 0-2)
1. It’s a well-known fact that babies love pulling tissues out of boxes. My First Baby Tissue Box will entertain for hours with far less waste!
2. The sensory experience of Deer One Soft Activity Crinkle Book & Fold Out Pat Mat is a winner too.
3. Rainbow Busy Board will give your one- to two-year-old hands-on learning. A great toy can build developmental milestones through play. New in 2025, a little one in your life will have so much fun poking, pushing, and twisting this brightly colored transportable toy.
4. Ernie had Rubber Duckie; your child can have these dinos or vehicles to liven up bath time. Either set will entertain safely with its “no holes” design.
5. Green Toys’ Fire, Recycling, and Dump trucks don’t make any sound, have no lights, and require your toddler to push them. Hands down, a winner for the over-stimulated adult. Bonus: Green Toys also makes a super cute pull-along wagon.
6. A household probably can’t ever have enough Legos. These Duplos include a toy car with moving wheels, windows, flowers, two figures, and number-learning bricks.
For Preschoolers (Ages 3-5)
7. The Melissa and Doug brand makes a wide range of great products. This extensive stamp and coloring set is a great example. Choose from animal-themed or fairy tale-themed sets to provide hours of entertainment.
8. When put together, the Race Around the World floor puzzle (another Melissa and Doug!) creates a car track. The two included wind-up cars cruise around famous global locations. The brightly colored puzzle might develop an interest in geography or travel!
9. This costume kit, complete with capes, masks, and wristbands, will set up four superheroes to save the world. They are the perfect addition to a dress-up box.
10. Any Peaceable Kingdom game wins, but Hoot Owl Hoot is the MVP. It’s designed for preschoolers, but older siblings or cousins will have fun playing too. Bonus: Memory can be played by all ages too.
11. The animal faces magnetic book, or this dinosaur one, offers hours of creative play for your preschooler. The books will provide opportunities for storytelling and fine motor skills practice. They are easily transportable and a perfect quiet-time activity.
For Early Elementary (Ages 6-9)
12. Make No Mistake Erasable Markers are perfect for this age group. Six- to nine-year-olds are gaining the fine motor skills to draw more complex pictures and are ready for markers! They’re portable and great for any creative project. Bonus: There’s also a travel Watercolor Paint Set.
13. If you’re up for some noisy fun, try the Mini Karaoke Machine. It’s Bluetooth-ready, comes with two microphones, and is a great price. Plus, it’s TikTok famous.
14. Do you have a budding engineer or tinkerer in your life? Snap Circuits Jr. Electronics Exploration Kit will engage their mind, fuel curiosity, and build problem-solving skills.
15. You’ll be the coolest aunt around if you buy these Temporary Tattoo Markers! The skin-safe markers come with stencils. Maybe just check with your niece or nephew’s parents first . . .
16. Sloth in a Hurry will bring out the improvisers! The directive to act like a “penguin on a tightrope” is sure to get players moving. How quickly can other players guess? As long as everyone’s laughing, this game will be the gift of the season!
For Tweens (Ages 10-12)
17. Remember the Tamagotchi? Well, it’s returned from 1997 with original programming. This might be a great option for a kid begging for an animal to take care of! It’s just enough responsibility to keep their new friend alive and give them a taste for owning a real pet.
18. Spot the Difference Picture Puzzles can be done as a solo activity on a road trip or in a small group for cousins after a holiday meal. There is a whole series of these books!
19. For an amateur explorer or detective, the Carson Pocket Microscope‘s built-in UV and LED flashlight elevates their game. The powerful magnification and keychain attachment add to this tool’s attraction.
20. A preteen wants so badly to be older but (sometimes not so) secretly loves a plushie. The Weighted Plush Kids’ Throw Pillows are the CUTEST animals that can also be used as pillows. They’re small enough to pack away into an overnight bag for a sleepover or camp. Bonus: Squishmallows Original Mystery 3-Pack is another option (and can be split as stocking stuffers).
21. Supporting a gratitude practice at a young age is one of the best gifts to give a preteen. Lainie Rowell’s Bold Gratitude Journal shares quotes, prompts, and inspiration for reflections and setting intentions.
For Teens (Ages 14-17)
22. For the teen interested in experimenting with fragrance, gift the Duke Cannon Supply Co. Solid Cologne, Nautica Voyage, or Le Beach Fresh Mist. None are super pricey, so if your teen does not love the one you picked, it is not a costly loss.
23. Using an actual alarm clock instead of their phone will support better sleep. Plus, this one has fun colors. Bonus: Dreamegg Travel White Noise Machine, paired with the alarm clock, offers added comfort.
24. Wise Owl Outfitters 4-Pack Microfiber Gym Towels absorb sweat but don’t hold odor, and are easily machine washable. Whether a teen’s mowing the lawn, playing a sport, or hitting the gym, this towel is a great choice.
25. Starface patches make pimple care cool. Unbelievable, isn’t it? This gender-neutral gift set offers three mini packs of Starface’s bestselling patches.
If you’re interested in perusing a few additional gift guides, here are a few that might further inspire:
Happy shopping!
