Non-Toy Gift Ideas for Kids

I may receive commissions from purchases made through links in this article. Full Disclosure

Children tend to be pretty easy to shop for. There are aisles upon aisles full of toys to choose from and there’s never a shortage.

However, toys aren’t everything. There are plenty of gift options to show a child that you care without cluttering up their rooms with one more toy that will likely get lost or forgotten about within a matter of weeks.

If you are leaning more towards the non-toy gift side of things and are looking for ideas on what to get the children in your life, here is a list I’ve created to help you out.

Note, most of these are for kids aged 2-10 years but you can definitely find ideas and versions of these gifts for older kids too (example: a real guitar instead of a kiddie one.)

Non-Toy Gift Ideas for Kids

Experiences –

Membership Passes – A little pricey but year passes to the zoo, aquarium, museum are all great.

Classes/Lessons – Sign kids up for a class in music, dance, sports, etc

Special events – These are your one time events; plays, concerts, movie theatre, paint your own pottery, special craft, spa, or baking date

Pets – call it a long term experience… depending on your family you may want to do an IOU and take the child with you to pick out the pet.

Subscriptions –

Magazines – Highlights, Ranger Rick, National Geographic for Kids

Book of the month
Subscription boxes – Kiwi Crate, Kidstir, Little Passports, Green Kid Crafts

Educational –

Arts and Crafts – coloring books, paint sets, playdough or even homemade playdough, finger paints

Games – card games like Go Fish and Old Maid, board games, bean bag toss, croquet, ring toss

Books – board books, chapter books, fiction, non-fiction

Musical Instruments – toddler band set, banjo, kazoo, recorder, tambourine

Exploring Equipment – magnifying glass, bug catcher, microscope, butterfly net, telescope

Make Believe – chef’s apron, princess costumes, firefighter outfits, masks

Great Outdoors –

Sports Equipment – mini golf set, bowling set, footballs, soccer balls

Gardening Supplies – kids gardening set, seeds, little pots

Get Them Moving – jump ropes,  bikes, scooters, Trampoline