The holiday season is here! The most wonderful time of the year brings welcome traditions like getting together with family and friends, decorating the tree, and much more. And, although many people enjoy holiday shopping, there are just as many who don’t enjoy it!
Shopping for everyone on your list can be a bit overwhelming and stressful at times; the choices can seem endless! And, if you are shopping for kids this season, you may feel even more overwhelmed than if you were shopping for adults.
Below we’ve put together some of our favorite tips for holiday shopping for kids - as well as our top toy picks for 2022.
Tips for shopping for toys this season:
Set a budget - it is easy to go overboard when shopping for anyone, including kids. Setting a cap of how much you want to spend on each child or adult is a good idea to make sure you don’t go broke.
Price check - when you decide on the product or toy you want, make sure to price check across several websites, like Amazon, WalMart and Target.
Shop for toys in the child’s age range - It is important to make sure what the age range on a product is. If you are shopping for a 4 year old, make sure you don’t give them a toy meant for a 10 year old. Check the item’s product details to get that important info.
Keep the parents’ style in mind - Different parents parent in different ways, and they prefer to be specific about the toys they purchase. For example, some parents only prefer their children to play with educational toys; some don’t allow messy items like slime; some don’t allow their children to play with make-up or nail polish.
Think about the child’s interests - If you know a child pretty well, you have the advantage of knowing their hobbies and interests. For example, if you have a budding artist you are shopping for, consider sticking with crafts and other artsy gifts. Have a little builder? Go with blocks, legos, or other building toys.
Think past the trends - Even if a toy is in demand or hot during a particular holiday season, that doesn’t mean the child will like it. Keep the child’s interests in mind when shopping.
Ask the child, and the parents - If you know the child well - or the parents - ask them what they want this year. It can take serious guesswork out of your shopping!
Stay away from electronics - Before you consider a tablet or other electronic item, think twice. Not only do many parents prefer their kids not to play with electronic devices like tablets, but they’re also easy to drop, damage, or spill juice on!
Think about gender neutral - Unless you know the child well, it is wise to stray away from anything too “girly” or “boyish” - it’s safer to go with toys that appeal to every kid! Toys like STEM items appeal to a wide variety of kids. However, if you know a child well and know they love Barbie dolls, for example, then go for it!
Make sure you can ship to them - Many retailers do not ship internationally. Make sure you register for an international shipping address from Trans-Express to ensure you can ship anywhere!
Favorite toys for 2022
Toys for 2-6 year olds
If the toddler’s parents are okay with toys that are a bit messy, consider Play-Doh. A timeless classic, kids of all ages enjoy playing with Play-Doh! Whether you go for a classic set, accessory kit, or a themed set, you can never go wrong with Play-Doh!
Another classic toy, blocks, are always popular. For the smaller kids and toddlers, Mega Blocks are a best-selling option!
Do you know for a fact what the kid’s favorite character is? For example, are they a CocoMelon fan? Then consider getting a themed toy, like a stuffed animal or building set, of their favorite.
Toys for 6- to 8-year-olds
You can’t ever go wrong with STEM toys. A set like this body science toy is a winner - not only are many STEM toys educational, but kids love them!
If you have a builder on your hands, then check out Magna Tiles. They’re best sellers for a reason and can keep kids entertained for a long time! There are even glow in the dark Magna Tiles!
Does a child on your list love dolls? This is the perfect age range for dolls, if the child is into them. A popular choice is a Baby Alive doll. It’s tried and true!
Toys for 9- to 11-year-olds
Many older kids have grown out of toys, but there are still many kits and items for older kids that make great gifts. Many kids LOVE Minecraft, and there are an endless variety of themed toys on the market.
Craft kits, jewelry making sets, and science experiment kits are ideal for this age range. From making scrunchies to breaking apart geodes, there’s something for everyone out there!
Every kid is into making their room cooler! If the kid you are shopping for has outgrown most toys, consider room decor items like sheet sets, comforters, accessories, art, lava lamps, and anything else they might like. Funko figurines are especially popular!
If you're looking for inspiration, check out these popular gift guide resources:
We hope we’ve given you some great advice this holiday shopping season!
