Gifts for kids by age: ideas for 1 to 10 years

What do you get a child who already has everything? Or a two-year-old you only see twice a year? This list helps you find the right gift by age. We've sorted every gift by the manufacturer's age recommendation, and for each one you'll see its price range: under €25, under €50 or more.

Three tips up front

• Take the recommended age seriously: It says nothing about talent, but a lot about safety, for example small parts. It's better to give something that "grows" with the child a little than something that comes too early.
• Ask the parents: A quick question like "Do you have room for a play tent?" prevents duplicate gifts and overflowing kids' rooms.
• Less is more: One gift your child plays with for a long time is worth more than three little extras.

Gifts for 1-year-olds

At one year old, children want to crawl, grab, pull themselves up and try things out. Good gifts are soft, sturdy and invite movement.

• Over €50: According to the manufacturer, the pop-up play tent with ball pit by bieco is suitable from 1 year. With 100 balls it becomes a ball pit, without balls a cozy den. Folded up, it fits under the bed. Use only under supervision.
• Under €50: The ABC puzzle mat by bieco made of EVA foam, recommended from 12 months. First it's a soft crawling surface, later your child learns the letters with it.
• Under €25: A flat cotton soft toy like Koeka Otis. Little hands can grip it easily, and it goes in the washing machine at 30 °C.

Gifts for 18-month-olds

At a year and a half, most children walk confidently, carry everything around and want to join in everywhere. Good gifts encourage movement and small hand skills, and they're allowed to be a bit noisy.

• Over €50: The MODU Curiosity Set has 14 lightweight parts. They turn into a rolling board, a seesaw or a small ride-on. According to the manufacturer, it's designed for 0 to 6 years, so it grows with your child for a long time.
• Under €50: According to the manufacturer, the whale potty by KINDSGUT is designed for 1 to 4 years. Many families start potty training around this time. It's a practical gift that the parents in particular will appreciate.
• Under €25: According to the manufacturer, the mo:mo Bouncing Buddy made of natural rubber is suitable from 18 months. It's soft, easy to grip and waterproof, so it comes along indoors and out.
• Under €25: The wooden grasping puzzle by Holzspielerei with 5 or 6 large pieces is recommended from 1 year and made in Germany. You can choose between sea animals and farm.

Gifts for 2-year-olds

Two-year-olds run, climb and love to make noise. This is also when the first pretend play begins.

• Under €50: The hobby horse with wheels by bieco is designed for ages 2 and up. Two wheels on the stick roll across the floor instead of dragging. It comes in Brownie, Ginger and Unicorn.
• Under €50: The wooden musical instrument set by KINDSGUT with a guitar, two rattles and a tambourine. Light enough for little hands, and the whole family can play along.
• Under €25: The mo:mo Bouncing Buddy made of natural rubber, according to the manufacturer from 18 months. It's soft, easy to grip and waterproof, so it can join in outside in the mud too.

Gifts for 3-year-olds

At three, many children start daycare or preschool. Anything that gives them independence there makes a good gift.

• Under €50: The GOT BAG Kids Adventure Daypack is made for children from 3 years. With 6 liters, it fits a lunch box, water bottle and a change of clothes. There's a name tag inside.
• Under €25: A GOT BAG Charm like the shark or the heart makes the backpack easy to spot in the cubby. According to the manufacturer, not a toy and only from 3 years.
• Under €25: The GOT BAG patch sets with three embroidered patches. Your child buttons them onto the kids' backpack without sewing and can swap them around again and again.

Gifts for 4- to 6-year-olds

Preschoolers want to be taken seriously. They love things that the big kids have too, just in their size.

• Over €50: The GOT BAG Kids Adventure Rolltop is designed for children from about 6 years. It holds 9 liters and expands to 13.6 liters with the roll-top closure. Great for day trips, sports or the first sleepover at a friend's.
• Over €50: The Koeka Oslo kids' blanket with waffle fabric on the outside and teddy fleece on the inside, 100 × 150 cm. According to our product data for about 1 to 8 years, so a gift for many winters. Delivery time 5–7 business days.
• Under €50: The big Diplododo plush dinosaur by trois kilos sept is 60 cm long, made of soft corduroy velour and big enough to lean against. A gift for dino fans of preschool age.

Gifts for 6- to 10-year-olds

School kids want to build, tinker, win and dress up. The best gifts now are things that let them create something themselves or challenge their friends.

• Over €50: A Hobby Horse by Super Hobby Horse for anyone who dreams of hobby horsing. The head and mane are hand-sewn and hand-painted, so every horse looks a little different. The large size A3 is about 74 cm long and weighs only about 0.6 kg. There's also the medium size A4, for example as a unicorn. Halter and reins are not included.
• Under €50: The kids' ash wood bow by Holzspielerei comes as a complete set with 3 suction-cup arrows, a quiver and a target. You can choose between 90, 100 and 120 cm in length. According to the manufacturer, the 120 cm bow shoots up to about 35 m, so it's more for older kids and for outdoors. Use only under adult supervision and never aim at eyes or face.
• Under €25: The WoodWars kits catapult, ballista or knight made of beech plywood, with glue and instructions. The catapult and ballista really shoot. According to the manufacturer, for play from 5 years and building alone from 10 years, so a great project for parent and child.
• Under €25: The Hawaii kids' ukulele made of wood with nylon strings and 15 frets. Small enough for kids' hands and just right for the first chords.
• Under €25: The 130-piece wooden puzzle is recommended from 6 years and made in Germany. The black-and-white reference picture in the frame helps with putting it together.
• Under €25: The trick chest with secret drawer is the perfect place for secrets and little treasures. About 15.5 × 8 × 7.5 cm, so it fits on any shelf.

Good to know: Holzspielerei ships directly from the manufacturer, only within Germany, in about 2–4 business days. The Hobby Horses are shipped directly by the manufacturer from Poland to Germany and Austria, in about 3–5 business days.

For every age: gifts to remember

The wooden height chart by bieco (under €25) accompanies a child from 60 cm into elementary school. A mark every year on their birthday, and it comes along when you move. For babies, the imprint kit with picture frame (under €25) is a lovely gift for the parents.

You'll find even more ideas under Gifts under €30 and in our Hidden gems.

Frequently asked questions

What should I get a 1-year-old?

Something to move and grasp: a ball pit tent, a soft puzzle mat or a flat cotton soft toy. Check the manufacturer's age recommendation.

What should I get a child of 18 months?

Something to move and grasp: for example a soft natural rubber ball, a wooden grasping puzzle or a building set like MODU that your child turns into a rolling board or a seesaw. Check the manufacturer's age recommendation.

What is a good gift for 2-year-olds?

Two-year-olds love movement and noise. A hobby horse for ages 2 and up, wooden musical instruments or a soft ball are great choices.

Which backpack is right for daycare or preschool?

The GOT BAG Kids Adventure Daypack with 6 liters is made for children from 3 years. For school kids from about 6 years, there's the larger Rolltop.

Are there good gifts under €25?

Yes, for example GOT BAG Charms and patches, the mo:mo ball, a Koeka soft toy or the bieco height chart.

What should I get an 8-year-old?

Something to build or try out: a wooden kit like the WoodWars catapult, a kids' bow with suction-cup arrows or a ukulele for the first chords.

Is a Hobby Horse something for school kids too?

Yes. Hobby horsing is especially popular with school kids right now. Super Hobby Horse horses come in three sizes from about 50 to 75 cm long, according to the manufacturer from 3 years.

How long does delivery take?

The delivery time is shown on every product page. Koeka items take 5–7 business days, so plan for them a little earlier. We only deliver Holzspielerei items within Germany.