51 of the best gifts for kids for Christmas 2022 that they'll be well impressed with you for buying
If you've landed here as a parent looking for the best gifts for kids, panic not, there's still time. “Getting as excited as a kid at Christmas” is a saying for a reason. If you’ve ever spent Christmas morning with a child of any age, you’ll know the sheer, unbridled and contagious giddiness the 25th December brings. In fact, you’ll probably be able to recall your own excitement as a kid – from not being able to get to sleep on Christmas Eve to waking up and finding a full stocking and gifts under the Christmas tree.
Sadly, it's a pretty hard feeling to replicate as an adult – but remembering it does make buying some of the best Christmas gifts for kids all the more enjoyable. Whether you're shopping for your child/niece/nephew/godchild/best friend's kiddo, you can pretty much guarantee their eyes will widen with excitement when you hand a package over… and that's half the fun.
Too late to get any of the actual best gifts for kids delivered in time, we hear you say? Well, that's where you'd be wrong. Those ever-growing, stress-inducing gift lists (and potential shipping delays) may be worrisome, but Amazon and other popular online toy manufacturers have marked which gifts you can guarantee Christmas delivery for (and, good news, all of the bestsellers are included). Crisis. Averted.
Here at GLAMOUR, we like to think of ourselves as gifting connoisseurs (even if we do say so ourselves) - and we've already meticulously researched gift guides for everyone. Think: gifts for mums and Christmas gifts for dads, to gifts for sisters, Mother-in-Law gifts, best friend gifts, Grandma gifts and gifts for boyfriends. Know someone particularly picky? Don't worry, we've got inventive gift ideas for coffee-lovers, fitness fanatics and even foodies. And for the man that has everything? Here's a load of gift sets for men he'll actually like.
Anyway: back to the best gifts for kids. After all, how are we meant to earn the “coolest Auntie”/"best ever parent"/"trendiest grandparent" award without a bit of foresight?
The best gifts for kids - quick links by age
Note - all gender labels are merely suggestions and not limited to boys/girls
- For boys - Peter Rabbit Wilbur Organically Grown Cotton Dungaree Set, £32.95, Joules - TELL ME MORE or BUY IT NOW
- For girls - Sophie La Girafe Gift Bag, £24.99, JoJo Maman Bebe - TELL ME MORE or BUY IT NOW
- For boys - Classic Paddington With Boots, £25, Fortnum & Mason - TELL ME MORE or BUY IT NOW
- For girls - Mole's Spectacles, Tales from Acorn Wood board book, WAS £6.99 NOW £3.50, Amazon - TELL ME MORE or BUY IT NOW
- For boys - LEGO® DUPLO Police Station & Helicopter (10959), £36, Moonpig - TELL ME MORE or BUY IT NOW
- For girls - Munchkin Gone Fishin' Bath Toy, £11.99, JoJo Maman Bebe - TELL ME MORE or BUY IT NOW
- For boys - PAW Patrol Big Truck Pup’s Rubble Transforming Toy Truck, WAS £17.99 NOW £16.99, Very - TELL ME MORE or BUY IT NOW
- For girls - Disney Encanto Mirabel Fashion Doll, WAS £27.49 NOW £19.99, Amazon - TELL ME MORE or BUY IT NOW
- For boys - Jurassic World Slash ‘N Battle Scorpios Rex Action & Sound Dinosaur Figure, WAS £31.99 NOW £24.74, Amazon - TELL ME MORE or BUY IT NOW
- For girls - Aquabeads Deluxe carry case, £35, Selfridges - TELL ME MORE or BUY IT NOW
- For boys - LeapFrog Magic Adventures Globe, £89.99, John Lewis - TELL ME MORE or BUY IT NOW
- For girls - Magic Mixies Pink Magical Crystal Ball, WAS £74.99 NOW £54.99, Very - TELL ME MORE or BUY IT NOW
- For boys - Fitbit Ace 3 Black & Sport Red, £49.99, Boots - TELL ME MORE or BUY IT NOW
- For girls - LEGO Friends Baking Competition, £34.99, LEGO - TELL ME MORE or BUY IT NOW
- For boys - LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts: Polyjuice Potion Mistake Buildable Castle Toy with 20th Anniversary Golden Minifigure, WAS £17.99 NOW £14.99, Amazon - TELL ME MORE or BUY IT NOW
- For girls - LOL Surprise Remix Karaoke Machine, £50, Argos - TELL ME MORE or BUY IT NOW
- For boys - Nerf Elite 2.0 Motoblitz CS-10 Blaster, £49.99, John Lewis & Partners - TELL ME MORE or BUY IT NOW
- For girls - Janod Charm Bracelet Kit, £22.99, Harrods - TELL ME MORE or BUY IT NOW
- For boys - Nerf Minecraft Pillager's Dart Blasting Crossbow, WAS £28.99 NOW £16.99, Amazon - TELL ME MORE or BUY IT NOW
- For girls - Studio Creator Video Maker Kit, WAS £27.99 NOW £19.99, Amazon - TELL ME MORE or BUY IT NOW
- For boys - Sonic Frontiers PS5, WAS £54.99 NOW £34.99, Amazon - TELL ME MORE or BUY IT NOW
- For girls - Ravensburger Villainous Game, £24.49, John Lewis & Partners - TELL ME MORE or BUY IT NOW
To make an impression on that special mini in your life, keep scrolling to shop our edit of the best gifts for kids — there's enough here to make even Santa jealous.
Age 2+
LEGO duplo is the iconic building block brand's younger collection, and this helicopter come police station set is an excellent way for them to start developing their wider knowledge of society while cracking on with a bit of imaginative play.
Save money on the best kids toys by using these Moonpig retailer discounts when you checkout.
Age 4+
If they love crafts then this Aquabeads carry case will keep them occupied for hours as they get creative making pictures out of beads and sticking them together with the (mess-free!) water spray.
Save money on Christmas gift ideas for little ones with these Selfridges discounts
Age 7+
Harry Potter is still a favourite with kids even after so many years, this LEGO set comes with a special 20th anniversary mini figure and invites children to recreate the memorable girl's bathroom entrance to the Chamber of Secrets…oooh-err.
Save money on LEGO play sets with these Amazon discounts
Ages 1 ½ to 8
Paw Patrol is the new Teletubbies and this H&M kids long sleeve t-shirts is the perfect way to inject their favourite TV programme into their daily attire.
Save money on kids clothing and gifts for preschoolers with these H&M discounts
Ages 1-7
Kids can never have too many pyjamas, especially when they grow out of them in a heartbeat. This Peppa Pig pair are simply too cute to pass up, if you ask us.
Save money on gifts for mums, dads and younger kids with these M&S discounts
Complete with everything from hot chocolate stirrers to a gingerbread house kit and DIY biscuits to decorate, this M&S treats sack is a great gift for kids of all ages and a top pick for families with a whole hoard of sprogs.
Age 6+
Kids love finding a new gadget under the Christmas tree and a smartwatch to track everything from their Sunday football match to their cycle with dad is swiftly becoming the best one to get hold of.
Save money on gifts for 6-year-olds with these Boots discounts
Age 10 months+
Soft toys are an easy way to add a bit of decoration to your child's bedroom and what better way to do that than with this classic British - or should be say Peruvian? - Paddington toy.
Age 6+
If you've not heard of Dobble, the premise is that kids in groups of two or more have to try and find which image (out of a cluster of five plus) they share on their card, with that of the people they're playing with. It's quick, fun, and a top Christmas Day card game for the whole family.
Save money on Xmas day gifts by using these WHSmith discounts
Age 6+
With step-by-step guides and 12 paint colours to choose from, this Galt pottery kit is a top pick for girls and boys and, what's more, you can order it with Next Day delivery through Amazon.
Age 5+
If you happened to see the Magic Mixies cauldron last year then you'll know your kids will have the all-new Crystal Ball on their wishlists for Christmas 2022. It quite literally makes a magical ‘Mixie’ creature appear out of thin air (or at least it looks like it) and your kids will think it was all their doing. We tested this on our tots and, boy, were they wowed.
Save money on kids gifts with plush toys with these Very discounts
Age 7+
10 years old is a tricky one; kids of this age start to feel embarrassed if you buy them kiddy PJs from M&S (or maybe Macy's for US readers), so thinking about presents they'll feel comfortable using around their friends is a good place to start. This PS5 toy will appear to gamer kids just as much as it will those that enjoy action and adventure games. Not quite as grown up as FIFA, but still enough that they'll be chuffed come the big day.
Age 3+
Encanto is the film that took children by storm, showing them a magical look at the valleys of Colombia with, the star of the show, Mirabel. Sure to be a bestseller this year now that the film's had a year to build its fanbase, this is a top pick for pretend play.
Age 8+
If you want to be the cool aunt or uncle, this is the Nerf product to get them. Over half a meter in length and, as always, filled with safe and lightweight foam darts, kids will have a blast - literally - aiming for their siblings and friends. Plus, it'll keep gamer boys and girls away from the screens…
Save money on children's gifts from parents, relatives and Santa with these John Lewis discounts
Age 3+
Designed to be used without the need for adult intervention, Tonieboxes allow kids to pop on their own ‘tonie’ figure - each with a different purpose, be it a Peppa Pig audiobook or a Lion King singalong - squeeze one of the grey ears and tune into their favourite story, song or even recording from their parents.
Age 8+
Minecraft isn't a new phenomenon, but it's ever popular in 2022 just as it was in 2011 when it launched. With a new crossbow style, this Nerf darts toy is perhaps for older kids compared to the brand's traditional foam dart blaster, but still keeps that childlike playfulness around before they start asking you for an actual darts board to keep up appearances around their pals.
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Age 3+
Whether the little one in your life uses a wheelchair or you simply want to introduce them to differently abled men and women (you can buy a Ken version, too), this Barbie gift set, complete with a wheelchair ramp is a really sweet and inclusive gift.
Age 3+
Cocomelon is the Netflix musical sensation that's practically the new Wiggles, so what better a way to include them in your kids' stocking stuffers than with these decorated headphones.
Age 3+
The perfect gift for your Paw Patrol obsessed niece, nephew, son or daughter, this Rubble rescue truck transforms into a command centre for 2-in-1 fun for less than £20.
Save money Children's gifts for the holiday season with these Amazon discounts
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Age 3+
Available in multiple genders and skin tones, this classic Baby Born magic doll can be fed like a real baby (and, err, poos on his/her own potty, too) and is one of the best Christmas gifts for children with a penchant for looking after their siblings or other babies in their lives.
Ages 2-8
A retro Christmas jumper on your littlest family members is a great way to recreate those grainy family videos from your childhood - now all you'll need is some vintage foil decorations to hang on your ceiling and you'll have a 90s VHS in no time.
Save money on everything from stocking fillers to gift cards by using these shopDisney discounts
Age 6+
If your kids love a bit of role play with their make believe toys, then this three character LEGO baking competition kit will give them plenty of opportunity to get into different characters as they build their cooking stations and begin the imaginary bakes.
Save money on construction toys, toy advent calendars and more with these LEGO discounts
Age 3+
Ice cream play toys will forever be trending picks for us. This one is a gorgeous little wheeled cart and a wooden toy, too, for parents and family members trying to minimise their plastic consumption.
Save money on gifts for new babies and personalised gifts (this can be personalised ^) with these JoJo Maman Bebe discounts
Age 0+
Sophie ‘La Girafe’ is the teething miracle toy that new parents, if they don't know about her, need to introduce into their little one's life, and this gift hamper is too cute to pass up.
Ages newborn - 3 years
Are these reindeer leggings not the cutest piece of clothing you've ever seen? Do they make them for adults?
Ages 1-6
If you or your friends/family have multiple kids under six, then you need to get them this one-size-fits-all adjustable scooter from Micro Scooters. Light up wheels and handlebars, a push bar for tiny tots - it really does it all!
Age 3+
Supermarket toys and play kitchens for toddlers are not only educational, teaching them about the names of different foods and cooking items, but they serve as a great beginner toy for children only just getting into imaginative play, too.
Age 4+
For tots that are huge fans of all things T-Rexes, Velociraptors and Diplodocuses, then this electric rex Jurassic World toy, complete with roaring sounds and a whipping tail, will be the interactive toy they've been hankering after.
Save money on everything from laundry pegs to Apple products with these Argos discounts
Age 6+
Sing songs on Christmas Day - be it the latest Britney song or, more recently, Watermelon Sugar by Mr Styles (our nieces and nephews are obsessed) - are an age old tradition so keep it going for years to come with these L.O.L. Surprise! Dolls bluetooth karaoke machine.
Age 3+
A top gift whether you're children have special educational needs or not, parents of children with ADHD commented that marble runs worked as excellent anxiety relievers for their kids and, SEN and neurotypical differences aside, Paw Patrol toys are always a big hit.
Save money on eco-friendly wooden toys and STEM toys with these John Lewis discounts
Gifts for the child who has everything
Age newborn+
Be it because they're scared of the dark or they simply struggle to self soothe when getting to sleep, a night light will help a whole lot and this one, with its adorable baby-safe whale outer, is suitable from birth.
Age 8+
If craft kits are the star of their lists to Santa then this charm bracelet holiday gift will be sure to impress with all manner of gemstones included, such as lapis lazuli.
Age 3+
Covered in dinos and from adult trekking brand CamelBak, this no-tip-required straw water bottle is sure to jazz up your kids' lunch boxes and is a great gift for everyone from 4-year-olds to 6-year-olds.
Age 6+
If their annual haul of Christmas toys is in need of some building and construction-based picks, this K'nex multi-design kit will keep them busy from the big day right through to the New Year.
Age 5+
A top pick for 5-year-olds, this LeapFrog globe will tell them languages, animals and more across the globe with up to five hours of fun educational videos to watch. Definitely not one to overlook in the John Lewis kids' Christmas shop…
Save money on educational toys with these John Lewis discounts
Age 10+
Based on the idea that all the kids playing are trying to successfully complete their own Disney Villain's evil scheme (some of which will have conflicting agendas), Villainous is a board game not unlike CBBC's trapped and will keep 10-year-olds and older kids happy come the post-Xmas dinner slump.
Age 8+
With over 7,000 testimonials from buyers who purchased this at Amazon, the LEGO Star Wars Imperial TIE Fighter Toy has a stormtrooper, lightsaber and over 400 pieces to get stuck in with.
Save money on everything from secret Santa gifts to ‘main present’ purchases with these Amazon discounts
Ages newborn to 24 months
In a gorgeous sweatshirt cotton and elastane fabric, this Peter Rabbit dungaree set from Joules is not only cute as can be, but comes with the striped bodysuit, too, with an easily manoeuvrable envelope neckline.
Save money on baby presents from our gift guide by using these Joules discounts
Age 2+
A great bath toy to give your 2-year-old's motor skills a last minute boost before bedtime, this pick from JoJo Maman Bebe is a 2-in-1 toy, with the little octopus, fish and other fishing objects doubling as bath squirts.
Age 2 months+
If your children often experience sensory overload or struggle to concentrate, these fidget pop-it toys - which are adorably seasonal - will help them to de-stress and stay focused.
Ages 1-3 years
If you're familiar with Julia Donaldson's The Gruffalo then you'll be just as excited as we are to introduce your tots to Mole's Spectacles, which, as part of the Tales from Acorn Wood series of storybooks, was only released earlier this year.
If they love watching their favourite shows, like Puffin Rock and Bluey, but you're not entirely comfortable with the idea of leaving them unsupervised with your glass-screened iPad, then this sweet butterfly case, which promises to be 'kid-proof', will be just the ticket.
Age 6 months+
Fisher-Price early years toys are your bread and butter when it comes to baby gifts. Not only will this sorting box help with their motor skills, but the different colours and shapes are excellent for sensory play, too.
Save money on everything from arts & crafts to bath time toys with these Amazon discounts
Age 6+
Complete with glitter and sequins to fill their stickers with, this craft kit will be a great choice for scrapbooking kids and kids who love to draw - what better a way to upgrade their existing pieces?
Ages 3-12 years
Yes Hot Wheels are cool, but have you given them a remote control stunt car that drives up the wall, on the ceiling, can rotate 360 degrees and even has in-built car lights for extra va va voom?
Age 3+
If all things Iron Man, Captain America and The Hulk are their bag then this superhero Marvel memory card game will be sure to be a hit with kids and toddlers this Christmas.
Ages 7-9 years
Be it for TikToks or to take cute snaps with their friends, this Studio Creator ring light kit will have them creating top tier content for all their social media channels, even if you've just got it set to private or with the comments deactivated (like Kim + North!).
Age 18 months+
A wonderful educational toy with sounds, phrases, letters and numbers for little ones to learn (and keep them entertained), the Vtech Playtime Bus has over 6k testimonials and a five-star overall rating. 'Nough said.
If they're watching and learning about the world cup, then teaching them about the last time England one - in 1966 - couldn't be better done than with this vintage-style football from 1966. A perfect gift for their Christmas stocking, if it fits! Plus, we're fairly certain sporty dads will be all over this, too…
Save money on sporty keepsakes, football, cricket and a myriad of other sport starter sets and more with these Sports Direct discounts
After more of the best Christmas gifts? Checkout the best Christmas gifts for her, the best Christmas gifts for dads, the best Cheap Christmas gifts (that won't look cheap), the best Christmas hampers, the best Christmas crackers, the best Christmas gifts for in-laws and the best Christmas gifts for long distance couples.
