Deck the halls with something other than toys this Christmas! There are so many non-toy Christmas gifts for kids that will still fill your home with the holiday spirit, but not leave your home in utter dismay and clutter after everyone leaves.
If you’re still on the fence about a 100% toy-free Christmas this year, consider cutting back on toys or only having toys come from other family members. Using one of these tactics along with a decluttering session right before the holidays ensures you still have the same amount of “stuff” in your home after Christmas. It’s a win-win for the parents and the kids!
Sometimes the best gifts are not “things” at all!
We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.
Do Your Kids Already Have too Many Toys?
The traditional Christmas morning is all about opening gifts. But if your kids already have too many toys, then you might be looking for the best non-toy Christmas gift ideas.
The best non-toy Christmas gifts are those that can be used to create something: a puzzle, an art project, a game. What’s more, these types of presents allow the child to use their imagination and creativity while giving them hours of fun and entertainment.
Use the Santa Bag Trick & Declutter the Week Before Christmas
The week before Christmas, have each child fill up a bag with toys they’d like to donate to other kids in need. Let them know that you will place the bag under the Christmas tree and Santa will drop off those toys to be donated and make room for some new items.
This way, your home isn’t filled with extra, but toys are actually just replaced.
Replace Items Someone Needs
Another trick to ensure you aren’t cluttering your home with Christmas gifts you don’t need is to find an item that your kids need to replace. Maybe they have an old pair of shoes and they want a new pair; get rid of the old pair and replace them with a new one!
If you find older items to “trade” you aren’t bringing more items into your home that you don’t have the space for. Use the Santa Bag trick above with this concept and you’ll be setting yourself and your home up for success without a cluttered home after the holidays!
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The BEST Non-Toy Christmas Gifts for Kids (2021 Edition)
Cooking eCourse for Kids
How unique is this gift for kids?
If you have kids who are interested in cooking or you simply want a creative way to spend some quality time with your kids, this online cooking course is such an awesome non-toy gift idea!
The Kids Cook Real Food eCourse was designed by Katie Kimball, a mom of 4 who saw the value in teaching her little ones to cook early on. She shares the methods that worked for her family in this well-organized eCourse. The videos are also high-quality and are very interactive.
Whether your kiddo has no experience at all in the kitchen or is a bit more advanced, there’s something for every level! They even have a 60-day Happiness Guarantee right now just in time for the holidays!
Your kids are going to love learning how to help out in the kitchen, eat and prepare healthy meals, and learn lifelong cooking skills!
Swingly Doorway Playhouse
I stumbled upon this company, Swingly Toys about a year ago and when I saw the concept, I was blown away. My minimalistic-ish mom heart lit up inside and I knew this was a genius gift that not only saves on space but encourages kid’s imagination in a way they’ve never experienced before.
The company is still in startup mode, but if you hurry, they have some great deals you can snag before the holiday season with promises of their first-ever run of products delivered in time for Christmas! I am so excited, I already snagged the Bakery one for my daughter!
Movie Tickets
Who doesn’t love getting movie tickets for a trip to the theater? Plan on going to the opening night of a new movie your kid was looking forward to.
Theme Park Tickets
What better way to spend time together as a family than to buy a season pass to a local(ish) theme park. What I wouldn’t give to have a season pass to Disneyland every year!
Crafts
Any kid who loves craft time will get a kick out of some craft sets picked out just for them! Check out this amazing subscription Craft Box made by a mom for other busy moms who still want to connect with their kids through one on one time together! Use code CRAFT21 to get 15% off your first box!
A Snow Globe
My daughter and I started a new tradition a few years back where we pick out a new snow globe together each year. I’m sure we’ll need to stop once our collection grows, but it’s a fun tradition and she really enjoys being involved with how our home is decorated for the holidays.
A Family Trip
Find out what your kids would love to do together as a family and surprise them with the trip on Christmas morning! Family trips are always popular non-toy Christmas gifts for kids.
Tickets to the Zoo or Animal Sanctuary
My kids love seeing animals and learning more about them. If you have a nearby animal sanctuary they can spend time learning about all the animals and learn about how they were rescued.
A New Set of Books
If you want to get a gift for your child that is not a toy, one idea would be to purchase them an entire set of books. This will give the child plenty more reading material and can even offer some lessons in diversity or different cultures. There are so many book set options making it easy to pick the perfect one for your little book lover!
A Subscription Box
Depending on what your kid is interested in, there are so many subscription boxes now and you can pre-pay (sometimes at a discounted rate) for an entire year. It’s a gift they can look forward to in the future too.
Make sure to order the first box in time for Christmas so they can see what it’s all about that morning!
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Water Park Tickets
What better way to spend time together as a family than to buy a season pass to a local(ish) water park. What I wouldn’t give to have this every summer as a kid!
Sports Tickets
Christmas is almost here! And while kids are always excited to open up their presents, they may be even more excited about the event that comes after. What event?
The game of course! For some sports enthusiasts, a ticket to the big game could make for an excellent non-toy Christmas gift idea. Sports tickets work well as a kid’s Christmas present because it is something they can enjoy with their family and friends. Whether you’re looking for tickets to watch your favorite team play or you want to go see one of the many college bowl games in person, there’s sure to be something on offer for everyone!
Enroll Them in Sports/Lessons
Is there a sport or lesson your kid has been dying to try? Gymnastics, baseball, basketball, soccer, dance, singing?
Enroll them in a trial period so you can make sure they like it, but surprise them with their enrollment!
A New Journal
Journaling is a great way to build emotional intelligence. This 3 minute Gratitude Journal is an awesome way to get your kids into journaling early on. The price is great too!
Research shows that regular journaling can help people manage their emotions, sleep better, and have more fulfilling relationships.
A Coupon Book
You’d be surprised how many kids love coupon books! You can make a personalized/handmade coupon book with their favorite things. Add in things like, “skip chores for the night” or “dessert before dinner” for extra fun!
An Ice Cream Trip
Kids love getting to go ice cream shops so this is a great Christmas present for kids. This is a great non-toy Christmas gift for kids that you will most likely not regret giving!
Piggy Bank with Money in it
What kid doesn’t love seeing their savings grow? By gifting them a piggy bank with money in it, they can save up for something they really want or they can invest it to watch it grow!
I really like the clear banks so the kids can see the money grow!
A New Savings Account
A new savings account is a great non-toy Christmas gift. It’s the perfect way to teach children about the value of money and saving for their future. A new bank account will also teach them about responsibility and accountability, as they learn how to budget their allowance or other income that comes in each week.
A savings account can be opened with any bank or credit union–it doesn’t have to be at a financial institution where you already have an existing checking account. To open your child’s first savings account, visit your local branch together and fill out some paperwork (a parent must sign). Your child will need his or her social security number–most banks require this information when opening an account for anyone under 18 years old.
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A Kid Entrepreneur Starter Book
I absolutely love this idea! This is a great option for any kid who has shown interest in entrepreneurship. This is for the kids who have asked questions about how to make money, how to sell things, kids who are interested in making lemonade stands to earn money, etc.
I truly believe teaching your kids when they are young and show interest in things like this will only help them in the long run!
A Butterfly Kit
We purchased this butterfly kit during the pandemic and it was a great non-toy gift that got them involved and interested in learning!
My kids were so excited about this activity and would check on their butterflies every day.
Seeds to Start a Garden
If your child is at all interested in gardening, flowers, etc., put some seeds in their stocking as stocking stuffers so they can start their own garden!
Add a variety of flowers and even some fruits and veggies!
A Family Photo Book
My sister made her kids and my daughter a little photo album of all the cousins and my daughter is obsessed with hers! She literally looks at it before bed each night.
This may seem like an odd non-toy gift idea for kids, but it’s a good keepsake and something they will value for a long time.
Membership to a Local Museum
We recently got season passes to the Exploratorium in San Francisco, CA and I wish we would have gotten them sooner!
It’s a great reason for us to go to the city and it is a fun and educational place for the kids to let their imaginations run wild!
Tickets to See a Broadway Show
If your child is into any kind of music or shows, then tickets for a Broadway show would be the perfect gift for the holiday season!
You can make a whole day of it and take your kiddo to the show, dinner, and dessert! They will have a blast!
Clothing & Accessories
Yes, clothing items and accessories are things, but the kids are going to need them anyway so if they are excited about a certain brand or accessory, save those items for Christmas gifts!
New Shoes
What kid doesn’t want new shoes for Christmas?! I used to go crazy over getting a brand new pair of shoes. Not all kids will find shoes to be the best Christmas gift, but this is a great gift to give to all those shoe lovers!
A New Bike
If you have an outdoor kid or one who loves bikes (or both!), then this might be the perfect gift for them! Bikes come in all shapes and sizes now, so there is something out there for everyone. A new bike would be a great way to let them explore their adventurous side as well.
Mini-Golf Day
Little ones love going out to the mini-golf course! There’s a ton to do at those places and it’s not something you get to do every day. Surprise them with a day at mini-golf with the family!
Pizza Party/Sleepover Night with Friends
Plan a night where all the kids can have their friends over for a pizza party and sleepover!
This is a perfect Christmas gift for any kid who loves hanging with their friends!
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If You’re Brave…a YES Day!
I mean, even the teenagers will get on board with this idea, but the parents have to be brave!
Pick a day with your kids where you have to say “Yes!” to everything they want. You can set ground rules (like how far you can travel, no piercings/tattoos (hah), etc.), but for the most part, you say yes to everything they want! Good luck!
Their Own Kitchen Tools/Apron
If you have a little foodie on your hands, then new kitchen tools or a baking gadget may be just the thing they go crazy for at Christmas time!
Food gifts are always a hit especially if it involves a love they have for cooking and/or baking!
A Trip to a Pottery Shop
What kid doesn’t want to visit a pottery shop for Christmas?
A trip to the pottery shop would be an awesome non-toy present that is different than all of the other stuff kids typically get! It teaches them about creativity, and they can make their own piece of art which is something they will treasure for years to come. Kids love being creative and making new things with their hands, so this is a great idea if you’re looking for some unique non-toy gift ideas.
A Nature Hike
Maybe it’s time away as a family or maybe it’s just because they’re kids and anything outside is a good time. Whatever the reason, children are drawn to nature- so why not make that your non-toy Christmas gift for them? A day hike on a mountain trail might be enough to thrill their little hearts.
A Personalized Book
Handmade gifts are always a plus when they can be personalized! We got this book from my sister when my daughter was born and it was the coolest thing. She still loves her book to this day!
A New Puzzle
Older kids might not find a new puzzle to be the perfect non-toy Christmas gift, but it’s a great option to give to younger children who enjoy doing puzzles with the family!
Make it a family Christmas tradition like my friend and buy a new puzzle for every holiday season that is done together on Christmas day!
New Room Decor
New room decor may be boring for some of the younger kids but can be a great holiday gift for the older crowd.
New decor or a room makeover is definitely a unique gift for a kid who is excited about getting a new room and being involved in the process!
A Sleeping Bag
Get your kid a new sleeping bag, pajamas, and slippers for the sleepover with their friends you threw in as a gift too! This is a great option if your family camps a lot or they do sleepovers often!
A New Toy Box
Put a new toy box under the tree this year! I know toy boxes can help hide the mess in your kid’s room, but also be a fun piece in their room as well! Get something you know they’ll be excited about!
A Bedroom Makeover
We talked about new room decor, but why not promise them a whole room makeover???
Get them involved from start to finish. Let them pick out the paint, wall hangings, bookshelves, bedding, etc. They will be so excited to see their vision come to life!
Bathtub Paint/Crayons
These are such cool gifts for toddlers and even younger! My kids always expect these as stocking-stuffers each year and look forward to them.
You can grab these from the Target Dollar section and they are always a huge hit! They always rotate colors too which is fun!
Paint Set
A new paint set will provide hours of fun as they create their own masterpieces. It’s also an excellent option if you’re looking for alternative Christmas gifts that don’t end up as a throw away gift a couple of months later. They’ll enjoy painting all day long with this awesome set of paints!
A New Play Room Rug
A new playroom rug is a great non-toy Christmas gift for kids. The best part? It can also double as an activity mat if you get the right one!
This is a thoughtful and practical gift that will keep your child entertained and happy. And there are plenty of fun options to choose from to match any kid’s style!
An Instrument
What can you get the kids that are too old for toys?
A musical instrument.
Kids love to channel their inner rockstar and music is a great way to exercise their creativity while also teaching them discipline and responsibility. Plus, with an instrument in hand they will never be bored again!
Ornaments for the Tree
We have a tradition where each year we each get a new ornament from my mom. I love having ornaments that mean something on the tree rather than the store-bought matching set you usually start out with.
Ornaments can be expensive so just adding a new one per family member each year to the stockings can be a great way to build up your collection without going broke!
Sound Machine
Believe it or not, this is an amazing gift for a baby at Christmas. Sure, it is also helpful for the parents so they can actually get some sleep, but we love our sound machine and so do our kids!
This one lights up (can replace a night-light) and plays different sounds. There are a ton of options for both and our kids love picking out the lights and sounds each night before bed.
A New Watch
Some kids get so excited over a new watch. They love to be like mom and dad and even more when they are learning to tell time!
A Fishing Trip
This is a great option for a trip with either the family who loves camping and/or the outdoors or for a dad that wants to spend some time with his kids!
A Microscope/Science Kit
If you have kids who are into science at all, a microscope or science kit is the way to go for a non-toy Christmas gift. What better way for them to explore and learn. You can find a ton of options online.
A New Pet (think Fish)
Unless you’re committed to a bigger animal, let’s start easy with a fish! Fish can still be pricey; I’m just warning you!
Animals are always one of the best Christmas gifts you can get because kids just love animals! Start off small if you aren’t sure how well your kid will do with something like a dog!
Bird Feeder & Book
A bird feeder with a book on how to build it and information on birds would be great for any kid that likes spending time outside or that likes nature.
Pick a Charity to Donate
This non-toy Christmas gift is a bit more thoughtful when it comes to getting your kids involved with helping others. Make it a tradition to give the kids each $50 to donate to a charity of their choice.
Bowling Night
Make a date for family bowling night! Schedule a night to take the family out to a local bowling joint for a night of fun. Let your kids each bring along one friend!
Date Night with Mom or Dad
I love this idea! Give each kid a coupon for a date night out with mom and dad that they can redeem at any time.
This makes from some quality one on one time with each kiddo throughout the year!
Gardening Supplies
This would be one of those fun gifts for kids who love to help their parents or grandparents in the backyard. If you buy them these non-toy gifts for Christmas they may start getting into gardening even more and learn how to not kill things like me!
A Hammock
This may seem like an off-the-wall non-toy gift idea for kids, but I would have died for a hammock when I was younger. To be able to go out in the backyard during the summer and hang out reading a book or with my friends? Done. I love it!
The Best Non-Toy Christmas Gifts for Kids (2021 Edition)
Gag gifts are funny and winter-smelling candles are great, but they are not the best Christmas gifts for anyone because they’ll just end up in a drawer somewhere for months until they eventually end up in the trash.
If we start thinking more about giving Christmas presents that actually matter, we will stop filling our homes with random gifts we won’t use.
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