- Christmas toys by age
- Babies: simple and sensory
- Toddlers: push, pull, stack and copy
- Preschoolers: imagination takes over
- Early school age: making and playing by the rules
- Older kids: skills and independence
- Toys that get played with for longer
- Safety checks before you wrap
- Toys for siblings and shared play
- Eco-friendly and second-hand options
- How many presents is enough?
- Gifts that aren't toys
- Shopping without the stress
- Frequently asked questions
The best Christmas toys match a child's age and interests. Sensory toys suit babies, push-along and building toys suit toddlers, dressing up and small world sets suit preschoolers, and construction sets, games and hobby kits suit older children. Open-ended toys like bricks and art supplies tend to get played with longest.
Choosing Christmas toys gets harder the more choice there is. Every list online seems to shout about a different must-have, and half of them are forgotten by Boxing Day. As a mum, I've found the toys that last are the ones that match where a child is developmentally and what they already love, not the ones with the loudest advert. Here's a guide by age, the types of toys that tend to get played with for months, and a few safety checks before you wrap anything.
Christmas toys by age
| Age | Toys that tend to get played with | Why they work |
|---|---|---|
| Babies (0 to 12 months) | Soft books, stacking cups, rattles, activity mats, textured balls | Babies explore through touch, sound and mouthing |
| Toddlers (1 to 3) | Shape sorters, push-along toys, chunky blocks, simple puzzles, play kitchens | They love copying adults and testing cause and effect |
| Preschool (3 to 5) | Dressing up, small world sets, building bricks, playdough, ride-ons | Imaginative play and fine motor skills take off |
| Early school age (5 to 7) | Construction sets, first board games, craft kits, scooters, simple science kits | They want challenge, rules and things to make |
| Older kids (8 to 12) | Bigger building projects, strategy games, art supplies, coding toys, sports kit | Skills, independence and playing with friends matter more |
| Teens | Hobby kit, books, experiences, music gear, room upgrades | Interests are specific, so ask or follow their lead |
Babies: simple and sensory
Babies don't need much, and they're often more interested in the wrapping than the present. Look for toys with different textures, gentle sounds and high-contrast colours, sized so they can't be swallowed. Board books, soft blocks, stacking rings and a play mat with hanging toys are all classics for good reason. Many parents ask relatives for practical things like clothes in the next size up or a contribution towards bigger items instead.
Toddlers: push, pull, stack and copy
Toddlers want to move and to do what you're doing. Push-along walkers, ride-on toys, toy kitchens, tool benches and doll's buggies let them copy everyday life. Chunky building bricks such as LEGO Duplo, shape sorters and simple wooden puzzles build hand skills. Choose sturdy toys that can survive being thrown and chewed, and check age labels carefully, because toys marked for over threes may contain small parts.
Preschoolers: imagination takes over
- Dressing up clothes and props for role play
- Small world sets such as farms, castles, dolls' houses and train tracks
- Building toys with bigger pieces, from wooden blocks to magnetic tiles
- Craft supplies: chunky crayons, playdough, stickers and child-safe scissors
- Balance bikes, scooters and outdoor toys
- Picture books they can't yet read alone but love hearing
Early school age: making and playing by the rules
Between five and seven, children start to enjoy rules, challenges and finishing things. First board games and card games are brilliant family presents, and they're a good way to practise taking turns and losing gracefully. Construction sets from brands like LEGO and Playmobil, simple science or slime kits, jewellery-making sets and first sticker encyclopaedias tend to go down well. If screen time is part of the mix, my roundup of free games for kids with no ads is a gentle place to start.
Older kids: skills and independence
From around eight, children often have strong interests, so follow them. A child who loves building might want a bigger, more detailed set. A creative child might love good-quality art supplies, a sketchbook and good pencils. Coding robots and electronics kits suit curious kids who like to know how things work. Strategy board games, sports kit and outdoor gear all encourage time away from screens. If a first phone or tablet is on the list, read my guide to the best parental control apps before you set it up.
Toys that get played with for longer
- Open-ended toys like building bricks, blocks and art supplies, which can be used in endless ways
- Toys that grow with the child, such as ride-ons that convert or sets that can be added to
- Toys connected to something they already love
- Games the whole family can play together
- Outdoor toys that get them moving
- Books, which are re-read for years
Toys tied to a single character or film can still be a big hit, especially if your child is obsessed, but the open-ended ones are usually still in use months later.
Safety checks before you wrap
- Follow the age label. It's about safety, not just ability, and often relates to small parts.
- Look for recognised safety marks, such as the CE or UKCA mark in the UK and Europe.
- Be careful with toys containing button batteries, and make sure the battery compartment is secured with a screw.
- Avoid magnets that can come loose from cheaply made toys, especially for young children.
- Buy from reputable retailers, because counterfeit toys may skip safety testing.
- Check ride-ons and scooters come with the right safety gear, like a helmet that fits.
Toys for siblings and shared play
If you've got more than one child, a shared present can be a lovely way to encourage playing together, as long as it suits both ages. A train set that both can add to, a big box of building bricks, an outdoor playhouse or a family board game all work. Give each child at least one thing that's just theirs too, so the shared gift doesn't feel like a consolation. For a big age gap, look for toys with different levels of challenge, like construction sets with simple and advanced builds.
Eco-friendly and second-hand options
- Wooden toys tend to last for years and can be passed down to younger siblings or cousins.
- Good-quality second-hand toys from local selling groups or charity shops can be as good as new; check for all the pieces and any safety recalls.
- Toy libraries let children try toys before they commit, and some lend for special occasions.
- Look for toys with less plastic packaging, which also means less to clear up on Christmas morning.
- Have a sort out before Christmas and donate toys your children have outgrown. Many kids enjoy choosing what to pass on.
How many presents is enough?
There's no right number, and every family finds its own balance. Some parents like the four-gift rule: something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read. Others set a limit per child or focus on one main present and a few small ones. Whatever you choose, spreading things out helps. An advent calendar with small treats builds excitement through December, and saving a few presents for after Christmas Day stops the overload.
Gifts that aren't toys
- Days out: a zoo, a farm park, a show or a trip to see the Christmas lights
- Classes or clubs: swimming, dance, football or art
- A magazine or book subscription
- Something for their room: a reading lamp, a bean bag or new bedding
- Time: a voucher for a cinema night or baking day with you
Experiences often become the memories children talk about for years, and they can sit beautifully alongside your own family Christmas traditions.
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Shopping without the stress
- Ask early. Children's lists change, so ask in early November and again in December.
- Make a simple list for each child, with ideas for relatives too.
- Buy early for anything popular, as stock can run low close to Christmas.
- Keep receipts and gift receipts together in one place.
- Check you have the right batteries before Christmas morning.
- Hide and label everything, so nothing goes missing on Christmas Eve.
If you're a parent, teacher or child development expert with gift ideas families would find useful, have a look at writing for parents on this site.
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Frequently asked questions
What are good Christmas toys for toddlers?
Push-along toys, chunky building bricks, shape sorters, toy kitchens, simple puzzles and ride-ons are classic choices that toddlers play with for months.
What toys do five year olds like for Christmas?
Construction sets, first board games, craft kits, dressing up, scooters and simple science kits tend to go down well with five year olds.
How do I choose a toy that lasts?
Pick open-ended toys like bricks and art supplies, toys linked to an existing interest, or toys that grow with your child.
Are age labels on toys important?
Yes. Age labels are about safety as well as ability, especially small parts that can be a choking risk for under threes.
What is the four gift rule?
It's a simple way to limit presents: something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read.
