(Note: The links in this post are affiliate links. Read the disclosure policy here.)
The best frugal gift ideas for Kids
Shopping for gifts for kids can be tricky. While there is no shortage of ideas out there, it can be tough finding quality, engaging toys. So my goal with this gift guide was to find ideas that inspire creativity, teaches a skill, is practical or gets them up and moving!
Bonus, nearly all the frugal gift ideas for kids are $50 or less! If it’s not less than $50, it comes highly vetted by me!
Frugal Gift Ideas for Toddlers
Where’s The Bear – The Hide-and-Find Stacking Block Game
Shopping List Game – A favourite in our house!
The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game – This game is fun and great for fine motor skills.
Tissue Box Toy – what young child wouldn’t love this??
Kids Play Tent – Perfect for a quiet play space in a cozy corner.
Water Doodle Mat – Time for some mess free fun with one of these mats!
Town Playmat Rug – Popular with all kids. Hours of pretend play fun!
Play Doh Magical Oven Set – You can’t go wrong with Play-Doh! This is one of those messy activities that I allow because of the depth of play.
Assortment of Wild Animals – Still a favourite here, my youngest plays with animals all the time!
Electric Toothbrush – Who says that the best gifts can’t be practical too? I can highly recommend this toothbrush!
Earflap Hat – I am going to be so sad when my daughter finally outgrows her hat! I love that this has a built in scarf.
Counting Dinosaurs Sorting Toy Set – This looks like a great education activity for practicing a multitude of skills.
Wooden Toy Mixer/Bake set – I haven’t met one child that doesn’t like to pretend with real life toys!
24 Piece Kids Construction Tool Playset – So much fun for the builder!
Picasso tiles – These magnetic tiles are more than $50, but I highly, highly recommend them!
Doll Feeding Set – Doll accessories like these have been a huge hit in our family.
Tangram Shape Puzzle Set – These are great for practicing problem solving and fine motor skills
LCD Writing Tablet – We have a couple of these and they are always used! Great for in the car too!
Huggle Pet – This is a hoodie blanket that can be stuffed into a stuffed animal! Here is a blue puppy.
Wipe Clean Workbook – Both my daughters have loved these types of books!
Frugal Gift Ideas for Kids
Brainometry STEM Game – A fun brain booster game!
Crayola Inspiration Art Set – The artist will love carrying this around everywhere they go!
Unicorn 3D Night Light – This one is just a super cool idea. There are other animal options as well.
Lip Balm Making Kit – My daughter and I always enjoy doing kits like these together.
Stomp Rocket – These are a ton of fun!
Paint Your Own Figurines – I would have loved these when I was young!
Blank Comic Book – Let the kids make their very own comic book!
Interesting Stories for Curious Kids – Perfect for the kids that want to impress their friends at school with fascinating stories!
Listified! – A Book full of lists of interesting facts!
LEGO Classic Creative Monsters – Aww, cute little Lego monsters!
Charm Bracelet Making Kit – They will have fun creating bracelets that they can keep for themselves or give to a friend.
Clay Beads Kit – My daughter is having so much fun creating bracelets with these clay beads.
The Never Girls Book Collection #1 – Perfect for the girl who loves fairies.
A Percy Jackson and the Olympians Book – Perfect for the fantasy book fan!
The Big Fun Cookbook for Kids – Perfect for a child wanting to learn how to cook!
Kid Nylon Knife Set – For those kids that like to help in the kitchen.
LED Bike Wheel Lights – These are just so cool! And provide extra bike visibility.
Air Dry Clay – The hours of creative fun that could be had with this!
Paint by Sticker Kids – This looks like a really fun rainy day or car activity!
Lite-Brite – A classic toy sure to be loved by the whole family!
Magnetic Dart Board Set – Hours of fun, in a safe way!
LEGO Classic Creative Suitcase – LEGO is always a fantastic option!
Sumolux Winter Hat – These are ridiculously cute and warm! Available in many different styles.
Bath Bombs with Surprises Inside – These look like a ton of bath fun.
Classic Kids Card Games – I love this card game pack that includes 6 popular games.
Outdoor Explorer Kit – Make being outdoors even more fun!
Frugal Gifts Ideas for Kids that are $10 or Less
Color Changing Hot Chocolate – A must for every stocking!
Melissa & Doug Reusable Sticker Pad – These have been hours of fun in our house.
Hidden Pictures Discovery Activity Zone – This has been really fun for my oldest daughter to do when we’re driving in the car.
Sketch Book – I think every child needs a book with blank pages for doodling and drawing!
Paint your Own Stepping Stone – Perfect for the little artist that would love painting something besides rocks.
Water Wow Reusable Activity Book – Another favorite in our household. There are so many different themes too!
Lip Smackers Frappe Cup Lip Balm – It really doesn’t matter what kind of lip balm, but my daughters love to get a lip balm.
Baby Toddler Sunglasses – A very useful, practical gift. 🙂
Hot Wheels 5 Car Pack – A great gift idea for any Hot Wheels fan!
Slinky – Everyone loves a Slinky!
Flashlight – Every kid needs a flashlight for fort building, camping and exploring.
Japanese Food Eraser Set – These are really cute and fun. Can also be taken apart and reassembled like a puzzle.
Play-Doh – This always keeps my girls entertained and creative for quite some time!
Stickers – I don’t know one child that wouldn’t love a whole bunch of stickers.
Little ABC Coloring Book – Really, any kind of coloring book is great fun.
The 3 Minute Gratitude Journal – Gift giving seasons are a great time to cultivate an attitude of gratitude.
Spy Glasses – Perfect for the little detective!
Big Magnifying Glass – I remember using the magnifying glass my parents had all the time outside!
Felt Friends Craft Activity Kit – This looks like a lot of fun!
Guess Who Travel Card Game – Perfect for road trips.
Paper Airplane Book – My daughter was gifted this book and has had a lot of fun creating all sorts of different paper airplanes!
Sea Life Mazes – Mazes are always a hit!
Glow in the Dark Perler Beads – Perler beads that glow in the dark? I’m not a kid, but I want some!
I Spy Animals – This could be hours of fun!
I’d love to know some of your no-fail gift ideas. Let us know in the comments below!