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The best inexpensive gift ideas for kids of all ages.
Parents don’t need to break the bank during the holidays to make their kids happy. There are so many great toys for kids that are affordable as well as fun. But it can be hard to differentiate between cheap toys and those that are cheaply made. But don’t worry we found great toys kids will love that are wallet-friendly, too.
The best cheap holiday presents don’t have to be boring. After all, some of the most popular “toys” for kids are oftentimes items you already own, like a remote control or a cardboard box. Just ask Tiffany Aufmann, whose viral TikTok videos prove that babies, especially, love regular household objects over expensive toys. So when it comes to shopping for the best toys for the holidays, be sure to give those under $20 toys a chance.
Plus, affordable toys can be fun, educational, and spark your kid’s creativity. Whether you’re looking for inexpensive gifts for boys, gifts for girls, or gifts for the kid who has everything, we found something special for everyone (and yes, there are even gifts under $10!). Check out these awesomely inexpensive Christmas gift ideas for kids below.
RELATED: Amazon’s Top 100 Toys of 2020 Are Sure to Sell Out Way Before the Holidays
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
1 of 20 Image Credits: Target
Best Christmas Gift for Kids Who Are Aspiring Cooks
Play-Doh Kitchen Creations Spinning Treats Mixer
Inexpensive Christmas gifts for kids can still provide hours of fun! This Play-Doh Kitchen Creations Spinning Treats Mixer comes with a mixer, removable bowl, two treat-shaped stamps, a decorating tool, four cans of Play-Doh and more. Recommended for ages 3 and up.
2 of 20 Image Credits: Amazon
Best Christmas Gift for Kids Who Love to Make Slime
Nickelodeon Super Slimy Set
If you need Christmas ideas for kids who are a little older, this slime kit should be your go-to. It comes with everything kids need to make a variety of slime mixtures, including white and clear slime glue, scented colorants, glow colorant, glitter, foam beads and so much more. One of the best gifts for boys and girls ages 6 and older.
3 of 20 Image Credits: Amazon
Best Christmas Gift for Kids Who Love Comic Books
Superhero Capes for Kids
These superhero costumes are one of our favorite gift ideas for kids because it’s super affordable and will provide hours of creative play. This set comes with a reversible satin cape and felt mask. It includes superheroes Iron Man, and The Hulk. Suggested for kids ages 2 to 10.
4 of 20 Image Credits: Nordstrom
Best Christmas Gift for Kids Who Are Future Artists
Viva La Vida Sketchbook Bundle
Give the little writer-meets-trendsetter you love this art set this holiday season! Frida Kahlo is splashed across the cover for endless inspiration. It also comes with a set of colored pencils.
5 of 20 Image Credits: Amazon
Best Christmas Gift for Kids Who Love Music
Pop Tone Modern Kid Comfort Headphones
Your kids will love these foldable Pop Tone Modern Kid Comfort Headphones as much as you will! They’re a great inexpensive Christmas gift idea for kids on-the-go, and their compact folding mechanism makes them easy to store in cars, backpacks and suitcases. The bright color is an added bonus because it means they’ll never get lost. Recommended for ages 5 and up.
6 of 20 Image Credits: Amazon
Best Christmas Gift for Kids who Love Science
Creativity for Kids Grow ‘n Glow Terrarium
Nurture your budding scientist with the Creativity for Kids Grow 'n Glow Terrarium set. Your kid will love this educational gift that teaches them about the life cycle of plants. The kit comes with a jar-style terrarium with star-shaped holes on top, potting mix, garden figurines, chia and wheatgrass seeds, and glow-in-the-dark stars. Ages 6 and up.
7 of 20 Image Credits: Amazon
Best Gift for Kids Who Love Old-School Games
Cardinal Wood Checkers & Tic Tac Toe
Get your kiddos hooked on a classic game with this solid wood checkers board that can reverse into a tic-tac-toe board for tons of battery-free enjoyment. The Cardinal Wood Checkers & Tic Tac Toe set also ranks among our favorite Christmas gift ideas for kids because you may even get them engaged in some friendly competition rather than the typical holiday bickering.
8 of 20 Image Credits: Amazon
Best Christmas Gift Ideas for Kids Who Are Creative
Crayola Model Magic Variety Pack
This is one of those Christmas ideas for kids that will just keep on giving! The six-color variety pack of Crayola Model Magic will keep them quiet and engaged for hours, and the dough can either be hardened into fun keepsakes or put away to be used again later.
9 of 20 Image Credits: Pottery Barn Kids
Best Christmas Gift for Kids Who Love Trains
Navy Tube Train Set
Pottery Barn’s quality Navy Tube Train Set is the perfect inexpensive Christmas gift for girls and boys. The train body is made of wood with metal wheels, and the pieces connect easily with magnets, so it will hold up for years of play. Recommended for ages 3 and up.
10 of 20 Image Credits: Amazon
Best Christmas Gift for Kids Who Love to Build
Magformers Triangle 12 Pieces Rainbow Colors
This 12-piece Magformers Magnetic Construction Set is a great Christmas present for kids who love to build and create. The triangular pieces connect instantly for easy building and hours of fun. Recommended for ages 3 and up.
11 of 20 Image Credits: Walmart
Best Christmas Gift for Kids on the Move
Cra-Z-Art Sound Moovz
This motion-activated Cra-Z-Art Sound Moovz wristband makes sound effects and plays music as your kid moves around. The electronic device uses Bluetooth pairing, allowing parents and children to select from 400 sounds on an app to help your child make unique sound combinations with every movement! Recommended for ages 8 and older.
12 of 20 Image Credits: Amazon
Best Christmas Gift for Kids Who Love to Dress Up
Yansion Princess Dress Up Party Costume Accessories Gift Set
Let your little one immerse themselves in a world of make-believe.They’ll love transforming into a princess, and the set comes in five different colors.
13 of 20 Image Credits: Uncommon Goods
Best Christmas Gift for Kids Who Have Everything
Mr. Food Face Plate
Go ahead and let your kiddos play with their food on this silly Mr. Food Face Plate! The design is inspired by the classic and much-loved Woolly Willy toys from your own childhood, except it’s on this food-safe ceramic plate and the hairstyles double as dinner. A great Christmas gift idea for ages 3 and up.
14 of 20 Image Credits: Amazon
Best Christmas Gift for Kids Who Are Crafty
8-pack Washable Dot Markers
These markers can provide tons of crafty entertainment for kids of all ages. The marker tips make large, colorful dots, which are great for younger kids who struggle to manage smaller, thinner marker tips — and they’re still a fun Christmas gift for older kids who just like to get creative. This pack of eight can even be divided among stockings! Recommended for kids 3 and older.
15 of 20 Image Credits: Amazon
Best Christmas Gift for Kids Who Love The Incredibles
Incredibles Family 5-Pack Figures
If you have a little Incredibles fan on your hands, this is a great holiday gift idea. The Incredibles Family 5-Pack Figures set includes Elastigirl, Mr. Incredible, Violet, Dash and Jack-Jack. Kids will love saving the day with these toys, which we think is one of the best Christmas gifts of 2018. Suggested for ages 3 and older.
16 of 20 Image Credits: Amazon
Best Christmas Gift for Kids Who Love Surprises
Soft ‘n Slo Blind Bag Squishies
Kids love these Soft 'n Slo Blind Bag Squishies that come in yummy-looking food and cute critter shapes. Much like an adult stress ball, these squishies can be squeezed tight before slowly expanding back to their original shape. Blind bags come with mystery contents, so each squishy inside is a fun surprise. One of the best gifts for boys and girls ages 8 and older.
17 of 20 Image Credits: Amazon
Best Christmas Gift for Kids with Something to Say
Sharper Image Cinematic Light-Up Box Letter Board
Here's a Christmas gift idea that lets your child say exactly what’s on their mind. The trendy light-up My Cinema Lightbox Letter Board features letters that can be arranged to say whatever they want, and the box lights up with a battery or outlet-powered LED-backlit display. The letterbox comes with 100 symbols and letters.
18 of 20 Image Credits: Amazon
Best Christmas Gift for Kids Who Like to Draw
Scentco Smencils Scented Pencils
Kids love smelly markers; moms, not so much. Made from recycled newspapers instead of wood, Scentco Smencils Scented Pencils come in a variety of kid-friendly scents — and they won't stain the couch. One of the best inexpensive Christmas gifts for kids who are budding artists.
19 of 20 Image Credits: Uncommon Goods
Best Christmas Gift for Kids Who Love Cartoons
Flipbook Kit
Teach your kiddos all about old-school animation with these cool, creative Flipbook Kits. The kit comes with two pre-drawn flipbooks, one blank flipbook, and markers and clips to create their moving masterpiece. Who knows, your little one might turn out to be the next Walt Disney, thanks to this fun and inexpensive Christmas gift idea for kids.
20 of 20 Image Credits: Nordstrom
Best Christmas Gift for Kids Who Love Dolla
L.OL. SurpriseJK Fashion Doll
This doll comes with four super-fashionable accessories for your budding fashion star. This is an affordable way to get in on this trendy toy.
