100 gifts that are (almost) always a hit with kids

I’m not a recreational shopper typically, but I enjoy choosing gifts from my loved ones that they will enjoy. It’s a chance to think about them more deeply and a reminder to pay attention to what brings them pleasure. For kids, especially if you live far from them, this can be hard. Here is my go-to list for fun presents to send to kids. Of course, it’s best if you select what the children in your life have shown you that they love, and you should know that the adults who spend time with them will appreciate it too; no one wants to give a gift that will feel like a burden. Here are our ideas, and we’d love to hear yours!

1. construction paper
2. scissors with funky edges 
3. glue sticks of different colors
4. scented crayons or markers
5. high-end colored pencils
6. art pencils and a high quality eraser
7. gel pens or Sharpies
8. an art easel
9. sketch books of various sizes
10. a satchel for carrying art supplies
11. cannisters for art supplies
12. an electric pencil sharpener
13. a high quality journal
14. a journal with a lock and key
15. a coin counting piggy bank
16. a ceramic bank of a favorite animal
17. a small safe
18. a lockbox with a key
19. a fireproof envelope for special documents
20. a photo album with pictures of them
21. a time capsule for them to make
22. a time capsule with things about them inside
23. fuzzy socks
24. funny socks
25. new mittens with clips to hang them on their coat
26. gloves that can work with a touch screen
27. long johns or footie pajamas
28. a body pillow or a boyfriend pillow
29. a bean bag chair 
30. a book lamp
31. a handcrank flashlight
32. a handcrank radio
33. a water bottle, mug, thermos, or travel mug
34. fruit leather
35. dehydrated strawberries or raspberries
36. kumquats
37. cheddar cheese or caramel popcorn
38. snack food from another country
39. movie theater sized boxes of candy
40. walkie talkies
41. a tent
42. a hammock
43. a canteen
44. a sleeping bag
45. a humidifier that uses essential oils, plus some oils
46. nail polish
47. Working Hands hand cream
48. mud masks
49. lip gloss
50. lip balm
51. shaving supplies
52. a roll of quarters to use in vending machines
53. a monogrammed apron 
54. a kid-sized suitcase
55. a wallet
56. a purse
57. a magazine subscription
58. fancy stationary
59. post card stamps
60. hard-to-find candies or sodas
61. vegan beef jerky
62. an age-appropriate cookbook
63. an address book filled out with addresses you know they will want
64. a perpetual calendar where they can write birthdays of friends
65. a pop socket
66. a magnetic phone mount (for those old enough to drive)
67. a power bank
68. a very fancy bookmark
69. Stretch Armstrong and his dog Fetch Armstrong
70. the book that won this year’s Caldecott, Newberry, Coretta Scott King, Batchelder (for foreign language book translated into English), Geisel Medal, Belpre Medal, Odyssey, Hornbook, Ezra Jack Keats, Charlotte Zolotow, or Hornbook awards
71. a pop-up tunnel for use inside
72. a swing
73. a “flexible flyer” style sled
74. a red runner sled
75. a toboggan 
76. a snow tube sled
77. a record player with records
78. the board game that won this year’s Game of the Year
79. retro games for their current game system
80. Rubik’s cube
81. Dutch Blitz
82. Parcheesi or another classic game they don’t have
83. Uno or, if they already have it, Skip Bo or Duo
84. a small electric blanket
85. a water bottle or rice bag that you heat and put in your bed
86. new sheets with their favorite characters on them
87. a houseplant
88. a birdhouse, bird feeder with food or a suet feeder, or bird bath
89. a bat house
90. a new soccer or basketball with air pump, if they don’t already have one
91. a yoga ball or a yoga mat
92. a fun night light
93. an alarm clock
94. a new percussion instrument, like jingle bells or claves or a woodblock or hand drums
95. unusual teas and a tea strainer
96. spice mixes for popcorn
97. a pocketknife, Swiss army knife, or leatherman
98. a microscope
99. a telescope
100. binoculars