Welcome to our listing of the year’s most creative and inspring children’s gifts. You’ll discover items to hugpuzzles to solve, areas to create art, prints to inspire imagination, superior areas for tea parties, horses to stone on, kits for appreciating crafts, paintings, and stamp art, and much more. Ironically, a few may have experienced a design-loving parent in mind. Why not expose your child to great design as soon as possible, with bits they’ll hang on for lifetime?
We would love your great gift finds! Insert a link to your best idea for the best children’s gift in the remarks section and tell us why you love it. The Houzz manhood with the majority of creative idea wins a $50 gift card to Pottery Barn Kids.
Modern Kids Chairs – $290
This elephant was originally made in plywood by Charles Eames and Ray Eames in 1945, and now Vitra has produced the truly kid-friendly version in plastic. Available in a range of colours, it is a fun object your kiddo will climb all over while the adults can enjoy owning a bit of Eames. Win-Win.
Dyed polypropylene, matte surface finish
Acceptable for indoor or outdoor usage
31″ L 13.75″ W x 16.5″ H
$290
Cocoon Couture
Mini Monkey Bean Bags by Cocoon Couture – AUD 99.95
This little monkey bean bag is a comfy seat for your little monkey. They also make them for your little owl, your little elephant, your little whale, and much more in a variety of bright colours. They are all so adorable it’s difficult to choose!
60cm around at base x 85cm large
$99.95 per
West Elm
M.E.Y.K. Artist Kits | west elm – $29.99
Your child will find the combined media artist inside for this comprehensive art kit. I suggest picking up a few extra canvases to cooperate with this.
Kit comprises 8 non-toxic paint colours, 14 reusable stencils, two brushes, 1 stencil sponge, glitter, glue, chisel tip marker, and 1 stretched canvas.
12″ W x 1.5″ D x 12″ H
$29.99
modernetc.com
Let’s Rock Poster – $69
Houzz team member Adi says,”Last yearwe snagged the’Let’s Rock’ wall art design for our children’ bedroom. Kids love it because it is not overly baby-ish. Their parents enjoy it because it works well with the area’s modern decor. Overall, a great gift if you have to satisfy parents and kids alike.”
12″ x 12″
18″ x 18″
24″ x 24″
36″ x 36″
From $69
A+R
Giant Animal Chalkboard Wall Stickers Product Detail – $76
This preppie subway is a chalkboard decal which can be applied to any wall without leaving a mess behind. Additionally, it comes in an elk shape.
Whale: 36″ W x 23.5″ H
$76
CB2
CB2 – Cityscape Stamps (Set of 5) – $24.95
Crafty friends and architecture fans will have fun putting their stamp on items with this fun set from CB2. Oh yeah, and children will love them too!
Natural rubber stamps on reclaimed wood cubes
Set of five stamps, one of every design
1.25″-1.5″ W x 2″ D x.75″-2″H
$24.95
funagain.com
LEGO: Architecture: Fallingwater – $88.99
There are more than 800 pieces in this great LEGO version for ages 8 and up. After this version of Frank Lloyd Wright’s most famous assembled work is completed, nobody may wish to take it apart. I understand most 8 year olds usually want the LEGO airplanes and such, but perhaps this will bring out a new interest to get a budding builder.
$88.99
Anthropologie
Penguin Classics for Children – $16.99
Houzz team member Lily says,”All these cloth-bound books would make a gorgeous addition to any child’s library. I can see one or two of them becoming valued heirlooms handed down for generations to come”
$16.99 each
UncommonGoods
CHUNKY CHALK from UncommonGoods – $15
Whether you’ve jumped on the chalkboard wall paint tendency or have a sidewalk in desperate need of a hopscotch court, these enormous colorful chunks of chalk will bring out your child’s inner Matisse.
Four Colors
Non-Toxic
4.25″ L x 1.75″ diam.
Ages 4 and up
$15
MUJI USA
MUJI 3-D Elephant Puzzle – $12.50
This fun puzzle is a perfect green gift (made from recycled paper) for puzzle and elephant lovers of all ages. When you are done, you can put it away to fasten together another day, or maintain in on a shelf as a sculpture.
Acceptable for ages 3 and upwards
$12.50
dawnpricebaby.com
Elegant Baby Ceramic Polka Dot Piggy Bank – $29
“This orange ceramic pig bank is adorable,” says Houzz team member Adi. “it is a great gift for teaching young children about economies while adding some color to their room”
Ceramic
$29 (prices change; additional colours available)
Etsy
Little Sapling Toys – $35
Whenever I want to discover homemade gifts I hit up Poppytalk Handmade’s carefully curated tips. These maple bowling pins are fun to play with and will keep parents that have an aversion to plastic toys happy, as they make a gorgeous home accessory.
Sanded satin smooth along with a mild regional beeswax and organic jojoba oil finish enhances the natural beauty of the timber. A tiny engraved emblem is found on one of those pins.
Ten maple pin profile cubes (6″ H by 2″ W)
Two 2″ hardwood chunks
$35
Fred Flare
Mini Foosball Table – $36
This mini foosball table packs in all the fun of routine Foosball minus the hefty price tag or space requirement.
Every game includes detailed little gamers, two soccer balls, two separate scoreboards and a wood grain finish.
Assembly required
20″ x 12″ x 4″
$36
Melissa & Doug
Melissa & Doug Painted Wood Puzzle Case – $39.99
This colorful storage box will keep 9″x12″ puzzles in the ideal place. Make sure you throw in a new puzzle to go with this.
10.5″ x 9.5″ x 14″
$39.99
A+R
Organic Felt Animals – $80
These handmade creatures were originally made by Iris Savir to cheer up children who were having a hard time. They are unique enough to leave out all the time as a decoration, and totally play friendly.
Organic felt, cable, cotton
Zebra 9.8″ W x 7.9″ H
Elephant 13.8″ W x 13.8″ H Rhino 13.8″ W x 9.8″ H
Giraffe 9.8″ W x 15.7″ H
$80
MoMA Store
MoMA Store – Girard Alphabet Blocks – $120
All these are blocks a modern mother won’t mind seeing on the ground. Featuring Alexander Girard’s font and designs, these cheerful blocks are a place to keep for life.
Made of locally grown sustainable bass timber and printed using non-toxic inks
For ages 3 and upwards
Made in the USA
Blocks: 1.75″ cube
Kit: 2.5″ H x 14″ W x 9″ D
$120
Modernseed
Offi Classic Baltic Rocking Horse – $149
This wooden rocking horse has stood the test of time–it has been in production for more than 50 years. Thus, it is going to be passed to your child’s children, and their children after that.
Birch ply, painted face
12″ D x 34″ W x 18″ H
Seat: 9″ H
$149
L.L. Bean
L.L.Bean Yahtzee – $16.95
I admit that I don’t have any memory of how to play Yahtzee. I just remember it being a blast, and loving having the ability to shout out”YAHTZEE!” Great for ages 8 and up, this kit from L.L. Bean is compact enough to carry along on excursions.
Comes with a pair of five dice, a score pad and pencils, directions and a canvas-covered dice cup which doubles as a storage container when the game pieces are not in use.
51/2″ H x 3″ diam.
$16.95
Modernseed
P’kolino Chalkboard Storage Bench – $69
This little storage bench also acts as a desk and and a chalk table (the top is really a chalkboard). It’s easy to roll it from place to place and easy to wipe clean.
P’kolino Nesting Birds not Contained
Fiber Board
2 to 6 years
21″ L x 13″ W x 12″ H
$69
Modernseed
Offi Chalkboard Table – $499
Who needs paper, paper, markers and stickers when the table top is a chalkboard? This stylish kids’ table will provide hours of pleasure, and its top will change on a daily basis with your child’s art proudly displayed on top!
Black vinyl with molded plywood thighs
D30″ H18″
$499
Blick
Alex My Crafty Kit – BLICK art materials – $22.99
I was watching a episode of Modern Family where the only craft that the mom could come up with for her child’s birthday party was beaded comb sheaths. If you’re also craft-impaired, do not worry. This little kit is filled with ideas and supplies, all in 1 place.
Contains 16 cardboard contours, 1 Crack & Peel tissue art shape, 100 tissue paper squares, 20 pipe cleaners, Popsicle sticks, giant wiggle eyes, giant pon-poms, 8 crayons, safety scissors, white glue, feathers, and alphabet stickers, construction paper, ric-rac, foam heart stickers, crinkle paper, puffy flowers, paper doilies, crepe paper and fringed paper.
For kids age two and older
$22.99
Branch
Jungle Friends Mobile – $68
Houzz team member Sheila spied this whimsical jungle friends mobile that is also good for the jungle as it is made from eco-friendly bamboo. Your child will be filled with delight as he glanced from the crib; you will delight when you walk inside the room and catch it in eye-level.
100% bamboo (carefully sourced in China by a U.S.-based maker of environmentally friendly materials), clear thread.
Every laser-cut bit is 1/8″ thick. Total hanging elevation is approximately 20″.
Each slice is laser-cut from bamboo plywood, an earth-friendly renewable source.
Minimum assembly required.
$68
Design Within Reach
Super Sunprint Kit, Blue – $18
This Super Sunprint Kit is something you can delight in helping your child use. Just have him produce a composition with leaves and flowers, put it in the sun, watch its design develop, then hang the resulting botanical sunprint on the wall. In fact, I really want one of these for myself, and I’m over 30!
Paper; acrylic
H.25″ W 12.5″ D 8.25″
$18 USD
hive
Eames Hang-It-All – $199
This vibrant bit of vintage Eames provides a way for children to learn into the good habit of hanging up their clothes.
The Hang-it-all’s welded steel wire frame has a white powder-coat complete and joins directly to walls or other surfaces. The hooks are made from solid maple and painted in nine colours.
Attachment hardware included
19.75″ W x 6.5″ D x 14.625″ H
$179 ($152 in hivemodern as we proceed to article )
Design Public
Historical Rider Lite – $160
Houzz friend Ali of Asiz’s Child says,”As a kid I always dreamed of waking up into a massive bicycle loosely wrapped in gift wrap awaiting me under the tree, so I think it’s only fitting to indicate an Ancient Rider bicycle. These wheels are seriously hip.”
FSC certified birch marine ply, pneumatic tires with aluminum rims, branded fire and emblem detail, tire hot spots, embroidered faux leather chair mat, notched fork ends for fast assembly.
Two steering settings, restricted and unrestricted, allow a child to learn in their own pace. The adjustable chair and reach ensures that the bicycle grows with your child.
21″ H x 32″ L
$160
Offi
EVA Minis (Set of Two) – $25
This the miniature version of the EVA chair, made from exactly the same foam used in shoes. They are soft, weather-proof, and provide a good perch for when favorite stuffed creatures are sitting down for a tea party.
Each pair of two things will comprise you with the lighter color as the outer stripe and one with the darker color as the outer stripe.
Constructed of EVA foam layers
3.5″ W x 4.75″ H x 3.75″ D
$25 for set of two
Melissa & Doug
Houzz contributor and remodeling pro at Calfinder Margaret (a.k.a. txranchgirl) says,”While you are focusing on creating your farmhouse-chic house, allow your little one get in on the fun with a farmhouse to proceed. A nod to classic fold-and-go playhouses, this quaint little baby will keep your little one occupied for hours. Moo.”
Two-story barn is stocked with seven realistic plastic farm animals, a wooden ladder and a folding corral. Chunky handles let you take your bit of”country” wherever you go!
Dimensions: 11.25″ x 13.5″ x 7″
Assembled advocated Ages: 3years
$49.99
Smallable
Sibis Villa Doll House – EUR 54
Margaret adds,”In case you are into prefab, why not allow the children in on the fun? This elegant little villa will provide minimalist pleasure and a little bit of prefabulous architectural education.”
From 3 to 9 years old
54 $
Moolka
Playsam Rocking Horse, Red – $169.99
Another great idea from Margaret of Calfinder: A classic toy with a modern twist,”This sleek rocking horse will fit stylishly into any area in the house–if you have children or not,” she says.
AGE: 1+
Made of European timber, paint is made and imported from Germany
Seat height 300 millimeter
Produced in Sweden
$169.99
Eclectic Kids Toys – $109.99
“For your little culinary artist looking to up their pretend play,” says Margaret,”this all-wooden kitchen will delight tiny tots while not offending your very own aesthetic sensibilities. If they could really make dinner” Comes complete with a stove-top, oven, cupboard, and sink.
Contained with all the kitchen: 2 plates two liter 2 capsules 1 spatula 1 serving spoon 1 saucepan with lid 1 tsp 1 tsp shaker 1 pepper shaker 1 fried egg 1 pizza 1 carrot (splits into halves) 1 cheese sliced 2 mushrooms 1 loaf of bread (splits into 4 slices).
Made of wood with completely nontoxic, child-friendly finishes and paints.
Some adult assembly required
Not intended for children under 3
21.25″ W x 32″ H
Counter height: 20″
Kitchen stands 9″ off the ground
Oven door is 9.25″ across Sink thickness: 0.5″
$109.99
modernmini.com
MODERNMINI KIDSONROOF MOBILE HOME – PLAY HOUSE – $32
This entertaining little dollhouse is lightweight, made out of cardboard, and has plenty of openings for little ones to play house with favorite action figures and dolls inside.
With 8 key rooms, stair openings, spy holes and an attic for storage.
Easy-to-assemble for hours of play and easy to carry.
Easy-to-store: it folds flat in its box.
8.75W x 14D x 18H. Weight 2.35.
Made of 100% recycled cardboard, 100% biodegradable
No sharp corners and edges
Ages: 3 Decades and upwards
$32
Amazon
Amazon.com: Boon Frog Pod: Baby – $34.99
Houzz team member Adi says,”My children received this frog as a holiday gift two years back. Rather than having many toys and sponges in the bathtub all of them are scooped from the frog”
Detachable scoop makes cleaning and collecting tub toys a cinch. Built-in shelf holds soap, shampoo, and bath products.
Mildew-resistant tough plastic
Contains set of adhesive bits
$34.99
PBteen
Applause Light Box – $39
Houzz Team Member Lily has selected this sudden APPLAUSE light box sign for you child’s room. Maybe it will inspire him or her to become the next Johnny Carson!
12″ W x 4″ D x 5″ H
Cord: 6′ long
Bulb: 25 g, type T (not included)
$39
Branch
Animal ABC Poster – $50
Houzz team member Lily found this alphabet jungle printing to your child’s room. An especially wonderful gift for expectant parents that do not know whether they are having a boy or a woman. The pleasing color scheme can inspire the entire nursery color palette.
Petit collage animals have found their fitting letters within this 3-color screenprinted poster. A key of animal names is printed on the bottom of the poster.
Hand-silkscreened at Oakland, CA
100% post-consumer recycled paper; printed using water-based inks
18″ x 24″
Frame not included
$50
Etsy
Baby blanket switches by PataPri around Etsy – $60
Houzz team member Lily found on Etsy.com one of the most lovely baby blankets around. This is hand-printed and hand-sewn quadruple Japanese gauze fabric.
Toxic-free water-based inks
Front: quadruple gauze
Rear: double gauze
Approx. 100cm × 100cm / 39″ ×39″
100% cotton; machine washable
$60
Restoration Hardware Baby & Child
Cosmetic Birdcages (Set of 3) – $99
These decorative bird cages bring fantastic vintage style to your child’s room. Scrolling metal cable aviaries have a classic feel and style and a working door. It’s topped with a ring for lifting and hanging.
Little: $29
Moderate: $39
Large: $44
Set of 3: $9
Restoration Hardware Baby & Child
Adele play chairs & table
Houzz team member Sheila spied this wonderfully tasteful little dining table and chair set. A great gift for a child who would like to throw tea parties, it is also a good place for arts and crafts projects.
Crafted of solid hardwood and veneers
Distressed, aged white finish with rubbed edges and soft gray patina
Nylon glides on toes
Assembly Needed for drama table
Table $229
Chairs (pair of two) $199
Restoration Hardware Baby & Child
Wooden Block Letters – $18
The letterpress text trend was made for children’s rooms! Help a favorite little one learn to spell by ordering the letters of their name, or by simply spelling out a favorite word.
Inspired by classic typesetting cubes
Raised letters are set in a serif typeface using a classic aesthetic
Carved letter has a lighter finish to contrast with the dark espresso base
Both letters and base are bothered to get a feeling of time-weathered authenticity
Hollow-core base makes it easy to hang
8″ square
$18
Toys R Us
Flexeez 200-Piece Large Pack – $14.99
Flexeez are these cool little bits your child can bend, twist, wrap and snap into any shape imaginable, from a chunk into a spaceship, and any made-up sculpture in between.
200-piece place
Recommended for ages 5-7
$14.99 (available as we proceed to article )