50 Best Gifts for Kids of All Ages in 2023

The company behind Kanoodle says it's sold more than 3 million copies of the game, thanks to the #KanoodleChallenge on TikTok. And, after playing it, it's clear to see why it caught fire on social media. It's a satisfying brainteaser: Players pick a challenge card, which starts off a 2D pattern or 3D shape, and players have to try to fit in the remaining pieces. If kids really like it, you can move on to other Kanoodle variations, like Kanoodle Head-to-Head (for competitions) or Kanoodle Genius (for harder challenges). Ages 7+

These t-shirts double as an activity! They come with a light wand, and, when kids illuminate it and draw over the shirt's special panel, it makes a cool glow-in-the-dark design. The design fades after about five minutes, so they can do it over and over again. (It also works with a phone flashlight.) Ages 3+

The kit comes with more than 100 traceable images that kids can mix and match to make their own designs, and the backlight makes tracings easy to see no matter the setting. It comes with a graphite pencil, 12 colored pencils, 10 tracing sheets and 10 blank sheets. Ages 6+

Think of it as life-size air hockey: These discs hover over smooth surfaces, and kids can kick them around for indoor, active fun. They also have a bumper around the edge, so they don't damage walls or furniture. Ages 3+

The coolest thing about this "drone" is that it doesn't require a controller — kids can operate it with their hands or feet. Once they've mastered how it floats in the air, they can try to learn tricks with the "trick stick" in the center. Ages 4+

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This Bowser figure — which stands 7" tall and has 13 points of articulation — is pretty impressive on its own. But it gets really cool when you add water and press one of the spikes on the back of its shell, because actual smoke comes out of its mouth! (Well, a cool mist at least.) His mouth also glows a fiery red. Watch out, Mushroom Kingdom! Ages 3+

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Just stuff this with five bed pillows (not included) and they'll have a comfy place to lay down in an instant. They can use the loungers for sleepovers, for reading or even as a nap mat. They come in lots of colors and patterns, too, including navy stars, black-and-white checks, outer space, cars and taxis and mermaids. No age recommendation given

You can choose the font, the color, the shape and the size of these signs, so you can really tailor them to a kid's room. They'll be delighted to see their name in lights! No age recommendation given

What's better than getting a new Squishmallow? Try getting three! This one comes with a trio of 8" Squishmallows — and you don't know which ones you're getting until you open the box, so there's a surprise element as well. Ages 3+

This one gives kids' minds and fingers a workout! Colored lights flash in a pattern, and then players are challenged to repeat it. Good Housekeeping testers appreciated that it had different modes of play, including single player and head-to-head (and, our favorite, silent). Ages 7+

Kids will be amazed as this race car drives up the walls and even onto the ceiling! It can drive over any smooth surface (without damaging walls), and it's guided by a laser that kids can use to direct its path. Ages 8+

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This game adds critical thinking to a typical marble run. Meant to be a single-player game (though of course you can work on it as a group), it comes with 60 challenge cards of varying difficulties; kids have to use their engineering skills to arrange the towers in a way that completes the run on the card. Ages 8+

Kids can get that fresh-from-the-music-festival vibe without having to pay Coachella prices. This kit lets fashion enthusiasts easily stamp fabric flowers into their hair (and Good Housekeeping parent testers appreciated how easy they were to remove, too). Ages 6+

It's three LEGO dinosaur-building sets in one! First, kids can put together a fearsome Tyrannosaurus Rex, complete with a buildable bone rib cage. Then, they can take that apart and use the same pieces to make either a Triceratops or a Pterodactyl. Ages 7+

It's blanket forts like you've never seen them before! Instead of draping sheets over your floppy couch cushions, use these rods and connectors, which let families build more intricate structures. This version glows in the dark! Note: you need to supply your own sheets. Ages 5+

With this set, kids can learn the basics of 3D printing. The pen melts the compound (without getting too hot), and then an activity guide will give them inspiration for what they can design and make. There's also a kit for kids ages 4+ that comes with molds they can use to make small figures. Ages 6+

This fidget toy became a hot holiday item in 2022 for its mesmerizing properties. It unfolds into different shapes, revealing different cool patterns, and then it becomes a puzzle to try and fold it back into a cube again. Ages 8+

Kids love creating their own videos, and this camera makes it easy for them to add cool effects like animated backgrounds. Plus, parents can feel safe knowing that it doesn't connect to the internet on its own, so they have ultimate control over who gets to see the final products. (It can connect via a USB cable if you do want to share.) Ages 5+

Get the kids started on learning to code at an early age with this awesome robot. Artie 3000 will draw whatever kids program, which is a creative and fun way to learn and practice a key STEM skill. Ages 7+

If you're looking for a just-a-little-something, this (silent!) fidget board is filled with clear gel and beads, and kids can push and squish the beads around the pictures. The pictures are removable; the board comes with one double-sided background, but kids can always DIY their own. If they love it, the DoodleJamz Jellyboard is similar, only it comes with colored gel and no beads. Ages 5+