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It’s an unwritten rule: Grandparents love to spoil their grandkids with sugar-laden treats and lavish gifts. That’s because they get to have all the fun, then hand the kiddos back over to the parents when the overstimulation kicks in.
And while we mostly love the bond this creates between family members, there’s another, less wasteful and disruptive way to foster that grandparent-grandchild relationship. The right gifts—like a trip to the zoo together or a plate you can color and preserve—can actually make more of an impact, plus keep energy levels and clutter at a baseline. And, hey, if you can get a gift that the kids and the parents both love? Well, that’s a win-win.
To take the pressure off, we crowdsourced real parents and our own gear experts to come up with a list of the top baby items and kid gift ideas for grandparents this holiday season. Plus, we include a downloadable checklist to make your shopping to-do a breeze.
1. LEGOs
Legos are legendary for good reason—both kids and parents love them. And while this classic set is great for kids ages 4 and up, there are plenty of other sets to suit younger or older kids. For toddlers, look for Duplo sets, the larger blocks for babies. For older kids, look for the building kits—they have something to suit every interest and theme, from Star Wars to princess castles.
LEGOs of all kinds are not only fun, but they are also great for so many aspects of development. These toys help foster creativity and imagination, hone fine motor skills, and instill a sense of accomplishment. Bonus points for the bonding time that comes along with helping them assemble some or all of this gift.
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2. Magna-Tiles
These tiles have safe, built-in magnets that allow kids to build all kinds of colorful structures and figures, from castles and skyscrapers to robots and dinosaurs. You can even buy specialty sets that expand the building possibilities—like a race track complete with a magnetic car that hums along the track after it's built.
They’re great for so many ages, durable and fun. And, best of all, it’s an activity everyone in the family can get in on together. Bonus: Since they stick together so effortlessly, these colorful tiles are also pretty easy to clean up, stack and organize.
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3. Zoob Builders
Zoob Builders is another fun building toy that encourages exploration and imagination. And while the age range is 6 and up, there’s nothing super tiny to worry about—this guideline comes more from the dexterity and strength needed to lock the pieces together.
The toy is essentially an advanced version of some of the other builders (but not quite as complex as larger LEGO sets). It comes with a booklet to help budding engineers create whatever strikes their fancy—bridges, robots and more. An older child and a younger child can even enjoy them together. Another win for parents? Most Zoob sets come with their own lockable, handled storage bin.
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4. Barbie
Before you write off Barbie, know this: She’s come a long way in the last 20 years. While there used to be one marquee doll, today there are many different characters under the Barbie label.
The “You Can Be Anything” line is particularly fun since it portrays all different women of all different skin tones in career positions like an astronaut, pet photographer, doctor, firefighter and more. The modern Barbie can be enjoyed by many age groups and is quite unisex. All of the accompanying play pieces are also durable and well-made.
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5. Subscription Service
- Retail: $34.95
- GBG Price: N/A
- Age Range: 4-10 years
- Best For: Creatives
A lot of parents—and even kids, for that matter—prefer the gift of an activity. And subscription kits present a great opportunity to give them something to be excited about for months to come.
There are many great options when it comes to subscriptions today—think baking kits, science experiments, nature kits, books and more. You can even set a monthly date to do the activity together—a win-win.
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Subscription Services GBG Parents Love:
6. Dollhouses
Dollhouses are fun for all ages and kids love the imaginative play that mimics their own environment. You can find playhouses to match just about any interest, from Peppa Pig to Barbie and beyond.
For grandparents, these toys can create a fun way to open up a dialog by role-playing together. Many are small enough to sit at a table, too, so you don't have to worry about getting down on the floor to interact and connect with your little one.
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7. Wooden Toys
While this tool kit may be for kids 3 and up, there are tons of great wooden toys (pull toys, trains, and more) for kids of all ages. And parents love the idea and nostalgia around wooden toys. They’re also highly durable and well made—overall a safer, more environmentally-friendly option for children.
Most wooden toy companies put a lot of resources into creating toys for various developmental stages, too. Wood toys are built with a purpose to stimulate without all the noise and lights found in so many toys on the market.
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8. Play Gyms
- Retail: $140
- GBG Price: $5 - $133
- Age Range: 0 and up
- Best For: The Littlest One
If you want to give parents and their kiddos something useful, consider a play gym or an activity mat. Even if the parents already own one for their baby, it can be helpful to have a second for a separate room in their house, travel or a caregiver’s home.
The toys that accompany these activity centers are usually detachable, washable and durable. And today, there are plenty of options—like this one from Lovevery—that not only look adorable, but are also created purposefully to suit real developmental needs.
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9. A Photo Book
- Retail: $62
- GBG Price: N/A
- Age Range: All ages
- Best For: Creatives
Kids love pictures, and while books present a great opportunity to look at creative illustrations, photo books are an excellent option, too. These custom books are especially good for kids whose grandparents and other family members may live in another state. As you page through the images, you can talk about each person, assuring the kids get to know their family members, no matter where they reside.
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Our GBG Pick:
10. Pop-Up Tents
- Retail: $27.99
- GBG Price: $9.55 - $35
- Age Range: 3 and up
- Best For: Active Kiddos
You may be tempted to buy a big playhouse or fort, but parents might not know what to do with such a large item. And the outdoor variety can present a bit of a maintenance issue. A pop-up tent is a fantastic compromise, because it affords kids the opportunity to engage in the same kind of imaginative play, but after playtime, it collapses down into a handy storage bag. These toys are ideal for keeping kids busy on a rainy day—something parents are always looking for.
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11. Play Kitchen
One of the most classic toys, and for good reason. Play kitchens are great for imaginative play and foster tons of creativity. Kids will spend hours taking your order and then cooking and serving delicious “meals” they created all on their own.
While there are tons of plastic food sets out there, we recommend the wooden or plush kind, which tend to be more durable and environmentally friendly. Plus, they’re made of safer materials.
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12. Books
You really can’t go wrong with something educational like a classic kids’ book. According to the AAP, reading aloud to kids is one of the best ways to help them learn. Bonus points for choosing a special book you can read together with your grandchild—even if it’s over FaceTime.
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13. Storage Bins
- Retail: $29.99
- Avg. GBG Price: $5.70 - $19.99
- Age Range: 0 and up
- Best For: Kids with a lot of stuff
Will it make the kids squeal with delight? Maybe not. But will it make the parents? There’s a high probability. Kids just seem to have so much stuff, and a cute storage cube for their nursery or playroom is a great, functional item. These structured canvas bins are perfect for LEGOs, books, stuffed animals and more.
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14. Baby Swing
- Retail: $239.97
- GBG Price: $9.49 - $189.99
- Weight range: 8-28 pounds
- Best For: The Littlest One
This swing may be on the pricier side, but it’s well worth the expense and a fabulous gift for new parents. The lightweight seat doesn’t require any outlet and folds flat, so parents can bring it just about anywhere. Of course, it’s also a lifesaver at home when you need a safe space for baby while folding laundry or cooking dinner. As the kids get older, they can use their own weight to swing themselves. And, eventually, it even turns into a toddler chair.
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15. Doll
This doll is perfect for the youngest cuddlers, because it’s stuffed and ultra-plush. Still, it’s highly detailed to keep kids' attention as they get older and engage in more imaginative play. Choose from all different types of dolls—rabbits, deer, flamingos and more. Each doll is nontoxic and handmade and has a wonderful charitable element. Mom and dad will appreciate that each doll provides food for 10 children in need.
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16. TonieBox
- Retail: $99.99
- GBG Price: N/A
- Age Range: 3 and up
- Best For: Creatives
This adorable little audio system plays classic sing-alongs that'll entertain toddlers and young kids for hours at a time—no screens necessary. It comes in a variety of colors, and although it’s a durable speaker, it’s soft enough for little ones to hold. You can also buy all kinds of add-ons—called “tonies”—to engage in more wholesome fun, like story books, bedtime songs and more.
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17. Balance Bike
- Retail: $119.99
- Avg. GBG Price: $49 - $94
- Age Range: 18 months - 5 years
- Best For: Active Kiddos
These bikes are great for kids with a lot of energy. And, no, they don’t have training wheels—but that’s the whole point. They’re called balance bikes, because kids sit on the seat and use their feet to propel themselves forward. Because this requires a certain level of balance to perfect, kids will start with small, baby steps before they progress to speeding around the yard. By the time they do, they’ll be ready to try a big-kid bike, bypassing the training wheels altogether.
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18. Gift Card
- Avg. GBG Price: $10 - $300
- Age Range: All ages
- Best For: All families
Sometimes you’re simply not sure what the kids want and the parents need. That’s ok! When in doubt, a gift card goes a long way. Studies show that what people really want is a card, but they typically feel too guilty to ask for one. With that knowledge, may we suggest a GoodBuyGear gift card, so parents can choose the perfect thing for their family?
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9 Gifting Tips & Ideas for Grandparents
Holiday shopping is never easy, but picking out a gift for a grandchild is especially difficult when you’re so far removed from the baby phase. Here are some parent-sourced pointers and a downloadable checklist to help take the pressure off:
- Ask what the kids like: Just because you think they might like it, doesn’t mean they will. Ask the parents what kinds of activities keep the kids most engaged. You can also inquire about any favorite TV shows or movies to help guide you.
- Buy educational gifts: When in doubt, buy a gift that will support your tiny human’s development. Montessori and STEM toys, like building sets, are a great start.
- Run it by the parents: Before you make a purchase, snap a picture or send the parents the product link. Chances are they’ll be able to tell you if the kid will like it or if they already own it.
- Get gifts that will grow with the child: Look for toys that will stand the test of time—durable items that kiddos can enjoy at various stages of development. For example, some push cars can evolve into ride-on toys both babies and toddlers will love.
- Consider the child’s age: Toys are labeled with age guidelines for a reason. They not only signal whether a toy will be appropriate for a child’s developmental stage, but they also help make you aware of any important safety concerns. For example, toys labeled 3 and up are generally labeled as such, because they may contain small pieces that can pose a choking hazard.
- Avoid loud toys: Babies may like the stimulation, but homes with young kids are chaotic enough, and parents certainly don’t want to be assaulted with bright lights and loud noises all day long.
- Don’t get toys with tiny pieces: Even if the tiny human you’re shopping for is over the age of 3 and past the phase where they may put small parts in their mouth, it’s a good idea to avoid these kinds of toys. For starters, they may have a younger sibling that could get a hold of a dangerously small part. Beyond that, small parts are hard to keep track of, which creates a mess in the short-term and renders the toy unusable in the long-term when something inevitably goes missing.
- Avoid toys with batteries: If you’re going to give something that needs batteries, make sure you include them. There’s nothing more frustrating than fielding a meltdown about the toy not working when you realize you don’t have any batteries on hand. But try to avoid battery-operated toys, if possible. They not only tend to be noisy, but kids often leave them on, which means parents are constantly replacing batteries—a wasteful and expensive endeavor.
- Don’t buy something that is hard to store: A gift like a giant teddy bear may wow the kid, but what are parents supposed to do with such large items? There are plenty of smaller items, like a baking kit, that can make just as much of an impression on a child.
While you’re mulling over all of your choices, there’s one final tip for grandparents: All of these presents are great, but nothing beats the gift of quality time and making memories with your grandkids.
Children will eventually lose interest in toys, but they’ll always remember special excursions with those who matter most to them. You can make priceless memories by giving the gift of an experience together—even a simple ice cream date or a trip to the zoo can make a lasting impression.
Need more inspo? Check out our curated toy gift guide for hand-picked gift ideas based on your little one’s interests.
