Best Gifts for Children

A birthday party, the holidays or just a visit to a favourite niece: buying for a child sounds easy until you are standing in the toy shop. The best gifts for children are fun and quietly teach them something at the same time. Toys, books, puzzles, board games and musical instruments all do that, if you pick the right one for the child's age.

Toys

Toys are the obvious choice, and there is a huge range: dolls, action figures, building blocks and clever toys that make learning fun. Good toys help kids think and invent their own games. Check the age on the box, and pick something one step ahead of what they can do now. There is something for every age.

Find the best toys for children at Amazon.com

Find the best toys for children at Amazon.co.uk

Find the best toys for children at Amazon.ca

Books

A child who falls in love with stories keeps reading for life. Let their current obsession decide between a fairy tale, a book full of facts or an adventure series. Reading also builds language skills and concentration, and a good book lasts far longer than the birthday it was bought for.

Find the best books for children at Amazon.com

Find the best books for children at Amazon.co.uk

Find the best books for children at Amazon.ca

Puzzles

Puzzles are good for the brain. They train problem-solving, hand-eye coordination and logical thinking. There is a puzzle for every age, from big, simple ones for toddlers to tricky 3D puzzles for older children. A puzzle with a few more pieces than they are used to keeps them busy for days and stretches them a little.

Find the best puzzles for children at Amazon.com

Find the best puzzles for children at Amazon.co.uk

Find the best puzzles for children at Amazon.ca

Board games

Board games make good gifts because they get the whole family playing together. Children learn to plan ahead and solve problems while they are busy having fun. There are games for every age, from classics like Monopoly to newer ones. The real gift is the evening spent round the table.

Instruments

Instruments are gifts that can start a love of music lasting for years. There is something for every young musician, from a piano or a guitar to drums or a xylophone. Playing music gives kids confidence and a way to express themselves, and it shows a creative side you may not have seen before.

Pick a gift that matches what the child already loves, and it will not end up at the back of the cupboard. If you buy for several children every year, start a wishlist for them and let them help fill it.