- Family
- Holiday Gift Guide
- Gifts
By
Emily Shiffer
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Shopping for gifts for kids can be tricky, whether you're shopping for a 4-year-old or your favorite tween. Depending on the occasion (like a birthday, Christmas, or "just because"), you want it to be special and something that resonates with their hobbies. And more importantly, you want them to actually use it — which puts some added pressure on you as the gift buyer.
Another obstacle? Shopping for kids who seemingly have everything. What do you get them? In this case, finding an uber-unique gift that will knock their socks off is key. Being thoughtful is what matters most — and having an eye for the uncommon won't hurt. Sometimes, nostalgia and integrating in gifts that you loved as a kid is a great place to start. (And this list has lots of that!)
An added bonus: there are tons of affordable options. Each gift on this list is under $100. We found a range of tech gifts, crafts, decor finds, and so much more. These 12 gifts will bring a smile to any kid's face — even if you think they already have everything.
01
Best Unique Gift For the Mini Interior Designer
Butterfly LED Lights ($14, originally $16)
Kids will love to decorate their room or play area with these colorful Butterfly LED Lights. This set includes 40 PVC butterflies that come with adhesive, so you can stick them anywhere. The colorful LED lights also have blinking modes that you can change to make your butterflies really flutter.
What reviewers say: "These are beautiful when not lit and magical in the dark. I wish they came with a white twinkle light, but my kids love the colors. They stick to the wall and every single one works."
02
Best Unique Gift For the Scientific Sweet Tooth
($15, originally $20)
This gift is the perfect find for the sweet-toothed little one in your life. The gummy candy lab will provide them with all the necessary ingredients to make their own delicious a rainbow-, unicorn-, and cloud-shaped gummies! Plus, they'll get a scientific lesson on the side as they learn what it takes to work with natural polymers.
What reviewers say: "I got this for my nine-year-old, and she loved it. Everything was super easy to make and didn't require cooking or heating. It is an enjoyable and delicious project."
03
Best Unique and Nostalgic Gift
Tamagotchi ($17, originally $20)
This iconic digital pet toy from the 90s has made a comeback. Kids will love to play and take care of their Tamagotchi as it grows from an egg to an adult. It comes on a keychain, so they can add it on their backpack or carry it around with them wherever they go.
What reviewers say: "I bought this as a birthday present for my daughter since I owned a few as a kid myself. It took her a minute to figure it out, but once it hatched she immediately loved it even more and she started taking care of it. She wanted to be more responsible and this was a great fit!"
04
Best Unique Gift For the Target Lover
Target Toy Shopping Cart ($20)
If you're shopping for the kid who's obsessed with Target, they'll be over-the-moon happy getting this Target Toy Shopping Cart. It simulates the Target shopping experience right at home featuring a tiny shopping cart that is just too adorable. Your little one can also place a baby doll on the cart's child seat and it even features a cup holder for their sippy cup or a toy drink. The set comes with a coffee cup, coffee cap, coffee sleeve, coffee cup holder and seven grocery items, like pasta, grapes, a croissant, milk, ice cream sandwiches, and more.
What reviewers say: "Oh my god. I bought this for my two-year-old son because he likes pushing strollers and things like that. He uses it every single day. I'm not even kidding. He puts his little teddy in it and brings it upstairs, downstairs, outside. He wants it everywhere."
05
Best Unique and Vintage Gift
Jambo 16-Inch Beautiful Magma Lamp ($25, originally $40)
You can't get more groovy than a "lava" lamp. This Jambo 16-Inch Beautiful Magma Lamp is 16" tall and spews a colorful "magma" within the lamp that will give any kids room a colorful glow and far-out vibes.
What reviewers say: "My great-nephew asked me to buy him one. He is 10 years old but still doesn't like a room to be completely dark. He assembled this himself— that's how easy it was to assemble. Now he wants the whole house dark so he can have his lava lamp on!! It is so worth the money to give my sweet nephew piece of mind."
06
Best Unique Gift For the Slime Obsessed
Stationery Ice Cream Slime Kit ($27)
Slime has been all the rage for the little ones in our lives and if you want to truly give them a treat, this Stationery Ice Cream Slime Kit is the way to go. Perfect for ages eight to 12, this present comes with everything they need to make colorful butter slime, cloud slime and foam slimes. Plus, the ice cream theme just adds extra fun to the activity.
What reviewers say: "My eight-year-old granddaughter has been having a blast with this ice cream slime kit. There are many different colored ice cream flavors and cones that make the slim experience so fun. The add-ons for the ice cream cones are darling. She's had so much fun with it & there's still so much more for her to do. This is a fun, creative & entertaining kit that can easily lead to a hobby for a young girl. True quality!"
07
Best Unique Gift For the Budding Photographers
Anchioo Instant Camera ($32, originally $40)
Kids can start learning photography skills early with this fun Anchioo Instant Camera. It uses thermal paper to print out black-and-white photos instantly. Plus, there are stickers, filters and mirror effects included to expand their creativity. Besides taking pics, it has an MP3 music player and can also print out puzzles and games to keep any kid entertained. It comes with SD storage, so you can also add photos to any digital device.
What reviewers say: "This instant print camera is seriously so cool! It's a thermal printing camera, so it will never need to have ink replaced. It just uses thermal paper. It comes with three rolls of thermal paper as well. This has some cool features on it. In addition to printing photos, it has games built-in, you can use it for music, and it has 15 kinds of cute stickers or frames. It also has six filters and eight mirror effects. It comes with a 32GB memory card as well."
08
Best Unique Gift That's Festive
DIY Ornament Advent Calendar ($40)
If they love getting crafty, get them this fun and festive DIY Ornament Advent Calendar. Not only will this interactive advent calendar get them in the holiday spirit, but they'll be able to show off their creations on the family tree. Your little ones can make 25 felt ornaments and play fun games such as a word search, scramble, and more.
What reviewers say: "This little ornament kit is so fun to do every day with my daughter. I look forward to them too. The ornaments are clever and fun as well, including all the classical holiday things, but also some cultural icons. It exceeded my expectations for sure."
09
Best Unique Gift For the Future Geologists
National Geographic Break Open 5 Jumbo Geodes Earth Science Kit ($40)
If you're shopping for the kiddo who's showing interest in collecting rocks, this earth science kit will be an incredible treat. With this set, they'll be able to get hands on experience with breaking geodes and uncovering crystals. Plus, the set comes with display stands too so they can proudly showcase their discoveries.
What reviewers say: "I got this for both my son and daughter. They had a blast breaking open the geodes. It's educational, fun, and kept them away from their phones for quite a while."
10
Best Unique Gift For the Adventure Seekers
Metroller Roller Skates ($40-$60)
Roller skating is another activity making a serious comeback with kids, so make sure your little one is on trend with these adjustable roller skates. These are designed for ages 4 and up to adult — so feel free to grab yourself a matching pair. The best part? The wheels light up for style and safety.
What reviewers say: "These were the absolute best birthday present. They adjust to different foot sizes. The light-up wheels are a home run."
11
Best Unique Gift For Crafty Kids
Sculpd Home Pottery Kit with Paints ($65)
Your kid will love to use their hands and create unique ceramic pottery with this pottery kit. The air-dry clay also comes with a varnish to make it look shiny, as if it actually spent some time in the kiln. In addition, you also get access to pottery video tutorials if you (or your kid) are beginners.
What reviewers say: "This pottery kit is a unique idea and not something we would have ever thought to do together. It came with several idea cards and instructions. There was plenty of clay for us to each make a pot. So fun!"
12
Best Unique Gift For Gamers
Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed Wireless Mechanical Gaming Keyboard ($100, originally $200)
Got some gamers in your house? This Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini Gaming Keyboard is a fun gift to make their gaming experience even better thanks to its compact design and gamer-friendly customization features. The best thing about it? The individually backlit keys, which give it more color and pizzazz.
What reviewers say: "There is so much to love about this keyboard: It's small but feels premium. It sounds like a typewriter with the green keycaps that mine has. The ability to connect via bluetooth makes the keyboard incredibly versatile."
— Additional reporting by Anvita Reddy
Emily Shiffer is a freelance writer living in Pennsylvania. She is a former online staffer at Men's Health and Prevention magazines who currently contributes content to PS; Women's Health; Runner's World; Shape; Health; Reader's Digest; Eat This, Not That!; Parents; and more.
Anvita Reddy (she/her) is an assistant editor for PS Shopping. She has a passion for products and reviews home gadgets, cookware, tech, and more. Having dealt with acne as a teenager and into adulthood, her expertise lies in beauty. She tests skin care, makeup, and hair care, plus countless other beauty products.