Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

Gift Guides!

The Best Birthday Gifts for Kids Ages 1-18

May 22, 2024

I've had the idea for this post for — I'm not kidding — four years. I just wished there was a place that you could go when you needed a gift for a child of any age and get a recommendation. I don't want a hundred recommendations, I just want just a few really good ones. It took us this long to realize that source can and should be us. Why don't we put together a guide for kids ages 1-18 when friends and family ask, "What should I give my daughter/niece/grandson/friend's child for their birthday?"

love coming up with the perfect gift — it's such a thoughtful way to recognize the occasion. (Raise your hand if your love language is gift-giving!) My girls are a range of ages, but each one still has that magical sparkle in her eye when she gets a birthday present she truly loves. That's the feeling that I want to capture with each and every one of these handpicked gifts for every age.

The Official CLJ Birthday Gift Guide for Kids Ages 1-18

So whether you're shopping for a 2-year-old boy or a 17-year-old girl, I have the best birthday gifts for kids at every age in this carefully curated round-up. And don't get stuck on the age — feel free to browse a year or two in either direction to see if something might better suit the guest of honor. I hope this is something you save and refer back to anytime you need the best birthday gift for a kiddo in your life!

The Best Birthday Gifts for a 1-Year-Old

The Best Birthday Gifts for a 2-Year-Old

The Best Birthday Gifts for a 3-Year-Old

The Best Birthday Gifts for a 4-Year-Old

The Best Birthday Gifts for a 5-Year-Old

The Best Birthday Gifts for a 6-Year-Old

The Best Birthday Gifts for a 7-Year-Old

The Best Birthday Gifts for an 8-Year-Old

The Best Birthday Gifts for a 9-Year-Old

The Best Birthday Gifts for a 10-Year-Old

The Best Birthday Gifts for an 11-Year-Old

The Best Birthday Gifts for a 12-Year-Old

The Best Birthday Gifts for a 13-Year-Old

The Best Birthday Gifts for a 14-Year-Old

The Best Birthday Gifts for a 15-Year-Old

The Best Birthday Gifts for a 16-Year-Old

The Best Birthday Gifts for a 17-Year-Old

The Best Birthday Gifts for an 18-Year-Old

— Hide Comments
+ ShowComments
What do you think?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Great ideas! Writing some of these down for Christmas ideas :)
    Do you have any go-to birthday gift ideas for friends? I have 4 kids that are invited to bday parties throughout the year so I like to keep a gift basket with a few options >$20

  2. I love looking through your gift guides for ideas! A suggestion...next year, can you do a guide for Teacher Gifts? Always a struggle to get something thoughtful (and not just a gift card).

  3. Oh thank you! I struggle to find gifts for my 6 and 13 year olds. I feel like we have all of the "usuals" and now I have to really dial in their interests. I can confirm the LED strips are a great gift--for any age!

    It's also refreshing to see a list without Magnatiles on it. I love them, but I need new ideas! Have you seen the Fives Designs tiles? (They’re from Idaho too!) That's my new go-to building toy (for those of you who still need more blocks, etc. around your house!). My 6yo had them at his school, and insisted that we get some for home. Even my 13yo messes around with them sometimes.

  4. I love this list! I want some of those teen girl gifts haha!
    My daughters are 2 and 4, and we have given them several of these items over the years. The ice cream set is a hit! We got it last month for our 2 yr old.
    So far the most beloved gift of all has been a mini Yoto that we got for our daughter when she turned 3. She listens to it all day every day. I joined the Yoto Club which pays for itself pretty quickly. I ask for new cards anytime someone asks for a gift idea for her.

    1. We got our daughter the yoto for Christmas!!! She loved it for a few weeks and then went back to her Amazon echo for kids because it has more stories and tells her the weather and time and stuff. But I do think the yoto is adorable.

  5. The Melissa and Dough Ice Cream Counter is one of the best gifts ever! My daughter had hers for years and every time I suggest it for someone else I always get compliments about how much their child loves it!

What We're

Loving

Right Now

What We're

Loving

Right Now

Looking for our favorite things? A place to shop our home room by room, or just catch up on what Julia's wearing / loving right now? Browse the CLJ shop
Shop All

Love Stories

Love Where You Live

In an industry that often feels designed to make you discontent, we want this to be place you come for inspiration, ideas, and encouragement to make the space you're already in feel like home.
Read All Posts
let's break this thing up

BROWSE BY CATEGORY

01

Portfolio

Befores, afters, mood boards, plans, failures, wins. We’ve done a lot of projects, and they’re all here.
read more
02

Projects

We have a long-standing relationship with DIY, and love rolling our sleeves up and making it happen.
read more
03

Design

Even when you don’t want to rip down a wall, you can make that space in your home better. Right now.
read more
hello world!

looking for inspiration?

Sales

The Best Early Black Friday Deals in 2024 (And More to Come!)

So many of our favorite stores have already launched early Black Friday sales, and we know there’s more to come! We collected all of the best deals of the holiday season—from tech to home decor—in one place for easy reference. Whether you want the lowest price on one of the best gifts of the year […]
Design

The Exciting Plans for Our Primary Bathroom Design

Chris and I have always said that if we don't feel 100% all-in excited about a project—both of us—then we probably haven't found the solution yet. I think that's been the tale with our primary bathroom renovation as a whole. We feel excited about doing the project, but it's been YEARS in the design phase […]
Chris Cooks

Mom's Light & Fluffy Homemade Dinner Rolls

I do a lot of cooking for food restrictions, but this recipe is none of those things. These dinner rolls are my mom's recipe, and they're one of her signature dishes. She has made them for almost every gathering since I was a kid. The smell of these...it's the smell of every family event in […]
Beautifully wrapped traditional presents stacked in a doorway
Gift Guides!

Holiday Gift Guides for Everyone in Your Life {2024}

Remember the thrill of unwrapping a gift that felt just right? Let's bring that magic back this holiday season!! Our curated gift guides for 2024 are filled with thoughtful picks that will make your loved ones feel special. That's what it's all about, after all. Whether you're shopping for your main guy, your clutch coworker, […]
Learn With Us
Want to do what we do? Get the tools, mentorship, and training to be a Good Influencer professionally.
Learn More
Looking for Something?

SEARCH THE BLOG

We've been doing this since 2009 and we've posted a whopping 24145+ blog posts and counting. You might need a little help searching, huh?

Can We Send You Our Love Letter?

Another way for us to stay in touch! Joining our weekly newsletter gives you access to exclusive content, never-before-seen photos, your questions answered, and our favorite DIYs. Sign up below!

hello world!
Follow Along on Instagram
Welcome to our online community where we've posted home, DIY, style, renovations, and family since '09. Renovating our #cljmoderncottage in Idaho and headed for new adventures in Raleigh, NC. #cljfam #cljtransformations
© 2024 Chris Loves Julia, LLC
PRIVACY POLICYTERMS & CONDITIONSAFFILIATE DISCLAIMERSITE CREDITCOMMUNITY GUIDELINES