Over 165 Really Good Birthday Gift Ideas for Kids

Finding the perfect birthday gift is difficult, especially if your kid doesn’t give you a list or if you want it to be a total surprise.

It doesn’t matter how well you know the birthday boy or birthday girl. You can be the parent, a friend or a close family member. The struggle is still the same! But that doesn’t mean it’s a hopeless endeavor.

With a little creativity and some insight, you can easily wow the guest of honor on a budget-friendly level. We’ve got the low down on original birthday gift ideas for kids of all ages.

How to Come Up with the Best Birthday Gift Ideas for Kids

So many parents and family members overthink the gift-giving process. Don’t!  Thinking that way is just destructive to the creative thinking process. Trust us. If you put the effort into it, the birthday child will respond in kind.

So start first from what you know. Consider your budget and think about what you’re willing to spend on the gift. Then, think about hobbies the birthday boy or girl are into. Consider their age and what would be appropriate for them.

You can ask your child for hints or even ask the birthday child’s parents for advice. Even the party theme can be a hint!

Think a little outside the box to come up with the perfect gift that fits both your budget and the child’s interest.

Reasonable Budgets for Birthday Gifts

Always start with a budget that you’re comfortable with. This will often depend on you or your child’s relationship with the birthday kid.

What to Get for an Acquaintance’s Birthday

Your child’s acquaintances might end up as lifelong friends. But until then, it’s best to save your budget for their current friends and relatives. This doesn’t mean that the gift can’t be meaningful, though!

Gifts come in all shapes and sizes. You’d be surprised what $5 at the dollar store could buy, or a simple DIY project could provide. But we don’t suggest spending too much.

How Much to Spend on a Classmate’s Birthday

Closer than acquaintances, but not necessarily friends. Classmates in preschool and elementary are sure to invite your child to a birthday celebration. This tends to phase out though for middle school age kids and older.

In any case, it’s a good idea to keep a consistent budget for every class birthday your child is invited to— no more than $5-$10 at most.

What to Get Your Kid’s Friends for Their Birthday

Spending on gifts for friends can be a bit tricky. Always spend within your needs, but friends usually expect a little more investment in their gifts. This investment can come in the form of time, money or personal experiences.

If you’re going to spend a little out of pocket, you probably won’t want to spend more than $15 for friends and $20 for your child’s best friends.

What to Spend on Cousins (and Other Relatives) for Their Birthday

Relatives should be the focus of your gift-giving budget, especially if your kids are close to their cousins. These gifts should be meaningful. That means it’s not unreasonable to spend upward to $25 for gifts.

This will give you plenty of room for feasible gift ideas.

Brainstorming Birthday Gift Ideas for Kids of All Ages and Hobbies

Now that you have an idea of your budget, it’s time to get to brainstorming the perfect gift. Think about what the birthday boy or girl needs, wants, likes, or is involved with. Personal gifts can oftentimes be worth more than a gift at the store!

To help get the brain juices flowing for the party ahead, feel free to use our hobby-based gift ideas for inspiration!

Birthday Gifts for Aspiring Cooks

 

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Green Presents for Nature-Lovers

 

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Mindful Gifts for Curious Scientists

 

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PIN THESE 165+ BIRTHDAY GIFT IDEAS FOR KIDS FOR LATER!