Unique Gifts for Children

Looking for gift ideas for children that go beyond the most obvious toys? This roundup reflects products we reviewed in 2022, including comfort items, ride-on gear, educational activities, cameras, personalized labels and playroom products we thought were worth a look. Availability and product details may have changed since then.

The Soothie Sleeve

The Soothie Sleeve was designed as a comfort plush for babies and young children when they are away from a parent. Mom or dad wears the sleeve around their arm while they sleep, so the parent’s scent is absorbed. Then they can put the sleeve on the plush like a t-shirt. While they are apart from their child, the baby will be comforted by the scent of the parent close by. The concept centers on familiar parental scent as a source of comfort; parents should follow current pediatric guidance for safe use with babies and young children. Soothie Sleeve comes with the hardcover book Close at Heart. Close at Heart is a beautifully illustrated story that shows the many ways Soothie Sleeve can comfort a child. It will quickly become a favorite book to read together. The plush comes in four different variations: bunny, lamb, bear, or elephant. Each one is just as cute and cuddly as the other!  Check Mini Ducklings for current Soothie Sleeve availability and pricing.

Jeep Wrangler Stroller Wagon

The Jeep Wrangler Stroller Wagon was one of the larger practical gifts for families on the go. It folds very compactly, so you can put it in the trunk of your car. The wagon easily fits two children and even a baby car seat! You can haul all your gear to any activity. We liked the wagon for outings such as picnics, neighborhood walks and fishing trips. The UV-blocking canopy protects little ones from the sun while pull-down shades block additional light during naptime. Remove the canopy for open-air cruising. The rear suspension and swivel front wheels were designed to make the ride easier to manage. The back wheel suspension absorbs every little bump while the swivel front wheels allow you to turn and pivot at a moment’s notice. Push or pull the wagon with the two adjustable leatherette handlebars. Check the current Delta Children listing for availability, specifications and pricing.

Mochi Kids

Mochi Kids offered clothing and toys designed to introduce kids to foods and cultures beyond the usual mainstream choices. It is a children’s apparel and lifestyle company founded by a mom of three. Raised by Singaporean and American parents, she grew up eating all kinds of foods. She wants to teach children all about the food, culture, and heritage of the world around them. At the time of this guide, the brand also offered play and gift items for kids.

Mabel’s Labels

A gift you might not think of, but one the parents will be very grateful for! Name labels to avoid lost clothing pieces or missing lunch boxes! Mabel’s Labels offered a wide range of personalized labels for clothing, lunch boxes, water bottles and bags. Tough clothing stickers that will survive years of washing, stickers for the lunch boxes, bands for the water bottles, tags for the bags…they have it all! Everything can be personalized to your heart’s desire. Add the child’s favorite colors and characters, and they will be happy to use them on everything they own! They even have special packs for Christmas, Halloween, birthdays, and many more occasions! A Combo Label Pack for daycare, preschool, or middle school, anyone?

Great Playroom Items

Little Big Playroom has great ball pits, slides, and multipurpose kitchen tower/play tables. The playroom pieces had a modern look and came in several colors and configurations. You can choose between many different looks and colors. The ball pits are the perfect size to fit into a playroom but do not take up too much space. The slides were aimed at toddlers and young children and were sized for indoor play spaces. And then they have the Sit and Stand, a multipurpose station that can be a kitchen tower or a play table.  Little Big Playroom marketed the products as durable and child-focused; check current product guidance and age recommendations before use. These were the kinds of larger playroom gifts we thought were worth considering.

Kidamento

Kidamento offered kid-friendly digital cameras in playful animal designs. The cameras were sized for kids’ hands and came in animal designs such as unicorn, sloth, cat, bear and panda. The Kidamento digital cameras are made with a detachable lightweight silicone (food grade) casing that is comfortable for kids to hold and tough enough to endure dropping and rough play. The silicone is eco-friendly and PVC, phthalate, and BPA-free. This toy digital camera offers popular features like filters and frames, face recognition, a selfie timer, and burst mode, providing kids with lots of fun ways to explore their creativity and build on their skills. Kidamento has digital cameras and instant print cameras. The instant-print models were especially fun because kids could produce a physical picture without a traditional ink cartridge. Check Kidamento’s current lineup for today’s models, supplies and pricing.

Woo! Jr. Kids Activities

Printable activities can also make a useful gift for kids who enjoy drawing, crafts and independent projects. Woo! Jr. Kids Activities offered downloadable printable activity books for drawing, crafts and other independent projects. The Drawing Book for Kids: 365 Daily Things to Draw, Step by Step was one of the drawing options. The Christmas Homeschooling Teacher Bundle and Christmas Craft Pack Bundle were two seasonal options.

For a newer seasonal roundup, see our Best Holiday Gifts for Kids guide.