12 Best Christmas Gifts for Kids You Can Buy Online This Year

By Jessica Hartshorn
Updated December 02, 2020
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Credit: Amazon/Pottery Barn Kids/Target

With most people staying home into 2021, it’s more important than ever that children have new things to play with. We think tried-and-true pretend play, building sets, and dolls are your best bet to help kids use their imagination and away from a screen. Everything on this list is new, but also a classic way to play, with choices at all price points and for every age. After you’ve shopped these, check out our Best Toys of 2020 as well as our 30 Best Children’s Books of 2020 for more ideas.

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Melissa & Doug Vroom & Zoom Interactive Dashboard

Credit: Amazon
SHOP

Being stuck indoors doesn’t have to keep your preschooler from practicing those driving skills! This wooden console has it all: a wheel that spins, horn that beeps, key that turns, and GPS that scrolls to show them where they’re headed, plus a bunch more buttons and even a gear shift for great pretend play. Ages 3 to 7

To buy: $50 (originally $55); amazon.com

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Crayola Baby Shark Art Set

Credit: Amazon
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Be the hero who keeps a preschooler busy for a stretch with this impressive art set, stocked with 35 washable markers and 40 crayons in every color, plus 15 Baby Shark-themed coloring pages. Ages 3 and up

To buy: $20; amazon.com

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GUND Baby Tinkle Crinkle & Friends Arch Activity Gym

Credit: Amazon
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Is there a baby on your shopping list? This adorable version of the classic arched playmat includes a cloud-shaped tummy time pillow, hanging toys, a sun-shaped mirror, and the GUND’s famous rainbow caterpillar, Tinkle Crinkle, along one side. Cute and fun and safe for babies right from birth. Ages 0 to 2

To buy: $89; amazon.com

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LEGO Star Wars: The Mandalorian The Razor Crest

Credit: Amazon
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It’s the set of the year for the show of the year and, yes, it comes with tiny Gorgu a.k.a. Baby Yoda. The Razor Crest is Mando’s spaceship, and once your preteen has it built it’s a great playset and collector’s piece to show off.  P.S. If you’re interested in more Star Wars toys, we’ve got a whole guide to Mandalorian merch for all ages. Ages 10 and up

To buy: $130; amazon.com

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QuadPro Magnetic Travel Chess Set With Folding Chess Board

Credit: Amazon
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The miniseries The Queen’s Gambit has sparked new interest in chess among adults and school kids alike. This magnetic travel set is great if you have youngsters in the house—if they bump the board, you won’t lose your places. Ages 6 and up

To buy: $20; amazon.com

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Little Tikes First Washer

Credit: Amazon
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First, hilarious. But also, we’ve encouraged toddlers to pretend-cook for years, so why shouldn’t they pretend to do the laundry too? This set is a tidy little 15-and-a-half inches wide and tall so it doesn’t take up much room, but it offers plenty of pretend play. Ages 2 and up

To buy: $50; amazon.com

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Alex Craft Knot-a-Quilt

Credit: Amazon
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Get a preteen involved in this crafting project that results in a colorful little quilt. Just knot the fleece strips together (no sewing needed!) to piece together the chevron stripes. Ages 6 and up

To buy: $24 (was $33); amazon.com

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Hape Math Monster Scale Toy

Credit: Amazon
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This may be the cutest STEM toy ever. This silly scale does a sneaky job of giving your kid number sense. The scales even out when nine is on one side and six and three go together on the other. But an eight weighs in more than the two and three combined, and so on. Ages 3 and up

To buy: $60; amazon.com

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Playmobil Scooby-DOO! Mystery Macbine

Credit: Amazon
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Kids who’ve caught this year’s Scoob! movie will love this set, which comes with Fred, Daphne, and Velma, along with The Mystery Machine. We recommend buying Shaggy and Scooby figures too, who come in a separate set along with a ghost. Ages 5 and up

To buy: $50; amazon.com

To buy Scooby and Shaggy: $13; walmart.com

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Barbie Extra Dolls

Credit: Walmart
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This playfully over-the-top line comes with wild fashion, big hair, and little pets with their own accessories. The Barbie Extra Line is all about letting kids know that it’s okay for everyone to flaunt their own unique self-expression. Ages 3 and up

To buy: $25 each; walmart.com

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The Animal by Spin Master

Credit: Target
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The unboxing of this vehicle is a hoot: Your kid follows directions to unleash the growling truck from the cage it comes in. The Animal from Spin Master is a remote-control vehicle complete with retractable (but not sharp) claws, and it’s fun to play with long after the unboxing is done. Ages 4 and up

To buy: $30; target.com

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Pottery Barn Kids White Cottage Dollhouse

Credit: Pottery Barn Kids
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This classic wooden house comes ready to be decorated and populated in whatever way your kid sees fit, or you can buy a family and some furniture separately. We like the idea that your kid might use their imagination and make their own scene! Ages 3 and up

To buy: $79 (originally $99); potterybarnkids.com

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