Parent Resources

Creative Gift Ideas for Big Kids

October 2, 2024

Need creative gift ideas for the big kids in your life? Check out this list of some of our favorite toys, art supplies, and games for ages 6-9.

As our kids grow, their interests deepen and curiosity takes them in all kinds of directions. Now is the perfect time to look for gifts that fuel their creativity, challenge their brains, and help them find new ways to express themselves!

In this guide, you’ll find a variety of unique and engaging gift ideas for big kids that are perfect for this new stage of life. Read on to find gifts designed to captivate, inspire, and bring out the best in every big kid.

The ideas in this list are perfect for kids aged 6 and up. Of course open-ended gifts like these will work for a wide range of ages, so they can often be enjoyed by both younger and older siblings as well!

Our Favorite Big Kid Gifts

Air Dry Clay Kit

This clay is super soft and easy to work with. We especially love all the fun colors!

Marble Run

Our marble run has gotten an incredible amount of playtime over the years. I love how it’s grown with my kids, from building together when they were little, to creating elaborate structures as they grow!

Rainbow Masking Tape

A stack of colored masking tape will be a dream come true for your creative big kid!

Giant Bubbles Kit

Bubbles are always a hit with kids of all ages, but this giant bubble kit really takes the fun to the next level! We especially love this cute winter edition for holiday gifts. (And when you run out of bubble solution you can always try making your own!)

Real Tool Set

This tool set comes with everything your child needs to tinker around the house. And we love the sturdy carrying bag that comes in blue or orange!

Cardboard Building Kit

This kit is full of everything your kids need to take their cardboard creations to the next level! They’ll never look at an empty box the same way again.

Wooden Domino Set

This domino set has been a favorite for many years. Your kids (and you!) will have hours of fun setting up elaborate domino courses.

Metallic Pens

These metallic felt-tip pens are great for drawing on cardboard, wood, and more!

Ukulele

While guitars are too big for most kids to learn, the ukulele is the perfect size for beginners. We also love this introductory book from singer/songwriter/picture book author Emily Arrow.

Neon Oil Pastels

Oil pastels are one of our favorite art supplies, and this neon set makes art time extra fun! Don’t forget to grab a UV flashlight to get the full effect.

Keva Planks

These Keva Planks come with challenges to turn 2-dimensional diagrams into 3-dimensional builds. They are great for open-ended play and construction too.

Audible Gift Subscription

Have your kids discovered the joy of audio books? A gift subscription to Audible can be such a fun way to encourage a lifelong love of stories. Choose between 1, 3, 6, or 12 months, then print a gift certificate- the perfect unexpected stocking stuffer!

Potholder Loom

These potholder looms are just as fun as you remember them!

Magnetic Tiles

These magnetic blocks are so popular for good reason: they are SO MUCH FUN! You won’t be able to resist building a few things yourself. Already have a basic set? Check out this super fun add-on!

Dollhouse

This wooden dollhouse is great quality and will inspire all kinds of imaginative play.

Tabletop Game

We fell in love with Klask last holiday season, and it’s still going strong at our house. Everyone who comes over wants to play!

Kalimba

This small instrument is sometimes called a “finger piano,” and produces a beautiful sound even for true beginners. We also love this smaller version for a unique stocking stuffer idea!

Big Paper Rolls

Your child will love doing HUGE artwork on a long sheet of paper. A roll like this will last forever and give hours of enjoyment.

Sturdy Binoculars

This pair of binoculars comes in two color choices and is perfectly kid-sized, so they’ll be able to spot wildlife wherever they go.

Instant Camera

I know Instax cameras are all the rage, but that film gets really pricey really fast! This thermal printing camera is a great alternative at a lower price point, and I’ve found that many kids like it just as much as its pricier cousin. Plus, this particular camera comes with markers to decorate your prints for an extra-creative twist!

Cash Register

Just like all great open-ended toys, a cash register can be a central player in all kinds of imaginative play: grocery store, restaurant, office work, farmer’s market, pet store… your kids will come up with so many fun ideas!

Chemistry Kit

Your child can take their chemistry love to the next level with this incredible science kit! The instructions are easy to follow and have enough ingredients for hours of experimentation.

Kitchen Set

Give your child independence in the kitchen with this huge kitchen set. You can also purchase kid-safe knives alone.

Kids’ Cookbooks

You can pair any kitchen utensils with a cookbook for a fantastic gift. We have and use both this introduction to cooking and introduction to baking. They are a perfect starting point for kids!

Complete Drawing Set

Your artsy kids will flip for this drawing set full of everything they need to level up their drawings!

Self-Paced Drawing Class

If your child is really interested in expanding their skills, they’ll love this online Master Class for Kids (Save 25% today by using our link above!) Three modules walk students through the basics of line and shape, light and shadow, and one-point perspective. All from the comfort of home. (And if painting is more their thing, check out the Watercolor Workshop!)

Duct Tape

Seriously. Pair a colorful set of duct tape with a fun crafting book like this one and you’ll be amazed at what your tween can create!

Face Paint Sticks

Face paint sticks have been so much fun for our kids over the years. Your preschoolers will have a blast experimenting with these!

Fashion Plates

I had a set like this when I was a kid, and I’m so glad to see they’re back! Your young fashion designer will spend hours creating all kinds of snazzy looks.

LEGO Gear Bots

LEGOs are an obvious gift for big kids. How about shaking things up with this LEGO engineering kit? The perfect STEM gift for LEGO obsessed kids that also encourages a lifelong love for engineering. Check out this gadgets version too!

Rainbow Glitter Pens

These glitter gel pens are so cute AND smell super yummy. They are a great choice for kids who love to doodle!

Cordless Glue Gun

For older kids who love to build, a cordless glue gun will be a gift that can take their creations to the next level. Find tips on using a hot glue gun with kids HERE.

Hair Chalk

We love this temporary, dust-free hair color, letting kids get creative with their hair, wash, and repeat! We’ve also gotten a lot of use out of these clip-on hair colors.

Harmonica

A basic harmonica a great choice for kids experimenting with instruments. We love how this one comes with its own sturdy carrying case!

Bookmaking Kit

These kits provide kids with the opportunity to write and illustrate their own story or comic book. When completed, mail in the manuscript and your child will receive a hardbound copy of their very own book!

Family Art Club Membership

Kids Art Spot is an online art club that allows bigger kids to gain independence with their creativity. Members enjoy unlimited access to hundreds of open-ended art videos, fun printables, and a fresh set of ideas every single month.

Perler Beads Kit

Remember these? They’ve stood the test of time for a reason!

Kindle Kids Paperwhite

Not to be confused with a Kindle Fire tablet, these eReaders were an absolute game-changer in my house. No more packing up a bag full of books for every road trip! The kindle kids comes with a free 6-month subscription of amazon kids+ where they’ll find lots of great titles to enjoy, but you can also just check out eBooks from your local library!

More Gift Ideas for Kids

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The Artful Parent Editorial Team

The Artful Parent Editorial team (Rachel, Anna, Andrea, Heather) loves to gather great content and fun, fresh art activities and sensory play ideas for kids.

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