You know the great thing about kids? It doesn’t take a lot of money to entertain them. Sure, they love the iPad and Playstation, but they also love sticks and rocks. Are you shopping or looking for ideas for the “best cheap gifts for kids” and finding it hard to decide which cheap, yet creative, presents for your kiddos will be the right choice?
Inexpensive Gifts for Children
There are many traditional (and not so traditional) inexpensive gifts for kids from which to choose. Some of the best cheap gifts for kids detailed below will keep a child (or a group of youngsters) engaged by their natural curiosity or, provide laugh-out-loud moments that become childhood memories later in life.
Still, other gifts offer educational and learning experiences to meet the needs of a child’s forever-present, inquisitive mind or, to support a child’s personal growth through the refinement of motor skills through play.
The cheap gift ideas for kids noted below, offer more than 25 gift options for cheap gifts for children with a price tag of $20, or less. Remember, when buying a gift for someone, it sometimes helps to think outside the box.
We all know Amazon prices never sit still; however, all items were under $20 at the time of publishing.
$ = under $10
$$ = under $15
$$$ = under $20
1. Biodegradable Chinese Lanterns to Release (5-pack)
These Chinese Lanterns (for release) create unique and innovative lighting arrangements for any get-together or celebration. Because these inexpensive gifts for children are made from biodegradable materials, they are eco-friendly, as well as festive. The package includes five lanterns that make a statement for celebrations, Memorials, New Year’s Eve and any other festivity.
Price Tag – $
Recommended Ages N/A
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2. Joke Card Set
Ridley’s Joke Card Set will bring hours of smiles for children of all ages and always a good choice when needing to buy inexpensive gifts for kids. Each of the jokes in the card set is written on a popsicle shaped card. Ridley’s Joke Card set includes 100 silly, never get old, knee-slapping popsicle joke cards. Popsicle joke cards are a fun addition to any party or school event. These laugh out loud popsicle-themed joke cards arrive in a reusable storage case.
Price Tag – $
Recommended Ages 5 months to 8
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3. Paper Airplane Kit
Paper airplane kits are considered among the classic cheap kid gifts. This paper airplane kit provides hours of creativity and fun. The kit includes materials to make 20 classics, mini paper airplanes that can then be decorated with the stickers included in the airplane kit. Once decorated, the paper airplanes are great fun for a sleepover, a rainy weekend, or small playgroups. Kit includes simple instructions for several plane styles.
Price Tag – $
Recommended Ages 6 to 15
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4. Stickers!
This sticker collection includes 100 trendy animal vinyl stickers to personalize bicycles, laptops, phones, tablets, and water bottles, among others. These cheap gifts for children animal-themed vinyl decals are great party favors or hours of fun for rainy day weekends. These vinyl animal stickers are reusable and can be re-applied over and over. These stickers come with a 100% guarantee exchange for decals that are damaged by non-artificial means.
Price Tag – $
Recommended Ages 6 to 16
5. Garden Tool Set
This Garden Tool Set is an excellent choice for kid gardeners who want to work alongside Dad/Mom in the garden or yard. Cheap presents for kids, like this garden toolset, are designed for smaller hands and constructed from wood connected with enameled metal. It includes two shovels, two trowels, and two rakes and a pocketed, canvas carrying case.
Price Tag – $
Recommended Ages 3 to 8
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6. Uno Classic (Tin Box)
UNO is one of the classic card game that is great family or party fun that falls within the cheap gift ideas for kids category. This version of UNO includes a metal storage/travel case that holds 112 game cards and instructions. Create strategic card moves using UNO’s unique action cards like Wild, Draw Four Wild, Skip and reverse cards to stealthily beat opponents by being the first player to have no cards left.
Price Tag – $
Recommended Ages 7+
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7. Spot It! Party Game
The award-winning party game Spot it! requires players (2 to 8) to test their skills of observation and reflexes. Spot it! is a fast-paced, easy to learn card game with several mini-games built-in. Spot it! is one of those cheap kid gifts that creates a new version of the game each time it is played. Join the fun offered by Spot It!, the global phenomenon.
Price Tag – $
Manufacturer’s Recommended Ages 7 to 15
8. Flashlight (LED-4 Pack Glow-in-the-Dark)
The Adecco super bright flashlight set includes four glow-in-the-dark flashlights that are lit by 9 LED lights. These smaller flashlights are lightweight and include a nylon carrying cord. Flashlight colors include blue, green, pink, and yellow. Adecco offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee and a one-day customer service turnaround. Flashlights operate with 3 AAA batteries, sold separately.
Price Tag – $
Recommended Age – N/A
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9. Kinetic Sand
Kinetic Sand offers tons of fun as it can mold, pull, shape, and mix to create anything imaginable. Kinetic Sand acts as a sensory activity for children as they hone their dexterity skills. Kinetic Sand is safe to use and leaves no mess. The Kinetic Sand kit includes 2 pounds of neon green, blue, pink, and purple Kinetic Sand.
Price Tag – $
Recommended Ages 3 to 5
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10. Slinky – Original (3 pack)
The Original Slinky has been a laugh out loud kid (and adult) favorite for decades. The slinky is constructed of metal shaped coil that moves in an accordion-like manner, so slinks down steps by itself. Slinkys are American made and a timeless game that offers hours of slinky fun and laughter.
Price Tag – $$
Recommended Ages 5 to 15
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11. Emojinks Emoji Card Games for Families
The Emojinks card game provides hours of a heart-stopping, interactive, entertaining card game for kid party guests or family game night, etc. The Emojinks card game is two card games in one and sure to eliminate kid’s boredom in an instant. Locate the JINKS card and match other cards to march to victory. Considered one of the most fun, cheap gifts for children.
Price Tag – $$
Recommended Ages 5+
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12. Crazy Dots Markers
The U.S Art Supply’s crazy dot markers provide instant fun and an opportunity for kids to explore their world of creativity. The Crazy Dot marker set includes eight colored dot markers that are orange, green, red, pink, yellow, blue, and purple. Marker ink is washable, non-toxic, and child safe. Crazy Dot Markers are sold with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Price Tag – $$
Recommended Age N/A
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13. Night Vision Goggles
ArmoGear Night Vision Goggles provide kids to enhance backyard or camping night activities. The Night Vision goggles, with an intense LED light attached, can illuminate the darkness for more than 20 feet. Kids use these night-vision goggles to explore their surroundings on pretend-spy missions. Ideas for cheap gifts for kids, like these night vision goggles, are constructed with a rugged, yet comfortable design that is childproof.
Price Tag – $$
Recommended Aged 6+
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14. Creativity for Kids Grow ‘n Glow Terrarium
Some of the best cheap gifts for kids are quite unique and speak to a child’s specific curiosity. A terrarium, which is a min-garden grown in a natural environment that has been simulated, is a terrific educational kit for future gardeners or scientists. A terrarium provides an opportunity for kids to create a personal ecological system. Kit includes a mason job made of plastic, soil, seeds, and figurines.
Price Tag – $$
Recommended Aged 6 – 96
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15. Nalgene Triton 12 oz. Water Bottle
Nalgene Triton 12-ounce water bottles have surpassed some of the world’s most rigorous conditions. These kid-tested water bottles are somewhat odor-proof and spill-proof and the perfect size for a smaller kid. The water bottles are PBA free and safe for small children and available in up to 22 colors in variations of the colors blue, orange, pink, green, and purple.
Price Tag – $$
Recommended Age N/A
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16. Kids Safari Hat and Vest
This Safari adjustable hat and cargo vest set will tempt any kid to choose to play outdoors by exploring the world of nature or to bird watch, etc. This Safari hat and cargo vest set also double as a Halloween costume. The vest and hat are made from lightweight, durable materials.
Price Tag – $$
Recommended Aged 2 – 7
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17. Scentco Smencils Scented Pencils
Watch the delight on the face of a kid when they realize each of the ten new pencils/present have a distinct aroma. The gourmet flavors of the graphite pencils include strawberry, grape, bubble gum, black cherry, root beer, orange, kiwi, raspberry, pineapple, and blueberry. The package contains ten smencils, each with an attached eraser, and a graphic that indicates its flavored smell.
Price Tag – $$
Recommended Aged 3+
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18. Flipbook Kit
A Flipbook is a sewn-bound-book that is constructed of no-bleed paper for young artists to animate a flip-movie or simply draw a favorite superhero or action figure. The Flipbook set includes six 200-page books and six grades of graphite drawing instruments. The Flipbook Kit is sold with a money-back 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Price Tag – $$
Recommended Age N/A
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19. Rainbrella Kids Sky Collection Rainbows Umbrella, Clear
The Rainbrella Kids Umbrella is a practical and cool rainbow umbrella for kids to hold on their own. The Rainbrella Kids Sky collection umbrella is made from Pongee material and lightweight, with a transparent canopy for kids to look through. The size of the umbrella handle has been designed to fit smaller hands.
Price Tag – $$$
Recommended Age N/A
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20. Jenga Classic
Jenga reigns king as the original woodblock staking game that is great fun for kids of all ages. The Jenga Classic wood game includes instructions and 54 blocks made from hardwood. Jenga is a breeze to learn and can be played indoors, outdoors, in an RV or an airplane. Jenga can be played with one to an unlimited number of players.
Price Tag – $$$
Recommended Age 6+
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21. Fred Mr. Food Face Plate
Mr. Food Face plate is a ceramic plate designed for young children. Fred’s face adorns the plate and provides eye-catching stimulus and fun for children while they eat. Show them how to make a mustache of peas or carrots. The plate is constructed from food-safe ceramics that have been high fired. The plate measures 9” x 9”.
Price Tag – $$$
Recommended Age N/A
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22. Boley’s Pretend Play Kids Cleaning Set
Boley’s Pretend Play Kid’s Cleaning Set includes eight cleaning pieces for a young cleaning helper. All materials are toxic-free and sold with a satisfaction guarantee. The eight cleaning pieces include a spray bottle, powder can, broom, hand brush, mop, and scraper, plus a right plastic storage bucket. Children refine their motor skills and learn essential life cleaning skills at the same time, during an engaging activity.
Price Tag – $$$
Recommended Age 3+
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23. Shadow Puppets Theatre
A shadow puppet theater has long been considered a classic group kid’s game. This puppet theater allows theater storytellers and young set designers an opportunity to explore the art of shadow puppets. The theater kit includes a theater made of sturdy cardboard, clip-on lights (2), felt puppets (12) that can be customized by a child.
Price Tag – $$$
Recommended Ages 7 to 18
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24. Ultimate DIY Slime Kit
A Slime Kit is a long-time, proven kid favorite. The Baby Mushroom Slime Kit offers hours of do-it-yourself fun and includes all the materials and tools required to make green-glowing slime, clear slime, or glittering slime, to name just a few. The kit consists of a recipe book for amazing chemistry slime experiments — great fun after school, small group activities, and rainy day weekends.
Price Tag – $$$
Recommended Aged 8+
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25. Exploding Kittens Original Card Game
Exploding Kittens is a card game that requires strategic thinking in the form of a kitty-version of Russian Roulette. Deploy catnip sandwiches and bunny spies, while trying to avoid the exploding kitten cards, on the way to meet the all-knowing Goat Wizard. This edition of Exploding Kittens is the inaugural version and a limited edition.
Price Tag – $$$
Recommended Ages 7+
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26. Felt Letter Board (in Gray)
A felt board is a great way for kids to express thoughts and feelings about an occasion or just daily life. The felt board measures 10″ x 10″ and includes 300 three-quarters of one-inch white letters and symbols. The board and letters fit into a drawstring carrying case for easy cleanup and storage. An oak frame complements the felt board.
Price Tag – $$$
Recommended Ages N/A
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27. Vanstarry 8 x 21 Binoculars
Kid’s-sized binoculars offer hours of exploration and fun for boys and girls. These smaller-sized binoculars are constructed using high-resolution optics and a free lifetime policy of replacement binoculars. Binoculars expand a child’s landscape and horizon and great for star watching, bird watching, the theater, and outdoor concerts. The binoculars offer a magnification of 8x and a 21 mm lens.
Price Tag – $$$
Recommended Age N/A
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28. Kid Made Modern Comic Book Kit
The Kid Made Modern Comic Book Kit encourages young minds to create stories about their future, favorite movie stars, or superheroes. The only limitation of the comic book kit is a child’s imagination and creativity. Children learn the art of storytelling and express their ideas in the 32-page book. It also includes markers, stencils, stamps, refillable ink pads, and a storage case.
Price Tag – $$$
Recommended Ages 6 and up
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29. MAGNETIC BLOCKS BUILDING SET
The Magnetic Building Block Set from DreambuilderToy provides hours of imaginative fun for young children as they find unique ways to express themselves. The building blocks encourage children to solve complex problems while enjoying themselves. The set includes an idea book, 16 triangles, and 24 squares.
Price Tag – $$$
Recommended Ages 3 to 7
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30. Cinematic Light-Up Box Letter Board
The Letter Board light up, cinematic box is one of the good cheap gifts for kids to personalize a sign for a birthday party or a kid’s show. The LightBox is lit by LED lights (batteries or USB powered, not included) and includes 100 different numbers, symbols, emojis, and letters that slide into the box’s slots. Each row holds nine tiles. The light-up board can be used on a flat surface or wall-mounted.
Price Tag – $$$
Recommended Ages N/A
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Related:
50 Fun & Easy Craft Ideas for Kids
