Whether it’s a birthday, wedding, graduation, or the holiday season, there are often times throughout the year when you need to find some gifts for grandchildren. While sometimes the grandchild is prepared and has a list ready to give you, other times you’re required to think outside the box and are on your own in finding the perfect gift – ideally one you know they’ll love!
We’ve already written about some of the best board games for grandkids, but perhaps they’re not into board games. You may be finding it tricky to remember what kids of their age range are interested in. Maybe you’re not particularly close to them and don’t have a good sense of what they’re currently enjoying playing with. Or, perhaps they already have everything they need.
What do you do in this situation?
Additionally, some well-intentioned grandparents may have given too many gifts in the past, leaving grandkids (and their households) swimming in products that are not used. There’s gift-giving etiquette here to be considered.
In such cases, how do you successfully accomplish your goal? What are the best gifts for grandchildren who have everything?
Well, we encourage you to take a look at our list below, and we think you’ll come away with some original gift ideas to help you complete your gift shopping for grandkids in record time!
Gift Ideas for the 0-3 Year Old
Magnetic Foam Blocks
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Wooden Walker & Activity Center
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First Baby/Toddler Bike
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Foam Ball Pit
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Lovevery Montessori Toy Subscription Box
- This toy subscription box is delivered every 2-3 months from 0-4 years old, and includes support and guidance for parents with expert research, helpful tips, stage-based play ideas, and additional resources accessible via email. This subscription takes all the guesswork out of parents as to what types of developmentally appropriate toys their children should be playing with, making it extremely easy to have beautiful and practical toys available to their children at every stage of their childhood.
Toddler Montessori Cleaning Set
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Wooden Toddler Tool Set
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Foam Play Couch w/ Modular Design
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- Note that this is an incredible gift for the 3-6 year old kids age range as well, as it has endless opportunities for open-ended play and also doubles as an extra bed for family or friend sleepovers!
Gift Ideas for the 3-6 Year Old
13 Pieces Montessori Kitchen Tools for Cooking
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Bug Catching Kit
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Colorful Wooden Stone Shaped Building Blocks
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Kids Camera
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- This is a great way for kids to take photos of their everyday lives, and parents and grandparents alike will love it as it’s also extremely easy to send the photos they’ve taken from the camera straight to a mobile phone for easy sharing, no matter where in the country or world they are!
Walkie Talkies for Kids
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Balance Stepping Stones
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- These are a fun way to create mini obstacle courses for kids around the house or yard, and, as a bonus, they’re an excellent way for kids to develop their balance, coordination, and strength through movement-based play!
Gift Ideas for the 6-9 Year Old
DIY S’mores Sandwich Baking Kit
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Mega Gemstone Dig Kit (full of treasure!)
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Organic Garden Grow Kit
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Paint Your Own Moon Lamp Kit
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Kids Science Kit
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Gift Ideas for the 9-12 Year Old
Karaoke Machine w/ 2 Microphones
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LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Astronomy Tower
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Retro Bike w/ Basket
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Countries of the World Card Game
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- This is a great family-friendly card game for children that grandparents and parents can also play and will enjoy just as much as the kids!
Mini Drone: Magic Flying Orb Ball
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Gift Ideas for the 12-15 Year Old
Skincare or Snacks Mini Fridge (ASIN B08B43MJG3)
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Chenille Chunky Knit Blanket
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Universal Phone Camera Lens Kit
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Owala FreeSip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle
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- This gift idea is one of the ‘cooler’ water bottles on the market these days and is sure to impress their friends while also keeping their drinks extra cold throughout the school day.
3-in-1 Wireless Foldable Charging Station
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Mini Arcade Air Hockey Table
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Gift Ideas for the 15-18 Year Old
Mixi Carry On Suitcase
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Victrola Vintage 3-Speed Bluetooth Portable Suitcase Record Player with Built-in Speakers
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Color Changing LED Strip Lights
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Pickleball Set
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- Pickleball seems to be trending in every age range these days, and you never know, gifting this set to your grandchildren may encourage you to get out there and learn the game yourself to play alongside them!
Inflatable Couch Lounger
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Customizable Neon Sign
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More ‘Out-of-the-Box’ Gift Ideas for Grandchildren (and their families)
These are the gifts that would do well being given to either a granddaughter or grandson. It doesn’t matter who you’re giving these to – either way, they’re going to love them.
A 3D Raised Relief Topographical Map of Their Hometown
Maps beckon one to adventure, and a raised relief map is one of the most exciting ways to portray on paper where one’s roots lay. These gifts can easily be purchased for anywhere on the globe and serve as an excellent piece of wall art that your grandchild will find themselves staring at over and over again.
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Heirloom Jewelry
Whether it’s an old pearl necklace, your mother’s wedding ring, or an antique watch or cufflinks, a timeless piece of jewelry from the family is sure to be a hit with your granddaughter or grandson as they become older teens more capable of taking care of such a precious gift. As you may know, items with a vintage look are in these days!
This gift idea also preserves family history, as it’s a gift they’ll likely want to learn more about by asking you questions about where it came from. This, in turn, is a gift they can eventually pass down to their own kids, which is incredibly special!
An Adventure
There is much that one can learn while out in the wild. And not necessarily just about bushcraft and camping either – though those skills will most certainly come to the forefront of regular practice during such a time as well.
Outward Bound offers guided expeditions with a group of other students as several weeks are spent in the backcountry (sometimes internationally) on sailing, backpacking, rock climbing, or kayaking expeditions. This challenging adventure is sure to be remembered and talked about for years and years to come!
An Instrument
Perhaps at no other time in one’s life does one have the amount of free time as one does during childhood. There is plenty of down-time, and as a result, there is plenty of time to learn new things! One of these things can be music.
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Whether it’s the gift of a ukulele, guitar, low D whistle, or something larger such as a piano, an instrument can be a gift that eventually rewards yourself as well. Should your grandchild take to the instrument and learn their way around it, you’ll eventually be rewarded with song. And, knowing such a melody came about from your own generosity? Well, that can be music to your ears.
A Memoir
Here’s a gift that perhaps will most be appreciated as your grandchild becomes a full-fledged adult themselves. Having taken the time to put pen to paper and write down who you are, how your life played out, and the most important lessons you’ve learned over the course of your life can easily prove to be one of the most treasured gifts that you can ever give your grandchildren, and is sure to be a heirloom item from that day forward. This is a gift that your grandchildren will in turn give to theirs.
Letters to my Grandchild
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A Digital Photo Frame
A digital photo frame is one of the best gifts you can give to an entire family, as it allows for your loved ones to have a constant rotation of special memories, from time spent all together, in their living room at all times. This digital frame allows you to easily upload unlimited photos from your phone, making it an easy and great gift idea that even older kids love since they can take part in uploading photos themselves.
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A Special One-on-One Date
Time spent together is the ultimate gift, and the activity you do together doesn’t have to be extravagant for it to count as a wonderful and thoughtful gift. Personally, I loved when my grandfather would make a big deal out of taking my sister and me to his local American Legion club to order us a shirley temple with extra cherries and let us beat him in shuffleboard while his friends watched. It was simple but so fun and special every single time, and now that he’s been gone for many, many years, it’s one of my favorite and most cherished childhood memories.
Baking or cooking together, renting a kayak or paddleboat and spending the afternoon on the local river together, going to a sports game, or taking board games and a picnic basket to a park for a few hours with your grandchild are all activity ideas that are sure to be memorable and fun for everyone (and many of these are very budget friendly as well!).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the average dollar amount spent on holiday gifts for a grandchild?
$218, according to a recent 2023 survey by OppU. “On average, our survey found that grandparents spend $218 on holiday gifts for their grandkids. But we were a little bit surprised when we found that grandpas actually spent more on holiday gifts than grandmas: $244 to $202.”
Should grandparents get the parents’ opinion on a gift for grandkids before purchasing?
Getting parents’ opinions on gifts before gifting them to grandchildren is generally a thoughtful and considerate approach. It can be beneficial for a few reasons, including respect for parenting choices, avoiding duplicates, safety concerns, cultural or religious considerations, and avoiding discomfort.
However, if you have a close relationship with the parents and feel as though you have a good understanding of their preferences, you may feel more confident in choosing a gift independently. Ultimately, the key is to be considerate and keep the best interests of the children and their parents in mind.
When should you stop giving gifts to grandchildren?
There is no right or wrong answer here, however, most families tend to agree that once the child graduates from high school or college, or at an appropriate age (for example 21), the gifts will stop. However, it’s important to do what feels right for you – both emotionally and financially. If you’d like to keep giving gifts well into their adult years, no one is stopping you!
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, you’ve found the above gift lists of some value in helping you find the perfect gift for the grandchild who has everything. At the very least, perhaps it has gotten you to think of something that isn’t on this list but that was somehow related to it.
Either way, please let us know your thoughts. Did you find the above gift guide helpful? Are there other gift ideas you think make great gifts for the kids who have everything? Let us know in the comments below!
About the Author
Leona Small is a freelance writer and former caregiver. She has experience working with people with Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias and has spent years working alongside both patients and caregivers in Hospice. Additionally, she’s worked as a Professional Organizer helping people and families to purge, organize, manage, and prepare for various life transitions such as moving, downsizing, and the passing of loved ones. Her passions include writing about healthy aging, innovative resources to help older adults and caregivers, and traveling.