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The best gifts for kids (and kids at heart)
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From building-toys for toddlers to bikes and kits for older kids, the best gifts for kids help them experience the world in new, exciting ways—and are fun to play with even as they grow. We also have gift ideas for those who are no longer kids but still have that child-like spirit, including staff picks for the best Lego sets for adults (which you’ll find only in this newsletter).
Want even more help? We have gift ideas for every budget and interest.
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Gifts they’ll actually use |
Kids of all ages will love these gifts |
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There’s no single Lego set that every kid will love. Instead, our research and testing led us to conclude that for total beginners, it’s best to start with a small, themed set that can capitalize on a kid’s existing interests.
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Whether Santa’s idea of perfect stocking stuffers is traditional, practical, or whimsical, these little gifts will surely delight. Some of these gifts may even be appreciated by adults, too.
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The best family gifts help kids and parents bond—and play. That’s why we recommend games, a basketball hoop, and fun gear for hanging out together.
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We’ve gathered the best pet gifts worthy of your cat- or dog-child, because the holidays aren’t just for the humans in your life.
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For the kids at heart |
It’s acceptable to build Legos in your 30s |
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The Best Legos for Adults |
Who said Legos were just for kids? Our staffers have some favorites:
- The Ship in a Bottle is part of Lego’s Ideas line, which creates official sets adapted from ideas submitted by Lego fans. This is also where sets as disparate as those based on Voltron, The Flintstones, and Friends’s Central Perk came from. The Ship in a Bottle set is interesting because you’re really building three things: a ship, a life-size glass-bottle replica, and a display stand.
- Erik Erickson, our data platforms manager, recommends any of the city modular sets. He is currently working on the Parisian Restaurant, but his favorite so far has been the Downtown Diner. Many of them even have an implied narrative. For instance, the (now retired) Detective’s Office set has a shady pool hall next to a barber shop, and there seems to be candy smuggling going on. Also, regardless of how many sets you have or which ones they are, you can connect them all to create part of a town.
- The detail inside the NASA Apollo Saturn V set is stunning, according to Korrena Bailie, our Money senior editor. “The finished product hides the incredible detail of all the engines inside that only the builders know, making the satisfaction in the finished product that much greater.” Korrena highly recommends this set if you’re ever stuck inside with family for a couple of days (like over the holidays).
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We have picks for new gamers and more-advanced players, for those looking for party or two-player games, and for those who prefer cooperative play to intense competition.
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Razor A3 Scooter
$46 $39 from Amazon |
Our top scooter pick for trick riding, the Razor A3 is fast and fun. It is normally around $46, so this isn't a dramatic drop, but it's the first deal we've posted for this scooter. This deal is for the green or blue color.
Read more: The Best Gifts for 9-Year-Olds
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