The best Christmas gifts for kids and teenagers in 2024
Often fickle and fussy, young people are one of the hardest cohorts to buy for. So if they haven’t already given you their wishlist, or you’re buying for someone you don’t know too well, we’re here to help. Whether they’re a toddler, tween or teen, we’ve put together some suggestions for the best gifts this year.
Best Christmas gifts for babies, toddlers and kids
Yoto Player, from $150
Newly launched in Australia, Yoto is an audio player and portable speaker that allows kids to listen to music, books and podcasts without the need for screens. Designed for kids aged three to 12 and beyond, Yoto has no microphone, camera or ads and also features a night light and clock. The system comes with free audio, but additional books and podcasts can be purchased additionally.
Kip&Co x Ken Done Short Sleeve Romper, $39
From Kip&Co’s recent collaboration with Ken Done, this summer romper ($39) features playful illustrations from the Australian icon. Made from a soft organic cotton jersey, the onesie comes in a range of sizes to suit babies from newborn to 24 months.
Young busy bodies will enjoy this reusable scribble mat ($35). Crafted from silicone, it can be easily wiped clean for endless doodles and scribbles. Each kit comes with four non-toxic coloured pens and a convenient felt pouch for storage and transportation. The mat can even double as a placemat, playdough mat or an alternative to baking paper (the mat can withstand temperatures of up to 220°C).
Rubbabu Shapes Sorter from The Memo, $50
This sweet little Shapes Sorter by Rubbabu ($50) is a great tactile toy for bubs 18 months and up. Made from a squishy rubber foam coated in a soft velvety material, the tomato-shaped base comes with seven little vegetable pieces that neatly fit in places. It’s easy to clean and good for developing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
For the baby who is going to spend summer by the beach, this double-sided embroidered seashell bib ($40) is as much a keepsake as it is a practical gift. Made from hypoallergenic cotton muslin, it’s soft, absorbent and a perfect accessory for the most stylish small person in your life.
Zoo or aquarium pass, various
Taronga Zoo, Sydney.Credit: Peter Rae
If they’ve been obsessed with Moo Deng or Pesto the Penguin, why not get them a family pass to see their favourite animals up close? Depending on where you live, there are various options for different budgets at aquariums and zoos around Australia, including:
- Taronga Zoo, Sydney, family flex passes from $130.
- Sea Life, Sydney, passes from $225.
- Melbourne Zoo, membership from $159.
- Sea Life, Melbourne, passes from $225.
- Australia Zoo, Brisbane (one-hour drive from the city centre), annual pass from $239.
Crocodile Creek Playground Ball, from $16
A bouncy ball is never an unwelcome gift in a kid’s world. These playground balls (starting at $16) from Crocodile Creek are lightweight and extra bouncy with a textured exterior for small hands to grip. They come in two sizes and an array of colours and patterns to suit even the most discerning of tastes.
George the Wizard, Tony Armstrong and Emma Sjan Beukers, $20
From television personality Tony Armstrong and illustrator Emma Sjaan Beukers, George the Wizard ($20) is an inventive and uplifting picture book about a magical being who’s missing one thing from his life: friends. Both Armstrong and Beukers have crafted a quirky, psychedelic universe in which creatures of all shapes and sizes have a place.
Izimini Baby Chair, $85
Izimini’s baby chairs ($85) come in a range of prints featuring designs from local artists. They come with a matching carry bag and storage pocket, and straps so it can be converted into a booster seat at the dining table. Coming in at just under two kilograms, it’s lightweight and folds up neatly for trips to the beach, park or family camping trips.
Globber Premium V2 Scooter with Lights, $135
Help them travel in style with this light-up scooter from French brand Globber ($135). This model is designed for children aged three to nine, with an adjustable frame that can grow as they do. The scooter features steering lock technology to assist with balance, a grippy deck and of course, the main attraction: battery-free LED light up wheels.
Wingaru Hunt and Gather Game, $40
This Hunt and Gather Game ($40) from 100 per cent Aboriginal-owned education company Wingaru is a great gift for outdoorsy kids or those with a keen interest in native flora and fauna. Based on memory card games, the game is designed to encourage socials skills while helping kids learn about First Nations culture. Plus, everything is beautifully illustrated by Dunghutti artist Aunty Cynthia O’Brien-Younie.
Connetix Rainbow Creative Pack, $169
A notch above your average puzzle, this kit of tiles from Connetix can be reconfigured in endless ways. Their Rainbow Creative Pack ($169) is a popular option, with 102 magnetic coloured tiles in different shapes which kids can join together to create castles, rockets, bridges and towers. Suitable for ages three and up, the open-ended style of the puzzle means designs can get more complex as kids grow.
From Aussie sister duo Alice and Bridget, Double Date’s Your Main Roomie letters ($110) make for a playful addition to any nursery or bedroom. Assembled by hand, their colourful acrylic letters feature cheeky faces and come with a keyhole hanger so they can be mounted on the wall if desired.
IQ Mini Hexpert, $10
This pocket-sized puzzle is great for keeping young minds active on the go. Suitable for ages seven and up, the IQ Mini Hexpert ($10) features puzzle pieces and “blockers”, which players must reconfigure to create their own challenges. The game is designed to help promote cognitive skills such as concentration, problem-solving and spacial insight.
Isla and Mimi Dahlia Dress, $64
From Pinikura mum and daughter duo Betty Ramsay and Kira Trow, Isla and Mimi is a West Australian brand designed to celebrate their Indigenous heritage. Intended for kids aged zero to three, the Dahlia dress ($64) is made from 100 per cent organic cotton and features a sweet gingham print with Aboriginal paintings of campsites.
Penguin Bowling Set, $35
This sweet little Penguin Bowling Set ($35) is great for fun on the road. The mini wooden penguins, each standing about 12 centimetres tall, can be brought out after dinner or at the park for instant entertainment. It comes with a cotton bag for easy storage and transportation.
Play Pouch, $69
This Play Pouch ($69) is as much a gift for parents as it is for kids. Crafted from a thick, easy-to-wipe-down material, this play mat doubles as a drawstring bag that can easily be bundled up to keep toys in place and reduce clutter. They come in a big range of designs to suit different tastes, from dinosaurs, to trains and fairy woodlands.
The perfect gift for aspiring marine biologists, a subscription to Ocean Thinkers Club ($84) provides 12 months of educational activities about our waterways. Designed for ages two to 12, each pack includes colouring pages, word searches, craft projects and fact-sheets created in consultation with artists, educators and marine biologists. 100 per cent of net profits go to ocean conservation projects in Australia.
Lovevery The Problem Solver Play Kit, $195
Lovevery is a children’s educational brand that makes products designed with the expertise of practitioners, researchers and academics. They have a range of kits to support children at every stage of development, including The Problem Solver Play Kit ($195) for three-year-olds that comes with six puzzles designed to stimulate their number and counting skills.
Miss Amara Rollie Pollie Play Mat, from $299
If they have a newborn and a nursery to decorate, a good play mat is a practical staple. These Rollie Pollie Mats from Miss Amara (from $299) are soft and thick, with a non-slip underside. They come in a range of patterns, colours and shapes and are designed to be easy to clean for messy kids.
Best Christmas gifts for tweens
Skin Control Pimple Patch Party Pack, $9
For skincare-obsessed tweens, pimple patches are just as much a fashion statement as they are a treatment. This party pack from Skin Control ($9), features 36 fun patches including stars, hearts, flowers, kisses and rainbows, and makes for a great stocking stuffer or accompaniment to a larger gift.
Refurbished Nintendo Game Boy Console, various
The gaming world has recently been swept by a wave of nostalgia with the re-release of the Nintendo Classic Mini. While that particular re-release is completely sold out, why not get them the real deal with a refurbished Game Boy? For teens too young to have grown up with Game Boys, the console will be an exciting oddity, particularly for those into gaming. Super Retro has a range of options alongside old school games such as Pokemon and Kirby.
This sweet charm bracelet from Melbourne brand Fazeek ($89), is a playful but suitably “grown-up” option for fashionable tweens. Featuring a quirky mix of hand-blown glass beads strung on a stainless-steel chain, the style will work worn alone or paired with other pieces in their collection.
For the tween who loves their Frank Green water bottle, why not get them a matching lunch box? Frank Green’s new lunch containers ($80) come in four fun colours with modular, leak-proof compartments. They’re also made with 90 per cent post-consumer recycled stainless steel. And for the kid who is always losing things, you can get their name monogrammed on it for an additional $10.
Scholastic The Best Ever Book Of Lanyard Scoubidou & Boondoggle, $30
Remember Scoubidous? The braided charms were a mainstay in school yards of the 2000s, and with Gen Z’s Y2K obsession going nowhere, they’re a fun gift for the crafty tween. This kit from Scholastic ($30), comes with everything they’ll need to make their own Scoubidous, which they can trade with friends, wear as bracelets or hang on backpacks.
Holiday Shop Striped Shorts, $65
From Paul Mescal to Scandi street style, boxer shorts are all the rage this summer. These candy-striped shorts from Australian label Holiday Shop ($65) are made from 100 per cotton poplin, making them a quick-drying and lightweight option ideal for summer adventures.
Cotton On LED Karaoke Speaker, $50
This LED Karaoke Speaker from Cotton On ($50) makes a fun addition to Christmas Day activities and is great for budding pop stars. The simple set-up involves a speaker with rainbow lights and microphone (lyrics not included), and is compatible with most home smart devices.
Contour Cube, $35
Bearing the tick of approval from Kylie and Kendall Jenner, the Contour Cube ($35) is a bit of fun. Designed to be filled with water and frozen, they can be used to de-puff tired eyes and “contour” the face. If they want to get a little crazy, teens can experiment with different fillings such as green tea or lemon for different effects.
Who doesn’t love Snoopy? The charming cartoon canine has been enjoying a bit of a resurgence recently, including with these puffy slippers from Baggu ($86). Ideal for padding around the house in, they’re also machine washable, making them easy to clean. These also come with a sweet matching bag for travel or storage.
Best Christmas gifts for teenagers
Orbital Box Breathing Galaxy from Escape Welt, $170
The Orbital Box Breathing Galaxy is a complex puzzle designed by a team of engineers in Germany. Suitable for ages 14 and up, the game features different escape rooms that require logic to find their way out of. The super compact design also makes it portable and a great option for them to take along on summer holidays.
MACCA: My Story So Far, Mackenzie Arnold with Emma Kemp, $37
If they have been keen observers of the Tillies, they’ll enjoy MACCA: My Story So Far, the memoir from “brick wall” goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold. In it, she talks about the 2023 World Cup campaign that swept the nation, her early childhood memories and her experience with hearing loss.
If you know they’re an NBA fan, why not get them some merch from Cotton On? Their graphic tees ($50) are unisex, crafted from a heavyweight cotton and designed for a boxy fit, featuring the embroidered logo of their favourite team, whether it’s The Lakers, The Nicks, the Chicago Bulls or the Charlotte Hornets.
Maison de Sabre The Airpods Case, $65
This leather Airpods case ($65) from Maison de Sabre is a very “grown-up” addition to any teenager’s kit. Made from a luxe full-grain leather, choose a bright colour that will be hard to miss at the bottom of their backpack, or classic beige or black for the minimal teen. Maison de Sabre also has a free monogramming service, which makes for a nice personal addition to the gift.
Nike Cortez, from $140
The Adidas Samba may have been the “it” shoe of the past few years, but there is far more out there to choose from when it comes to slimline, vintage-inspired sneakers. Nike’s Cortez shoes (from $140) are a classic, and come in a range of textures and colours. You can even custom design a pair for the ultimate personalised gift.
First released in 1968, this pocket-sized synthesiser ($70) was used by music icons like David Bowie and The White Stripes. The instrument has since been updated for modern times – it can be plugged into a computer and used with music software – but retains the same vintage sound. It’s simple enough to use for absolute beginners, while being versatile enough to satisfy the minds of young maestros.
Mejuri Mega Dôme Earrings, from $168
These puffy domed earrings from Mejuri are just minimal enough for everyday wear but bold enough to make a statement at a party or event. A simple style that will suit most tastes, they’re available in sterling silver ($168) or gold ($338). For those in Sydney, orders can be gift-wrapped by Mejuri and picked up at the brand’s store in The Galeries for a last-minute present.
Razer Basilisk V3 Ergonomic Wired Gaming Mouse, $109
All serious gamers know the benefits of a good mouse. This model from Razer ($109) is great for novice and experienced gamers alike, with programmable buttons and customisable lighting, an ergonomic design and smooth scrolling.
Archies Arch Support Thongs, $40
If the overseas runways are anything to go by, thongs are set to be the shoe of the summer. These ones from Archies ($40) are designed to support feet with a cushy material design to mould to its wearer, something often lacking from the typically flat-footed style. They come in a bevvy of fun colours, with a few options featuring a diamante stud for the teen who appreciates a bit of bling.
Instant Pot, $276
Credit: Support
For a teen on the cusp of adulthood, they might appreciate an Instant Pot ($276) as they transition to independent living. The all-in-one cooker is compact enough for space-starved university students, and can be used for things like roasting chicken, cooking rice or even baking a cake.
For some bedroom eye candy, Fred Home’s cake candles ($140) are good enough to eat. Handmade in Italy, each candle can be ornamental or burnt. Our pick is the Strawberry Plum candle, but there is a range of options to suit different tastes, including an upside-down pineapple cake, wheel of Gouda and banana split.
Glow Recipe Dewy Skin Dazzlers Set, $53
For older beauty-obsessed teens, it’s hard to go wrong with anything from Mecca, but skincare brand Glow Recipe is particularly beloved by today’s youth. This limited edition set ($53) features a trio of watermelon-themed minis – two serums and a mist – that are great for summer.
Patagonia P-6 Label Maclure Hat, $70
For the outdoor-loving teen, Patagonia’s Maclure Hat ($70) is a great addition to their summer kit. Crafted from organic cotton with a brim made from recycled fishing nets, the unisex cap comes in a range of different colours and is stylish enough for daily wear.
Ganni Jersey Bear T-Shirt, $205
From cult Scandi brand Ganni, this teddy bear t-shirt ($205) is a special option for the fashionable teen. Featuring a big Ganni logo and sweet bear illustration with a bow and love heart, the baby tee is crafted from a soft organic cotton.
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