A Trusted Friend in a Complicated World
Updated Aug. 30, 2024
Whether you're shopping for a teen, a tween or a little guy, we're about to make your life a whole lot easier with these gifts for boys.
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Not sure what to get the little (or not-so-little) guy in your life? You’re in the right place. This guide to the best gifts for boys of all ages and types will rival even Santa’s checklist. Whether you’re searching for this year’s hottest Christmas toys or just the right thing for a birthday or other occasion, we’ve found them all. These thoughtful presents are also perfect just to make him smile on a random day.
For toddlers and preschoolers, we’ve got this year’s coolest trucks, dinosaurs and more. And if you’re looking for gifts for tween boys or teens who are incredibly picky, you can’t go wrong with our selection of sports and STEM toys.
We also found an impressive selection of winning art supplies, tech items and gear to honor their adventurous side. The only problem you’ll have when shopping for these gifts for kids is choosing just one.
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You’ll hear him Beyblade battling all day with this Speedstorm set and chanting, “Let it rip!” as he races against time to make his launched spinning top the fiercest, fastest one yet. It’s a screen-free toy set that has quickly become a favorite across America, making it one of the best gifts for boys.
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Buying gifts for boys doesn’t have to be difficult. The sought-after Nintendo Switch is once again shaping up to be one of the best tech gifts of the year, and these new neon color accents make it cooler than ever. Each set comes with a console, dock, neon joy-con and lots of fun accessories. Swift, exciting gaming and bright colors make it one of the most popular gifts for boys this year.
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Another of many superhero-themed gifts for boys is this remote control Batmobile. This all-terrain vehicle has performance tires to take it through grass, dirt, rocks and even snow and water. Yep, it’s water-resistant. This highly engaging toy will be a surefire way to keep him off the couch and outside for hours on end.
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Looking for a way to get him outside with gifts for boys that don’t disappoint? He will ditch his screens in favor of burning energy outside thanks to these toy Gel Blasters. They blast non-toxic, eco-friendly water beads up to 170 feet per second.
Unlike paintballs, these beads disintegrate on contact and won’t stain or leave a mess. The Surge comes with one blaster and USB charging cable, safety glasses, 10,000 beads and a low-velocity barrel which reduces the intensity to 90 feet per second for younger players. Get competitive with these backyard family games.
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Follow Hiccup and his dragon, Toothless, through a series of adventures in this 12-book series. The books, which feature several illustrations, are engaging and hilarious for kids and parents alike. With characters like Big Boobied Bertha, Fishlegs and Dogsbreath the duhbrain, how could they not be? My 9-year-old daughter couldn’t get enough of these books, so they’re an excellent gift for girls.
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Gifts for boys? No problem. You’ll hear whoops and cheers all day long with this slot car racing set. It has 10 feet of track, a two-piece removable jump ramp, speed controllers, guardrails and two realistic cars. It’s a screen-free toy set that boys of all ages will love.
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He’ll spend all day ridding the world of evil villains with this Gotham City Guardian playset. It stands at an impressive 30 inches tall and is actually four fun toys in one. It transforms into the iconic Batwing, BatTank and Batcycle. The set also features over 40 sounds and LED lights that make for thrilling and imaginative screen-free play. Brush up on your Batman knowledge with these surprising facts.
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Baby will adore this sweet plush playset. It has a squeaky squirrel and fox, a crinkling snail and an acorn rattle to stimulate his senses. And when playtime is over, all four toys fit inside the adorable mushroom house for easy storage. While this makes one of the most excellent gifts for boys, this also works as a wonderful gift for new parents.
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If he’s dino-mite (he totally is, isn’t he?), he’ll get the biggest kick out of playing with this “Jurassic World” Indominus Rex toy. This ferocious figure from “Jurassic World” features camo-style lighting that moves along its body, a wide chomping attack and a roaring sound that will let all his other dinosaur friends know who’s boss.
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When it comes to gifts for boys, he’s never too old for Pokémon. This mechanized building set, which is designed for Pokémon fans ages 12 and up, contains a whopping 1,663 pieces. Once he’s finished building and posing Charizard to his liking, he will delight in turning the hand-activated crank to make Charizard fly. Try out these Pokémon puns to make your kiddo laugh.
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Never step on another toy car with this T-Rex transporter that makes cleaning fun. All he has to do is roll the hauler and watch it devour up to 20 vehicles in its path. And when he pulls back the tail, the hauler transforms into a standing T-Rex with animated stomping action with exciting lights and sounds. But this dino toy isn’t just for storage.
The back of the T-Rex is a two-lane race track. The winner rolls off and continues while the second-place finisher gets “pooped” out the back. Now that’s a boy toy if we’ve ever seen one.
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When it comes to buying gifts for boys, sometimes it’s as easy as bugs. This STEM toy will help him learn about the crawly critters in his backyard. This bug bundle has everything he needs to make a DIY insect hotel and is a great gift for younger brothers.
Not only is it fun to build, but it provides a safe home for the insects you want in your garden. It also comes with a bug-catching net and beaker magnifier to gently catch and examine his new friends before putting them safely back in their new home.
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Hours of safe, outdoor fun for boys ages eight and up is what this heavy-duty styrofoam plane promises—and delivers. He can watch it soar through the air in straight mode or move the rear wing to the boomerang setting for a “loop-de-loop” flight. At just $20, this is an affordable gift that even boyfriends will love.
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Another dinosaur-themed idea is this fun-filled Lego set. It’s one of the most engaging gifts for boys who love Jurassic Park. The Brachiosaurus Discovery set is a surefire win, and it will offer hours of creative play. This one has a lot of intermediate-level pieces, making it a good gift for teens.
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You totally sang the song as you read the title, didn’t you? We don’t blame you. It’s a catchy one. It’s also a hilarious card game that the whole family can play. The object of the game? Don’t let your beans die. The only problem is the beans always find dumb ways to die. Your only hope is to rely on cards that might help your beans stay alive. That or hope that everyone else dies first. Talk about a high-stakes card game.
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Set him up with his own corner office—er, playpen—complete with a wooden desktop where he can “work” just like Mom or Dad. This adorable activity pad features a variety of textures and sounds designed to encourage exploratory, skill-building play. From a laptop that opens up to reveal a peekaboo mirror and rubberized-shaped keyboard buttons to a spinning wooden pencil and sliding mouse, there’s something fun to discover at every corner with this toddler gift.
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He’ll be the coolest baby on the block once he masters this DJ table. Three piano play modes, multi-color lights and over 100 songs, sounds and learning phrases will keep him busy for hours. Okay, maybe not hours, but certainly long enough for you to enjoy your coffee while it’s still hot. He’ll especially love hearing your voice mixed into a funny song thanks to this table’s record and playback feature. Finding the coolest gifts for boys: check.
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How much treasure is buried in your sandbox? You’re about to find out thanks to this metal detector mining truck. He’ll use the detachable metal detector to hunt for buried treasure to sift, rinse and examine. If he does find a treasure trove, here are 12 things he can buy on Amazon for just $1.
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Gifts for boys don’t just have to be toy-related. Practical gifts are just as meaningful. If he’s started or is about to start a new job, he’ll need a safe place to keep his money. This ultra-slim wallet holds up to six cards held in place by a friction fit and mechanical arm.
When it’s time to pay, all he has to do is swipe up with his thumb to release his card. It also features RFID-blocking technology for extra security and has a detachable money clip to hold his cash. This is also a genius gift your husband will use.
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He’ll be the talk of the town when he zips up and down the street on this bright orange bike. This street burner features a large back tire with training wheels for stability and an adjustable seat back that allows him to keep riding as he grows. And boys do a lot of growing.
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Need a cool stocking stuffer for your teen? This durable AirPods Pro case is a perfect choice. It’s shock-resistant and weather-proof to protect his headphones no matter where he tosses them. It’s available in six colors and even comes with a tough carabiner clip, so he’ll never lose another pair.
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He’ll be beside himself with excitement when he sees this realistic all-terrain vehicle. Designed for children ages three through seven, it features a rechargeable 12-volt battery that allows your little one to drive at either 2.5 or five miles per hour. And don’t worry. Parents can control the speed with the second-gear lockout feature. It also makes for really fun camping gear.
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Fans of the “Super Mario Bros.” games will get a kick out of this fire-breathing Bowser. All they have to do is add water to Bowser’s reservoir on the back of his hair using the included dropper, then press his side spike for a fire-breathing effect. Boys will have a blast recreating their favorite scenes from the hit movie, including Bowser’s catchy love song to Princess Peach.
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This kid’s tool bench comes with 75 tools and accessories, so he can work right alongside Dad. It comes with a working drill press, miter saw action, bendable work light, hammer, saw, screwdriver and more. It even comes with the blueprints to build his very own tool caddy.
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Believe it or not, boys enjoy personalizing their rooms. These LED hexagon light panels will turn his space into the coolest room in the house. This set comes with 10 light panels arranged in any pattern he likes. They’re easy to install and are controllable via the app or your home voice assistant. Easily connect multiple packs to create endless designs.
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Nike water bottles are having a moment among middle and high school boys, and we’re not complaining about it. This 24-ounce plastic water bottle is lightweight with no valves to turn or pop up and down to take a drink. All he has to do is squeeze the bottle which self-seals when he’s done, making it easy to toss in his backpack or gym bag. It’s the ideal gift for someone impossible to shop for.
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Musicians of all ages will appreciate having this infographic poster hanging on their wall. It features 64 of the most iconic guitars from rock history. Each guitar is labeled with its make and model and the name of its player. This 18-inch by 24-inch poster will arrive rolled up in a poster mailer tube, but ordering a frame ahead of time will make this gift a cinch to wrap.
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If he’s spending hours gaming, he might as well practice good posture. This ergonomically designed gaming chair will help with that. It features unique contours and angled seat edges, a fully adjustable recline, adjustable armrests, tilt and height.
It’s also equipped with high-density foam cushions wrapped in tough, synthetic leather designed to withstand hours of sitting. Get one of these fun boy games that don’t involve guns to go with it.
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“Don’t kick the ball in the house” has always been a standard rule. Well, not anymore. This floating soccer ball was designed for indoor fun and won’t knock over coffee cups, lamps or knick-knacks. It hovers above the ground and features soft foam bumpers which protect feet and furniture. There are two soccer balls included which make this gift perfect for families with multiple children.
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Treat a young cyclist to a flashy new trail-ready bike, and he’ll love you forever. This one from Woom has 24-inch wheels and is ideal for ages 7 to 11. What makes this one of the most exciting gifts for boys is that the grip shifter and gears make it easy to conquer even the biggest hills. Regardless of the trail, this bike promises a safe ride. Haven’t ridden in ages? Buy a bike for yourself and join him on the road.
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Whether lounging in his room or hanging with friends outside, he can play his favorite tunes on this wireless speaker. This voice-enabled Bluetooth speaker is drop, dust and water-resistant, making it perfect for rambunctious boys. It also boasts 24-hour battery life, and when it’s time to recharge, all he has to do is set the speaker on the included wireless charging base.
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Kids will be over the moon when they see this four-foot-tall Little Tikes rocket ship with realistic lights and sounds and a realistic star viewer screen. It also has a control center, telescope, crawl-through-escape hatch and outer maintenance panel. When it comes to playtime, this is one toy that’s out of this world.
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As if spending the weekend at grandma’s house wasn’t fun enough, this duffle bag adds to the excitement. That’s because it’s designed with a blue camouflage print. It has plenty of pockets to store toys, clothes and more. And if the whole family is planning a weekend getaway, this mini weekender bag is perfect for Mom or Dad.
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If he’s a fan of Harry Potter and Lego builds, he’ll be thrilled when he opens this 730-piece Lego set depicting the battle of Hogwarts. He’ll build the Hogwarts Castle courtyard where the battle between Harry and Voldemort took place in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.” It comes with six minifigures and a Nagini figure to reenact the battle. Odds are you’ll hear him reciting one of these famous Harry Potter quotes.
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He’ll have a blast racing his favorite toy cars down three floors of this Batwheels race track playset. Inspired by the Batcave, this set features a working elevator, two toy cars and a Batcomputer that gives off exciting lights and sounds. It also has a mechanic station and turntable for even more imaginative play.
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If there’s one thing boys like to do, it’s eat. This care package comes with plenty of goodies to get him through those late-night study sessions while he’s away from home. He’ll appreciate having his favorite candies, cookies and popcorn to munch on while he hits the books. And, of course, no college care package would be complete without Ramen noodles.
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Whether a toddler or a teen, he’s never too old to snuggle. This plush robe is perfect for the ultimate cuddle fest. It features a large hood, on-seam pockets to hold all his stuff and an attached belt to keep it closed. Add his name or initials for a personalized touch. There are also men’s and women’s robes in this collection, and since it’s so cozy, you should probably just go ahead and order one for every member of your family.
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Organic cotton sheets are a practical gift that kids (and parents) will appreciate. This crisp sheet set is loaded with crescent moons, comets and twinkling stars that will get him excited about blasting off into dreamland. Add a matching comforter set to outfit his whole bed.
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Your little guy will love squeezing, squashing and sculpting this sensory play foam into endless creations. The fun, vibrant colors are perfect for Easter gifts, and the foam never dries out, so he can play again and again.
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“Techsperts” as young as 4 years old will learn to code with this vehicle-based 51-piece interactive play set, which uses screen-free coding activities to introduce preschoolers to early STEM concepts. Kids embark on challenge-solving mazes and build sequences of up to 100 steps to explore the outer reaches of space.
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Older kids will hone their coding skills in two coding languages, Blockly and Python, with Pyxel. As your computer wiz learns to code, he’ll be able to teach his new buddy to do tricks, change color, make and react to sounds and express emotions. But the best part about this toy? Kids are never on the internet. Pyxel uses password-protected Wi-Fi, so kids simply connect their Wi-Fi-enabled tablet or computer directly to Pyxel rather than the web.
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Your little guy will squeal with delight as he zips up and down the driveway on this electric tricycle. This trike, which happens to be a 2023 Toy of the Year finalist, is equipped with a 24-volt rechargeable lithium-ion battery that allows your tot to ride along at three to six miles per hour.
It features a slow-start throttle, so he can’t take off too quickly and other built-in parental speed controls to keep him safe. And in case you were wondering, here’s what it’s like to ride an electric bike.
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This hero in a half-shell is ready for action. Your little dude can recreate his favorite scenes from the new movie or concoct his own using these poseable action figures. Just be sure to have a pizza on hand as he’s bound to work up an appetite as he battles Shredder.
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How many slam dunks can he make from his bed? Challenge him and find out with this basketball wall game. Take turns tossing the basketball bean bags and see who scores the most points. The winner chooses what’s for dinner and what sports movie to watch.
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Zippers can be tricky for kids if not downright frustrating. This magnetic hoodie makes it simple for them to do it themselves. Available in sizes two through eight, this cozy hoodie runs true to size and is perfect for layering when cooler temperatures roll in.
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He can hang with a good book, his Nintendo or just take a snooze in this cool pod swing. Made of durable cotton canvas with an inflatable cushion, this hammock swing has built-in side pockets to hold small treasures and comes with everything you need to hang it inside or out.
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This Dungeons and Dragons starter set has a cult-like following and is easily one of the most popular gifts for teen boys. It’s a thrilling classic board game that twists and turns in magical ways young adults don’t always see coming. They’ll get so deep in D&D culture that they’ll make new friends and adventure into a screen-free parallel universe.
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Pokémon cards are always super popular stocking stuffers for kids, but this special Pokémon collection will delight your Pokémon enthusiast. It comes with five Pokémon TCG: Crown Zenith booster packs, one etched foil promo card featuring Pikachu Vmax, one foil promo card featuring Pikachu V and one giant promo card featuring Pikachu Vmax to add to their collection.
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Send something sweet to an even sweeter little boy. Choose a beautifully packaged assortment of popular candies for him, or let him choose his own. He’ll be a kid in a virtual candy store with this adorable Valentine’s Day gift and love you for it. Upgrade your Sugarwish selection to include cookies, popcorn and cotton candy.
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A set of fun-to-use Honeysticks bath crayons packaged with matching family Christmas pajamas makes an ideal nighttime routine gift. Each bath crayon uses food-grade colorings and all-natural ingredients that easily wipe off shower walls and treasured tile.
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This is a major upgrade from the popular slimes and putties popular in prior years. Mad Mattr dough never dries out, and it isn’t the sticky, gross mess parents fear. It’s just the right balance of gloppy creativity and parent-approved cleanliness. Plus, it lasts nearly forever and is budget-friendly, so it makes a terrific toddler stocking stuffer.
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via merchantGet tweens excited about science with this subscription-based kit. The Science Expedition introductory box includes a tote, science lab notebook, forensic science experiment kit, fingerprint analysis cards and an ink pad. Expect loads of fun games and activities with this subscription.
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This cozy coat from L.L.Bean will quickly be his new go-to favorite thanks to the coziest possible lining and bold color offerings. It’s easy to care for, wash and pass to younger siblings. Available in sizes four through 18 and in three boy-friendly colors, this layering essential is a winter season must-have. The brand also makes some of the best winter coats for men and women to match.
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Hours of safe, active fun for kids of all ages and styles are just what this Stomp Rocket launcher brings. It’s one of the best budget-friendly gifts for boys ages three and up and comes with eight foam rocket blasters. They promise not to harm your walls, ceilings or outdoor furniture but will tire the guy on your list. Fast Prime delivery makes it one of the best last-minute Christmas gifts as well.
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Sure, it’s fantastic for teens, but it’s also good for men who love Marvel movies, so it could work as a Secret Santa gift for the right guy. It’s a complete set of Marvel–themed bodywash. You’ll feel extra good about the paraben-, phthalate-, dye- and cruelty-free formula.
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This therapist-created story and otter-shaped Slumberkins snuggler and board book help connect parents to little ones in meaningful ways. The kit is designed to ease separation anxiety and create stable, healthy bedtime routines, and it’s a meaningful gift for parents, grandparents or anyone else.
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The Creative QT Stuff ‘n Sit is one of the most clever storage solutions for stuffed animals and plush toys. It’s a sphere-shaped, colorful sack designed to be stuffed to the limit with soft toys to form a clutter-free functional seat. The easy-to-use design is ideal for kids of all ages and stages. Moms think it’s one of the best gifts for boys because it keeps bedrooms tidier than ever.
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Gifts for boys that are full of creativity are easy to find. Your little guy will doodle all day in these easy-to-carry sketchbooks. They come in a pack of four and are useful on long car rides, flights and places where he might need to pass the time more creatively. It’s the perfect gift for artists.
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Want to get him to love reading? These popular Diary of a Minecraft Zombie books are top-selling graphic novels that offer growing readers just what they want—excitement, action and pictures. Thousands of Amazon reviewers rank this series as “the best for grade-school-age boys” and swear every title is better than the last.
This mostly depends on the kind of person you’re gifting to. Boys who are into sports may like receiving sporting equipment (footballs for NFL fans, basketballs for NBA fans, etc.), but they also might like sports-related things (like a jersey from their favorite player). If they’re big on superheroes and cartoons, those properties usually have toys available to buy (an action figure for a Batman fan, for instance). And video games are a multi-billion dollar industry, largely because they are so popular among young men (although girls are increasingly into gaming, too). If you’re ever unsure, you can always ask (and that might be the safest bet).
It’s less about the price of the gift and more about the thought put into it. Even a seemingly inexpensive purchase can be a huge hit if it’s something your gift recipient enjoys. For instance, a boy who likes playing with squirt guns during the summer would probably love a bag of water balloons, even though they are typically extremely inexpensive. Cater the gift to the child, and the amount you spend on it is far less important than you might think.
Even if you’re shopping for a kid who seems to have everything, they definitely don’t. Furthermore, children’s toys, clothing, etcetera, are all seasonal. What’s in style and popular right now isn’t going to stay that way for very long, and some kids love getting in on the latest and greatest trends.
This depends on multiple factors. First, you shouldn’t spend more than you’re comfortable with—set your budget ahead of time (most folks would probably agree that a limit of $100 is reasonable, especially if the recipient isn’t your own child). Second, it may be considered gauche to spend too much (or too little) on someone’s gift, especially if it is an event where multiple people buy gifts for that person—you can always ask the host what a reasonable range is. Third, consider who you are shopping for—you might not want to spend too much money on something the boy might grow out of quickly.
Originally Published: May 15, 2024
