Emily Reviews writers were sent product samples in exchange for including them in this gift guide. There are affiliate links in this article. All opinions are our own.
The Best Friend Bracelet
Have a budding 8-12 year old reader? Check out The Best Friend Bracelet by Nicole D. Collier! At Hurston Middle School, best friendship is a big deal. And Zariah Brown makes the best best friendship bracelets in town. Business is booming; Zariah can hardly keep up with orders. The problem is, Zariah doesn’t have a best friend of her own. As the entire seventh grade gears up for their big Pajama Jam weekend, it seems as if everyone else is paired up except her. So Zariah pours her heart and soul into making the ultimate friendship bracelet, using a set of beads gifted to her by a mysterious woman. But the bracelet turns out to be a tiny bit . . . magical. In fact, anyone who puts it on instantly becomes Zariah’s best friend. Now all she has to do is find the perfect best friend and get the bracelet on them. Easy, right? It turns out finding the ideal friend isn’t so simple, and things quickly spin out of control. Will Zariah ever find her true BFF, or is she destined to be alone forever?
- Buy it: Amazon
Ravensburger GraviTrax
New to GraviTrax? My boys have been loving their lineup for years! GraviTrax is the flexibly expandable and interactive marble run system, geared for children aged 8 and over. The sky is the limit with GraviTrax as entire marble run worlds can be created with these amazing sets. You’ll now get to experience the epic and spectacular battle between the good and dark sides of Star Wars up close with the ball track system. Action-packed space duels are brought to life as you discover the legendary encounter between the Empire and the Rebels. With elements and components from GraviTrax in the exclusive Star Wars design, you can create your own exciting GraviTrax tracks. The best part is that all GraviTrax products from any of their three lines GraviTrax, GraviTrax PRO and GraviTrax POWER can be combined! So whether you’re brand new to the GraviTrax world or wanting to add to your collection, the 23860 GraviTrax Star Wars Action Set is a great choice this holiday season.
- Buy It: Target.com or Amazon.com
Team Canteen 1: Rocky Road
A hot pink boa that might be magic bonds 4 unlikely friends from summer camp and gives them the courage to face down the challenges they face back home.
This sassy, diverse series debut for tweens is perfect for fans of XO, Kitty, The Baby-Sitters Club, and Julie and the Phantoms. On the final night of summer camp, Tasha, Raelynn, Claire, and Billie get busted stuffing themselves with ice cream in the mess hall’s walk-in freezer. But when they slip away without being punished, they’re convinced the pink feather boa Billie put on to stay warm is magic. Back at home, each member of Team Canteen tests the boa’s powers as they face their own challenges. When her little cousin moves in with her destructive dog, Tasha struggles to find her place inside her adoptive family. Claire’s scared the kids at school will find out how hard life’s gotten since her dad lost his job. Raelynn longs to be someone other than her sister’s twin. And with a hockey-obsessed family charting his every move, Billie’s worried he’ll never be able share his dream of becoming a figure skater. It’s going to be a rocky road from the start of the school year back to Camp Happy Hollow. Will the boa continue to protect Team Canteen, or will their friendship end up being the most magical find of all?
- Buy it: Amazon
GoSports
For the football player in training, GoSports has a pretty cool indoor/outdoor toss game! The Red Zone Challenge Football Toss offers a fun and exciting way for kids to practice throwing touchdown passes. It’s an arcade style yard game that’s sure to keep kids active and entertained for hours. I appreciate how it’s made from sturdy, all-weather PVC; making it lightweight, portable, and durable. The hassle free assembly means from box to play is just minutes — with no tools required! This game offers a fun way to nurture a love of sports early on. It’s great for all ages and even allows young kids to develop basic throwing mechanics and build their confidence. This football throwing game is over 3.5 ft tall and features an oversized target area so it’s easy to play for all abilities. Best part is that it’s affordably priced too!
- Buy It: Amazon.com
Smurfs Dreams
For the kids on your shopping list this year, check out the new Smurfs Dreams game, available on Nintendo Switch, PS5, PC, and Xbox. Prevent Gargamel’s evil plans from succeeding, alone or with a friend for a smurfabulous 2-player experience! Visit 4 dream worlds with 12 levels and 16 mini-levels and discover the secrets of the Smurf Village. Each dream in the Smurfs imagination offers a unique gaming adventure with its own accessories, puzzles, and surprises. Collect all the magic orbs to awaken all the Smurfs and bring the village back to life. Collect patterns to customize your character with new clothing and unlock various surprises along the way. Fun for all ages!
- Buy it: Amazon
Thames And Kosmos
Oh, you silly bird! The Dodo has laid an egg, but … oh no! She accidentally pushed it out of her nest and it is tumbling toward the edge of the cliff. Can you save the egg before it falls into the sea? In this awesome new game from Thames And Kosmos, you’ll work together to roll the die, collect materials, and build new bridges to help guide the Dodo’s wibbly-wobbly egg safely into the boat at the foot of the mountain. The innovative egg design allows it to advance down the slope at an unpredictable rate — you never know exactly how much time you’ll have! Will you save the egg and win the game?
- Buy It: Amazon.com
Donner MEDO
Donner MEDO is a “portable groovebox” – a handheld, multi-function musical device! It’s a synthesizer, MIDI controller, looper, and sampler – a great gift for any kiddo interested in music and music production. The MEDO MIDI keyboard controller boasts real instrument samples, subtractive synthesis, & built-in modes (Bass, Chord, Lead, Drum, Sample). With 100+ presets, it’s a powerful, portable synth for versatile music creation! Try loop recording for instant creation, 128-bar built-in recording, and 3 auto-quantization modes empower users for swift creation, editing, and capturing inspiration on this portable synthesizer. The Donner Play app provides an intuitive interface and flexible control to empower your creativity. Features advanced parameter editing and extensive video tutorials, catering to users of various experience levels. A great gift for anyone who wants to create unique sounds!
Mightly
I’m in love with Mightly’s Organic Cotton 3/4 Sleeve Twirl Dress! The twirl-worthy skater silhouette adds a touch of playfulness while the three-quarter-length sleeves offer just the right amount of coverage. And did I mention POCKETS!? This dress has pockets too! And if your kids need a new hoodie, Mightly has the best! Their organic cotton kids’ hoodies offer the perfect blend of comfort and functionality. Crafted with care, these hoodies are designed to provide unparalleled coziness and ease of use, making them an ideal choice for active kids. Mightly is the brand you can trust! They offer comfortable, play-friendly styles in hand-me-down-quality that are made without any scary chemicals. Cute, comfortable, made from organic cotton, and GOTS and Fair Trade Certified. You’ll love them!
- Buy It: Snag the twirl dress at Mightly.com and the hoodie over here at Mightly.com. (When shopping the Mightly website, be sure to use the coupon code THRIFTY to save 15% off your entire first order! (May only be used once per visitor.)) You can also shop the Mightly storefront at Amazon.com
Nerkin Games
Dive into a world of roaring fun with this “Save The Dinosaurs” card game! Perfect for kids ages 7-12, this fast-paced dinosaur game keeps everyone engaged without eliminating players early on. In this game, the whole family will be racing to save adorable dinosaur meeples—because nobody wants to be the player who becomes “extinct!” It’s a fast-paced, exciting game that will keep everyone engaged. Unlike traditional games, no one gets knocked out until the end. This means continuous playtime fun for all, making it ideal for large family gatherings and parties with up to 8 players. Easy to learn, you’ll be playing within 5 minutes!
- Buy It: Amazon.com
GoSports
You are never too old (or too young) to play a great game of dodgeball! And thanks to these Soft Skin Foam Playground Dodgeballs from GoSports, it’s never been easier or more fun. Unlike typical rubber balls, the surface of these specially designed balls will not sting on impact – making them a great choice for all ages. They are so awesome, that this is our second set (as you can never have too many)! Made from durable tear resistant material that holds up against extended use both indoors and outdoors, I can vouch personally that these balls last a long time. The handy storage bag comes included which makes for an easy clean up and organization; so you’ll be able to grab them quick when it’s time to play. Grab a set for your kids, teens, and even your adult friends as it’s sure to be the gift that people will be talking about, and using, for years to come!
- Buy It: Amazon.com
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Wise Block
Bring the excitement of the force home with the Wise Block Police Car. It’s the perfect choice for young builders, as this set lets kids construct a realistic police vehicle while enhancing fine motor skills and sparking imaginative play. Built for fun and learning, it’s a creative adventure that inspires teamwork and problem-solving! The Wise Block Police Car features an armored van built with both speed and durability in mind. The blue and white vehicle includes an opening back door for the holding cabin, a K9 unit, and a getaway cart and hideout.
- Buy It: Walmart.com
Theodora S.T.E.A.M. Girls
The line of Theodora S.T.E.A.M. Girls consists of powerful and inspirational diverse dolls that will inspire young girls to be empowered, motivated, and achieve their goals. These 15″ high-quality luxurious dolls are made with care and love and come with removable clothing and an 8-page sticker activity book. The Theodora S.T.E.A.M. Dolls are role models for young girls, giving them the power to erase negative thinking patterns and replace them with positive thinking patterns. Collect all 5!
- Buy It: TheodoraGirls.com
Jumbo Toys
My boys LOVE this game! The iconic game of Stratego is back with a fresh new take from Jumbo Play, perfect for a new generation of players. While staying true to its classic roots, this updated version introduces innovative battle cards, female soldiers, and a budget-friendly price that consumers appreciate. So plan your campaign, secretly deploy your forces, then engage in battle! It’s a game that is playable again and again and never gets old.
- Buy It: Target.com
Carrom
Indulge in a riot of amusement with the American Carrom Board Game Table, your ticket to a treasure trove of over 100 games! Crafted with a solid 0.75-inch-thick wood frame and a sturdy 0.1875-inch-thick playing surface, this board gaming table is designed for durability. Everything you need for hours of gaming fun is included in the American Carrom table games for kids and adults. With 44 Carrom pieces, these table games for adults and children are ready to start playing right out of the box. With a legacy spanning over 100 years, the Carrom Company is committed to creating quality games that bring families together. Made in America, these games are designed to withstand the test of time.
- Buy it: Amazon
World Tech Toys
World Tech Toys, known for its expertise in the radio control vehicle market, introduces Big Heads this holiday season! This exciting lineup of kid-favorite flying characters includes Spider-Man, TMNT Leonardo, Optimus Prime, Captain America, Bumble Bee, and many more. Each Big Heads features two propellers and an internal coaxial motor system, which keeps the toy stable as it hovers in the air. Big Heads respond dynamically to a player’s hands when they try to “catch” them. Upon detecting a hand underneath via its patented infrared sensor, the motor speeds up and rockets the Big Head back into the air. This style of play promotes hand-eye coordination while getting kids active as they work to keep Big Heads in the air. And, thanks to the lightweight yet durable material, it’s always a safe and easy landing. Big Heads includes an internal rechargeable battery and a USB charging cable. Simply plug it into any USB port for a quick recharge. Super fun AND affordable, these make great gifts!
- Buy It: Walmart.com or Amazon.com
Think Fun
Cat and challenge lovers everywhere, listen up! It’s time to put down the screens and pick up the most fun brain game you’ll ever own! Introducing Crash Cats by ThinkFun, it’s the sliding back block puzzle that sends cats flying. Pick your challenge, set up the board, and slide those cats. They’ll slide all the way until they are sent flying. Crash the yellow helmeted cats so only the red helmet cat remains. With challenges from beginner to expert, you’ll be sliding and crashing cats for hours. It’s a great game for spatial recognition, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Crash Cats is a game that will offer hours of entertainment for the whole family.
- Buy It: Amazon.com
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Hi there! I am Emily Evert, the owner of Emily Reviews. I am 28 and live in a small town in Michigan with my boyfriend Ryan and our two pugs. I have a large family and I adore my nieces and nephews. I love reading memoirs, and learning about child development and psychology. I love watching The Game of Thrones, Teen Mom, Sister Wives and Veep. I like listening to Jason Isbell, John Prine, and other alt-country or Americana music. I created Emily Reviews as a creative outlet to share my life and the products that I love with others.
This post currently has 6 responses.
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Jackie
I hadn’t heard of the Theodora S.T.E.A.M. Girls. Love these dolls for girls. That mini karaoke machine would be a lot of fun. Thanks for sharing some great ideas.
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Jasmine b
I didn’t know about the Theodora dolls brand. The dodgeballs look like a great buy. These are good gift ideas, affordable too.
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Lauryn R
These are great gift ideas, thank you so much for sharing! My daughter would absolutely love the Hair Chalk Salon. She is always wanting to dye her hair and switch it up according to her mood/style that day. I also really want the Soft Skin Foam Playground Dodgeballs from GoSports! These would be so much fun for my kiddos, and I love how colorful and soft they are.
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Maria Egan
I have an 8-year-old grandson and I have found anything from Go Sports or Thames and Kosmos is always a big hit. I like many of the other ideas too.
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Donna
My grandsons would be so happy to have the GraviTrax Star Wars Action Set and my granddaughters would adore the Desire Deluxe Hair Chalk. They would all have a lot of fun playing the Red Zone Challenge Football Toss.
The Red Zone Challenge looks like it would be fun for ANY age! Thanks for the great suggestions!