Contrary to popular belief, kids' birthday parties are a lot of fun — for the kid who's celebrating and for the rest of us. Who doesn't want an excuse to eat cake? And when you have kids, it's a total game changer, because parties mean free child care (at least, for a couple of hours). But being invited to a birthday party means showing up with a gift, and as busy as life can get, it's easy to forget to pick one up until the last minute … and hard to decide what to buy, especially if the birthday child is an acquaintance from school you've never met.
Fortunately, kids are kids, and there are a few things they universally like (OK, at least this is true for most kids). The best news: These things are easy enough to grab with a quick run to the store on the way to the party — or even online before you leave the house.
Read on for party gift ideas for kids that are easy to buy at the last minute but are also super thoughtful. Have fun!
Movie Night in a Box
This is a creative, thoughtful gift … but it's easy enough to put together in just a few minutes at Target. Grab a gift card for movie tickets (or a couple of DVDs), and pair it with popcorn and candy in a bucket that can be used for the popcorn. Boom — a whole gift! Be sure to include enough treats for the whole fam.
Tickets to the Zoo
You'd be hard-pressed to find a kid who doesn't love going to the zoo — either to see the animals, eat the snacks, or both. Buying tickets to the zoo or an aquarium is a pretty safe bet, and you can likely print out the tickets right at home, making a stop at the store unnecessary if you're that crunched for time.
A Board Game or Two
It's impossible to have too many board games (OK, maybe it's possible for those of us who have overflowing play rooms) so adding another game or two to the collection is never a bad idea. Just make sure you include a gift receipt in case the birthday kid already has the one you picked out.
A Subscription to Something Fun
Getting a subscription as a gift means that it's totally OK your present is late — in fact, it will arrive on time, technically. Depending on the birthday kid's interest, there are a lot of subscriptions out there that could work. KiwiCo for the crafty kids, book subscriptions for the bibliophiles … the list goes on. Besides, what kid doesn't love getting mail?
A Gift Card for an Experience
This could be anything from enough money on a Build-a-Bear gift card to create a new friend with all the bells and whistles to bring home, a gift card to a local children's museum, or even to somewhere like Chuck E. Cheese. Experiences are usually far more exciting than toys (and easier to gift if you're short on time).
Gift Cards in General, Really
Since kids aren't exactly getting a paycheck, it's likely rare that the one being celebrated has the chance to buy exactly what they want with money of their own. That means that a gift card isn't quite as "boring" to them as it might be to some adults — even a card for Target or a local toy store could be a very big deal.
A Fun Day Out
Quality time can be a great gift, especially for the kid who has everything. It's a sweet gesture to offer your personal time (or your kid's, if they're a friend of the child celebrating their birthday). Lunch out, a little shopping, a movie — tailor it to their interests.
A Journaling Kit
Whether they prefer writing or drawing, a journal, some fancy pens and/or markers, stickers, and other supplies can be a really fun gift (and you can find everything you need for it at just about any store) that will be appreciated by almost any kid.
Something Trendy
The good news about the trendy toys that kids are loving right now? You can't buy too many of them, and they're everywhere. Something like Pop Its or a Squishmallow should be easy enough to grab, and there's enough variety that chances are slim they've already got that exact item at home.
A Few Beloved Books
There's no such thing as having too many books, so why not add to the home library? Buy a few of your childhood favorites, or the ones your own kids have really been loving — and be sure to write a sweet note on the inside cover of one of your picks to make it personal.
Outdoor Toys
Every year, it seems that outdoor toys are the ones that take the biggest beating, so why not take this chance to replenish the collection? Sidewalk chalk, balls, and even cute inflatable sprinklers are all great options, or toys to use in the pool or the sandbox.
A Lesson or Class
This could be online or in person locally, but think about what the birthday kid loves to do (or would love to do), and gift them the opportunity to improve their skills. You could pay for a horseback riding class, art class, or a dance class (bonus points if you send your kid to the activity with them!).
Help With a Hobby
Thinking about what hobbies the kid in question has can be super helpful. If the kid loves art, can you bring some new supplies? If the child is super into a certain sport, is there new gear you can supply that will help up their game?
A Yummy Surprise
Of course, this one will depend on what parents allow, but a yummy delivery could be an easy solution to a gift — and it won't be a toy that gets forgotten or adds to the clutter. Set up a special delivery of popcorn, cupcakes, or even use a service like Sugarwish, which will allow the recipient to pick out exactly what they want.
A Bath Basket
This is an easy gift basket full of stuff that anyone would use. For older kids, this could include body wash, bath bombs, and other fun pampering items. Younger ones might like bubble bath, bath crayons, and toys like rubber ducks.
*Psst: if you choose to purchase an item from this post, CafeMom.com may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
