Children’s gift ideas by age: what to choose from 1 to 12

How to choose a gift according to age of the child?

Age is a guide, not a rule: start with what the child already enjoys doing, then check the recommended age on the box.

For each age, we suggest three ideas with prices checked on 16 October 2026 at Vertbaudet, Cultura, Fnac or Maisons du Monde. Prices are indicative: check them with the retailer when buying. The age shown on each product is the manufacturer's recommendation. We have not tested these products; they were selected from their specifications using our published selection method.

• Watch how they play: a child who stacks things, dresses up or takes toys apart is showing you what they enjoy.
• Read the age label on the box: ‘not suitable for children under 36 months’ warns of small parts a toddler could swallow. For older children, the age usually indicates difficulty.
• Girl or boy, it makes no difference: building sets, bead kits and microscopes can appeal to any child who enjoys building, creating or observing.
• Ask the parents what the child already owns: a duplicate game, a book already read or an extra audio story player can disappoint.
• Consider outings too: a cinema trip, workshop or day with you can leave longer-lasting memories than an object.

Gift for 1 year old

At one, children start standing, taking their first steps and exploring with their hands. Toys they can stack or take along as they walk are well suited to this stage.

For a first birthday, a photo album of the year or a keepsake with the child's name also makes a lasting gift.

• To walk : a stable walking cart, a toy to be pulled or pushed (20 to 60 €).
• For exploring with their hands: stacking blocks or rings, a shape sorter or a drum (€15–€30).
• To watch and listen : a book in fabric or cardboard with contrasted images, rhymes (10 to 20 €).

Gift for a 2 year old

At two, children copy grown-ups, run around and begin building. Large bricks, ride-on toys and pretend-play sets keep them busy.

At this age, it is better to have a solid and simple toy than a battery toy full of buttons: it lends itself better to imagination.

• To build : big bricks easy to fit, a train to fill, wooden cubes (15 to 40 €).
• For moving about: a ride-on toy, a small balance bike or a walking toy suited to their height (€30–€60).
• For copying Mum and Dad: a play kitchen set, doll's pushchair or wooden tools (€20–€50).

Gift for a 3 year old

At three, children love pretend play and stories. Role-play sets, figures and audio story players fit their interests.

One audio story player is enough. Tonies figures go on the Toniebox, while Lunii audiobooks load through the Lunii app; their stories are not interchangeable. If one person gives the player, others can add compatible stories.

A Toniebox costs more than €100. On a shared list, someone can start a contribution pool for it and each person can pledge an amount. No payment goes through Listopia: you arrange the money among yourselves.

• For pretending to be grown-up: a doctor or vet play set, toy cash register or dressing-up costume (€20–€40).
• For listening: a screen-free audio story player, lift-the-flap books or picture books to read together (€10–€130).
• For playing together: a first cooperative board game, toy fishing game or picture lotto (€15–€25).

Gift for a 4 year old girl or boy

At the age of 4, the child loves to win, tell and ask a thousand questions: the first real board games and the stories he himself invents are very much in his liking.

Girls and boys aged four often enjoy dressing up and playing with figures. Ask the parents about the child's current favourite character rather than choosing by the ‘girls’ or ‘boys’ aisle.

• For playing together: observation and speed games, first card games and memory games (€10–€25).
• To think alone : logic games with puzzles, 50 to 100 pieces (€ 15 to 25).
• For creating: modelling dough, finger paints, stickers and a first pair of round-tipped scissors (€10–€25).

Gift for a 5 year old child, girl or boy

At five, children can follow game rules, build more detailed models and want to do things themselves. Building bricks and simple card games suit this stage.

• To build : classic bricks, building magnets, ball circuit (15 to 50 €).
• To play with the family : short card games, cooperative games, dominoes (10 to 20 €).
• For moving about: a scooter, first bicycle with or without stabilisers, or a ball (€30–€120).
• For creating and singing: a first bead kit, paints, stamps or a karaoke microphone (€10–€30).

Gift for a 6-year-old girl or boy

At six, children in France start primary school. They create more precisely, invent stories and begin reading their first words.

Bead kits are not just for six-year-old girls, and police cars are not just for boys: many children enjoy both. Their wish list tells you more than shop aisles do.

• For creating: a bracelet or fuse-bead kit, markers and a sketchbook (€15–€30).
• To invent stories : a theme-based construction set with its characters, figurines, a puppet theatre (15 to 40 €).
• For reading: early-reader books at their level, wordless comics or a children's magazine subscription (€6–€60).

Gift for a 7-year-old girl or boy

At seven, children enjoy impressing an audience and discovering how things work. Magic tricks, simple experiments and fast-paced games are good choices.

• For impressing an audience: a magic set, ventriloquism kit or a show to prepare for the family (€20–€30).
• To understand : a first kit of electricity, crystals to grow, a magnifying glass and an insect box (15 to 30 €).
• Reading and Laughing : the continuation of his favourite comic book, a short illustrated novel, a joke per day (8 to 15 €).
• To play in a team : an escape game for children, a cooperative game (15 to 25 €).

Gift for an 8-year-old girl or boy

At 8, the child reads alone, plays with adults, without any changes to the rules and is interested in the world around him.

An eight-year-old girl or boy may have a strong interest in volcanoes, horses or football. A gift that develops that interest often means more than a fashionable toy.

• To observe : a microscope, binoculars, a herbarium, a documentary book about his passion (20 to 40 €).
• For family games: card games to play round after round and short board games (€15–€30).
• To read : the first volume of a youth series, a comic book, a subscription to a magazine (8 to 60 €).
• For moving about: sports equipment, a larger scooter or roller skates (€30–€80).

Gift for a 9 year old

At nine, interests deepen and children want to learn more. Choose equipment for their hobby or a game that makes everyone around the table laugh.

For a 9 year old girl or boy, the Expert kit follows the Starter kit presented at 7 years old: if the child already has the first, the second completes its installation.

• For exploring an interest: a more advanced electricity or robotics kit, a beginner's telescope or lessons in their hobby (€30–€80).
• For laughing together: a multiplayer party game or fast-paced game (€15–€30).
• A space of their own: a lamp, an alarm clock, a secrets box or posters of their favourite world (€15 to €40).

Gift for a 10 year old child, girl or boy

At 10 years old, the child has his tastes, his friends and his universe: he prefers a gift that resembles him to a toy chosen "for his age". These ideas apply to a girl as to a boy of 10 years.

A ten-year-old girl may have a particular idea, colour or model in mind; a boy of ten may be less forthcoming about what he wants. In either case, ask the parents or check the child's wish list rather than guessing.

• For keeping memories: an instant camera, an album to decorate or a travel journal (€20–€80).
• For building: a technical set with working mechanisms, a model kit or a marble run to assemble (€20–€60).
• To read : the continuation of his series, manga adapted to his age, a documentary comic (7 to 20 €).
• For family games: a tile-laying or strategy game with short rounds (€15–€30).
• For an experience: tickets to a match or show, a treetop adventure course or a cooking workshop (€15–€50).

Gift for an 11 year old

At eleven, children in France are starting secondary school or preparing to. They want proper equipment and games to play with friends, just like older children.

An eleven-year-old girl or boy may also enjoy lessons or a holiday workshop in sewing, guitar, climbing or drawing.

• For making things: a suitable sewing machine, pottery kit or candle-making workshop (€40–€80).
• For playing with friends: a card game for ten players, a detective game or a bluffing game (€15–€30).
• For secondary school: a watch, water bottle or bag they have chosen, or a desk lamp (€20–€60).

Gift for a 12-year-old girl or boy

At twelve, children become preteens: they care about their room, music and personal style. A useful everyday gift can mean more than a toy.

Girls and boys aged twelve often know the exact brand, colour and model they want. It is a good age to start keeping their own wish list.

• For their room: a buildable decoration, mood lamp or photo frame (€15–€40).
• For their music: volume-limited headphones or a portable speaker (€25–€60).
• For his leisure Manga, a board game with friends, a gift card from his favorite shop (10 to 50 €).

Birthday or Christmas: a list to avoid duplication

Without coordination, grandparents, godparents, aunts and uncles can give a child the same game twice. A wish list shared through one link is the simplest solution.

For an expensive gift, such as an audio story player or camera, someone can start a contribution pool for it and each person can pledge an amount. No payment goes through Listopia: you settle the money among yourselves.