If you’re a boy mom looking for inspiration, a grandma or grandpa hoping for top-notch gift ideas for boys, or you’re an aunt or uncle hoping to put a smile on your nephews’ faces, this wide-ranging gift guide for boys will give you some nifty ideas on what to buy for the kids on Team Blue. And…drum roll, please…they’re ALL UNDER $40! (There’s even a winning $1 find!) I’ve linked *almost* every single gift through Amazon Prime (Free 2-day shipping? Can I get a
A tried and true boy mom x 3, I try to be really intentional about what I give my guys. I’m totally against meaningless gifts just for the sake of throwing something under the tree. I want to make sure what I buy is going to be used and appreciated. All my boys’ birthdays (including the one I’m married to) are from mid-November through December, and then there’s this little holiday called Christmas, so I have to be hardcore prepared for this season (also…can I borrow twenty bucks?). I start making a list of gift ideas in the notes on my phone about halfway through the year for each of them. This is not only for me and Santa, but it helps me be well-prepared to fork over ideas to grandparents and aunts and uncles, too. I’ve also included ideas on experiences to buy for and do with each age group. Experience gifts are my favorite! They leave nothing to clutter the closets, and the memories last a lifetime! Here’s what I’ve come up with this year.
Gifts for Tween and Teen Boys
When food and sports are the only two things he really cares about, you’ve gotta get your thinking cap on!
A cool new phone case. There is an unlimited number of phone cases to choose from, but perhaps one in his favorite color or with his favorite team logo would be much appreciated.
Sports posters. My boys have their walls covered with posters and pictures of their favorite football, basketball, and baseball players. I find the best selection and prices for these on eBay, but if you’re an Amazon-only shopper, here’s a start.
A Football or Basketball. My kids have several of each and still want more! Bonus points if the ball reps their favorite team or player!
Fan gear: Score a hat, jersey, or t-shirt repping their favorite team or player, and your gift will be a touchdown. Here are some ideas: Lebron Fans | Steph Curry Fans | Dallas Cowboys Fans | Dallas Mavericks Fans | Texas Rangers Fans
iTunes gift card. My oldest uses iTunes for buying new apps and in-app purchases (that I refuse to fork over money for)! The link is to Apple, but you can find them in just about any grocery store!
Big Life Journal | Teen Edition. I saw this for the first time this year, and I’m so excited to have found it. It’s a book/journal to encourage and guide teens in dreaming, goal setting, resilience, gratitude, and positivity. YES, PLEASE! (Here’s one for the younger kids!)
Bluetooth headphones. Whether on the computer, watching TV, playing video games, listening to music, or just playing around on their phone or iPad, these will certainly come in handy.
Magnetic Dart Board. Hang it in their room, the game room, or the garage. This is a safe and fun activity for the whole family!
Experiences: Take him to an escape room, to the gun range, to watch drag races, a semi-pro or college football game, to the driving range or play 9 holes of golf, Top Golf, or Six Flags.
Gifts for Grade-School Boys
High-energy, built for fun, and can’t sit still for long, elementary boys aren’t too hard to buy for. These gift ideas will put some major points on the board for you.
Dude Perfect merchandise. If you don’t know who Dude Perfect is, do you even know what YouTube is? Okay, maybe it’s just a boy mom thing, but they’re a group of awesome dudes who do amazing trick shots and make pointless world records on YouTube (and CMT and Nickelodeon). They’re making their way toward world domination, and even I enjoy their antics. My boys idolize them and, you guessed it, they’ve got merch! Think games, balls, Nerf products, t-shirts, and hoodies.
Sports Books. I’ve linked some generic sports books for kids, and you could also search their favorite player or sport and “books for kids.” My boys love these!
Magic kit. “Mom, watch this!” This age is all about showing off, and there’s no better way for your elementary age boy to impress a crowd than by performing some amazing magic tricks!
Baseball/Football/Basketball cards. All the boys I know love these! If you’re feeling really generous, buy them a binder and card pages to hold them in.
Nerf Guns. No explanation necessary.
A Bible. If he doesn’t already have his own copy of The Good Book, it’s time! There are a lot of wonderful versions out there made just for boys! Here’s the one my son has and loves.
Over-the-Door Indoor Basketball Goal. My kids have used this almost every single day since receiving it for Christmas last year. When it’s too hot, too cold, or too wet outside, this is what they’re up to. Plus, they can do some pretty rad dunks when the goal is only as high as the top of the door.
Experiences: Take him to a trampoline park, the movies, to the park and out for ice cream, to an arcade, bowling, ice skating, roller skating, a horseback riding lesson, or out for cocoa and Christmas lights.
Gifts for Toddler and Preschool Boys
My 3-year-old is a ball of insane energy and wildfire. Anything that captures his attention and gets him involved in anything other than writing on the walls, destroying my bathroom cabinets, or hiding in the pantry sneaking food is a welcome treasure.
Push fire truck. My little one received this one by American Plastic Toys Inc. on his second birthday and he has played with it every day since (we just celebrated his third birthday)! He pushes it all around the house and sometimes we even take it outside. It’s big enough that he and his 7-year-old brother can push each other around on it.
Play-doh. Until recently, we haven’t had Play-doh in our house. I got it for my little guy to keep him distracted while I work on homework with the big boys. Let me tell you: it works. He wants to play with it all the time! It’s also something that I don’t mind doing with him. We talk about shapes, colors, letters, and I’m even going to get him some dinosaur cookie cutters to play with, too!
Dinosaurs. At this very moment, I have a 3-year-old son and two nephews that are also three. These. Boys. Love. Dinosaurs. They love dinosaur toys, books about dinosaurs (THESE are our favorite!), movies about dinosaurs, dinosaur jammies, dinosaur stickers…need I go on? Now, lean in closely, because this information is pure gold. Dollar General and Dollar Tree have toy dinosaurs right now for ONE DOLLAR each. My little one can’t get enough of them. Of all the more expensive, larger dinosaurs he has, he reaches for these time and time again. He takes them in the car, to the bath, he even sleeps with his favorite one. His obsession is real. I think it’s because they’re a flexible plastic (full of air) and they are the perfect fit for their precious little hands. My son has them all. You could go in and spend $4-5 at the dollar store and make a toddler’s life. If you don’t have a Dollar General or Dollar Tree near you (or you just don’t want to actually walk in a store – I’m not judging), here’s an Amazon option.
Glow in the Dark Moon and Stars. Kiddos LOVE looking up at the moon and stars…especially when they’re in their own room. Anything that makes bedtime something to look forward to is a gift that keeps on giving.
Spider-Man Suit. These little guys are more than happy to suit up and save the day! If your little guy is a bigger fan of Hulk or anyone else, go that route.
Sit n Spin. This will definitely be on Santa’s sleigh this year. My guy played with this at his cousin’s house and loved it! (This is a Target link because the same one on Amazon isn’t currently available. Red Card, anyone? Whether you have a Red Card or not, they’re offering FREE SHIPPING this season!)
Experiences: Take the little one to the zoo, a day at the park and out for ice cream, the movies, a children’s museum, or to a special local event or exhibit. (Jurassic Quest is coming to Dallas in January, and you better believe those tickets will be under the tree this year! Check for it in your area!)
I hope you’ve found this gift guide helpful in making some inexpensive, last-minute purchases for Christmas. This year, let’s let go of the undue pressure we place upon ourselves, shall we? Our kids have so much and don’t likely need much more. A few intentional gifts go a long way. Overwhelm is the thief of contentment, so let’s set ourselves (and our kids) up for success by keeping it low key, giving reasonable expectations, and enjoying the gift of TIME together more than anything else. It’s also a great idea to find a way to give back over the holidays and involve your children in the process! Volunteer in your community, perform some random acts of kindness, or buy gifts for a family less fortunate. Merry Christmas!