Whether it’s your daughter, niece, granddaughter, or simply the child or grandchild of a friend, those sweet little gals always love receiving a thoughtful gift. Read on for gift ideas designed to educate, inspire, entertain — and, in some cases, simply delight.
Prices and availability are subject to change.
Related: The Very Best Non-Toy Gift Ideas for Kids of All Ages
$129 from Budsies
Bring your child's creative sketches to life with Budsies, which creates custom stuffed animals based on drawings and other artwork. Each handmade stuffed toy is transformed into a 16-inch, 3D version — though you can upgrade to a 30-inch stuffed animal — for a present that celebrates your kid's one-of-a-kind artistry.
$25 from Fat Brain Toys
Wooden ladybug game pieces dot a colorful garden-themed playing board in this game that promotes fine motor skills, memory, and friendly competition. Sounds like a winner that's perfect for tiny hands.
Related: The Very Best Non-Toy Gift Ideas for Kids of All Ages
$50 from Little Passports
Encourage your little artist’s creativity with this kit that uses painting and craft activities to explore global artwork and the celebrations of different cultures — and, by default, introduces the concept of geography. It all adds up to empowering children to explore their own artistic visions.
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$15 from Amazon
This set of eight petite wooden dolls will spark a child’s imagination, allowing her to create stories, role play, and explore the idea of family generations, since the collection’s characters range from infants to grandparents.
$29 from Pop Fun
Some kids love trips to the grocery store, though parents might not be so enamored. (“No, you can’t have every cookie you want.”) This game is a stress-free way to encourage little shoppers to create an imaginary store where options range from apples and grapes to donuts and milk. It’s both fun and educational, offering the chance to learn about smart shopping, money, work, and more.
$15 from KiwiCo
Introduce a little girl to the wonders of plant science with this hands-on kit. Suction-cup window planters allow the tiniest gardener to cultivate green bean and squash plants, teaching plant science along the way.
$26 from Amazon
This unicorn-themed, 17-piece chef and baker role-play kit for children comes with an apron, chef’s hat, and plenty of utensils. It offers a way for them to join you in the kitchen while keeping them away from a real hot oven or heavy appliances.
$25 from Macy’s
Encourage physical activity, improved reflexes, and quick thinking with this bouncing ball game that helps teach sportsmanship. Players bounce the ball off a stretch-tech fabric pad for others to catch — or rebound right back. Expect plenty of fast-paced indoor or outdoor fun.
Related: The Best Gifts for 6-Year-Old Girls
$17 from Amazon
Sewing is a lifelong skill that can be introduced at an early age thanks to kits such as this one. After all, there’s a real pride that comes from saying “I made this,” even if an adult helped out. This felt-based kit offers a choice of six styles, with easy-to-follow templates, a selection of pre-cut elements, and plastic needles to ensure safety.
$28 from Highlights
Many adults have fond memories of Highlights magazine, so why not introduce the brand to today’s little girls with this four-book set that combines the always popular Hidden Pictures game with the equally popular stickers? Each book comes with 120 stickers that kids place on items as they explore the puzzle pages. In addition to the obvious element of fun, the books aim to “build manual dexterity, vocabulary, and visual skills while they play.”
$28 from Exploratorium Store
Encourage little ones to see the world in all its bright glory. This spin on rose-colored glasses is a wooden toy with colorful, translucent tail feathers that create virtual glasses, which kids can use to look at a green sky or mix and match the feathers to turn the ocean purple.
Related: Gifts for Teenage Girls (That They'll Actually Like)
$18 from Ooni Pizza Ovens
Little pizza fans won’t care that this children’s book is by New York Times best-selling author J. Kenji López-Alt, but you’ll enjoy reading it aloud and sharing its lessons on life, exploring new foods and, yes, sharing thoughts on a perennial favorite: pizza.
$33 from Amazon
Creative play and imagination are the basis of this set that takes a little girl straight to the head of her own kingdom. It comes with crowns, bracelets, rings, “high” heels, and magic wands, which all can be neatly stored in its decorative box. More than 3,000 customers gave an average of 4.4 out of five stars, with one review noting it’s the “perfect gift for my 3-year-old’s birthday.”
$25 from Walmart
This educational toy for toddlers may look sweet and pretty, but the wooden puzzle encompasses much more, offering a sensory experience for young players. It’s said to not only be fun but also stimulates development, curiosity, and imagination while honing fine motor skills.
Related: Awesome Gift Boxes for Kids of Every Age and Interest
$28 from Amazon
Preschoolers who love playing doctor or nurse will delight in this kit, a soft doctor’s bag filled with play pieces that include a stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, thermometer, bandage, and more. It can help ease the anxiety of visiting the doctor, while also helping children learn about compassion.
$60 from Personalization Mall
If the little gal in your life is all about her hair, this mini salon offers a creative way to channel that obsession. The 18-piece wooden toy set allows the young style maven to work on her favorite stuffed animal, doll or friends with a tabletop vanity kit featuring a child-safe mirror, storage drawer, and accessories such as a wooden hair dryer, comb, and pretend makeup pieces.
$20 from Uncommon Goods
Little girls can daydream of another galaxy with this hands-on kit that features imagery of stars, planets, and spacecrafts, all ready to be colored in. Ten washable fabric pens are included and doodles easily come out in the wash, meaning that every laundry day is followed by another chance to reach for the stars.
Related: Great Gifts to Buy Your Grandkids
$22 from Target
For the stylish little preschooler, this water-resistant, Narwhal-themed backpack offers plenty of practical features, including a roomy main compartment, insulated pouch for snacks, an adjustable mesh bottle pocket, padded adjustable straps, and a write-on name tag inside. She’ll be the cutest one at daycare — or the park, zoo, or beach.
$16 from Target
This is an award-winning cooperative game. The players work together to help mother hen bring her chicks back to the coop, which helps children learn counting and social development skills.
$18 from Amazon
If you’ve got a little handywoman in your household, this toy tool kit can accompany her as she follows Mom or Dad while they fix the drain or hang a picture. Toddler-designed durable soft plastic tools include a saw, hammer, screwdriver, wrench, and drill, which all fit into a clever little toolbox. It’s said to encourage imaginative play and help develop fine motor skills, too.
$16 from Jardineer
Encourage a love of gardening — and outfit your favorite little garden companion along the way — with this charming tool kit that includes an adorable blue elephant watering can. With its mini rake and shovels, it’s also great for the beach.
$22 from Amazon
Turn bath time into an adventure with this bathtub toy, a character doll that squirts water, blows bubbles, and even swims. Destined to be a favorite, this interactive doll comes with accessories that include a unicorn seahorse tube, snorkel, and fins.
$19 from Amazon
This angelic fairy princess doll sings and twirls across the floor while projecting flashy and colorful 3-D light effects in heart-shaped patterns. Kids won’t even realize they are learning color and shape recognition, since they’ll be so busy singing along.
$21 from Amazon
High-energy girls will find this game the ideal companion, a beanbag toss that’s a colorful and oversized indoor/outdoor activity. It’s sure to encourage plenty of playful competition and laughter but also help train hand-eye coordination and teach basic math skills.
$15 from Target
Protect your sweet little beach bunny from harsh rays of the sun — even if she’s just playing in the backyard — with this daisy-themed, yellow floppy swim hat that offers all-day protection for the head, neck, and eyes thanks to its full-coverage design and UPF 50+ sun protection material.
$33 from Glitter Girls
For little girls who love puppies, consider this pair: Jana, a 14-inch poseable doll, and her pet, Cuddles, a plush Shiba Inu. Jana is the picture of style in her hooded sweater dress, metallic leggings, and “Woof” cap. Your little one may even take her along when it’s time to walk the real dog.
$22 from Amazon
It will be years before you have to worry about her behind the wheel. Until then, let her “play drive” with this battery-powered toy that features Minnie Mouse maneuvering a pink automobile complete with white polka dots. Beep, beep!
$26 from The Little Market
Every gal has her favorite stuffed animal. Encourage thinking outside the box — no traditional teddy bears here — with this stuffed animal giraffe that offers a subliminal message for kids: Stand tall. The handmade creation is sure to become a singular favorite, and adults will appreciate the fact that the purchase empowers Peruvian artisans.
