50 fun, cheap gifts for kids that are $10 or less! Perfect for Christmas, birthdays or just because. There’s something for everyone!
There are affiliate links in this post – please read my full disclosure policy. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
I was trying to find cheap gifts for the kids on my Christmas list and as I started collecting ideas I realized that this could be super helpful to other moms and dads too!
Because aren’t we all trying to save money while at the same time wanting to find good gifts for the kids we love that will be meaningful and enjoyed a lot?
Here are the 50 cheap gifts for kids under $10 that I came up with. All of them are toys that my kids would love and are perfect for small Christmas gifts, birthday gifts or just because gifts. I hope you enjoy them!
Updated 12/2016: I just published a post with another 50 cheap kid’s gifts that are $10 or less. Check it out for more kid’s gift ideas!
50 Cheap Gifts for Kids that are $10 or Less
Disclaimer: Amazon prices are subject to change at any time and I obviously have no control over that. However, all of these items were $10 or less when I published this post and should hopefully stay close to that amount, allowing you to still get fun gifts without paying a lot.
1. Paint By Sticker
We’ve had several of these paint by sticker books and they’ve all been a hit with our children. They’re fun and way less messy than painting. And I love that they can be done anywhere…even on the go.
See all the options of Paint by Sticker here.
2. Washable Kid’s Paint
This washable paint is a great way for creative kids to have a blast with minimal mess. If you want to add more fun, get these Paint Pattern Rollers too!
3. Water Wow Coloring Book (lots of styles available!)
We love these coloring books! They are perfect for little kids because you “color” the page with water to make the pictures appear. They can be used over and over and are perfect to take with you traveling too. If you don’t care for the animal version, there are lots of other Water Wow books available too.
4. Bathtub Crayons
Another fun bath time toy! Your kid will love being able to draw on the wall…the bathtub wall that is.
5. No-Spill Bubble Tumbler
Our kids love this amazing little invention that lets them enjoy bubbles without worrying about spilling them. I love it too! It has saved us a lot of money as well as a lot of tears.
More best small gifts for kids
6. Critter Habitat
Perfect for your little bug or critter collector! They’ll be able to observe their catch with this clear, lighted habitat kit.
7. Umbrella for Kids
This has been a popular toy with our kids. They love splashing around in the rain with their umbrella! But they don’t just play with it outside, it gets opened up and played with inside sometimes too.
8. Binoculars
The perfect toy for any little explorer!
9. LED Flashlight
Our kids are obsessed with flashlights right now. They love playing with them inside, using them to read in bed and love shining them outside in the dark- they’re just a total favorite!
10. Garden Tool Set with Tote
Is this not the cutest thing? Your kids can work alongside you in the garden with their very own tools!
More cheap gifts for kids
11. Kid’s Puzzle Blocks (other styles available)
These little puzzle blocks are perfect for on-the-go fun! Lots of other designs to choose from too.
12. Stephen Joseph Wallet (other styles available-including girls)
A super fun way for kids to stash their cash! It even has a little zippered pocket for coins.
13. Burt’s Bees Lip Balm
Every little girl loves having her own lip balm! And you can feel good about her slathering on way too much with this natural Burt’s Bees balm.
14. Kid’s Sunglasses (other styles available)
Get the kids their very own pair of cool-looking shades!
15. Bracelet Making Kit
Such a great present for a little girl. This kit includes supplies to make up to 10 bracelets and is sure to give her lots of fun!
More cheap kid gift items
16. Fireman’s Hat
Our kids love toy hats! Their imaginations go wild as they role-play.
17. Little People School Bus
Perfect for little hands, this cute bus is sure to be loved!
18. Dump Truck
This cute truck is perfect for playing in the sand and dirt. Your kids will have so much fun loading them up and then dumping them!
19. Hot Wheels 5 Car Gift Pack
A classic gift for any Hot Wheels fan! Want to spend a little bit more? This Hot Wheels Track Builder Loop Launcher Playset is a lot of fun too!
20. CAT Mini Machine 5 Pack
These are great to play with as they are or you can create a mini construction site using beans and let your child enjoy using their machines to dig and haul the “stones”.
More small gift ideas for kids
21. Hog Wild Pig Popper
A fun air-powered shooting toy that even big kids will enjoy! I have to confess that I actually kind of want one of these. 🙂 They look so fun!
There are other options as well…moose, bear, penguin and more.
22. Dinosaurs
A fun collection for any dino lover!
23. Caterpillar Stacking Cups
Our kids have had different bath toys, but stacking cups have been the favorite hands down. And this little caterpillar version is just too cute!
24. Slinky
Another timeless kid’s toy that your kid will have fun using on the stairs or on their hands.
25. Mini Basketball Hoop
Small enough that it’s perfect for indoor play!
More gifts for kids under 10 dollars
26. Little People Tow Truck
This cute little truck is great for imaginative toddler play.
27. Kid’s Cooking and Baking Set
This adorable set is perfect for kids who love to help in the kitchen! Great for real food prep or pretend play.
28. Doll Feeding Time Set
Your little doll lover will be thrilled with this feeding set! The disappearing milk is always so intriguing. This set that includes a bag is a tad more expensive but also fun.
29. Kid’s Broom Set
These are the perfect size for kids! They’ll have fun playing with them and they actually work well for sweeping and cleaning up messes too.
30. Mini Doll
This little mini doll is perfect for taking along when out and about or when traveling. Comes in Caucasian options as well.
More cheap kid gift ideas
31. Magnetic Z00 (other designs available)
This little set magnetic playset is a great quiet time activity and works well for traveling too! If you aren’t into the farm design, check out these other options: Peppa Pig, dinosaurs, Paw Patrol, funny faces, Dress Up.
32. Wooden Stamp Set
A fun little stamp pad that will inspire lots of creativity!
33. Animal Lacing Cards (other designs available)
I had a set similar to this as a child and I loved it! It made me feel so grown up to “sew” the cards. These little dinosaurs also can be used as tracing cards as well! Check out the full assortment of Lacing and Tracing cards for lots of other fun designs.
34. Melissa & Doug Floor Puzzle (other designs available)
Puzzles are such a great way for kids to use their problem-solving skills. And I think they help teach the character of perseverance and the reward of sticking with a task, too!
Check out these other options: Under Water Floor Puzzle, Solar System Floor Puzzle, full collection of 30-Piece jigsaw puzzles. If you have older kids, you can find lots of 100-piece or more options as well!
35. Melissa & Doug Reusable Sticker Pad (assorted styles available)
This big sticker pad includes over 200 reusable stickers and will encourage your child’s imagination. Our daughter loves playing with the one she has and has fun rearranging the different scenes. Check out the many other Reusable Sticker Book designs that are available too!
More small gift ideas for kids
36. LEGO Sports Car
Who doesn’t love Lego? And this little sports car is such a fun, inexpensive option.
37. Djeco Animal Stickers (160 pc)
I don’t think I’ve met a kid yet who doesn’t love stickers! A collection this big should provide lots of good times.
38. Play-Doh
Having lots of colors, is half the fun of Play-Doh, right? This 10-pack is perfect!
39. Iwako Japanese Puzzle Take Apart Eraser Zoo Animals (lots of designs available)
I’m so intrigued by these erasers! They can be taken apart like a puzzle and then reassembled. How cool is that? Super cute and fun! Check out all the Iwako Japanese eraser designs available.
40. LCD Writing Tablet
This reusable tablet allows kids to doodle, then erase and doodle some more! Our kids love it.
More cheap gift ideas for children
41. Kinetic Sand
This moldable sand sounds like it would provide hours of fun!
42. Pocketdoodles for Kids
Have a kid that loves to doodle? This little pocket-sized book is the perfect thing for them!
43. Crayola Color Wonder Drawing Paper
Have a little one that wants to color with markers like the bigger kids? This drawing paper used along with Crayola Color Wonder 10 Mini Markers creates mess-free marker coloring! The markers will only write on the Color Wonder drawing paper, allowing you to breathe easily!
44. Hidden Pictures Discovery Activity Zone (Ages 5-Up)
Hidden picture books are a big hit at our house with both our 7-year-old and our 3-year-old. They provide lots of quiet time entertainment and work great for traveling too!
45. Laugh-Out-Loud Jokes for Kids
Every kid needs a joke book, right? This looks like a great one to have. But be warned: you’ll be hearing lots of lame jokes in the near future! 🙂
More inexpensive gifts for kids
46. Spot It Game
A simple game the whole family will enjoy! It’s travel-friendly too.
47. Jenga Classic Game
Kids of all ages will enjoy this classic block-stacking game!
48. Uno Card Game
A favorite with our kiddos!
49. Sorry Board Game
Always a fun game and great for a variety of ages!
50. Memory Game
One of those games that both little and bigger kids have fun playing!
Looking for other cheap gift ideas? Check these out.
- 40 Frugal Non-Toy Gifts for Kids that Cost $35 or Less
- 40 Frugal Gifts for Women that Cost $30 or Less
- 40 Frugal Gifts for Men that Cost $30 or Less
- 50 MORE Awesome Cheap Kid’s Gifts that Cost $10 or Less
- 20 Frugal Gifts for Dog Owners that Cost $20 or Less
- 25 Frugal Family Gifts that Cost $45 or Less
- 15 Fun Inexpensive Teacher Gifts
- 20 Inexpensive Homemade Gift Ideas
- 20 Inexpensive Homemade Gifts for Kids
- 30 Frugal Kitchen Gifts that Cost $21 or Less
Mandy
These are NOT all under $10
ThriftyFrugalMom
I’m sorry about that, Mandy. I published this post 2 years ago and at that time everything was $10 or less. Amazon prices change and sometimes even a day later the price can jump or drop by a couple of dollars. I kind of assume people will realize that and hopefully still be able to find some great fun inexpensive gifts for their kids through this list.
Ps. I’m going to add a small disclaimer at the top of the post now. Your comment made me realize that would be helpful! 🙂
Ryan
These are all cute ideas. I really like the games listed that allow children to use their mind. Another idea for the younger children would be similar to sites like tinkaroo.com and others where children receive actual letters in the mail from certain characters like Santa. In all, great list and I picked up a few ideas for my children.
Thanks!
ThriftyFrugalMom
Thanks for the suggestion, Ryan!
Lauren
So many awesome ideas here.. I love that little ball shooter thing.. so funny!
ThriftyFrugalMom
Thanks, Lauren! And that little ball shooter….I already have the kids gifts bought for this year, but I’m definitely going to keep it in mind for a future gift, cause I know they would absolutely love it!
Amber
I just found your blog from the Shine Blog Hop and wanted to say hello! My kids like me to put jokes in their lunch bags, so that joke book might serve me well! Great ideas, thanks!
ThriftyFrugalMom
What a great idea, Amber! You sound like a fun mom. 🙂 Our 7 yr. old son just got a joke book for Christmas from his grandparents (we did Christmas with my husband’s family over Thanksgiving due to schedule conflicts at Christmas time) and he is having so much fun with it. And thankfully, some of the jokes are actually kind of funny, so we haven’t gone crazy yet from the lame humor.
Anndra
I’ve never clicked through on an affiliate link OR purchased based upon a list like this… I have at least 15 items in my Amazon cart from your list & I’m under $35! Thank-you for sharing this list. I stink at the little fill in gifts… my kids will be happy too!
ThriftyFrugalMom
Anndra, I think your comment was my favorite comment from the whole week! 🙂 I love hearing that my posts are helping my readers save money! I had a lot of fun putting this list together and tried hard to be really choosy and only include quality items that my kids already have and love or that I knew they would love if they had them. So I’m thrilled to know that it’s helped you out and hope that it helped make your Christmas prep a little less stressful too. 🙂
Stephanie
Awesome list! Totally stole some ideas and will be ending up under the tree this year 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
ThriftyFrugalMom
So glad it was helpful, Stephanie! I hope the gifts are all a big hit with the kiddos. 🙂