Each year, we spend countless hours searching for the very coolest gifts for kids under $15 because while we'd all love a pair of AirPods, we're not all getting a pair of AirPods.
Maybe you have tons of little cousins, nieces or nephews. Maybe you have tons of friends with kids. Maybe you have lots of kids on your own. Or maybe you're just looking for a small gift that a child can unwrap in addition to an experience gift or a donation to their college fund.
And of course, you should always visit your local boutiques, mom-and-pop shops, and local bookstores where they always have plenty of goodies for you.
We hope you find something wonderful right here. (Psst...be sure to check our list of' gifts under $15 for adults. You might find something great there, too.)
All gifts have been editorially determined by our staff. There has been no compensation for inclusion. (We know that's rare.)
There are affiliate links in this guide, which means that some purchases will generate a small commission to help support our own small woman-owned business, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting us!
All prices accurate at time of publication but subject to change.
Be sure to visit our 2020 Holiday Gift Guide posts and our 2021 Holiday Gift Guide posts for even more fabulous gift ideas
including 50+ cool gifts for kids and teens, all under $15
Winter Wonderland Sticker + Activity Set
For the plane, the car, or quiet unplugged time.
$10, Petit Collage
Personalized Rainbow Name Crayons
Upcycled, eco-friendly and awesome
$9.20/1-5 letters boxed - $15.20/11 letters boxed, Felting Co
Soft Sloth Baseball Cap
They'll looooove this!
Sadly this product is no longer available - but there are other fun gifts!
Candylab Food Vans
We love Candylab's beautifully made wooden cars and we LOVE LOVE LOVCE these new food vans!
$15.50, My Sweet Muffin
Custom Photo Memory Game
The game that becomes a keepsake.
$15+, Pinhole Press
Baby Shark Plush Puppet
Sorry for the earworm, parents
$14.88, Amazon
Knitted Sweater Skull Mug
Throw in a pack of hot chocolate or two.
$11.89 on sale, Knitted Cake for Society 6
Holiday Cookie Cards
So many cute designs for all the cousins, nieces and nephews
$5.99/ea, Cheryl's Cookies
A Gift Card to Donors Choose
Kids love giving. Let them pick a classroom and a project that calls to them -- they'll adore it.
Any amount, Donors Choose
Classic Lite Brite
Some toys are as awesome now as when we were kids.
$14.97, Amazon (but consider adding on a refill pack)
Felt Food Milk & Cookies Playset
From one of our favorite play food makers on Etsy.
$13, The Homespun Market
Crayola Fine Line Markers
So great, we use them too.
$12.99, Amazon
LEGO Hidden Side Kit and AR game
Okay so a little over $15, but so so cool!
$15.99, Amazon plus free app download
Rainbow Bike Wheel Lights
Safety can be cool
$15, The Container Store
The Snowy Day
If they don't already own Ezra Jack Keats's classic, this is the perfect opportunity
$6.14/paperback or $13.42/hardcover, Amazon
Swedish Slipper Mocs
Our kids love theirs
$11.19+ on sale, Hanna Andersson in lots of colors
She Knew She Could....Kids Bracelets
Positive thinking for rough days.
(Kristen does work for this company, and they are just lovely.)
$12.95, She Knew She Could
Star Wars Ep IX Jannah Funko Pop
Of course any Ep IX Funko Pop will be a hit this year
$7.99, Amazon
Related: Cool Star Wars gifts for the fan who set an alarm to nab Ep IX tickets in October
Personalized Unicorn Ornament
Add a new one each year
$15, Capitol Maker
JBuddies Kids Headphones
Because we don't all need to hear every YouTube video on repeat
$13.99, Target
Black Superhero Kids Mug
Because every kid should see themselves as Iron Man, Captain America, Wonder Woman, or Batman.
$15, The TriniGee
Holiday Bath Bomb Trio
Making bath time more festive (and less contentious)
$11.99, Feeling Smitten
Skip Hop Baby Avocado “Rockamole” Guitar
Rock is extra.
$12.79, Target
Holiday Hide n Seek Rock Painting Kit
For spreading random acts of holiday kindness
$12.99, Amazon
NHL Youth Beanies
We're not picking favorites. (But go Flyers!)
$14.99, Target
Grl Pwr 3D iPhone Case
(item no longer available)
Wh Rn Th Wrld?
$10 on sale, Ilse Valfre
Compact Gaming Keyboard for PC
Makes it a little easier to watch Minecraft over their shoulders.
$13.99 on sale, Amazon
K-Socks Korean Sock Box Subscription
K-socks no longer available but many other sock subscriptions are. A new box of adorableness each month.
(Note that they're made for feet sizes W5 and up)
$10.99/box, Cratejoy with discounts for longer subscriptions
Worry Dolls
They brought so much calm when we were kids
$6, Natural Life
Elf "Smiling's My Favorite" T-Shirt
(item no longer available)
So many Elf quotes, so little time to wear the t-shirts.
$12.79-15.19, Pantaloon Rebellion on Etsy
Hanukkah Tic Tac Toe Board
Playing for gelt, optional
$12, Modern Tribe
Umbro Soccer Ball
In a color that's very hard to lose
$14.99, Target
Pop Socket Supporting Wildlife Conservation Network
There are tons of "Poptivism" options, and one will surely support their favorite case.
$15, Pop Sockets, with 50% going directly to the charity of choice
Personalized Glitter Bolt Superhero Cape
Handmade from a favorite mom-run shop at incredible prices
$14.99 on sale, Sew Plain Jane
Pictionary Air
We didn't think they could improve on Pictionary...and then they did.
$14.99, Target
Sephora Frosted Face Mask Trio
Make every night feel like a sleepover
$15, Sephora
Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls Activity Pack
To go with one of our favorite books.
$7 on sale, Rebel Girls
Electrodough STEM Kit by Tech Will Save Us
Fun with conductive dough!
$15.47, Amazon
Giant Printable Christmas Coloring Poster
A few designs to choose from, but we like this one which has characters from favorite Christmas movies hidden throughout.
$7 download, Caravan Shoppe
About our Sponsor
Kid loose stuff. We all do. But the Tile Bluetooth-enabled tracking tags and now, Tile stickers, help you find lost items in seconds: A remote, your house keys, your kids' bikes and scooters, a favorite lovey, a gamer control, your camera...you get the picture.
Attach the tags or stickers to anything you don’t want to lose — say, some of those new holiday gifts you’re buying? — and use your phone to locate it by sound or see it on a map. Brilliant! And we use Tile ourselves, so we can totally vouch for how awesome they are.
Frozen II Elsa Funko Pop
Get it now, before they're scalping them for a stupid sum of money
$11.99, Amazon
Use code NEW10 for 10% off your first shipment
Hot Wheels ID 1970 Dodge Charger
Track sold separately
$6.99, Amazon
Christmas Wish Bracelet
Too sweet!
$11, Leo & Lovey
Save 10% site wide with code COOLMOMPICKS19
Robot Ice Pop Mold Set
Every season is a good season for robot ice pops
$14.99, Target
Sam Saves the Night by Shari Simpson
A little dark, a lot of fun, and they will think you're super cool for discovering it.
(Also, Shari used to write for CMP so we know how amazing she is.)
$13.38, Amazon
Star Wars Yoda Watch
(item no longer available)
Since Baby Yoda has rekindled every kid's love of Yoda
$14.99 on sale, Pottery Barn Kids
Children’s Oven Mitt Set
Lots of patterns to choose from. (And of course, lots of cookie recipes to choose from.)
$14.40, Minted (includes 20% discount for registering
Cat’s Ear Earmuffs
(item no longer available)
Warm and cuddly
$14, Nordstrom
Nintendo eShop Digital Gift Cards
If they have a Switch, they'll already know just how to spend it
$5 and up, Amazon or local shops
Spiderman PJs
For when it's time for Friendly Neighborhood Bedtime
$15, Disney Store
Faber Castell World Colors Eco-Pencil Set
Also named on our list of top gifts for 4-year olds, but they're fabulous for any age.
$7.99, Amazon
Travel Magnetic Dress-Up Sets
Hours of unplugged play
$12, Petit Collage
Mini Chocolate Nutcrackers
For eating, not playing. (Or, maybe both.)
$15.95, Williams-Sonoma
Write On: My Story Journal
The perfect start for any journaler
$12.76, Amazon
Shark Socks
Remember when socks used to be an uncool gift? That's all done now.
$10, Uncommon Goods
Robo Alive T-Rex
It chomps. It grows. It can be turned off when you prefer a quieter T-Rex play experience.
$14.99, Target
50-Pack of Stranger Things Decals
1984 A.V. Club 4-Ever
$8.98, Amazon
Handmade Rainbow Earrings
(item no longer available)
Brightens up winter
$14, VVSGrotto on Etsy
Squishable Shark Plush
(shark no longer available but lots of other animals are)
They kind of are the squishiest. Our kids are big fans.
$14.99, Moosh-Moosh
National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Science
Maybe to go with one of those plush animals?
$9.99, Amazon
Star Wars Destiny Game: Luke Skywalker Starter Set
Be ready for all your planes, trains, automobiles, and tie-fighters
$14.99, Disney Store
Olaf Frozen 2 LEGO Set
It just makes sense.
$11.99, Amazon
Giving Bracelets
Perfect for a kid to give to all their BFFs -- or for buying for a ton of cousins
$9, Natural Life
Little Big Planet 3 for PS4
One of our all-time favorite collaborative video games for the whole family.
$9.99 for a limited time, Kohl’s
L.O.L. Surprise HairGoals Makeover Series
What can we say, our kids are totally obsessed with these.
$7.99, Amazon
What can we help you find?
Please see our 2020 Holiday Gift Guide for even more gift ideas, entirely supporting small businesses
* Fleabag gifts for your friend who can’t get enough of Phoebe Waller-Bridge
* Eco-friendly gifts for teens and kids who are fighting for our planet. For good reason.
* Cool gifts for the cool dad who's the first to say, "I'm not babysitting, I'm parenting."
* Feminist gifts for a woman who already owns a “Nevertheless She Persisted” shirt
* Cool Star Wars gifts for the fan who set an alarm to nab Ep IX tickets in October
* Cool podcast gifts for the person who finally became obsessed this year
* Gifts for the VSCO girl who loves the label, uses the hashtag, owns her aesthetic. Sksksksksk.
* 90s TV pop culture gifts because rewinding life sounds good right about now.
* Style and beauty gifts for women who are over 40, fabulous, and who DGAF
* 50+ cool gifts for adults under $15 because who knows WTF is happening with interest rates
* 60+ cool gifts for kids under $15 because, breeders amirite
* More coming soon!