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We know that getting your kids to spend time with you can be challenging, especially after they’ve ripped open all their presents. That’s why we’ve created a guide for gifts that will get your kids (and teenagers) to actually hang out with you this holiday season.
Kids are somehow both the easiest and most difficult people to shop for, so we’ve geared this list toward some of their possible interests. Keep reading to see gifts tailored to getting the athletic kid, the crafty kid, the trendy kid, and the gamer kid to spend quality time with you.
For The Athletic Kid
When a game is competitive, it is easier to get athletic kids to participate.
We’ve compiled a list of quick-paced and fun gifts to make things easier for you. Most importantly, these gifts will encourage your kids to spend time with you!
Rampshot
This fast-paced backyard game is our #1 pick for the athletic kid to spend time with you – just be sure you can keep up when they ask you to play with them! Rampshot is similar to cornhole (and just as easy to learn) but is more intense, competitive, and active. This up-and-coming backyard game is sure to get the whole family moving! This has to be one of the best ways to hang out with your kids and win their undivided attention.
At-Home Laser Tag
Put away the Nerf guns and get them something WAY better. This laser gun set is rechargeable, includes gear for 4 players, and is fun for kids and adults. Plus, this set has 4.7 stars and over 4,700 reviews on Amazon from families that love it.
Glow-In-The-Dark Capture The Flag
Classic games like Capture The Flag are heaps of fun, and this kit is glow-in-the-dark, so you can even play at night! Your kids will be begging you to play with them. This game is fun for the whole family and perfect for the athletic kid.
Pop-A-Shot
This Basketball Arcade Game is a tad pricier. Still, we chose to include this over the other hoops because it has: a built-in computerized scoreboard, strong build quality, two hoops for competition, and even folds up easily for storage. Place your bets, and see who can make the most baskets!
Hover Soccer Ball
It’s not always easy to keep kids entertained inside during the winter months, so this hover soccer ball is sure to do the trick. This pack comes with two soccer discs – just in case one gets lost or broken – and has over 10,000 positive reviews.
For The Crafty Kid
The crafty kid is the kid who is always working on a project, constantly has a new interest, and is, above all else, creative. This makes earning their undivided attention notoriously hard to achieve! The best way to get your crafty kid to spend time with you is to find a new project in their area of interest that requires your assistance. Here are our picks for the crafty kid.
DIY Macrame Dreamcatcher
This DIY Dreamcatcher is the best way to spend quality time with the crafty kid. Grab an extra one for yourself, too, so you can make them together! This craft has a fantastic end-product, so your kid/teen can hang it in their bedroom and always remember the time you two spent together.
DIY Sandalwood Ring Kit
If your child is old enough and interested in woodworking, this DIY sandalwood ring kit is a great way to bond. The end result is highly dependent on your kid’s imagination, and you can make more than one ring! Since this kit has a learning curve, they’ll definitely need your help, so you can be sure you’ll have their undivided attention.
Cute Food Kawaii Sewing Kit
This sewing kit lets you create super cute kawaii food plushies. The kit comes with all the materials and instructions you need to make 15 plushies, and it’s also an excellent opportunity to teach your kid how to sew. Quality time is easy to get with a gift like this.
Y2K Necklace Making Kit
Y2K aesthetics are in right now, so if you have a teenage girl who can’t be bothered to spend time with you, try making some Y2K-style necklaces with her.
For The Trendy Kid
The trendy kid may seem challenging, but they’re easy to persuade to spend time with you! Encourage their interests! We’ve put together some activities that are “in” right now. Try one of these; they’ll love hanging out with you.
DIY Neon Sign
This Neon sign is our top pick for the trendy kid because its brightness will surely excite any kid! It’s a great decor piece for their bedroom, and it’s easy to build if they have a short attention span. Just don’t write “I love my mom” with it, and you’re sure to have a happy camper!
Tarot Cards
Tarot cards are trendy right now, and your trendy kid may have already asked for them for the holidays. However, if you play your cards right, you can make this a bonding moment. Do some research, learn how to properly read tarot, and then offer to teach them!
Make-Your-Own Mochi Ice Cream
If your kid is trendy, they know what mochi ice cream is! For the rest of us who haven’t heard of it, it’s a Japanese dessert made of ice cream wrapped in a rice paste. This kit comes with all kinds of fun colors and flavors and has excellent reviews. This one is sure to win you a few hours of their undivided attention.
Kodak Digital Instant Print Camera
This one is our #4 pick because it could be great, but it requires some work on your part.
- Set a room up in your house with a cool backdrop and props to create a mini photoshoot.
- Then, give them this instant print camera and offer to take some awesome photos of them!
- *(bonus points if you also get one of these to display the photos after)!
Custom Eyeshadow Kit
With this custom eyeshadow kit, you can create custom shades to match your teen’s skin tone, favorite color, or wardrobe. Plus, finding your perfect color palette is trending right now, so try starting with helping your kid figure out what colors fit them best! Are they a light winter or a vibrant summer?
For The Gamer/Tech Kid
The gamer kid can quickly get wrapped up in their own interests, and it can take effort to win their undivided attention. However, if you’re clever, you can find gifts they love that also encourage quality time with you.
Quest Pro 2
The Quest Pro 2 makes gaming more interactive and communal. When the player has the headset on, you can cast the game to the TV, so anyone watching can see what the player sees. This makes it a fantastic way to spend time together without your child getting bored. Solve puzzles together, fight zombies, and even visit The Pyramids together.
Nintendo Switch OLED
If you and your kids both love gaming, get ready for some serious fun and quality time. The Switch is one of the only gaming consoles created to encourage multiplayer. The Switch, and the games made for it, are designed for spending time together.
1080p Camera Drone
This drone has a high-quality camera, is rechargeable, and has good reviews. Take this outside to get some incredible videos and develop a hobby that you and your kid can share!
Robot Car Kit
This robot car kit is a great way to spend quality time with your kid. If they like robots, computers, or anything else tech-related, this is a great project to do together. Put your thinking cap on and get building!
Hover UFO
This hover UFO is a fun little gadget that is super fun to play with together! Pass it back and forth and watch it hover around the room.
