{"id":591476,"date":"2025-11-05T11:00:17","date_gmt":"2025-11-05T16:00:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/design-milk.com\/?p=591476"},"modified":"2025-11-05T13:41:01","modified_gmt":"2025-11-05T18:41:01","slug":"2025-best-modern-gifts-for-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/design-milk.com\/2025-best-modern-gifts-for-kids\/","title":{"rendered":"2025 Best Modern Gifts for Kids"},"content":{"rendered":"
If you\u2019ve ever stepped on a toy at 2 a.m., you know that not all playthings are created equal. Thankfully, this year\u2019s Design Milk gift guide<\/a> for kids is filled with gifts that will delight both the kids and the grown-ups. These design-forward finds strike that perfect balance between form and function \u2013 not that the kids will notice. They\u2019ll be too busy being captivated by the color, the creativity, and the sheer joy of play. While these picks are sure to win over your little ones, don\u2019t be surprised if you find yourself sneaking in some playtime during the holidays too.<\/p>\n Photo: Courtesy of Biggest Little<\/p><\/div>\n Balls are a childhood classic,\u00a0but these are anything but basic. Made from 100% food-grade silicone, the b is for ball\u00ae set invites open-ended play, not just physical activity. Perfect for babies who are teething, toddlers who can\u2019t decide if they love or hate bathtime, or older kids whose imaginations run wild, these balls go beyond the norm. Parents will especially love that they separate for easy drying, preventing water from lingering (and bacteria from building). A 2025 Red Dot Product Design Award winner, this set has officially earned both design-world and kid-world approval.<\/p>\n Photo: Courtesy of Milk Teeth<\/p><\/div>\n I always tuck a wearable item under the tree for the kids as part of the Want\/Need\/Wear\/Read gifting philosophy, and these stripe socks make it too easy. Milk Teeth has mastered the art of pairing the perfect colors, so I might have to start pestering the founders for adult sizes. (Seriously, imagine these peeking out from loafers!) Cozy, cheerful, and totally giftable.<\/p>\n Photo: Courtesy of Gibson x Loog Guitars<\/p><\/div>\n This isn\u2019t just a \u201ckids\u2019 guitar\u201d \u2013 it\u2019s a full-on electric guitar experience, shrunk down and re-designed for little hands without sacrificing style or sound. Crafted in collaboration between iconic Gibson and child-friendly brand Loog Guitars, the short-scale 3-string format is perfect for the young player who wants to learn to rock out \u2013 and you might secretly want to jam too.<\/p>\n Photo: Courtesy of Gloo Books<\/p><\/div>\n This AAPI- and woman-founded brand has my heart. It\u2019s part of my personal parenting mission to make sure my kids know their own heritage \u2013 but equally important is helping them understand others\u2019. We could all use a little more inclusivity these days, and food is such a powerful window into culture. The A Very Asian Guide Series<\/em> explores seven different cultures through the lens of food, sparking curiosity and connection for both kids and adults. Pair a book with dinner at a local restaurant from that culture for the perfect family night out.<\/p>\n Photo: Courtesy of Meri Meri<\/p><\/div>\n Costumes aren\u2019t just for Halloween, especially when they\u2019re this cute. My older kids still love to play dress-up, and my youngest is starting to understand the magic of role-playing. This superhero set is perfect for sparking imagination (and spontaneous living room rescues). I\u2019d stuff it inside a reusable tote, ready to throw on right over holiday pajamas.<\/p>\n Photo: Courtesy of Dusen Dusen and Hanna Andersson<\/p><\/div>\n Speaking of pajamas, new PJs are a must for our family advent tradition. I\u2019m obsessed with this Dusen Dusen x Hanna Andersson collab \u2013 it\u2019s fun and festive without screaming \u201choliday.\u201d The bold patterns and signature Dusen Dusen color combos make them an instant favorite. Once again, though\u2026 we really need adult sizes, please and thank you!!<\/p>\n Photo: Courtesy of Babsy, Design: Leadoff Studio<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n I don\u2019t know how Babsy managed to make a toothbrush exciting enough to qualify as a gift<\/em>, but here we are. This interactive kit lets kids mix, match, and swap out pieces to create their own toothbrush design, so that teeth-brushing can finally be fun. As someone who dreads the nightly teeth-brushing routine, I\u2019ll gladly pay for anything that turns it into a win. If this gets my kids excited to brush their teeth, it\u2019s worth every penny.<\/p>\n Photo: Courtesy of Areaware<\/p><\/div>\n I’ve noticed my own kids enjoy playing with vehicles that have a clear purpose, rather than just a regular car. They gravitate towards, the garbage truck, a dump truck, or a cement mixer. This set of tractors is perfect for that kind of play, as they can be assembled and disassembled via their embedded magnet connectors. They\u2019ll love building something totally unique \u2013 and then zooming it across the floor for hours.<\/p>\n Photo: Courtesy of Tin Can<\/p><\/div>\n I\u2019m completely obsessed with this concept \u2013 it takes the analog charm of the old-school house phone and reimagines it for today\u2019s kids. The Tin Can phone plugs into your router or ethernet port, allowing calls only from approved contacts via the companion app. Calls between Tin Cans are free, while outside numbers require a small subscription ($10\/month, with the first month free). Parents can even set a Do Not Disturb schedule (no midnight playdate calls, thank you). The design is modern and fun, but I might have to go with the nostalgic Flashback model myself.<\/p>\n Photo: Courtesy of Prixel<\/p><\/div>\n For my art-loving daughter who loves to build and my LEGO-loving son who loves to draw, this is the<\/em> perfect toy. The Prixel DIY Rubber Stamp Kit lets kids create their own designs using modular stamp parts \u2013 messages, patterns, little doodles \u2013 then stamp them onto paper for a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. This is one toy I will definitely steal after the kids’ bedtime.<\/p>\n
<\/a>b is for ball\u00ae \u2013 3-Ball Set by Biggest Little \\\\\\ $36<\/a><\/h2>\n
<\/a>Stripe Socks by Milk Teeth \\\\\\ $10<\/a><\/h2>\n
<\/a>Gibson x Loog Guitar \\\\\\ $229<\/strong><\/a><\/h2>\n
<\/a>A Very Asian Guide Series<\/em> by Gloo Books \\\\\\ $110<\/a><\/h2>\n
<\/a>Blue Superhero Costume by Meri Meri \\\\\\ $68<\/a><\/h2>\n
<\/a>Dusen Dusen x Hanna Andersson Pajamas \\\\\\ $58<\/a><\/h2>\n
<\/a>Build-A-Brush Starter Kit by Babsy \\\\\\ $29<\/a><\/h2>\n
<\/a>Hovers Tractors by Floris Hovers for Areaware \\\\\\ $55<\/a><\/h2>\n
<\/a>Tin Can\u00a0\\\\\\ $75<\/a><\/h2>\n
<\/a>DIY Rubber Stamp Kit by Prixel \\\\\\ $139<\/a><\/h2>\n