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Best Christmas gifts for children: Top toys and present ideas for boys and girls

Struggling with what to get the kids this Christmas?
Struggling with what to get the kids this Christmas?

Your little one is growing up fast, which means you need to think carefully about what gifts you get them for Christmas this year - especially as their lists get longer and longer.

It's great to watch them become their own person and they deserve a Christmas present or stocking filler that reflects that, whether that's an item of clothing, technology or a game.

But don't despair, here's our pick of the best Christmas presents for girls and boys. Hopefully there's something for everyone, from the mini fashionista in your life to the science lover.

Best Christmas gifts for girls

Ages: 5-7

1.  Little Mashers Today I’m Going To Be T-shirt

£20, Trouva

Little Mashers Today I'm Going To Be T-shirt  - Credit: Trouva
Little Mashers Today I'm Going To Be T-shirt Credit: Trouva

This brilliant T-shirt is printed with a special chalkboard ink, enabling children to draw and write on it with any design they fancy. A damp cloth will wipe it clean and then they can start again. Each T-shirt comes with a bag of three chalks too, so they can get drawing straight away.

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2.  Creative Coder Kit 

£54.99, Tech Will Save Us

Creative Coder Kit - Credit: Tech Will Save Us
Creative Coder Kit Credit: Tech Will Save Us

Get your child into coding with wearable technology they programme and build themselves. You won't be able to help them, of course, but they'll no doubt take to it like a duck to water. They'll also get free access to an online portal brimming with ideas for coding projects that'll confuse you but make total sense to them.

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3. Amazon HD Fire 8 Kids edition 8 inch display

£129.99, Amazon

Amazon HD Fire 8 Kids edition 8 inch display  - Credit: Amazon
Amazon HD Fire 8 Kids edition 8 inch display Credit: Amazon

A top pick by Telegraph Recommended, the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids is child proof thanks to it foam casing and the brilliant parental controls will ensure you feel comfortable with your little ones having screen time.

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Ages: 8-10

1. Mini Rodini Green Guinea Pig Sweatshirt

£45, Alex and Alexa

 Mini Rodini Green Guinea Pig Sweatshirt - Credit: Alexa and Alexa
Mini Rodini Green Guinea Pig Sweatshirt Credit: Alexa and Alexa

Can we get a grown up version of this please? Mini Rodini's green sweatshirt with its guinea pig print is amazing and will look cool with jeans and trainers.

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2.  U-Move LED Scooter

£39, Halfords

U-Move LED Scooter - Credit: Halfords
U-Move LED Scooter Credit: Halfords

Get them moving with a user-friendly scooter. An adjustable handlebar adapts as your child grows, the footplate features non-slip grip and best of all the wheels have motion activated lights, making those early morning trips to school a lot more fun.

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3.  National Theatre Play In A Box

£12.99, National Theatre

Play In A Box - Credit: National Theatre
Play In A Box Credit: National Theatre

We've all sat through plays and shows put on by little drama queens and this box contains everything they need for upping their am-dram game. They'll find inspiration for plots and characters, tips for how to stage their production, ideas for sound, props and costumes and it even comes with a programme and tickets ready to be coloured in. Get ready to applaud.

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Looking for gifts for the younger ones? Read our handy guide on the best Christmas gifts for babies and toddlers.

Ages: 10-12

1.  Apples To Pears Make Your Own Insect House Kit

£11, John Lewis & Partners

Apples To Pears Make Your Own Insect House - Credit: John Lewis & Partners
Apples To Pears Make Your Own Insect House Credit: John Lewis & Partners

Nature loving children will enjoy making a home for insects of all kinds and then watching their little hotel fill up with fascinating creatures like ladybirds and bees. A perfect distraction from the iPad.

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 2. Little Mashers Kids DIY Stamp T-shirt Kit

£44, Trouva

Little Mashers DIY Stamp T-Shirt Kit - Credit: Trouva
Little Mashers DIY Stamp T-Shirt Kit Credit: Trouva

Creative kids can design their own T-shirt using the 32 stamps and three inks in this handy set. And why stop there? They can make posters, personalised gifts for friends or even a whole clothing collection if they so wish.

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3.  Up at the O2 Climb Experience

£36, Red Letter Days

Up at the O2 Climb Experience - Credit: Red Letter Days
Up at the O2 Climb Experience Credit: Red Letter Days

They'll walk up to the top of the iconic O2 where they'll look out over London from a platform 52 metres above the ground. A fantastic way to see the capital and spot famous landmarks. Don't worry they'll be attached by a safety harness the whole way.

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For inspiration on what to get the older ones, read our guide on the best Christmas gifts for teenagers.

Best Christmas gifts for boys

Ages: 5-7 

1. Bob & Blossom Number 5 Striped Long Sleeve T-shirt

£18.95, Bob & Blossom

Bob & Blossom Number 5 Striped Long Sleeve T-shirt - Credit: Bob & Blossom
Bob & Blossom Number 5 Striped Long Sleeve T-shirt Credit: Bob & Blossom

A Breton top is a childhood classic and at Bob & Blossom you can find it in a rainbow of colours with numbers one to five printed on the front. So pick the right age for your little style star.

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2.  Wonder Workshop Robots

From £79.99, Amazon

Wonder Workshop Robots - Credit: Amazon
Wonder Workshop Robots Credit: Amazon

Real robots your children can programme then play with. Dot and Dash are great for kids as young as six while Cue will take coding and robotics up a level for those over 11. They all work with apps available on Apple, Android and Kindle Fire devices and come with stickers, project cards, costumes and accessories. Cue also features intelligent technology enabling your child to communicate and interact with it. It even cracks jokes...

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3. Halfords Apollo Wizzer Balance Bike Blue 

£46, Halfords

Halfords Apollo Wizzer Balance Bike Blue  - Credit: Halfords
Halfords Apollo Wizzer Balance Bike Blue Credit: Halfords

This is a great starter bike for your  little one as it's designed to ease them into it. It includes a band break so they don't have to stop with their feet.

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Ages: 8-10

1.  The Slimy Laboratory Kit

£10.40, The Science Museum

Slime Laboratory - Credit: The Science Museum
Slime Laboratory Credit: The Science Museum

Slime: The bane of parents' lives everywhere. But they love it. Why? We don't know, but this kit will no doubt be their favourite present this year. By using household ingredients like baking soda, corn starch and glue, they'll be able to make their own messy concoctions even more disgusting with the motorized Slime-o-nator (gross).

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2.  John Lewis & Partners Spy Mission Kit

£14.40, John Lewis & Partners

John Lewis & Partners Spy Kit - Credit: John Lewis & Partners
John Lewis & Partners Spy Kit Credit: John Lewis & Partners

Children love to know what's going on so send them off on their own intelligence gathering mission with this six piece kit. There's a secret listener, torch, magnifier, telescope and even a secret compartment for classified information. Qs and Ms in the making.

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3. Vild House Of Little Organic Cotton Velvet Jacket

£72, Vild House of Little

Vild House Of Little Organic Cotton Velvet Jacket - Credit: Vild House Of Little
Vild House Of Little Organic Cotton Velvet Jacket Credit: Vild House Of Little

If you've got yourself a mini fashionista then this unisex velvet jacket is what they need in their lives. They'll stand out from the crowd with this one.

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Ages: 10-12

1.  Lego Creator 31084 3-in-1 Pirate Roller Coaster

£49.99, Amazon

Lego Creator 3-in-1 Pirate Rollercoaster - Credit: Amazon
Lego Creator 3-in-1 Pirate Rollercoaster Credit: Amazon

This Lego set is not for beginners. Nine to 14 year-olds will get the most out of its complex build, functioning Pirate themed rollercoaster and water splash feature. It's 923 pieces can also be rebuilt into two other theme park attractions, The Skull Ride or The Ship Ride.

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2.  iFly Indoor Skydiving

£49, Virgin Experience Days

iFly Indoor Skydive - Credit: Virgin Experience Days
iFly Indoor Skydive Credit: Virgin Experience Days

Give them a taste for adventure with a skydive which won't actually entail them leaping from a plane. They'll feel the adrenaline rush of a 120mph air stream, all in a nice safe, indoor environment.

Buy now

3. Vue Cinema Gift Card

From £10, Vue

Vue Gift Card - Credit: Vue
Vue Gift Card Credit: Vue

Everyone loves a trip to the cinema and with the Vue gift card the tween in your life can claim a bit of independence, treating friends to the latest releases. Age appropriate only of course...

Buy now

For more Christmas features and festive inspiration, including Elf on the Shelf ideas, the best Christmas gifts for babies and teenagers, see our selections of gifts guides.

All the products mentioned in this article are selected independently by our journalists. The Telegraph makes money by adding affiliate links to some of the products.