The links in this best gifts for early elementary ages post are affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on a link.

Years before I was a middle school teacher, my first teaching job was as a first grade teacher. As challenging as it was to capture the attention of my energetic 5 and 6 year olds, it was thrilling to watch their eyes light up with new learning every minute we were in the classroom together.

Teaching this age group and witnessing their development was incredibly rewarding. My students always had a wide range of knowledge and skills which is typical of early elementary ages.

BEST GIFTS FOR EARLY ELEMENTARY AGES (AGES 5-8/GRADES K-2)

Kindergarten through second graders experience huge growth in their social, emotional, and academic skills. Kids this age grow physically, emotionally, and academically by leaps and bounds. And as all parents of this age group know, there’s a huge difference between a kindergartener and a second grader!

The best gifts for early elementary ages should allow them to be kids while allowing them to practice what they know and learn new things about things they love. Here are 14 of my favorite gifts for early elementary ages this holiday season.

Let’s Craft STEAM School Painting Science ($19.99)

I love that this set teaches early elementary ages math and science through art. Kids will learn how to mix colors through capillary action and optical illusions. Explore symmetry by making folded paintings and make paper flowers bloom Make 2 pointillism paintings by filling up preprinted pictures with the dot brush. Experiment to see colors “walk” from cup to cup. Color in 6 optical illusion designs for 3 wooden spinning tops. Each activity comes individually packed to keep materials organized and comes with an experiment card that explains how to do the experiment and the science that makes it work. The set also includes all the paint, supplies, materials and tools needed for each activity. Best for ages 6+

Operation: The Grinch ($39.95)

Can you extract items like a big heart, small heart, sandwich, sock, cactus, tomato, and more without setting off the buzzer? Get into the holiday spirit with a twist by playing Operation: The Grinch. Join the mischievous Grinch on a festive adventure as you try to remove Dr. Seuss-inspired odds and ends from his body. It’s a whimsical take on the classic game that’s perfect for the holiday season! Best for ages 5+

Pocket Watercolor Book Set ($12.99 for 3)

Perfect for holiday travel or winter break, this set of 3 watercolor painting books fosters creativity thanks to built-in paint for each page. Just wet the brush and use it to take the color that comes with each page. The watercolor painting books sets are available in 3 themes: dinosaur, ocean, and animal paradise. Each book contains 20 sheets of pages in different patterns and each page contained with 6 watercolors to choose from. Each book also comes with brushes. Best for ages 5+

Magic Scrunch Pillow ($24.99)

Kids will love making a loopy, squooshy adorable Magic Scrunch Pillow! Just weave, scrunch, and stuff an adorable, loopy cupcake, unicorn, kitty, or puppy design in an hour or less. Made from 90% post consumer recycled fabric, there’s no cutting or sewing involved making this a perfect age appropriate craft for early elementary ages that can be made in just 30 minutes.

Stomp Rocket Racers- Dueling Set ($29.99)

We’ve always been big fans of Stomp Rockets and now Stomp Rocket Racers encourage children to experiment with speed and force to race their car the farthest. Stomp Racers are 100% activated by kids and STEM.org Authenticated™. The Dueling Set lets 2 kids launch cars at the same time. Kids can decorate the cars with the included stickers and Stomp Rocket Racers make for a fantastic, easily portable gift. Best for ages 5+

The Coloring Table (starting at $29.99)

*Woman-Owned Business*

The Coloring Table offers a variety of reusable fabric tablecloths, placemats, and pillowcases that allow kids to express themselves through an easy, mess-free craft. Color with fabric markers for a lasting keepsake or with washable markers, such as Washable Crayola Markers, for multiple uses. A relaxing form of self-expression, it stimulates creativity while promoting a range of benefits, and it’s fun for all ages, with themes and seasonal designs to spark imaginations in all ages. The reusable fabric in The Coloring Table products is made of a smooth, cotton-blend fabric that is 100% machine-washable and wrinkle-free. It’s uniquely crafted with a patented durable laminate backing to protect any surface it is used on and is no bleed guaranteed! Best for ages 5+

Christmas Books Puzzle ($17.99)

Puzzles are great gifts for early elementary ages because they’re just fun for this age group. Besides the sense of accomplishment that comes with completing a puzzle, they also teach fine motor skills, enhance visual perception, and improve concentration and the ability to stay focused on one task at a time. I love the nostalgia of favorite holiday books in one puzzle that makes for a great family activity while helping kids develop cognitive and problem-solving skills. Best for ages 5+

Elmer’s Squishies Glow in the Dark Kit ($14.97)

Give the gift of hands-on science thanks to this collection of Elmer’s Squishies. You’ll get everything you need to make your own surprise glow-in-the-dark squishy toy-in only 60 minutes. Just mix the ingredients (including glow-in-the-dark glue pens), pour them into the mystery mold, and after an hour, pop out your mystery character and play. There’s even an included UV light to super-charge your character’s glow. Each Squishies kit has 80 mystery character possibilities so each Mystery Mold is a collectible and complete surprise. I appreciate that there are Elmer’s Squishies Secret Solutions refill packs so Mystery Molds can be reused to create even more characters!

Marble Genius – Marble Run Super Set (150 Pieces) ($69.99 / on sale: $54.99)

Give your child the gift of imagination and exploration with Marble Genius. The marble run sets encourage problem-solving skills, creativity, and innovation as you design and construct your own unique action-packed maze. All marble sets are designed to be challenging enough for adults, but easy enough for kids of all ages. It’s perfect for families looking for a fun, stimulating activity because there’s something for every level of difficulty. Best for ages 5+

Axol & Friends – Weighted Axol the Axolotl Plush ($59.99)

*LGTBQ+-owned brand*

Axol & Friends is not your typical plush toy brand. Their socially conscious plushies, led by the adorable Axol the axolotl, are made from recycled materials and perfect for gifting. Beyond cuddles and therapeutic benefits like weighted designs and scented pouches, these plushies offer comfort and sensory support and promote awareness of endangered species and plants. Every purchase supports nonprofit partners worldwide, fueling after-school programs that empower the next generation to become impassioned activists and environmentalists. With a focus on inclusivity, eco-friendliness, and gender neutrality, the LGTBQ+-owned brand stands for sustainability, conservation, and animal and human rights. They plant 10 trees for every plushie sold and prioritize ethical production. Best for ages 5+

Believe a Buddy Bear ($62)

*Woman-Owned Business*

Believe a Buddy is created by Cat Kozuch who was inspired after her life-changing journey from paralysis to walking to create a brand focused on transforming youth narratives through mindfulness and affirmations. Cat turned her recovery into a purposeful mission and is thrilled to introduce Winston, an interactive affirmation bear with 52 cards promoting positivity and mindfulness. Winston empowers children to be kind and believe in themselves, fostering resilience and self-confidence. When you purchase Winston, you’ll give a Believe a Buddy Bear to a child with medical disabilities and parents facing financial constraints through Cat’s ‘Receive a Buddy’ Donation Program. Everything about this brand and product radiates positivity and joy, making it a very thoughtful gift for this holiday season! Best for ages 5+

Stomp Rocket Stomp & Catch ($29.99)

Stomp Rocket Stomp & Catch is a great way for kids to burn off extra energy while using their gross motor skills running, stomping, and throwing rockets for independent play or with friends. The set includes four rockets, a net for catching them, and a launch pad and stand, adding heightened excitement to this STEM-oriented game. Kids launch rockets in the air and attempt to catch them in the net. It’s easy to launch, fun to catch, and 100% kid-powered! Best for ages 5+

Ollyball ($18.99)

Play ball in the house?!? Yes, you can hit it Ollyball hard, kick it, or throw it at full-speed indoors without breaking windows, marking up your walls, or leaving a nasty bruise. Invented by dadpreneur Joe Burke, who had seen enough spilled coffee and broken items from his kids’ indoor play, 12-inch re-inflatable Ollyball features Patented KrunchCOR® construction to absorb the impact from a full-speed hits and kicks. The ball weighs less than an ounce and is uses a straw-like device to inflate and deflate the ball over and over again The outside cover, made in the USA, can be colored with crayons, markers and even paint. Ollyball is the ultimate indoor play ball! Best for ages 5+

SlideAway Toy Storage Organizer ($64.99)

Ok, so maybe this is more of a gift for parents than kids but I have a feeling if you combine this with a many pieced toy, they’ll love this all-in-one toy basket that make tidying up a breeze. With its compact size, it effortlessly stores and organizes your children’s building bricks and small toys. Spread out the mat for hours of play, and when it’s time to clean up, simply pull the convenient drawstring handles to gather everything in one go. This versatile toy box is perfect for this age group, also serving as a bin and kids’ stuffed animal storage. Best for ages 5+

2023 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDES

AGE-APPROPRIATE GIFT GUIDES

SPECIALTY GIFT GUIDES:

STEM Gifts for All Ages (preK-tween)
Gifts for Teachers
Gifts for Gadget Lovers
Best Subscriptions
Gifts for Runners & Outdoor Enthusiasts
Gifts that Give Back
Gifts for People Who Love Their Dogs (inspired by Goldie and Murphy, of course)

FAVORITE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDES FROM LAST YEAR

Need other ideas? Here’s a look at last year’s gift guides:

I hope you enjoy this year’s picks and wish you happy and stress-free holiday shopping!

Note to PR: The period for accepting items for age specific gift guides has ended but I am happy to accept items for review to consider for specialty guides. Please be specific about the products you’d like me to consider reviewing in your pitch and if you’re able to offer a reader giveaway. Giveaway items will be directly shipped to readers upon conclusion of the giveaway. Thanks for understanding I’m on a short deadline to get most gift guides wrapped up before Thanksgiving and do not have the bandwidth to return samples during this extremely busy time of the year.

2023 Gift Guide: Best Gifts for Early Elementary Ages (grades K-2)

BEST GIFTS FOR EARLY ELEMENTARY AGES (AGES 5-8/GRADES K-2)