Look here for birthday gifts for kids that won't sit on the shelf collecting dust

We look for kids birthday gifts that build good skills, make kids think or be creative or get moving, and are good value. That puts many of our birthday party gift ideas outside the toy box - but not all.

Our birthday party gift ideas are broadly categorized (by the 'tags') so all you need is a little insight into what interests the birthday child and you'll find a variety of ideas that can work.

Spend less time, probably less money and end up with a better kids birthday gift. It's a win- win.

Your next kids birthday party gift doesn't have to be a cheap, plastic whatever just because you didn't know what to get.

All the ideas we find for you are available here. But the most time-efficient way to use this resource is with our free membership that gives you a short, sweet and scannable weekly email where you can quickly pick out those ideas of interest to you and bookmark them for future use. It's totally free, totally spam free, and will give you the better user experience. Sign up right here.

Here's our ever growing index of kids birthday gifts. Bookmark the ones you like for easy access when it's party time.

There's two ways for you to look:

Search the tags here for the birthday gifts for kids that most appeal to you for the age range of your kids' parties:

age 6 to 8 age 9 to 10 animals arts and crafts birthday cards books boys chalk cooking dad fashion games girls jungle party music outdoor parenting poetry preschool preteen puzzles reading skills safari party teen thinking skills toys word games wrapping writing skill

Or, wander through the full list of birthday party gift ideas, newest to oldest:

*Kids Birthday Gifts- a LOL Book*What better birthday party gift than pages full of laughs with Mom or Dad at bedtime! Learn More	*Kids Birthday Gifts- Solitary Fun*An inexpensive kids birthday gift idea that delivers hours of fun and brain building for those alone times when the only other alternative is often the TV. Learn More	*Old Fashioned Marble Fun* So old fashioned they're brand new to today's kids. Marbles. They make a good gift because they're a good game. Learn More
*Animal Puppets* The best toys are the ones that spark the innate creativity in the child. Puppets are just such a toy, so they make a very thoughtful birthday party gift. Learn More	*Pillow Pets* A snugly friend will always be a welcome and well-loved birthday party gift. Choose from a variety of animal buddies that are also soft child size pillows. Learn More	*Paper Princesses* An old-fashioned toy that still gives joy. And you can give that joy next time you need a kids birthday gift for a girl, at virtually no expense to you. Now THAT'S a good deal. Learn More
*Art Start* Here's a D-I-Y kids birthday party gift idea that costs very little but will open up a whole new world for the artistically inclined child. Learn More	*Personalized Totes* Before they become shoe-a-holics, girls are often bag-a-holics, so personalizing their own tote makes a marvelous birthday party craft activity. Learn More	*YoYo to GoGo* We all tried a yo-yo sometime during our life, but few of us ever had the necessary information or instruction to get good at it, so it was boring. Not any more. Learn More
*Homer's Epic* Homer's 'Odyssey' is a terrific tale with the kid appeal of action, monsters, death and destruction, etc., all beautifully whittled down in a children's version. Learn More	*40 Fun Garden Projects to Give* These 40 garden projects are just the ticket for fun that kids can enjoy with their parents while learning at the same time. Learn More	*Animals Fantastic* A fun and educational computer game that makes a great kids birthday gift for anyone that loves animals. Calling all 'Animal Planet' junkies!! Learn More
*a Magical Mobile* Give a gift that keeps that childhood imagination and creativity working right into the pre-teen years. Learn More	*The Double Gift* Kids birthday party gifts aren't a competition for who can spend the most. And in this case, spending a very reasonable amount can do the most good. Learn More	*Gift Cards for Teens and Preteens* I'm most definitely NOT a fan of gift cards- BUT they do have their place and I find certain ones to be perfect for birthday party gifts for hard to please teens and preteens. Learn More
*Thinking Skills that are FUN* Good games that can be played with the family, with siblings and with friends are the just the best kind of birthday party gift. Learn More	*Teenage Blues* For that teenage boy that loves music. For that teenage boy that's 'so cool' that he's really difficult to buy anything for. The portable and affordable harmonica... Learn More	*When I Grow Up...* Since today is 'Take your Daughter or Son to Work Day', it's most appropriate to bring this book to your attention, and it happens to make a great birthday party gift as well. Learn More
*Nonsense is Good Sense* It's still April, so it's still poetry month. My last post was inspired by Lewis Carroll's 'The Walrus and the Carpenter'- which got me thinking about the joy of nonsense poetry. Learn More	*Hiawatha and other great kids poetry* Its poetry month. Ive recently written about literature that can interest boys. And one of my very favorite childhood memories addresses both of these subjects. Learn More	*the Arts and Crafts Busy Book* Nurture their creativity, fine motor skills, imagination, and even their attention spans with these 365 ideas for craft activities for preschool and early elementary school aged kids. Learn More