Fun 12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas for Kids They Won’t Ever Forget
The 12 Days of Christmas gifts for kids is the perfect mix of excitement, surprise, and joy! Each day brings a new little treat or activity, keeping the countdown to Christmas filled with wonder. Whether you stick with the classic song or add your own playful twist, these kid-friendly ideas will make the season merry, memorable, and oh-so-fun.
The 12 days of Christmas gift ideas are also perfect for teaching little ones how much fun giving can be!
How This Idea Came to Be
This post comes from the original 12 days of Christmas gifts on the site. That story has resonated with so many readers over the years that it was time for a version just for kids and teenagers.
Here’s a short story version:
In 2009, my husband and I had been married for a year. We spent months in fear and uncertainty over his declining health. Doctor after doctor gave us no answers, until the Mayo Clinic finally diagnosed him with Crohn’s Disease and operated on him. On that very same day in November, my dad was also in surgery, battling cancer. It was one of the hardest years of our lives.
Then, that December, a box appeared on our doorstep. The 12 Days of Christmas gift.
To this day, I don’t know who left it there. But I do know this: those simple, inexpensive gifts brought us immeasurable joy. The following year, we paid it forward. The joy of giving it was just as powerful as the joy of receiving it.
Both moments are etched in my memory forever. It’s a reminder that even small acts of kindness can heal hearts in big ways.
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How Does This Gift Work?
This present is a collection of gift ideas from the 12 days of Christmas song. It can be given anonymously (like we did) or as a regular gift for the year.
Kids unwrap one gift a day until the song is done.
The present is great for anyone who needs their spirits lifted. But it’s also perfect for the kids or teenagers in your life who seem to have everything or are hard to shop for.
Below are 12 days of Christmas gift ideas for kids for every price range. To spend as little or as much as you want.
Easy Kids 12 Days of Xmas Gift Ideas That Go With the Song
First, you’ll find ideas that match the song. But if that’s not your vibe, don’t worry. There are easy ideas that correspond to the numbers below too.
“On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
A partridge in a pear tree”
Stick with pears or a family tree theme for the first gift!
- A basket of pears and fruit
- A homemade pear dessert like this fresh pear cobbler
- A “family tree” coloring page or activity kit
- Sparkling pear cider
- A bag of jelly belly pear jelly beans
On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Two turtle doves…
On the second day, explore dove or turtle items – or both for your gift!
- Dove chocolates
- A “Turtles” nut cluster candy bar
“On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Three French hens….”
Like the others, there are several themes on day three. Think France, chickens, or hens!
- Croissants
- French beret hat for kids dress-up
“On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Four calling birds…”
On day four, go all out with bird items.
- Birdseed and a homemade bird feeder
- A bird whistle or kazoo (so they “call”)
“On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Five gold rings…”
This is the easiest day for gift ideas! So many things come in a ring shape!
- Butterscotch lifesavers
- A pack of onion rings or Funyuns
- Five glow stick bracelets (gold-colored)
- Glazed donuts
- Chocolate gold coins
“On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Six geese a laying, …”
For these ideas, go all in on eggs, or hone in on a great goose item.
- Chocolate cream-filled eggs
- Donate a flock of geese to feed a family in their name
- Easter eggs filled with candy, coins, or dollar bills
- Rubber duckies (It’s a stand-in for geese and fun for bath time!)
“On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Seven swans a swimming…”
Swan items aren’t easy to find, but you can also explore anything that has to do with swimming for this day’s theme!
- Bathtub crayons (for “swimming” time fun)
“On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Eight maids a milking…”
Cleaning and milk have nothing to do with each other, but apart they make great gifts for day eight!
- Milkshake mix (fun for kids to make at home)
- A small carton of milk with travel-sized cereal
“On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Nine ladies dancing…”
Dance, dance, dance! There’s only one theme for this day, so make it fun!
- A Dance Along YouTube playlist
- Certificate for dance classes
“On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Ten lords a leaping…”
Go with “leaping” for an interesting day ten gift!
- LeapFrog or frog learning game
- A crown for the Lord or Lady
- A small rebounder trampoline (or gift certificate to a trampoline place)
“On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Eleven pipers piping…”
Next, day eight needs some pipes or something that’s piping hot!
- Pipe cleaners to make a homemade ornament
- A bubble wand (kids “pipe” bubbles into the air)
- Hot cocoa mix with marshmallows and sprinkles layered in a clear bag “Piping hot chocolate”
- A pipe maze STEM kit (a marble run works too)
“On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Twelve drummers drumming…”
And finally, have some fun with drums for the last day!
- A drum cookie tin filled with cookies or popcorn
- A mini hand drum or bongo (or do a DIY drum craft with coffee cans or oatmeal containers)
- A “drumline” movie night kit with popcorn and snacks for teens
Find other unique gift ideas with the popular non-toy gift ideas list for kids!
Different Ideas for Kids and Teens Christmas Gifts
If following the traditional 12 Days of Christmas song feels tricky, or you know your kids won’t care much about hens, pipers, or swans, don’t stress!
You can still make this tradition magical by giving thoughtful, kid-approved gifts for each of the 12 days. These non-themed ideas are easy, inexpensive, and guaranteed to bring big smiles without the pressure of matching the song. After all, the point is joy and connection, not perfection!
Day 1 – One:
- gingerbread house kit
- Christmas picture book
- New family game
- Holiday puzzle
- 12 Days of Christmas book for your state
- Mini Lego kit
- New ornament to hang on the tree
- Holiday movie night kit
Day 2 – Two:
- socks
- facial masks
- chapsticks
- earrings
- small board books
- gloves
- pair of fuzzy slippers
- set of matching friendship bracelets
Note: The items in days 3-12 are pretty interchangeable. So, use the ideas for whatever days you want.
Day 3 – Three:
- granola bars
- bags of popcorn
- playdough tubs
- packs of trading cards (Pokémon)
- ingredients to make reindeer food
Note: We received The Three Trees in our Christmas gift box years ago. We didn’t have kids then, but I read it to them every year now.
Day 4 – Four:
- love notes
- cookie cutters
- packs of stickers
- holiday would you rather cards
Day 5 – Five:
- A $5 gift card
- mini art notes
- mini candy bars
- glow-in-the-dark stars for their bedroom ceiling
- supplies for Christmas minute to win it games
Day 6 – Six:
- nice pens
- packs of fruit snacks
- holiday stamps
- kindness challenge slips (small things they can do for others)
- Christmas bingo cards to play
Day 7 – Seven:
- juice boxes
- homemade coupons (see these free blank love coupons, or this free coupon printable for kids)
- glow sticks
- cookie decorating toppings
Day 8 – Eight:
- homemade treats (cookies, brownies, etc)
- crayons or markers
- bath toys
- Lego Challenge Cards with Legos
Day 9 – Nine:
- family photos
- affirmation cards
- fun paper snowflakes to hang
- mini candy canes
Day 10 – Ten:
- stickers
- cookies in a tin
- reasons I love you
- glow in the dark bracelets
- Christmas charades cards
Day 11 – Eleven:
- pieces of gum
- fun paper straws
- silly Christmas jokes written on cards
- water balloons (great if you live somewhere warm at Christmas)
Day 12 – Twelve:
- pieces of chocolate
- mints
- nuts in a bag
- Guess Who Christmas Party Game Cards to play the game together
- Christmas bucket list slips for fun activities in the coming year
All of these gift ideas for family and friends are low-cost or free. It’s the thought that counts!
*Looking for another unique idea? Don’t miss the Christmas Eve box gift ideas >>
Free Printable 12 Days of Christmas Tags
Mark each gift with the number. Download the free printable 12 days of Christmas gift tags for your kids or teens below.
For a done-for-you version that works for kids or adults, check these out in the printable shop!
How to Deliver Gifts for Kids 12 Days of Christmas
Now, there are two different ways to deliver your special gift.
Full Drop-Off Gift Blitz
Start by wrapping all the gifts in advance and labeling them by day (or use the free printable tags). Add a note explaining that the recipient should open just one gift each day. Then, place everything together in a large box or basket. You can either deliver it in person or leave it as a fun doorstep surprise (ring the doorbell and dash!).
Day to Day Drop-Off
Second, if you’d like to give a new surprise each day (or include fresh items), you’ll need to deliver a gift daily. This option requires a bit more effort, and it’s more challenging to maintain anonymity if that’s your goal.
What’s Next?
Don’t miss more free fun ideas to do with kids this holiday season:
Don’t forget to save these 12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas for kids and teens for later!
