7 Inexpensive Gifts for Kids Under $15 They’ll Love

They’ll love these 7 inexpensive gifts for kids, and so will your budget!

Cut the clutter before it starts with these clutter free gift ideas for kids. The idea of bringing a lot of new stuff into the house can almost make a mama dread holidays and birthdays. Instead, try these 7 Clutter-Free Gift Ideas for Kids that mom will love too! These affordable gift ideas are perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age kids.

I recently did a double-take at a sign at a local Home Depot that said, “We have Christmas in stock.” Really?

Of course, the holidays should not be defined by what is on store shelves, but it is impossible to ignore the emphasis our culture puts on consumerism at the holidays.

This is the time of the year many parents who embrace a simple living ideal have learned to dread.

However, the holidays don’t have to be the time of consumption and clutter that we have come to expect.

It’s a great time to stop and ask ourselves what we want to teach our children about the relationship between stuff and family.

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This post includes affiliate links to some of our favorite gift ideas for kids.

7 Inexpensive Gifts for Kids

If you’re searching for a simpler version of the holidays, it can be a little daunting to find gift ideas for kids that are quality, non-toxic, low clutter, and affordable.

However, there are some great options out there! Here are some of my favorite gift ideas for kids that both moms and kids will love.

1. A Special Outing

Your time is the most meaningful thing you can give the child in your life this holiday season.

Create a special outing that the two of you can enjoy together. The memories created while spending time together will last infinitely longer than anything you can put under a Christmas tree.

2. Membership

Give the gift of a family membership or season pass to a local zoo, water park, theme park, or museum.

Many memberships are set up to include the whole family and even a couple of guests.

This is a gift idea that kids will truly enjoy for months to come. Even better, many season passes are deeply discounted at this time of year.

3. Music

Kids love music! BabyE starts dancing as soon as he sees I’m about to turn on the tunes.

Luckily, there are lots of kid’s albums that parents can enjoy too. Our current favorites are the Curious George Soundtrack by Jack Johnson and Sing Me To Sleep Indie Lullabies.

You don’t have to stick to just kids music. Anything from The Beatles to Bob Marley brings on the dancing and giggles in our house.

Since music is available for digital download this gift idea can be a true clutter-free option.

4. Art Supplies

Art supplies are a great option for clutter-free gifts because they’re consumable.

A friend recently introduced me to the Wee Can Too brand of edible art supplies. Even babies and toddlers who can’t always keep their fingers out of their mouths can participate in arts and crafts with these non-toxic edible finger paints, crayons, and sidewalk chalk.

You could even make your own art supplies out of common kitchen ingredients.

5. Books

Books make an excellent gift. They are compact, rarely made of plastic, and provide hours of entertainment for little ones. Anyone with a toddler knows they love to read their books over and over again each day. To personalize the gift, you could write a special inscription in the cover to remind the child of you.

Our favorites for babies and toddlers are the interactive Sneetches on Beaches by Dr. Seuss and the Baby Touch and Feel series.

Last Christmas, BabyE received a book with the voices of my sister and brother-in-law recorded reading the story. The Recordable Storybook is one of his very favorite books to read and reminds us all of our loved ones who live far away.

For stories and picture books, some of our favorites are:

6. Contribute

Rather than a child receiving a bunch of inexpensive gifts, it would be greener and perhaps more special to receive one very special present.

It could be any range of items or experiences.

Ask the parents if they have something in mind that they are saving up for, and see if you can go in with several other family members to make that wish come true.

Maybe it’s a special class or camp, a vacation, music lessons, or some other special experience.

7. Quality Inexpensive Toys

If you absolutely can’t live without seeing the child in your life open up a wrapped toy at the holidays, the best thing is to stick with ones that are high quality and will last through several ages and stages.

Thankfully, there are many available at affordable prices.

I have been really happy with the quality of Melissa & Doug toys that BabyE has been gifted.

Baby also enjoys the beautiful Haba brand toys he has received. If you’re looking for something a little more local, there are countless eco-friendly toys on Etsy.

We especially love these that have lasted throughout the baby, toddler, and preschool years so far:

From a special outing together to experiences, music and books, and even some high quality toys that last the test of time, there are many clutter free gift ideas for kids available.

Try some of these gift ideas, and you’ll be sure to be popular with both the kids and the moms in your life.

What is your go-to gift for kids? Share your ideas in the comments!

For more gift ideas:

shannon Clark, LIFE & FINANCIAL Coach

As a mom, I know what it's like to feel exhausted, overwhelmed by life, and inadequate to meet my children's needs. But I also know you don't have to stay there.

As an author and coach, I've had the joy of encouraging more than 9.1 million moms to find forward motion with their faith, family, and finances — without the frenzy.

Will you be next?