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    26 Last-Minute Gifts Under $30 That Reviewers Say Their Kids Are “Obsessed” With

    There's still time to snag gifts they'll adore without going over budget.

    1. Silly Poopy's Hide and Seek because it's exactly what it sounds like, and it sounds pretty darn fun already. Take turns hiding this rainbow-colored gadget around the house — it'll shout clues, eventually playing a song when it's finally found. Now who's ready for another round?!

    A GIF of the multi-colored plastic Silly Poopy lighting up
    John Mihaly / BuzzFeed

    Relatable is a small business that sells card games/toys, plushies, and pool floats.

    Promising review: "My 6- and 3-year-old are OBSESSED. They play for an hour at least! Played with daily since we got it. When it’s my turn to hide, I make it tricky enough that I can actually be productive until it’s my turn again." —Cara Lentz

    Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime Members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

    Get it from Amazon for $12.99.

    2. miniature baking set with a 48-page recipe book for the junior pâtissier so they can make teeny tiny versions of real dishes and learn all about food science without the usual big kitchen messes. 

    Tiny baking set with cookies
    Reviewer image of a mini pie

    The set comes with a storage tin, rolling pin, wee knife, pizza/dough cutter, mixing spoon, three wee spoons, mixing bowl, pizza/pie pan, pie server, sheet pan, silicone cake and cupcake molds, two silicone finger mitts, and a 48-page recipe book.

    Promising review: "My 9-year-old daughter LOVES this — OK more like is obsessed with this! Everything holds up and is durable. The recipes are so simple to follow. She takes over the kitchen and does everything by herself. Cooks things in the toaster oven. She makes us delicious cinnamon rolls, apple pies, pizzas…everything! Everything is written and geared to have a child be able to do it. We have told all her friends, and now they all have this, too! The kids on the street all come to our house just so they can tiny bake! Every kid needs one of these!" —Summer

    Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime Members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

    Get it from Amazon for $27.73.

    3. A set of Globbles so they can join the legions of TikTokers already loving this stress-relieving fidget toy. These colorful balls are not just fun to squeeze and stretch, but they also stick to pretty much any flat surface without leaving behind messy residue. 

    Reviewer holding six squishy balls in different rainbow colors in their hand
    reviewer throwing them all the wall where they stick

    Promising review: "A huge hit with my children. We bought them for one child with autism, and he’s obsessed with these. Christmas morning has been pure joy for him playing with these, and all of us joined in on the fun. They are not exploding on us nor are they 'peeling' our ceiling paint or plaster off. Overall, I would absolutely buy these again and recommend them to anyone else. Especially anyone who has a special needs child or child with sensory issues."—SamSurgany

    Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime Members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

    Get a set of six from Amazon for $10.69 (also available in a pack of 16). 

    4. An interactive scissor skills activity pad if you know a little one who needs a little work on their cutting skills (also me, tbh). This book is filled with mazes, puzzles, animal art, and more activities that'll have them snipping up a storm with the included safety scissors. 

    a child model using safety scissors to cut pizza shapes
    melissa & doug scissor skills book
    Amazon

    Promising review: "My son is obsessed with this activity scissor kit! The scissors are perfect for a toddler or even younger! They're not dangerous at all, which gives this mom one less thing to worry about! Many pages to cut, and each page is also an activity to play with over and over again! Love this item!" —Kristina Wells

    Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime Members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

    Get it from Amazon for $7.99

    5. A lightweight LCD writing tablet to provide mini Picassos of all ages with an endlessly reusable canvas for their creations. It's SUPER easy to travel with, so don't be surprised if they challenge you to a riveting game of tic-tac-toe in the car. 

    Reviewer's child using the stylus on the blue writing tablet
    Reviewer's video showing them scribbling on the pink writing tablet with a stylus

    Promising review: "I purchased this gift for my just turned 2-year-old daughter, and she is obsessed — and so am I! It is mess free, nontoxic, endless coloring fun! She will scribble to her hearts desire, and with one push of a button, she has a clean slate. This clearing function also has a locking feature to prevent erasing, but she hasn’t used it yet! Highly recommend!" —Helen 

    Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime Members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

    Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in four colors).

    6. A pack of tangle-free parachute toys that kids will love tossing from on high (i.e. the second floor) and watching as these colorful little guys float on down to safety. 

    a reviewer photo of the four parachute toys
    Reviewer's video showing the red parachute being tossed from the top of the stairs

    Promising review: " Love that they are tangle-free! My son is obsessed with playing with them and hasn’t put them down since we received them!" —LAURA L.

    Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime Members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

    Get a pack of four from Amazon for $9.99.

    7. A value pack of 500+ puffy stickers because who doesn't love stickers in their stockings?! Especially ones with a textured, 3D look that can easily be reused without leaving behind a sticky mess. 

    20 sheets of stickers
    Amazon

    The stickers feature letters, numbers, vehicles, butterflies, deep-sea life, animals, fish, dinosaurs, and more.

    Promising reviews: "My 1.5-year-old is obsessed with these. Not sticky enough to do any damage but can also be reused a few times" —Katie Merkatoris

    "I love that they are removable. They don’t leave marks on your window. You can even place them back on the plastic sheet and use them again. I have a busy box for my toddler, and these stickers are in there. She peels them off and puts them on the lid of the box and then peels them off again and puts them back. She creates scenes with them. She puts them on windows at home. I peel them off and put them back. They really are fantastic stickers." —Elizabeth A. Zapf

    Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime Members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

    Get a pack of 20 sheets from Amazon for $7.99.

    8. A bestselling Take Along Tunes toy with volume control for a portable and surprisingly not annoying musical distraction that plays 10 different classical melodies. 

    reviewer's photo of the toy lit up
    reviewer's photo of their baby holding the toy

    Promising review: "I have a son who is almost 2 years old. If I could only have one toy for him, this would be it. He has been obsessed with this toy since he was old enough to hit the button on his own, and he still loves it now that he's almost 2. I never would have thought that this toy could be so essential or important. It seemed neat and popular, so I got it along with a lot of other stuff before he was born. I had no idea how endlessly entertaining such a simple toy could be. If I ever have another child, I will probably buy a new one just because the sticker has become so worn with use." —JHev

    Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime Members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

    Get it from Amazon for $8.88.

    9. A sprinkle whale bath toy with colorful flashing lights if you want to help make bath time the best time of the day. This *whaley* cute toy is rechargeable and can keep the water spraying fun going for 80 minutes straight. 

    reviewer's photo of the whale toy lit up and squirting water in the bath
    reviewer's gif of the whale bath toy in action

    Promising review: "We got this for our 5-month-old since he loves to try and hold/catch running water. He LOVES this! In the tub it gets him sooo excited. We have even taken it outside in his small, shallow splash pad, and it still works. He loves catching the water and picking it up. And in the tub likes to try to sneak a sip haha. He is now almost 8 months old and is still obsessed. There are sensors on the bottom that when it hits water will turn it on, and when it needs to be charged, the water does not go very high or will just shut off. A definite bathtub fave for sure!" —Jo Edith

    Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime Members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

    Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in four styles).

    10. A colorful wooden puzzle to bring Tetris-like delight out into the real world after they've hit their daily screentime limit and you're out of entertainment ideas. 

    The wooden puzzle
    Reviewer's photo showing their child working on the puzzle following a leaflet that shows different diagrams

    Reviewers say this is a great toy for a wide range of ages — from 3 to 12.

    Promising review: "My toddler is obsessed! The construction is solid, pieces are well-finished (no splinters or uneven cuts), and I love that this particular type of puzzle will allow him to make different arrangements each time. Currently, he loves to assemble the same 20–30-piece puzzles over and over again, and I wanted to find him something that would present a little challenge with critical thinking as well as variety." —Alex 

    Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime Members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

    Get it from Amazon for $9.99.

    11. A game of Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza that's super simple to learn, great for all ages, and anything but boring. Play this fast-paced party game once and they'll be begging to bring it out at every future game night. 

    the game box laying on a pile of the cards
    Amazon

    The rules are simple. Deal the deck out to all players (works with three to eight players). Everyone keeps their mini deck face down and goes around the table flipping a card face up and saying one of the five key words (taco, cat, goat, cheese, and pizza — in that order). Once the card played matches the word said, it's a race to slap that center card. Whoever taps in last has to take the center stack, and the round starts over. Whoever gets rid of all their cards first wins! 

    Promising review: "This game is a hit! My 5-year-old is obsessed, and my teenage sisters were fighting over who got to bring it to camp, so I had to buy two copies! It's such a fun party game, it is guaranteed to bring the laughs." —Jennifer Simms

    Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime Members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

    Get it from Amazon for $9.84

    12. A set of satisfying tempera paint sticks for transforming craft time from a big hassle into a regular source of fun. These easy-to-hold pens deliver all the rich, creamy color they'd expect from regular paint, but without the risk of spills and other major messes, since they're washable and dry in just 90 seconds! 

    reviewer's photo of the paint sticks
    reviewer's photo of a pumpkin painted with the paint sticks

    Promising review: "These are my favorite art accessory ever! My girls are obsessed, they work on paper...rocks...anything! We can't get enough." —R. Ras 

    Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime Members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

    Get a pack of 24 pens from Amazon for $22.48

    13. Or a nostalgic scratch paper art set because it's about time you share some of the technicolor fun you used to get up to as a kid. The set includes 50 scratch papers and plenty of styluses and stencils for multiple kids to enjoy at once. 

    a child model drawing on the scratch paper with a stencil sitting nearby
    Amazon

    Promising review: "My kids are obsessed with these things. They can make their own design. Plenty of papers." —Sierra 

    Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime Members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

    Get it from Amazon for $6.99.

    14. An at-home scavenger hunt so when winter weather prevents that (vital) energy-burning trip to the park, you and your tot will still have a fun and engaging way to play, as they track down objects commonly found around the house. 

    Mollybee Kids is a family-run small business creating high-quality toys that promote learning, staying active, and most importantly, fun! 

    Promising review: "A must-have. My 2-year-old son is obsessed. Always asks to play the 'find you' game, LOL. Then we play it, and every option on the game, he actually thinks really hard, then says, 'Come on mommy,' and runs me through the house to find the object. Highly recommended from a mom of four." —Britney bansley

    Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime Members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

    Get it from Amazon for $12.99.

    15. A gorgeous Ariel Barbie doll if they can't stop, won't stop singing "Part of Your World" and you think it's about time they have a playmate that's always down for an underwater singalong. 

    Promising review: "The doll itself is gorgeous, the face sculpt and makeup is really well done and pretty, and the tail is also super detailed. My kid is obsessed with it so I have zero complaints." —Paige M

    Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime Members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

    Get it from Amazon for $10.49.

    16. A silicone teething toy with a pacifier clip to help your favorite wee one find some on-the-go relief from teething-related pain.

    a baby model chewing on the toy, which is clipped to their carseat strap
    Amazon

    Ryan & Rose is a family-owned small business creating stylish, safe, and functional products for everyone in the family. 

    Promising review: "My 5-month-old son is obsessed with his. I love the neutral colors and how easy it is to clean. We can clip it onto our Baby Björn or onto his car seat and gives him something to play with when we are on the go! Such great quality, too." —Mhinkle2518

    Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime Members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

    Get it from Amazon for $16.99 (available in six colors). 

    17. An itty-bitty Baby Yoda Bluetooth speaker that packs big sound in a portable package that any Star Wars fan will love clipping to their backpack for blasting background music to their own adventures. 

    the speaker in package
    hand holding up the speaker

    Promising review: "Bought this for my husband for Father’s Day, but my kids (4/6) are obsessed with this. It is little, and they can carry around with them or place really anywhere! It is easy to connect with device, and sound is actually really good and clear. Price is great, too!" —Amy 

    Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime Members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

    Get it from Amazon for $19.32.

    18. A pair of GeoSafari kid binoculars because it'll help them get up close and personal with all the flora and fauna they've been increasingly captivated by without, ya know, actually getting too close. 

    A child model looking through the binoculars
    reviewer's child holding the binoculars and looking out of the window

    Promising review: "I got a set for my girls (3.5 and 1.5), and they are obsessed. We use them on hikes and at the zoo. I did end up tying the string together because the anti-choke clasp just kept coming undone too easily, and I was constantly fixing it. Yes, it is only a simple magnifying view, but that’s all they need at this age." —Eliza 

    Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime Members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

    Get it from Amazon for $9.59.

    19. A portable busy board for a fun and effective way to improve their motor skills with practical activities like buttons and buckles.

    Promising review: "Keeps my daughter busy. She’s obsessed! Perfect for toddlers on the go!" —Graham Chateauneuf

    Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime Members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

    Get it from Amazon for $19.95

    20. A too-cute "Make a Fox Friend" kit so they can get creative, add a new plushie to their collection, AND learn some sewing basics all with one superb gift. 

    Child model holding felt fox doll
    a child model sewing into a fox-shaped plush doll surrounded by other craft materials
    Amazon, Amazon

    Craft-tastic is a woman-owned small business based in Michigan. All their products are focused on teaching kids new skills and limiting screen time.

    Each kit comes with six garments, eight accessories, kid-friendly plastic needle, thread, a fox, and easy-to-follow instructions. For ages 5+.

    Promising review: "My niece was obsessed with this. I thought of this as a minor gift that I gave her (5 years old) with a bunch of other fun things, but this ended up being her favorite. My sister-in-law now buys this as a gift for all the kid parties they go to." —Amy 

    Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime Members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

    Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (also available in mouse, bunny, and koala versions).

    21. A mini Waving Inflatable Tube Guy if the backseat of your car explodes with excitement whenever they spot one of these wacky noodles out in the wild. Now they can have one of their very own to fire up whenever an impromptu dance party is in order. 

    a reviewer image of the inflatable wacky arm guy
    a gif of the wacky arm guy dancing

    Promising review: "My youngest loves seeing these guys everywhere we go. When we drive around and she sees one outside, she yells, 'Look, it's a (color) guy!' So we got her this little one. She is just obsessed with how she has one of her own! It is so cool. Made of awesome material. The fan is strong, and it waves around just like the larger ones you can put in your yard." —Joe H

    Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime Members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

    Get it from Amazon for $8.58

    22. LeapFrog 100 Words Book to help brainiacs-in-training expand their English *and* Spanish vocab. Don't worry — this book is no snooze-fest with touch-activated sound effects, songs, and fun facts. I certainly wish my old textbooks had been this interactive!

    a reviewer photo of the book
    reviewer's gif demonstrating how the book works

    Promising review: "My baby has been obsessed with this since she got it! I enjoy that she can flip through the pages herself, and she loves to touch the words she knows. It is built tough, especially against a toddler throwing it around." —Kelsey

    Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime Members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

    Get it from Amazon for $13.99

    23. A pack of Mini Brands mystery balls that are all the rage over on TikTok. There is something universally delightful about everyday objects (in this case, brands they've seen all over the grocery aisle like Lunchables, Kool-Aid, and Heinz) made adorably small.  

    Two individually wrapped mystery balls in packaging
    reviewers mini toys — Cool Whip, Miracle Whip, salad dressing, french fries, and Kraft mac and cheese

    Promising reviews: "My 8-year-old daughter is obsessed with these. She uses them to play with her dolls as their food source. It’s adorable to watch her at play in her world of pretend. I even join her to play with these." —Tappe328

    Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime Members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

    Get a pack of two from Amazon for $10.77+ (available in two styles).

    24. A mesmerizing fidget cube because somehow it can seamlessly transform into over 70 different shapes, which is blowing my mind so I have to imagine it's gotta be pretty exciting for a child, too. You can even combine multiple cubes to inspire larger creations. 

    Reviewer's fidget cube folded up into triangular shapes
    Reviewer's fidget cube unfolded into smaller cubes

    Promising review: "I bought one for myself as a fidget desk object during the work day but quickly found it pretty entertaining. It wasn’t long before my 5-, 6-, and 7-year-old found it and are OBSESSED. They were literally fighting to play with it. I ordered three more the next day so everyone has one they can share. I’m so impressed at how they find this puzzle box more entertaining than screens. Awesome product!" —Raian

    Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime Members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

    Get it from Amazon for $25 (available in 17 patterns and in packs of 2 and 4).

    25. A sophisticated wooden piano for training up the next mini maestro with a toy that plays real music and even includes six sets of beginner "sheet music" so they can gradually learn to play classic melodies.

    Promising review: "My 1-year-old is obsessed! Love that it will grow with her... Right now she just loved the music and sounds, but later on, she can learn from the cards that come with it." —Heather 

    Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime Members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

    Get it from Amazon for $28.14.

    26. A DIY Disney necklace activity set so they can get started designing their future jewelry collection while letting everyone know exactly where they stand on the best princess debate (Correct answer: all of them). 

    package of the disney necklace activity
    reviewer's kid wearing multiple necklaces from the kit

    Promising review: "My 4-year-old is so obsessed with this particular product that she has made me five or six different things already. She really loves what she's doing. Great product for the price. Especially if your child loves to be creative." —John Bartley

    Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime Members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

    Get it from Amazon for $12.99 (available in 12 other styles). 

    Your face when they love your gift *and* you stayed under budget: