Toy shopping for an only child can be challenging. Too many toys and games are designed for 2+ players, which is just plain rude to get a kid who has no siblings. So before you end up looking like an asshole, check out this list of the best toys to entertain an only child – so you don’t have to.
**Click on links for shopping info. Prices and listings are subject to change. Don’t yell at me.
One is the Loneliest Number
As an only child, people would call me spoiled because I didn’t have to share. But this would make me really upset because what they didn’t understand, was that I was extremely lonely.
I was a Gen X kid who grew up in the 80s – a time when toys were dumb and dangerous. Plus, my family didn’t have much money, so I ended up with the shittiest presents from people who meant well but didn’t have a clue.
We’re talking boring clothes, books, and some stupid plastic disco sandals that I hated.
Kids really don’t want clothes for Christmas
Ok, maybe I was a little spoiled. But let’s be honest. What kid wants clothes as a gift?
While I was always somewhat appreciative, I would secretly get annoyed any time I received board games because I had nobody to freaking play them with!
Now I am a mom of a bored third grader who is also an only child, and I speak from experience. So unless you plan to have more kids, here are the best toys to entertain an only child.
And as an added bonus, I’ve also included The 10 Worst Gifts for an Only Child at the bottom – so don’t screw this up!
*These are gift ideas for kids age 6-12 in primary school.
Best Toys Under $25 for Only Child
Crayola Light Up Tracing Pad
This Crayola Light Up Tracing Pad comes with everything you see. Make room on the fridge.
This Crayola Light Up Tracing Pad is addicting! It comes with paper, pencils, and tracing sheets. Different styles for boys or girls available.
Nerf Gun with Targets
Make sure you get a nerf gun with targets included. You’ll thank me.
Yes, your only child wants a nerf gun. In fact, your husband wants a nerf gun too. Just make sure you include the targets, so YOU aren’t their target. It’s worth a “shot”.
Adjustable Hula Hoop
This hula hoop adjusts to size. Great for kids with ants in their pants.
They were good enough for us, they’re good enough for them. This adjustable hula hoop for kids will grow with them! Plus you can use it too.
Kiddy Dough Delux Mega Dough Set
They’ll love making poop and booger sandwiches with this modeling dough set. Yay!
This kiddy modeling clay set contains 12 cans of dough plus 6 different activities. It’s just like Play Dough, but you get more for the money. Lots of great ideas for independent play.
Rechargeable LED Hover Soccer Ball with Goal Net
This hover soccer ball may be more fun than the real thing! Includes hover ball and 2 goal nets.
You won’t mind your kid playing “ball” in the house with this rechargeable hover soccer ball with goalie nets. They can play indoors without hurting the furniture.
Best Toys for Only Child Under $50
Master Chef Baking Kitchen Set
You supply the ingredients, they’ll do the work. Maybe now they’ll appreciate you even more.
Does your kid love cookies? They can make their own with this Master Chef Baking Set. Great for teaching your only child independence. They can get their own damn cookies now.
LEGO Classic Large Creative Brick Box
This Lego Classic Brick Box is a great pick. No instructions inspire free play so Dad doesn’t have to put it together.
As a mom, I truly hate Legos. I have no clue how to put them together and neither does my kid. Lose one piece and you’re screwed. That’s why I like this Lego Classic Brick Box. No complicated instructions to follow! Plus the box will keep the bricks tidy – assuming your kid puts them away.
Kid Made Modern Studio in a Box
Unleash your kid’s creativity with this All-in-one Painting Sketching and Coloring Arts and Crafts Kit.
If your kid is the creative type, they will love this Studio in a Box. It contains paper, paint, pencils, and brushes to keep your budding Picasso entertained for hours. It’s also super affordable for what you get.
Wireless Bluetooth Karaoke Microphone
This Wireless Karaoke Microphone for kids also has Bluetooth so your only child can sing to all their jams.
Does your kid dream of being the next Katie Perry? Oh wait, that’s just me. Whomever your kid is into these days, they will love singing along with their favorite artist on this Wireless Karaoke Microphone. Although you might want to make them close the door.
Kids Waterproof Smartwatch
This waterproof smartwatch can provide peace of mind for you and your kid.
My kid has been begging me for a cell phone, but I think he’s still too young. However, I want to be able to keep tabs on him sometimes. That’s why this waterproof smartwatch for boys or girls makes an awesome gift. It has a camera and games to keep your child entertained, plus you can secretly spy on them with GPS. I love the SOS button for emergencies too.
Best Toys for Kids Under $100
Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 Camera
This instant camera kit has so many goodies to keep kiddo entertained for hours.
Remember how fun it used to be to take Polaroids? Well, now your kid can relive the magic with this instant camera kit from Fujifilm. It comes with stickers, frames, a case, and film for hours of enjoyment. Available in 3 colors. Say cheese!
Drone with Camera for Kids
Your kid will love spying on the neighbors with this drone for beginners.
Drones are annoying as hell. But kids (and dads) seem to be fascinated by them. This drone is great for beginners because it features a one-button take-off and landing. Plus it has an emergency stop. Just don’t lose it for crying out loud.
Fire 7 Kids Edition Tablet
This kid-friendly tablet does everything a fire tablet can do, with lots of extras just for kids.
Keep kiddo out of your hair with this Amazon Fire Tablet. But it’s not a toy – it’s an actual tablet with a kid-proof case. Does everything a fire tablet can do, plus lots of extras. And don’t worry, your kid probably already knows how to use it. This ain’t no LeapFrog.
Save money with this older model for $99.99
Adjustable Height Kick Scooter
Your kid will have a blast for years on this adjustable height scooter with LED flashing wheels.
Does your kid have a need for speed? They will have a blast on this scooter with LED flashing wheels. The three-wheel design helps kids balance, plus it’s adjustable to grow with your kid. I love how it folds up for easy storage. Don’t forget the helmet.
Spoil Your Only Child with these Big Ticket Gifts
Indoor/Outdoor Trampoline & Safety Net with Swing
Your kid will use up all their energy on this Indoor/Outdoor Trampoline with Swing.
If your only child has too much energy, they’ll jump for joy on this indoor/outdoor trampoline set. It also has a swing for when they get tired. I may just get this for myself. Seriously.
Virtual Reality Gaming Headset
My kid keeps seeing these YouTubers playing VR games and now he wants one. Maybe someday when we win the lottery.
My kid just won’t shut up about getting a VR Headset. I tried it once at an arcade, and I almost lost my lunch. But if you really want to spoil your kid, you can get them this pricey Oculus Quest VR Gaming Headset.
Nintendo Switch
You know your kid wants a Nintendo Switch. Just don’t forget to get extra games.
You knew this was coming, didn’t you? If you really want to buy their love, get them the Nintendo Switch. Be warned, you may never see them again. Is that a win?
Swing-N-Slide Outdoor Play Set
Your child will make lasting memories with their very own backyard swing set. And this Jamboree Fort Playset from Swing-N-Slide is perfect for an only child – No teeter-totters!
Some of my fondest memories are of me playing (alone) on my swing set. Back then, my swing set consisted of a just a swing, a slide, and a stupid glider that never got used. But swing sets today have way more options! This is not only a perfect gift for an only child, but can also add value to your home. Pricey, but worth it!
You can find this play-set here for $689.99 here plus many more!
The 10 Worst Gifts for an Only Child
Here are the worst gifts to give an only child. Don’t have them resent you forever…
- Battleship – Forget it. You’re sunk.
- Walkie Talkies – There is nothing sadder than an only child with a walky-talky. Although they do make for a great cheap intercom system.
- Monopoly – What’s wrong with you? Do you despise your family?
- Uno – For a game called Uno, you need at least four people to enjoy it. Stupid.
- Chess – Do I really need to explain?
- Clothes – Next.
- Badminton – Really?
- Teeter-Totter – NO!
- Laser tag – Unless you want to plan lots of playdates.
- Learning toys – Look, I know you think this will be both fun and educational for your child. But your kid will see right through it. He does not want to do school when he’s home. It will be an expensive mistake.
Now you may be thinking, what are you talking about? Those are all awesome gifts for kids!
But take it from an only child who has an only child, these gifts will only end up rubbing salt in the wounds. Trust!
My nephew is an only child so this is super helpful. Thanks so much for sharing this with all of us!
Crayola Light Up Tracing Pad seems like the best buy for my niece this Christmas. I hope to get one for her soon. Nice list!
My granddaughter is an only child and we always make sure to buy her things that she can play with on her own – she loves to play with modeling clay a lot too 🙂
The hover soccer goal net looks awesome. I wish I had one as a kid. Putting that on the list now.
Thanks for the suggestion. I would need it as my boy is also single child. The options are good and I would try them out.
thanks for the suggestions. the light up trace board sounds fun even for adults.
Joy at The Joyous Living
drone with camera is kind of cool. Nice list you have here. I do hope yours is having a great time! I bet you are doing a great job with this.
I am 38 and some of these toys are still interesting for me. HAHA. All the arts and crafts ones are so cute!
I grew up as an only child and was never bored 🙂 most of these items werent invented when i was a kid so i made my own fun
these are all great ideas. but nothing beats the real playmate to play with. 🙂 nevertheless, these are all good!
Cha at Little MisadvenCHA
Thanks for suggesting some amazing toy ideas with us. I am looking one for my kid.
You’ve given me a ton of ideas of what to get my little nephew for the holiday. He would love anything in this list!
great list. while i have 2 kids, i might as well have only children. they are 9 years apart. i’ll have to look at these closer.
These are great ideas. I remember when we only had one. It wasn’t easy for us to entertain our little guy.
It looks like some productive toys especially to stimulate their mind. I wouldn’t understand anything about being an only child I am the middle child haha.
Those are some great ideas for gifts. I always loved crafty, drawing gifts that I could do alone.
The good old hullahoop. I forgot about those. What great ideas for this coming holiday season.
Simple gifts like hullahoops are the best, and as far as my kids always say, they rather have gifts that will make us play with them, and not alone.
I’m not an only child but I am the youngest and the only girl. My three brothers and me have a big age gap, from eldest 9yrs, then 8yrs and the third brother 6 yrs age gap. So even if they play monopoly with me sometimes, I mostly play on my own with the playhouse and dolls that my mom bought me. These ideas are great, especially the coloring one
This is such an amazing Products. This is a toy nowadays that really build a children’s talent in different way and in the way they wanted to. This products allows children to develop more potentials.
Great post! Coming from an only child I can totally relate, although I have to say that my parents just bought some toys and left me to my own imagination… kinda shaped who I am as an adult tbh. Sometimes wonder how it’d be with siblings though!
I feel how lonely when you are the only child. But it is an advantage because they will always buy you a lot of toys. And this products is very nice for Only child. Simple but memorable.
I love that Virtual Reality Gaming headset. but it all great product and perfect gift for this coming Christmas.
I am sure these toys will be a great option for families with two and more kids as well) but I can relate to the desire to make a lonely child occupied rather than bored and a solution that does it without tv or phone involvement is always welcome.
Interesting ideas, especially hullahoops. Thanks for sharing this with all of us.
These are some awesome gifts! I would have loved to have these when I was younger, especially the lego set and the karaoke machine!
I’m cracking up at your not to get list because honestly I think these kids really would know about half about them. Battleship man good times I forgot about that game.
These are some great ideas for toys to entertain your only child.