Best Gifts for Creative Kids: 10 Ideas for Ages 5 to 17
Updated: 4 days ago
Buying a gift for a creative kid is supposed to be easy, right? Ideally, they can take even the simplest gift, like a set of crayons, and create a whole world with it. But what do you do when they already have every crayon in the rainbow? When their walls are covered with every kind of imaginary creature and land?
It may be time to think outside the "coloring box" when it comes to gifting, and we're here to help. We find the best gifts for creative kids are the ones that expand their ingenuity and give them something new to figure out. In this guide we offer 10 unique gift ideas for kids ages 5 to 17.
Gifts for Creative Kids at a Glance
Not sure where to start? These gift ideas for kids are sorted by age. Match the gift to the child, then scroll down for the details.
Any Age | An Artkive keepsake book (Jump to #1) | Artkive Mosaic Wall Art (Jump to #5) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Ages 5 to 7 | Osmo Creative Starter Kit (Jump to #2) | LEGO Classic Large Bricks (Jump to #3) | ||
Ages 8 to 10 | 3Doodler Start+ (Jump to #4) | Makey Makey (Jump to #6) | Snap Circuits Jr. (Jump to #7) | Klutz soap kit (Jump to #8) |
Ages 11 to 13 | Makey Makey (Jump to #6) | Wacom Intuos (Jump to #9) | Instax Mini Link (Jump to #10) | |
Ages 14 to 17 | Wacom Intuos (Jump to #9) | Instax Mini Link (Jump to #10) | Photos By Artkive (bonus pick) |
10 Creative Gifts for Kids, Ordered by Age
1. Artkive Keepsake Book (All Ages)
Some gifts spark the making. This one honors it. Artkive turns a child's drawings, paintings, and 3D projects into a printed keepsake book, so their work becomes something they can hold, show off, and flip through for years.
You send in the real artwork, a design team lays out the book, and you approve a digital proof before it goes to print. You also get digital copies of everything.
One Artkive customer wrote: "Makes a GREAT grandparent gift too." For more ideas on that front, see our guide to grandparent gifts made from kids' art. Shopping for a great-grandparent? See our ideas for great grandma gifts.
Skills it sparks: Self-expression, storytelling, and pride in their own work.
2. Osmo Creative Starter Kit (Ages 5 to 10)
This award-winning kit turns drawing into a game that mixes paper-and-pencil play with digital learning. It's a good pick for a child who likes to sketch but wants a little push to try new ideas. It works with iPad only, so make sure you have one at home before you buy. You can see the details on Osmo's site.
Skills it sparks: Sketching, creativity, and critical thinking.
3. LEGO Classic Large Creative Bricks (Ages 5 to 12)
Open-ended building is the whole point. With no model to follow, a pile of bricks becomes a castle one day and a spaceship the next. Younger kids practice fine motor skills. Older kids plan, test, and rebuild.
Skills it sparks: Fine motor skills, spatial reasoning, and storytelling.
4. 3Doodler Start+ and 3D Pen (Ages 7 to 12)
A 3D pen lets kids draw in the air and build what they imagine, line by line. Flat drawings become towers and animals. Visit 3Doodler to see the Start collection.
Skills it sparks: Spatial reasoning, creativity, and fine motor skills.
5. Artkive Mosaic Wall Art (All Ages)
Among unique gifts for kids, few say "we're proud of you" as loudly as seeing their own art on the wall. Artkive Mosaic Wall Art turns a child's favorite drawings and crafts into one framed display, so their work hangs proudly in the home where family and friends can admire it, and where they can see it every day.
It tells a child that what they make belongs on the wall, not tucked away. Need ideas for where it could go? Our post on ways to display kids' art has plenty.
Skills it sparks: Pride in seeing their work on display and increased drive to create more.
6. Makey Makey Classic (Ages 8 to 14)
Makey Makey turns everyday objects into touch controllers, so a piece of fruit can play a piano. Kids invent, tinker, and see what happens. The official Makey Makey site has projects to try.
Skills it sparks: Circuit basics, creative coding, and tinkering.
7. Snap Circuits Jr. Electronics Exploration Kit (Ages 8+)
Snap-together parts let kids build working circuits and learn how electronics work, one experiment at a time. It suits the kid who takes things apart to see what's inside. Learn more on the ELENCO site.
Skills it sparks: STEM learning and creative problem solving.
8. Klutz Make Your Own Soap Craft & Science Kit (Ages 8+)
Craft kits like this one end with something real. Kids follow the instructions step by step, mix colors, and finish with a batch of designer soaps they made themselves. It's part art project and part science experiment, and it fits the bill for stocking stuffers.
Skills it sparks: Creativity and scientific thinking.
9. Wacom Intuos Drawing Tablet (Ages 10 to 17)
An entry-level drawing tablet is a natural next step for young artists who have outgrown paper. It opens the door to digital art, concept art, and photo editing. Browse options at the Wacom store.
Skills it sparks: Digital art, concept design, and editing.
10. Fujifilm Instax Mini Link 3 Photo Printer (Ages 12+)
This pocket-sized printer turns phone photos into small prints, with doodle and filter features built in. It's great for teens who like to scrapbook, decorate a locker, or tell a story with pictures. See the Instax Mini Link 3 for the latest details.
Skills it sparks: Visual storytelling, scrapbooking, and composition.
Bonus Pick: Photos By Artkive (The Next Step for Instax Prints)
Instax prints are fun to make and hard to keep track of once there are dozens. Photos By Artkive turns a stack of physical photos into a memory book, so the prints a teen collects become one book they can flip through. It's a thoughtful fit for a sentimental teen or a graduate-to-be.
How to Choose Gifts for Artistic Kids
The best gifts for artistic kids start with what they already make. A budding artist who sketches at the kitchen table may love new art supplies or a tablet. A builder may want bricks or circuits. A kid who loves to make things for other people may prefer a craft kit.
Pick something that grows with them. Great gifts for kids of all ages leave room for their own ideas, with no right answer and no finish line. For stocking stuffers, look for small, single-project kits. And once the making starts, our guide to turning kids' art into a book shows how to keep the best of it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are good gifts for a 10-year-old who loves art?
A 10-year-old is right at the sweet spot for the Wacom Intuos drawing tablet and the 3Doodler pen. If they already have a stack of drawings, an Artkive memory book turns that stack into a book they can keep.
What are the best gifts for creative kids who have everything?
Skip the toy and give the making. Kits and tools add new things to try, and a memory book of their own artwork is one gift they don't already own.
What is a good gift for a kid who loves to draw?
A drawing tablet, a 3D pen, and a set of good art supplies all work well. Pair one of them with a way to save the results, such as a book of their favorite pieces.
Can I give Artkive as a gift to a parent or grandparent?
Yes. If you have friends who are parents, an Artkive e-gift card makes an easy Christmas gift, and they can start a memory book for their child whenever the artwork is ready. If you're a parent looking to give an Artkive book to a beloved grandparent, check this guide to see why it's the perfect gift for grandma and grandpa.
Give the Making, Then Keep What Gets Made
Years from now, no one will remember which box held the 3D pen. They'll remember the afternoon it turned the kitchen table into a workshop, and the strange, wonderful thing that came out of it. That's the idea behind every gift on this list: give the making.
Keeping what gets made is where Artkive comes in. An Artkive keepsake book turns a year of drawings and cardboard sculptures into one book your child can hold. Get started whenever the art is ready, or send an e-gift card and let the family pick the moment.
Happy gifting.
