A Christmas list for kids: how to make one that works
Keep a child's Christmas list to 5 to 10 items, split into something to want, need, wear and read. Before anything goes on it, check the age on the box: the Consumer Product Safety Commission says small balls and toys with small parts must stay away from children under 3. Then send one link to grandparents and aunts so gifts do not overlap.
The want, need, wear, read format
Many families use four slots for a child: one thing they want, one they need, one to wear and one to read. It keeps the list balanced and gives relatives a clear map. Add a fifth slot, something to do together, if your family likes outings. The picture above shows it filled in for a seven-year-old, with a size or a version on every line. There is a printable page, want, need, wear, read, if the child would rather fill it in with a pencil.
What to check by age
| Age | Gift types that fit | What the safety sources say |
|---|---|---|
| Under 3 | Board books, blocks, shape sorters, puzzles with big pieces | CPSC: keep small balls and toys with small parts away from children under 3. AAP: choose toys and parts too large to fit in a child's mouth. No screens for under 18 to 24 months. |
| 3 to 5 | Dress-up, crayons, building sets labeled for the age, picture books | CPSC: keep balloons away from children younger than 8, and keep high-powered magnets and button batteries out of reach of young children. |
| 6 to 8 | Chapter books, board games, a bike or scooter, outdoor toys | CPSC: get helmets and other safety gear for scooters and riding toys. Put the helmet on the list too. |
| 9 to 12 | Craft and cooking supplies, series books, sports gear | AAP: skip chemistry sets and hobby kits for children younger than 12. For video games, check the ESRB rating before buying. |
Always read the age label on the box. The CPSC page says to "read and heed the label to determine whether a toy is age-appropriate for the child."
What pediatricians say about the toys themselves
The American Academy of Pediatrics says the best toys "need not be flashy or expensive or come with an app," and that traditional toys are better than electronic ones for language development. Its holiday list for families includes blocks, dolls, instruments, costumes, puzzles, cooking supplies, outdoor toys and books, and it adds tickets to child-friendly shows or a zoo or museum membership for the whole family. For a child's list that means one or two electronic items at most, and a few that cost nothing to store.
Write it with your child
- Look at a few catalogs, store sites or a favorites folder together.
- Ask the child to pick their top five. Add a few more small ones.
- Write the exact name, size or version. "Blue scooter" gets the wrong one. "Scooter, blue, ages 8 to 12, folding" does not.
- Star the one thing they want most.
- Put the list online so every grandparent sees the same list at the same time. See how the list app works.
Sharing with grandparents and relatives
Grandparents want to know exactly what to buy and where. Send a single link rather than a text with a list in it, and let them tap I got this when they buy. The parent owns the list and edits it on their own phone. Relatives open the family link, and everyone except the parent sees which items are taken, so there are no doubles. If the child looks over your shoulder, the page you edit shows nothing about purchases. See Christmas list for grandparents for what to ask for from them.
If your child believes in Santa, keep your own list on your phone and share only the family link with relatives, not the edit page. There are no accounts, so the edit link lives on your device: do not post it. A list for Santa is separate from the family link. Template for your own list helps you draft one.
Make a list for each child and send one link to the family. Start my Christmas list
A few starting points to put on a child list, with prices so relatives can pick a level.
Gift ideas for kids under $40
As an Amazon Associate Hollyhush earns from qualifying purchases. Gift links are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.
For a child who believes, a personalized video from Santa says their name, takes about an hour to make and costs $7.99. See what to tell Santa before you order.
Frequently asked questions
How many items should be on a kid's Christmas list?
Five to ten. Fewer than five leaves relatives with too little choice, and more than ten makes children expect everything.
What should a 5 year old put on a Christmas list?
Dress-up, art supplies, a building set labeled for their age and picture books. A parent should write it and add the exact version. Keep balloons off the list, since the CPSC says to keep them from children under 8.
How do I make a Christmas list online for kids?
Use a list app that needs no account for family. Hollyhush is free and works from a link.
How do I share a kid's list with grandparents?
Send the family link by text or group chat. They tap I got this when they buy, and the rest of the family sees it is taken.
Should I set a budget for the list?
Yes. Add a few cheap items so relatives with different budgets have choices.
Make your list
Add what you want, send one link. Family marks what they bought and you never see it.
Start my Christmas list- No account, no app, no email
- Works with any store link
- Deletes itself after January 31
Ready when you are
Make a list in a minute. No sign-up, no name, no email, and you never see what was bought.