Your grandkids probably have plenty of toys already, and you may want to give them something that lasts longer than a season. This list of unique gifts for grandkids goes beyond just presents.

It covers gifts that do more than sit on a shelf, such as time together, new skills and keepsakes. You will also find gift ideas for grandchildren ages 3 to 7 that won’t end up in the back of the closet, plus a few for older kids and teens.

Unique Gift Ideas for Your Grandchildren

Personalized Alphabet Book

Personalized Alphabet Book for Kids (Custom Name ABC Keepsake)

This is an A to Z picture book with a child’s name built into it. The letter that starts the name gets its own page, and the name shows up on the pages that follow.

A giraffe, an elephant, and a monkey guide little ones through 32 pages of soft watercolor art. The book is an 8 x 8 inch square.

You enter the name (up to 14 letters) and pick boy, girl, or neutral wording. You can also add a dedication message, which is a nice spot for a few words from you.

Each copy is printed in the USA when you order it, and you choose hardcover or softcover. Hardcover suits a keepsake shelf. Softcover suits little hands.

It is made for ages 0 to 6, so it fits baby showers, first birthdays, and christenings. It arrives ready to gift.

Because it is made to order, it won’t show up the next day, so plan ahead. It is also an alphabet book, so a grandchild past early grade school will likely outgrow it. And a name longer than 14 letters won’t fit.

Agoigo Kids Waterproof Camera

Your grandkids might seem too young for digital cameras, but you can find sturdy, durable, simple cameras from brands such as Discovery Kids and Vtech for kids ages 3 and above.

It can be quite the experience to see the world from the perspective of your grandkids and a digital camera can be the perfect tool for that.

A digital camera makes an excellent gift for both younger kids and teens. You can treat their gift like a new hobby, particularly if you are also into photography. It could be a shared passion for years to come while the framed photos they have taken can also be amazing gifts for parents.

Ideal For: School Age and Teenage Grandkids.

Scrapbook Photo Album

A scrapbook album is a good way to turn a pile of loose photos into something a grandchild can hold and flip through. This one has a linen cover with a window on the front, so you can slip in a favorite picture or write a title to make it theirs.

Inside are 20 sheets, which makes 40 pages, of thick white paper. The paper is acid-free, which means it is made to keep photos from yellowing over the years. It holds up to 40 prints in the 4×6 size, and it also fits instant photos like the Polaroid kind.

You have the photos, so you are the right person to fill it. Pick pictures from when your grandkids were babies up to now, and write a few lines under each one about what was going on that day. Those notes are often what they treasure most later.

One thing to know: it is a blank album, so the work of printing the photos and putting them in falls to you. Photo corner stickers are included, and the thick pages leave room to write. If you want a book already made with the pictures printed in it, this is not that.

Ideal For: School Age Grandkids.

Royalbaby Freestyle Kids Bicycle

A shiny new bicycle can be the perfect way to encourage your grandkids to step away from their screens and go outside. Get a bike of your own and spend time with them going out for bike rides. If you have teen grandkids, you can even sign them up for a charity bike ride so that they have something to look forward to.

Instilling a sense of adventure in your grandkids and helping them make it a habit to become active by encouraging them to go out on bike rides is a great investment for their future and has the potential to enrich their lives as well as yours.

Ideal For: Grandkids of All Ages i.e. Toddlers, School Age, and Teens.

Small Pets Like Hamsters or Reptiles

OK. This is probably a little controversial! But, a pet can be a life-long friend and can teach your grandkids critical lessons about responsibility. The friendship that can grow between a kid and his/her pet will give them memories that last a lifetime, which is the best gift you can ever get them. Also, you don’t have to get a dog or cat. Start with a hamster, guinea pig, ot even small reptiles.

Ideal For: Toddlers and School Age Grandkids.

Q&A a Day Kids Journal

You should seriously consider gifting your grandchild a journal and encourage him/her to write in it every single day. You might actually inspire them to become journalists or authors. Even if your grandkids don’t end up becoming professional writers, having a paper journal is a great way for them to relive their past.

Introducing grandkids to a different way of expressing themselves and working through their feelings can result in mental health benefits that last a lifetime.

Ideal For: School Age and Teen Grandkids.

Baketivity Baking Subscription Box

If your grandkids like being in the kitchen, the Baketivity 3-Month Baking Subscription Box is worth a look. A new baking kit arrives each month for three months, so there is something to look forward to.

Each kit comes with pre-measured dry ingredients, such as flour and sugar, plus a themed recipe card and an illustrated recipe booklet. That means no shopping list and no measuring, which keeps the mess and the fuss down.

Kids can follow step-by-step video instructions or join a monthly live class with the company’s Head Baker. Each box also has hands-on activities and Wooden Spoon challenges that build kitchen skills.

The subscription box works well as a shared project. You can bake together at your house, or if you live far away, encourage their parents to set aside time for it. The live classes could even be a way to bake together over a video call.

One thing to know: the kits supply the dry ingredients, so you will likely need to have a few things like eggs or butter on hand. It also runs for three months, so it is not a fit for a child who has no interest in baking, and it does mean an oven and an adult nearby.

Ideal For: Grandkids who like to cook or to make things with their hands.

Fandango Movie Gift Card

If your grandkids love watching movies or you know of a new release that’s coming out soon that they are excited about, you should consider sending them a movie ticket. The great thing about movie tickets is that they can be easily delivered from any distance and most services offer gift card or email delivery options.

Ideal For: Grandkids of All Ages i.e. Toddlers, School Age, and Teens.

Wooden Drum Set

For a grandchild just starting out with music, a wooden drum set made for toddlers is a gentle place to begin. This one is sold for ages 1 to 3 and puts a xylophone, wind chime, brass cymbals, a wooden rattle and two drums on one wooden platform.

Because everything is mounted in one place, there are no scattered pieces to chase around the living room. A little one can bang, listen, and compare the different sounds on their own terms.

It is made from FSC certified natural wood with water-based, non-toxic paints, and the edges are rounded and sanded smooth. It is meant for screen-free, open-ended play.

The trade-off is that it is a toddler toy, and it will be noisy. A school-age grandchild with real musical interest will outgrow it quickly and would be better served by a beginner violin, guitar or drum set.

Ideal For: Toddlers and first birthdays.

Wooden Building Blocks for Toddlers

Not every gift has to be a big event. If you want something that will still be getting played with next month, a good set of wooden blocks is hard to beat. There are no batteries to run out and no screen, and nobody has to follow instructions. A toddler can stack them, knock them down, line them up, and do it all again. Blocks also grow with a child. The same set that gets chewed on and tossed at two can become towers, roads, and little houses at five.

A few things to look for. Solid wood holds up better than thin pieces that chip. Smooth, rounded edges matter when little hands, and often little mouths, are involved. A mix of shapes, like arches, cylinders, and wedges, gives a child more to build with than a pile of plain squares. Check what the maker says about the finish or paint, and keep in mind that “non-toxic” on a listing is the seller’s claim. Also check whether a storage bin or bag comes with the set. Many don’t, and 40 blocks scatter fast. A bin or a cloth bag is a cheap add-on, and it will save you from stepping on one in the dark.

BUNMO Wooden Stacking Blocks

If you want a gift for a toddler that does not need batteries or a screen, a set of wooden blocks is hard to beat. The BUNMO 40-piece set is made of solid wood with smooth, rounded edges, so little hands can pick the pieces up and knock them over without trouble.

One nice thing here is the variety of shapes. You get arches, cylinders, wedges and rectangles, so a child can build a tower one day and a bridge the next. There is no one right way to play, which is the whole idea behind Montessori-style toys. The colors are also described as matching the product photos.

Two things to know before you buy. No storage container comes with the set, so plan on a bin or a drawstring bag, or the pieces will end up all over the house. And the listing calls the set non-toxic, but there is no third-party certification listed to back that up. If that matters to the parents, it is worth a quick check with them.

Wooden Puzzles for Toddlers

If you have a grandchild between about two and four, a wooden puzzle is a good thing to keep at your house. It gives them something to do with their hands that doesn’t need a screen or batteries, and it doesn’t need you to know the rules of a game. They can sit on the floor and work at it while you finish your coffee. It also stays at your place, so there is always something waiting for them when they visit.

Here is what to look for. Pick solid wood over thin cardboard, because toddlers are not gentle and cardboard gives up fast. Look for pieces with a large knob or peg to grab, since small fingers handle those more easily than flat pieces. Check that the pieces are too big to be a choking worry and that the paint is labeled non-toxic. Know the downsides too. A puzzle like this is only right for a short stretch of years, because a child who is five will find it too easy. A box of wooden boards also takes up more shelf room than a flat puzzle. Check the age range on the box before you buy.

GRINNNIE Wooden Peg Puzzle Set

If you have a two, three, or four year old coming to visit, a set of wooden peg puzzles is an easy thing to keep at your house. The GRINNNIE set has seven puzzles in it, with themes like dinosaurs, animals, shapes, numbers, and fruit. It has no screen and no batteries.

The variety is a big plus. A toddler is not stuck with the same board every visit, so there is something new to pull out when the first one gets boring.

The pieces are solid wood, which holds up to repeated use better than cardboard puzzles. The pegs are oversized, which helps little hands practice picking things up and fitting them in place. That is good fine motor practice for ages 2 to 4.

The trade-offs are simple. Seven wooden boards take up more storage room than a flat box of cardboard puzzles, so you will want a shelf or a basket. And they suit ages 2 to 4 only. A child ready for higher piece counts will find them too easy.

Travel Strategy Games to Play Together

A lot of the gifts in this article are things your grandchild uses on their own. A game is one you use together, which is why it belongs here. It gives the two of you a reason to sit down for twenty minutes with nothing else going on. It also travels, so it can come along to their house, the cabin, or a long wait at the airport.

A few things are worth checking before you buy one. The rules should be short enough to explain in a few minutes, because a game that needs an hour of reading usually ends up back in the closet. Look for pieces big enough to pick up without fumbling, since tiny ones tend to roll under the couch and stay there. If you plan to play in the car or on your lap, pieces that stay put when the board gets bumped are a real help. Finally, a bag or case keeps everything in one place. The downside is that most travel games are built for two players, so a crowd of grandkids will have to take turns.

Faigcoy Magnetic Strategy Game

If you want a game you can play with a grandchild at the kitchen table, in the car, or on a lap tray in the living room, the Faigcoy Magnetic Strategy Game is worth a look. It comes with 24 full-size stones, 3 ropes, and a bag to carry it all.

The stones are magnetic, so they stay put on a bumpy surface instead of sliding around. That matters if you play anywhere other than a perfectly flat table.

The stones are also big enough to pick up flat-handed, without a tight pinch. That helps if arthritis makes small pieces a chore. The game is quick to teach, so a grandchild of nearly any age can learn it in a few minutes and you can start playing.

One trade-off: it doesn’t fold shut like a clam-shell travel chess set, so you can’t close it up and save an unfinished game. It also takes up more room in a bag than a folding magnetic board. If you want something that tucks away mid-game, this isn’t it.

Educational Travel Experience

Sharing your passion for travel and learning can be an excellent way to instill the same passions in your grandkids forever. The memories they make and bonds they build during an educational travel experience can last a lifetime. The next time you want to gift your grandkids, think outside the box by giving them an experiential gift rather than a physical one since time spent together is the best gift for the both of you.

Ideal For: Grandkids of All Ages i.e. Toddlers, School Age, and Teens.

Shares of Stock

Buying shares for your grandkids is not only a unique gift idea but also a smart one on many levels. It means that they will have something put away for the future whether it is to fund their college studies, first car, or even a deposit on their first home.

It also gives your grandkids the opportunity to learn about the stock market, money, and the power of compound interest, which just means money earning more money over time. Your grandkids might not be interested immediately, but they may start paying attention once they see how much the account has grown.

Ideal For: Grandkids of All Ages i.e. Toddlers, School Age, and Teens.

Start a College Education Fund

Today is the best time to start saving towards the education of your grandkids. Education is expensive, which is why you should consider starting an education fun that you can regularly replenish until your grandkids turn 18 is a smart and thoughtful gift from grandparents. You can set up a 529 college savings plan like many other grandmas and grandpas do that can be used for books, tuition, and other educational expenses.

Ideal For: Grandkids of All Ages i.e. Toddlers, School Age, and Teens.

Start a Savings Account

One of the best investment gifts you can give your grandkids is a savings account that you add to every birthday and holiday.

Your grandkids might not understand the importance of having a savings account until they turn 18, but the money can go a long way towards changing their lives in the future.

Ideal For: Grandkids of All Ages i.e. Toddlers, School Age, and Teens.

Tuition and Sports Fees

If your grandkids already have enough presents, you can talk to your children about covering a year of private school tuition or even sports fees for the grandkids. School fees and activity fees can add up quickly. You can also show your support by attending school performances or school games.

Ideal For: School Age Grandkids.

Gift Ideas for Teenage Grandchildren

Teens can be hard to shop for. A few simple gifts work well when you are not sure what your grandchild likes.

A gift card is the easy answer. It may seem like a gift that takes no imagination, but it suits a teenager well. If you know a store your grandchild visits often, get a card to that store.

If you have no idea where they shop, a VISA, Walmart, or Amazon card gives them plenty of options.

A portable phone charger is another good pick. A teen’s mobile device means a great deal to them, and this keeps it charged. It will not guarantee they answer when you call, but they may think of you each time it saves their phone from going dark.

Touchscreen gloves are a practical gift for winter. They keep hands warm while still letting your grandchild use a phone without any finger slips. They may not sound exciting, but teens tend to like them.

A big insulated water bottle is the trendy choice. These keep drinks cold for a full day and hot for about half that, and some come with a lifetime guarantee. If you can pick a color your grandchild likes, all the better. If arthritis makes grip a concern for you, I wrote about water bottles for arthritic hands.

The one catch is that a gift card shows less thought than something picked just for them. The other gifts here are practical, and a teen may not light up when opening them.

Gift Ideas for Grandchildren Ages 7 to 12

School-age kids can be happy with a small gift that keeps showing up. Two kinds are worth a look for ages 7 to 12.

A subscription box sends your grandchild a small present each month, delivered right to their home. Cratejoy.com has several, and they have subscriptions for grandkids of all ages.

A few kinds of boxes to look for: a sticker box for little kids, a box of uplifting items, and a box of custom Hot Wheels cars.

Slime is one of those things many parents do not understand, yet children seem to adore it. A slime kit has everything a child needs to make a batch of slime creations.

The kit includes beads and glitter, plus items that make the slime smell nice.

The one catch with slime is that parents may not share your grandchild’s enthusiasm for it. A subscription box also means a monthly bill that keeps coming until you cancel it.

Queensell Curved Mexican Train Dominoes

If your family already plays Mexican Train, the curved tiles let you build arcs and circles on the table. The set comes ready to play, with tiles, trains, a wood hub, a score pad, and a case.

It is a variant, not standard Mexican Train, so know that going in. You can see how it plays in my my Queensell Mexican Train review.

PDVMWPJ Crunchy Squishy Toys

You get three slow-rising squishies shaped like a peanut shell, a mango, and a pudding. Each has its own crunch, without the clicking of a typical fidget, and they fit on a desk or in a bag.

The food shapes make them a poor choice around toddlers. They also won’t replace a stress ball if hand strength is the goal.

Gift Ideas for Grandchildren Ages 3 to 7

Little ones are often happiest with something simple they can use right away. A few kinds of gifts tend to work well for ages 3 to 7.

A water coloring book uses a special pen filled with water instead of crayons or markers. There are no marks on the walls or carpet, and the pages can be colored again and again.

Child-sized garden tools are another good pick. A set with a shovel, a trowel, a rake, and a bag to carry them in makes a small child feel big and capable.

If you enjoy gardening, your grandchild can work beside you with their own tools. That gives you some extra time together.

A simple dump truck for sand and water is a good choice for the beach, the park, or the backyard. Many little ones like scooping and pouring and watching it all fall back down.

Little People toys are also still around, and they have not changed much since your own children played with them. Kids with big imaginations can spend hours with them, and there are several vehicles to pick from.

The one catch with the sand truck is that it comes home dirty. Mom and dad may be the ones doing the laundry.

Melissa & Doug Water Wow Bundle

The Melissa & Doug Water Wow! bundle is three small spiral-bound pads: Farm, Safari, and Under the Sea. Each one comes with a water pen that stores in the cover.

A child paints with plain water, and the pictures and details show up. Once the page dries, it clears, and they can fill it in again. Each pad has 4 reusable pages, so there is no paper to run out of.

It suits a grandchild who likes to color but not the mess. It also works well for car rides, waiting rooms, and visits at your house, since there are no markers to stain the couch.

The trade-off is that nothing lasts. The picture dries and disappears, so there is nothing to hang on the refrigerator. A child who wants to keep their artwork will want paper and crayons too.

Kinderific Kids Gardening Set

The Kinderific Gardening Set is a kit for a child who likes digging in the dirt. It comes in a canvas tote bag with a spade, rake, fork, trowel, gardening gloves and a 22 ounce watering can.

The tool handles are wood and the heads are metal. The tools are described as child-friendly and lightweight, so a young gardener can handle them without a grown-up doing the work. It suits a grandchild who would rather be outside than in front of a screen, and digging, planting and watering all help build hand coordination.

It also gives you something to do together. You can plant a few seeds with your grandchild, then watch them grow over the summer.

One trade-off: this is a set of tools, and it doesn’t include seeds, pots or soil. You’ll need to pick those up too, and you’ll want a patch of yard or a few planters to put them in. It isn’t a good fit for a child with no outdoor space to use it.

Tonka Steel Dump Truck

The Tonka Steel Classics Mighty Dump Truck is the kind of toy many grandparents remember from their own childhood. Tonka has been making trucks for a long time, so there is a good chance you will recognize the name.

It is built with a real steel dump bed and sturdy plastic. The bed tilts with a simple motion that is easy for young children to use, so a child can load it with blocks, sand or rocks and dump it out again. It is made for ages 3 and up.

It suits a child who likes to haul, dig and pretend, and it gives them something to play with away from a screen. It also holds up to rough play, which matters with a toy that will spend a lot of time in the dirt.

One trade-off: it is a simple truck with a tilting bed and nothing more. A child who wants lights, sounds or remote control may find it plain.

Fisher-Price Little People Vehicles

This is a pack of six Little People Wheelies vehicles from Fisher-Price. Each one has a Little People character built right in, so a child can roll it across the floor and start a story with no setup.

The vehicles are kid-sized and made to fit in little hands. They encourage imaginative play, and the pack also works for party favors, stocking stuffers, or basket fillers if you have several grandchildren to think of.

One thing to know: it is a blind bundle. The six vehicles are picked at random, with no doubles, so you can’t choose which ones your grandchild gets. If a child has a favorite vehicle in mind, this isn’t the gift for that.

LEGO Classic Creative Suitcase

The LEGO Classic Creative Suitcase 10713 is a box of building bricks that comes in a yellow suitcase. It is made for children ages 4 and up, and there are no instructions you have to follow. Kids build whatever they imagine.

The suitcase has sorting compartments for the bricks, shapes, wheels and eyes. It measures 10 inches high, 11 inches wide and 2 inches deep, and it is described as durable. When playtime is over, the pieces go back in the case, which helps with cleanup and with keeping the bricks together.

The bricks work with all LEGO sets, so a grandchild who already has some can mix them in. There are also extra building ideas, videos and instructions online if they want a little direction.

One thing to know: this is a starter set, so a child who loves building may want more bricks before long. And it is a poor fit for a child who likes a finished toy with a ready-made use, since this one asks them to supply the ideas.

Creativity for Kids Terrarium Kit

The Creativity for Kids Grow ‘N Glow Terrarium Kit is a science and craft project for children ages 6 and up. The child plants, waters and grows a small ecosystem of their own.

It suits a grandchild who likes working with their hands and wants something to do away from a screen. The kit includes what is needed to plant and grow the terrarium twice, so there is a second try if the first doesn’t go well. Just add water to get started.

It also gives you something to do together. You can sit at the table, help with the planting, and then check on it over the next few visits or on a video call.

The trade-off is that plants take time. A child who wants a finished result the same afternoon may lose interest while waiting for things to grow. It is also meant for ages 6 and up, so it is not a fit for the younger grandchildren.

Amazon eGift Card

An Amazon eGift Card is the easy answer when you aren’t sure what a grandchild wants, or when they have strong opinions you can’t keep up with. This one comes in the Smile Orange design, and you can pick the amount.

It goes out by email, so it arrives right away. You can also schedule it for a date up to a year ahead, which is handy for a birthday you might otherwise forget. The card never expires and has no fees.

Your grandchild can spend it on millions of items at Amazon.com or certain related sites, so they get to choose for themselves.

The trade-off is that it is not much of a keepsake, and there is nothing to unwrap. Gift cards also can’t be returned or refunded, so double-check the email address before you send it. It only works on Amazon.com and related sites, so it won’t suit a grandchild who rarely shops there.

TRENDOUX Touch Screen Gloves

These are knit winter gloves with a thermal lining and a stretchy cuff that keeps wind and snow out. They come in black and gray, and the details list a size medium.

The thumb, forefinger and middle finger are made with a material that works on touch screens. So you can answer a phone or tablet without pulling a glove off in the cold.

The palm is covered in small silicone triangles for grip. That helps with holding a steering wheel or keeping a phone from sliding out of your hand.

One trade-off: only three fingers work on a screen, so typing with your ring finger or pinky won’t register. They are also a knit glove, so they suit cool days and wind better than deep, heavy snow. Check the size before you order, since this listing is a medium.

Give Hugz Coco the Monkey Weighted Plush

Coco is a weighted plush monkey, a soft keepsake a young grandchild can hug and keep close.

Because it is weighted, it feels heavier than a regular stuffed animal, which may not suit every child. I wrote up the details in my my Coco monkey review.

Summary and Final Recommendations

If you are like most grandmas and grandpas, getting the right gift for your grandkids can be tricky. It sometimes can be hard to find the perfect gift item. However, the gifts discussed here can be an excellent starting point.

The time and effort you put into the gifts will be a lasting memory for you and your grandkids, and that’s something that money cannot buy!

What ideas do you have for unique gifts for the grandkids? Tell me your ideas in the comments below!