Thinking about trying rug tufting at home? This Clawlab review covers the tufting gun, the aluminum frame, and a real project making tufted initials for my kids. When you’re done, check out my LaserPecker LX2 review too! The kit was gifted, and this post includes affiliate links.

In this Clawlab review, you’ll get a clear understanding of my take on setup, ease of use, and what to expect as a first-time tufter.

Some highlights of what you’ll see below include:

• Fast tension on the frame
• A one-hand gun that feels like a lot like a glue gun
• Smooth speed control
• Critiques of a few missing extras – like a yarn mount and a shearing tool.

If you want a compact setup that stores easily, this is a strong option for small rugs and wall decor. I’ll also share tips that saved my second take, like using latex carpet adhesive instead of thin craft glue.

First, you may prefer to watch the in-depth video review to see it in action:

What you get in the Clawlab tufting kit, and what you still need

The Clawlab tufting kit comes ready for a first project, and the differenet tools feel thought out. The frame focuses on tension and portability. The gun focuses on handling and – portability too! It all fits into a streamlined workflow you can pack away and use even if you do not have a dedicated craft room.

In the box: gun, frame, cloth, backing, yarn

• Tufting gun with USB-C to USB-C cable, a power brick, and an EU adapter
• Sturdy aluminum frame with side clamps and a rolling feed bar
• Starter piece of monks cloth (primary cloth), about 36 inches wide
• A piece of carpet backing
• 10 smallish balls of 8‑ply tufting yarn
• Several wire threaders
• A hard case for compact storage

The power cable is long, which helps if your outlet is not close by. The case keeps everything together between sessions.

If you want just one of the elements, you can get them individually – or as a set. Get the Clawlab Tufting Gun, the Clawlab Frame, or the all-in-one Clawlab Kit.

Supplies you’ll probably want to get in addition

• Latex carpet adhesive, not thin craft glue. I tried Mod Podge first. It was too runny, soaked in, and cost more per ounce than proper adhesive. The right glue makes a big difference. I used this latex carpet adhesive.
• Extra monks cloth. The Clawlab cloth gripped better than the generic roll I tried. If you can, get the tufting cloth from Clawlab.
• Backing materials: felt, or felt plus cardboard for stiffness – this is optional. The kit comes with rug backing cloth, but if making something like wall art or other small projects, felt is a great option.
• Fabric scissors, like these sharp fabric scissors
• Rug shaver or shears for finishing
• Markers for sketching your design
• Optional: a projector for transferring and tracing designs.

The included 8‑ply yarn are the ideal weight for your tufting, but it really just comes with a practice amount, so I recommend stocking up on much more yarns.

Thinner acrylic yarns from your stash can work if you double thread them. You’ll use more yardage when you do that.

Who it’s good for

This kit is a great fit for beginners, casual makers, and sellers of small rugs or wall art who want fast setup at home. It is great for small spaces since the gun packs into a case and the frame stores flat. It is less ideal if you need very wide pieces in one pass or want built-in yarn management. You can go long, but you’re limited to the width of the kit. It is good for pros too who don’t need anything wider than the existing width.

Clawlab Frame review: fast tension, solid clamps, easy storage

The frame is where setup stress usually lives when starting out with tufting. Clawlab’s easy to use frame eliminates that. It clamps to a surface, feeds the fabric with a rolling bar, and locks tension with simple knobs. That means you can get the fabric tension tight without wrestling nails or re-stretching again and again.

Setup and clamping in minutes

The side clamps grab a counter or table with a decent lip. Rubberized feet help the frame stand and prevent sliding.

Once it is clamped, it stays put under pressure – even if you’re pushing your gun into it. I mounted it on my kitchen counter and was tufting within minutes. If your desk has drawers right below the work surface, pick a surface with a few inches of depth so the clamps can have what to hold onto.

Tension knobs and rolling feed explained

The top bar has hook and loop to grab the monks cloth.

You roll the cloth onto the bar, seat the rod in the side notches, then feed it down through the upper and then lower bar slots. Pull about 7 cm of cloth through before you lock it. That little bit matters.

After that, crank the lower knob, make sure it clicks into place. Attach the fabric to the side bars and then crank the top knob. Keep turning until the fabric sounds tight when you tap it. You want that crisp, drum-like feel. It’ll take you a try or to to totally get the hang of it but once you do, it’ll be super easy.

Portability and build quality

The frame is thick aluminum, so it is sturdy but still light enough to carry with one hand. I could move it along with the gun in the other hand without a problem. It stores flat and slides behind a shelf or into a closet. If you do not have a craft room, that portability matters.

Limits to know before you buy

You need full-width cloth to get side-to-side tension, and you will use a few extra inches to lock it in. The width is fixed, not modular. If you plan to do very wide pieces in one pass, that is a constraint. The cloth edges can fuzz a bit when you clamp and release. That is normal for tufting and not a flaw in the frame.

Clawlab Tufting Gun review: one-hand control, quiet power, smooth results

The gun changed the way tufting felt in my hands. Most guns are bulky and two-handed. This one grips like a full-size glue gun, which makes it less intimidating. It is still weighty and solid, just simpler to hold and steer.

Ergonomics and handling

The plastic shell encloses the metal mechanism, so there are fewer exposed parts to catch on things. The one-hand grip is friendly if you deal with wrist or elbow issues. Tendinitis keeps me from lots of crafting experiences, and Clawlab makes tufting still be accessible for me.

Keeping the barrel straight does have a short learning curve, since two-hand models force that alignment. After a few practice passes, straight lines felt natural.

Speed dial and noise

A color bar on the back shifts from green to blue as you twist the dial. There is no numeric readout, but you can count clicks if you care. I outlined on a slower speed, then bumped it up for fills to get tight, even loops. The motor is quiet for a tufting tool. It gets louder when it hits the cloth, but it is still within pleasant ranges for heavy crafting.

Threading, yarn, and tension tips

You thread the gun with the included wire tool. Keep the gun off while threading – I kept forgetting to turn mine off but it seemed to power off on its own.

Leave plenty of yarn slack so the gun can feed smoothly. Before gluing, you’ll want to just yank out those hanging starting threads. 8‑ply tufting yarn fed best. If you use thinner acrylic, double thread it so the pile is full. There is a built-in tension adjuster on the gun, but beginners can leave it alone at first.

Real use: curves, outlines, and jams

Outlines were clean, and the gun handled tight curves nicely. A lighter one-hand body makes it easier to rotate your wrist around a bend without moving your whole body. I had no jams AT ALL while testing. Every hiccup came down to yarn issues, like a knot in the skein or not enough slack. I was absolutely amazed at how smooth the experience was for a beginner.

The hard case keeps the gun, threaders, and cable together so nothing wanders off between sessions.

Hands-on test: tufted kids initials, step by step

For the test project, I made letters for my kids to hang on their walls. I finished four letters total. The A used peach, purple, and orange blocks. The J used orange, green, and yellow to match my redhead’s vibe. I backed the letters with felt and used cardboard in some for extra stiffness.

Plan and sketch mirrored letters

Sketch letters on the back side of the cloth. The loops face the opposite side, so mirror anything directional, like J. Use a ruler for clean block shapes, or use a projector if you want perfect curves and angles. Mark color zones before you start if you plan a color-blocked letter – if you’d like to be very intentional with it. I just winged it.

Outline slow, fill fast for clean loops

Keep the barrel straight and move forward steadily. Do not tilt. Outline first on a low speed to stay on the line. Then fill on a higher speed in tight rows. Keep the rows close for a denser pile. Always keep a lot of the yarn pulled loose so it doesn’t resist the tufting and fail.

Glue, back, and trim for a clean finish

Use latex carpet adhesive and spread it with a scraper or a piece of cardboard. Let it dry fully before trimming. For wall decor, felt makes a neat back, and a layer of cardboard helps the piece stay flat. Trim strays with scissors. A rug shaver will clean the surface faster and crisper than scissors alone.

Results, timing, and cleanup

Each 10 to 11 inch tall letter took about 15 minutes to tuft once set up. Expect yarn fluff on the floor. That is normal. You will use more cloth than the letter size to lock in tension across the frame. That means that you might have some waste. I tufted a small project between the letters (which I’ll share with you) to avoid waste.

The final letters looked bright and bold. After glue and a quick trim, they were ready for hanging.

Conclusion

If you want an easy entry into tufting, this Clawlab review points to a smart pick for a beginner tufting gun and frame.

Pros include fast tension on the frame, portable build, one-hand lightweight gun, quiet motor, smooth results, tidy case. Cons include a fixed frame width (standard for frames but I’d love to see them make it adjustable), no yarn mount, and no shearing tool in the kit.

For first rugs, small wall pieces, and custom initials, it hits the sweet spot of simplicity and control. Add latex carpet adhesive, extra monks cloth, felt backing, and a rug shaver to your list. Ready to try it? Check the current price for the Clawlab Kit, or choose the Clawlab Frame or Clawlab Tufting Gun on their own.

The post Clawlab Review: Tufting Gun and Frame for Beginners (With Kids’ Initials Project) appeared first on Moms and Crafters.

Looking for the best gifts for a toddler boy? These ideas are both practical and fun all at once! When you’re done, check out these gift ideas for the 5 year old girl who has everything! This post contains affiliate links and gifted product.

Toddlers are so much fun to buy gifts for and today I’m going to share with you some of my favorite picks for toddler boys – tested by my very own prince charming!

The toddler stage is a bit ambiguous but primarily addresses ages 1.5/18 months through age three. It depends heavily on the child but I figured I’d share ideas for the full range.

First, as usual, I’m going to share some general gift giving tips for this age group. As a fourth time toddler mom (and a third time toddler boy mom) here are some of my best practices.

How to find the best gifts for a toddler boy

You really can’t go wrong with this age group. Anything they can unwrap – and even the wrapping paper itself – is a great gift!

My goal here is to share some ideas for when you’re stuck – some practical ideas as well as some fun ideas. At this age, a gift for the kid is still a gift for the parent, so this list includes some really fun finds that Mom & Dad will love too.

Some category tips for finding the best gifts for a toddler boy:

• This is the age where non-toy gifts are a win! Anything cozy or colorful that’s also practical will be something kid and parents love. Think of essentials – but take them up a notch and get a higher end version.
• At this age, many kids have favorite characters. They absolutely love seeing those characters in gifts – whether it’s on clothing, toys, or accessories.
• Lifestyle – it’s really helpful to know what the family’s lifestyle is like. Do they travel a lot? Is the toddler in childcare at all? Do they have a large or small house? Do they have occasions to dress up?
• Personality – again, knowing personality will always help with gift giving. Is the little guy an active one? Does he prefer tabletop play? Is he a snuggler?

I hope these tips and specific ideas help you in finding the best gifts for a toddler boy!

Disclaimer: Some of these toys are labeled 3+/choking hazard toys! Please read the instructions and use discretion when purchasing for kids under three. I include some of these toys in this guide because I personally like purchasing ahead – if I’m getting for a 2.5 year old, I’m thinking of what he’ll play at age three and beyond. I also personally allow my child to play with such toys before three since he does not tend to mouthe them – but only with close supervision.

12 Best Gifts for a Toddler Boy

The Best non-toy Gifts for a Toddler Boy

If you’re a fan of non-toy gifts, this is the age to gift it! J loves anything cozy, so that gift with a cozy element? Straight win! Non-toy gifts are almost foolproof at this stage, as they have a practical spin. Here are some favorite picks for the best non toy gifts for a toddler boy.

CozyCo💤™ Blanket with Hand and Foot Pockets

With CozyCo💤™ the snuggles are everything! These blankets have built-in hand and foot pockets to allow for a swaddle-effect. The hand pockets have finger holes so that they can still be used while wearing it.

CozyCo💤™ is the kid version of CozyThrow💤™ (the full-size one that that I’m enjoying – and shared in my list of gift ideas for a wife.) J absolutely loves it – the plush is soft and embracing. As he says, it’s cozy!!

WeeWander Backpack, Stuffy, and Bottle

For the family that likes to travel a lot – whether it’s weekends at grandmas or bigger trips- WeeWander makes fabulous high end travel gear for little ones!

Their backpack is just the right size for a toddler – but with maximum use of the space. It has loads of pockets for activities, devices, snacks, blankets, and more! It has an insulated compartment to keep things fresh and a chest strap for extra support. All the straps are adjustable so they grow with the little one. Individual pockets means that it’ll take more work for J to unload its contents – and it’ll be much more organized.

It’s designed to be perfectly compatible with optional other WeeWander accessories that are really cute when bundled with the backpack.

The water bottle is a very well-made stainless steel straw tumbler. It’s leak proof, and has the most adorable little print on it. I love that it’s slimmer than the typical tumbler, perfect for tiny hands. And it fits right into the side pocket of the backpack!

And the stuffy is a really cute little travel companion that comes with its own tiny backpack! It fits into either of the water bottle pockets (which has special slots for its feet) and can be a special “travel toy” for the kid who’s a bit antsy in the car.

The backpack comes with a mini travel “passport” activity book with stickers too. And of course, there’s a strap for the suitcase handle too – making it great for air or car travel!

Feltman Brothers Heirloom Lattice Knit Set

Classic fine knitwear makes for a fabulous gift that both mom and the little one will enjoy! Feltman Brothers makes heirloom quality, timeless clothing that is a favorite in our house. J loves this lattice knit set that is gorgeous with his red hair.

This set manages to be gorgeously dressed-up while still being comfy and fun for an active toddler to wear! It’s 100% cotton and breathable, and yes, of course it’s machine washable!

The fit on the sweater is a bit looser and the pants are a bit slimmer, for a really sweet combination.

Hobibear Barefoot Winter Shoes

Shoes are a really fun gift for toddlers for two reasons: they’re still new at walking and are kind of obsessed with their shoes, and they keep outgrowing them!

Hobibear makes fabulous barefoot and wide toe shoes that allow for more freedom of movement for little ones. Their Spruce winter barefoot shoes come in toddler sizes and Y LOVES them. They have a plush (“cozy” inside and ample support around the ankles. But they’re still unrestrictive and allow those toes plenty of movement – and they’re easy to get on and off.

And the colors are just so fun! Yes, they do have them in black too – but we went with this icy blue.

The Best Interest-based Play Gifts for a Toddler Boy

At the toddler stage, kids start to show very specific interests – some might even say obsessions! J is starting to recognize favorite characters (and tell me how cute they are), and he loves trucks. Find out what they love and go with that! Here are some common toddler favorite themes and gifts to give based on them!

Mighty Wheels 16″ Toy Crane

For the construction obsessed kid, the Mighty Wheels 16″ toy crane is an epic toy! This is a 3+ toy that little boys will just love. It’s a nice size toy with solid construction and realistic sounds that’ll make little boys smile.

And it even comes with traffic cones! The wind up hook provides plenty of pretend play opportunity, and winding it up requires some fine motor musclework.

I love that it’s a bit of a more unique pick than your typical dump truck or excavator (though Mighty Wheels makes those too) while still fitting in with the whole construction fascination. And J loves using it to hook onto and move other toys around.

FAO Schwartz Bluey Vending Machine

J loves Bluey and got so excited when he saw this vending machine from FAO Schwartz. This is a 3+ toy that is actually a win for birthdays, holidays – and yes, potty training!

Everything about this is so charming and giftable – and yes, they make other characters too (such as Marvel and Disney) for kids who like different shows.The front flap of the vending machine has the iconic Bluey letters and Bluey and Bingo sit atop the machine.

No need to insert a coin – just twist the lever and one capsule is released. Inside are small collectible figures. J loves playing with this type of figure with his favorite characters and this is just a really cute way to gift it.

This can be gifted all at once, or use it as smaller gifts to hand out one at a time. Refill the capsules with new prizes when you’re done – they’re reusable! Includes common, rare, and limited edition figures.

Cocomelon BooBoo JJ

In every gift guide, I like to include at least one holdover recommendation – something we’ve featured with our older kids but is still very much loved! This one is a holdover from A but J loves it too!

BooBoo JJ is fabulous for a Cocomelon fan, and brings an element of nurturing to the table. JJ sings the booboo song and has his own medical case with hook and loop bandages. The part of him with a booboo lights up so that little ones can put a bandage on it.

The Best Educational Gifts for a toddler boy

Kids learn through play and exploration and while all play has the potential to be educational, our favorite type is when the kids are encouraged to try things! These picks nurture that exploration and make favorite gifts for a toddler boy.

Mindware Konvertibles Transforming Wooden Cars

With my kids superfans of converting vehicle toys, I was so excited to see Mindware make a toddler-friendly version! This one isn’t a puzzle like the big-kid ones – it simply folds and unfolds. But it provides plenty of problem solving exploration for little ones.

Turn it from a long car to a tall car easily for more play value from a classic toy.

These are made from high quality wood – but still bright, colorful, and kid-friendly (no sad beige), these toys are heirloom quality. The box turns into a play scene as well, and of course, it’s made from safe paints.

Milestones & More Play Kit

If you’re looking for a well-presented bundle gift, Milestones & More has you covered. They curate age-targeted gift baskets filled with an assortment of toys and gear for little ones, as well as educational activity and parenting resources.

These are quality items from real brands. The 24-30 month box featured a pounding block from IKEA, a Munchkin bath temperature duck that says “Hot” if the water is too hot, a bilingual Priddy book, and a little plush bear.

This is a really fun gift for younger toddlers who can benefit from milestone-targeted toys.

Battat Light Box Sensory Set

The Battat Light Box is a multi-functional sensory play set that is fabulous for the toddler stage. It features a wooden base with a light box, and loads of activities to do on it. Our favorite are the translucent geometric shapes. Kids can play with them on their own, but it also comes with transparency sheets for matching those shapes up.

Included pattern cards are a next level way to play with the shapes, and of course, layering them teaches about color in a natural play-based environment.

It comes with a sensory bin topper as well that can be used with the included tools for water or other sensory play. It even comes with some grass bin filler, but of course, it can be used with other sensory fillers too.

This is a great all-around toy for tabletop play, fine motor, and sensory exploration.

The Best Active Play Toys for a Toddler Boy

For little ones that love to be active, these gifts will help get out all that energy! While they don’t quite need help getting moving, these best gifts for a toddler boy help channel that energy – and will be enjoyed at least the next few years! Build those gross motor skills!

Pikler Triangle

Here’s another holdover: this Pikler Triangle is a multifunctional toy that is one we keep out and available all the time! kids love climbing on this toy (we’ve since moved it on top of a foam playmat) but there are other ways to play.

The triangle can turn into a tent with a throw blanket tossed on it. Flip over the arch, add some cushions, and it’s a rocking chair.

The kids switch it from slide, to climbing wall, to bridge, and back to slide again – again and again…

Trampoline

Sometimes the classics are a classic for a reason – and J loves jumping on his trampoline! This is one of those toys that you save from sibling to sibling and is loved for many years. It is great for indoors and out.

Literally just a ball.

If you’re looking for an easy, low budget gift that’ll charm any active toddler, just go with a ball! I recommend the lighter weight plastic balls (rather than rubberized playground balls) – but you can even give them a beach ball.

What are your best gifts for a toddler boy? Got any to add to the list? Comment below!

The post Best Gifts for a Toddler Boy appeared first on Moms and Crafters.

Looking for the best ideas for family gifts? This list shares some favorites for families of all sizes and makeups! When you’re done, check out my full list of carefully curated gift ideas for everyone. This post contains affiliate links and gifted products.

Especially at a time when people receive so much STUFF, I love the idea of family gifts that are shared with multiple family members and/or gifted to the family as a whole. Today, I’ll be sharing some of my best ideas for family gifts.

Why give family gifts?

If you’re looking to consolidate your shopping and gift giving, family gifts can really help.

I find that family gifts helps me:

• Have to find fewer items to buy
• Wrap less
• Save money OR
• Have a larger budget for a nicer gift – the quality over quantity approach

Think about it: instead of purchasing each kid a little tchotchke that adds up to $100, you can purchase a nice, shared toy for $80 saving you a few bucks. Or instead of getting every family member something else, just get one cool thing that’ll cost the same total, but that everyone will love.

But does that exist?

What makes the best ideas for family gifts?

Here are some of my tips for what makes the best ideas for family gifts. Start by thinking about what the family might use together. Sometimes this can be focused only on the kids, and sometimes it’s something that the kids AND the parents will love. And for older families (without young kids) it’s even easier to nail.

For example:

• Toys for 2+ at once – specifically targeting the age group of the family’s kids. This is easier to do when the kids are closer in age and can play with them together. This is a great approach when you’re looking to add more quality over quantity.
• Games! Especially family-style games that can really be played with everyone together.
• Things that encourage time together
• Large home and kitchen gadgets that can be enjoyed by all – this is my favorite category for when you are looking to purchase something bigger instead of loads of small items.
• Small kitchen gadgets – this is great for when you are looking to save and bring a smaller token gift for the family.

Best ideas for family gifts

Here are some of my best ideas for family gifts – picks from larger and smaller brands that’ll be enjoyed by the entire family!

Games & Family Toys

Play matters, and since lots of gifting centers around toys, these picks are a win. While the toys tend to take a quality vs. quantity approach, the games often take a budget-friendly approach.

MAGNA-TILES Pet Playhouse

MAGNA-TILES are a winner for kids of all ages. My 12 year old still loves playing with them, and my 2 year old joins in supervised (they are for ages 3+ due to small parts.) And the cool thing about it is, you don’t need to know if the family already has it or not – it’s the type of toy that you always want to build on the existing stash – the more pieces the better!

The Pet Playhouse from MAGNA-TILES is a fabulous set for sibling play – whether they already have a stash of MAGNA-TILES or not. It comes with super fun specialty pieces – including steps, slides, cubes, and more. And my kids’ favorite part? The adorable pets (4 of them, enough for each of my kids to adopt one) – plus the caretaker figure that the set comes with!

This is super fun to play with as a standalone toy or combined with other MAGNA-TILES sets.

Hootenanny Feelin Cute Game

Family games that include ranking things tend to be a win – they open up conversation and sometimes even good-natured bickering. Feelin’ Cute has all of that – and adorable animals. Yes, this is a game where you actually rank cuteness of animals!

As a 2-8 player game, it can really be played by the whole family. Players need to silently rank where on the cuteness meter the “it” player would rank the animal card that is picked in relation to the existing animal.

Every detail of Feelin’ Cute is cute (but they managed to keep it gender neutral) – from the raised animal paw player pieces to the blobfish tokens (for when no one guesses correctly) – and my favorite part, the vivid photos of 175 different animals. It’s part trivia, part family conversation, and piles of cuteness.

Pixicade

We love gaming experiences that take kids off the screens for a bit! That hybrid setup is a great way to get kids a little more actively engaged in their game play.

Pixicade features loads of different games that can be played all with your drawings! The notebook and markers come with guided instructions and games to set up, and then the app scans it for the actual game play.

It requires absolutely no drawing skills (see my stick figures) but kids in a wide range of age groups will get the huge satisfaction of seeing their drawings animated – and playing with them! It’s got loads of mini games in one kit, and, unlike many other video games, it’s an easy-to-gift boxed set that can be wrapped and gifted as a physical gift. The companion app is free to download.

Carrera Mario & Luigi Tabletop RC

I have two boys close in age, and while that is a very specific family structure, it’s the perfect one for this tabletop RC course from Carrera! Featuring my boys’ favorite brothers – Mario and Luigi – it’s got loads of endless sibling fun and friendly competition.

Kids (and adults who may want to sneak a play) can set up a racing course on the table or floor using the very generous 60 guardrails that the set comes with. Race Mario and Luigi using the included remotes – batteries included too. The cars are small – 1:50 scale – and have three speed settings.

The set also comes with fun and humorous optional signs so that the family can really get together and design a fun race track.

Uzzle Puzzle Game

For the family that enjoys more puzzle-type games, The Uzzle is a super fun game for up to four players. Each player gets a set of 1×2 cubes with prints on each side and need to race to match up the design on their cards.

Even level 1 (there are 4 levels) is harder than it looks! You might think you almost got it, but then you’ll find that you need a previously played piece for its other side! Do-over time!

This game can even be played with larger groups, since it’s a team-friendly game. Teams of two can join up to make the pattern on the card faster for a larger scale family game.

Cool Food Gadgets & Gifts

We have an aunt who always gifts each family a fun gadget – and we love it! This can be done on a small scale or larger. We will be gifting our kids the ice cream maker as a family gift this year (yes, I did advance test it to review it for you!) Smaller gadgets and kitchen tools work as well.

And of course, gifting gourmet food items is a win too – and something that the whole family can enjoy.

East Oak Ridgewood Smoker

For the family that loves high quality food (especially meat!) the East Oak Ridgewood Smoker is an epic gift! A friend of mine introduced me to smoking and I can never look back.

This electric smoker effectively smokes food on a generous four racks. The temperature goes up to 275, so it’s like a slow-cooker in cooking effectiveness, but with that incredibly smokey flavor.

I’ve tried it on a few foods. First, I cooked a large dinner of drumsticks, potatoes, and corn on the cob, with cherry wood chips. The food was all delicious, but those potatoes were incomparable to any I’ve had.

I also smoked a salmon, and it was a big hit even among my salmon-reluctant crowd.

The East Oak Ridgewood smoker comes with a built-in probe for easier readiness gauging. I still hope to try it on sliced salami and more unique foods. The possibilities are truly endless with this super cool food gadget – it’s going to be a win and a talked-about family gift for years.

Whynter 2.1 Qt Ice Cream Maker

I have a secret to tell you: I unboxed this, tested it out, and then reboxed it… because I know it’ll make an epic gift for my own family – every one of my kids will love it! For a family that isn’t necessarily high tech foodie but enjoys a good treat, the Whynter 2.1 Qt ice cream maker is a winning gift.

Unlike some other popular models, this one actually freezes the ice cream. It has a buit-in compressor so that you can make the ice cream – from room-temp liquid to delicious frozen creaminess – in an hour.

Beyond ice cream, it can make frozen yogurts, sorbets and sherberts, and sauces too. It churns as it freezes, for ice cream perfection.

The 2.1 quart capacity makes enough for the whole family to share. Whynter makes some super cool “pretty” models as well but honestly, I just love the amount that their stainless steel model makes at once. We’ll be using this year-round for many ice cream parties to come!

West Bend Air Crazy Popcorn Popper

More affordable kitchen gadgets make fabulous family gifts – and since popcorn is a staple in our home, I had to share this one! The West Bend Air Crazy popcorn popper is so nostalgic! I remember how excited I got every time the air popper came out and we got to have that freshly popped popcorn.

We pull out popcorn for every get together, family game night, movie night… and watching it get popped fresh just adds to the atmosphere.

West Bend’s Air Crazy 4 quart popcorn popper is an easy-to-store little gadget that can pop up to sixteen cups of popcorn in just three minutes. And there’s no need to add any butter, making it a healthier choice (though you can if you’d like to.) The measuring scoop sits on top and serves as a butter melting tray too. The top comes off for easier storage, and takes a second to put back on.

Larder & Vine Baking Set

For the family that loves baking, the tools of the trade are a winning gift. Larder & Vine’s healthier nonstick ceramic-coated bakeware is both gorgeous and functional – making it totally gift-ready. It comes in different colors (I chose the teal set to go with my kitchen.)

It’s designed to stack neatly into the large roaster pan for easy storage. And it cleans like a dream!

The set comes with enough to feed a family a feast! It includes 2 baking sheets (I fit 12 chocolate chip cookies on each), 2 6-muffin tins, a loaf pan, a small 6.7 inch round cake pan, an 8-inch square cake pan, and a deep roasting pan that’s deep and large enough for a 5-lb roast.

And of course, it’s dishwasher safe too!

Crispy Green Freeze Dried Fruit

The gourmet food category is a growing one that is one of the most missed gift-giving opportunities. It’s a great idea for families that want less stuff but enjoy a good treat.

Crispy Green freeze dried fruit are fabulous for the family that loves fruit! It builds on the freeze-dried trend to bring all natural snacks that are shelf-stable and frankly so good! Our kids’ favorite is the mango flavor and the adults really enjoyed the strawberries.

Flavors include apple, Asian pear, banana, mango, strawberry, pineapple and tangerine. They are Kosher certified by the OU as well as gluten free and vegan.

Tip: it’s all about the presentation! Gather a variety of flavors together in a pretty basket or reusable storage bin to make it feel like a well-presented gift.

Family Time Together

The best gift to give a family is… family time! These are my best ideas for family gifts to encourage or support time spent together!

PaddleSmash – Pickleball meets Roundnet

For families that love playing backyard games together, Paddlesmash is an all-in-one game that adds a fun and competitive spin to Pickleball. Players need to play in teams to bounce the ball into the center net and then pass it to the next team.

You can get an all-in-one kit that includes four paddles and two balls, in addition to the net. Or, if you are already fully equipped with Pickleball gear, get just the net.

The base is a rigid surface that can create a PaddleSmash base on harder surfaces like sand or grass. It folds in half and the entire game – paddles, balls, net, and poles – fit right in. It’s so easy to take on trips to the park, beach, or backyard parties.

Foldology Origami Puzzles

I first discovered Foldology on Amazon and my reaction was “this is genius!” These brain-teasers mix origami with puzzles for a super cool new and affordable activity.

The goal is to figure out how to fold the paper to assemble the photo, within a set of rules. While these are individual puzzles, each book comes with 100 puzzles, making it a fabulous family date-night at home. Family members can challenge each other, race for some friendly competition, or pass on the ones they are stuck on.

The books increase in difficulty. There are currently three books available (get them individually or the first two as a set – but definitely start with the first). It’s going to be a new favorite hobby and family activity!

Gravel UltraPak Packable Blankets

I often recommend throw blankets as great family gifts, but this one really got me for its unique factor. If you like gifting things that have a “gimmick” element to them but are so functional, you’ll need to check out Gravel’s packable blankets. The material is similar to packable coats but in a blanket format. They fold down to the size of a water bottle and are actually easy to fold up into the included pouch. No “help, how did this ever fit in here?”

These blankets are absolutely perfect for keeping stowed in the car as picnic or beach blankets. The full size one can fit 3-4 people on it at the beach and the mini one is perfect as a picnic blanket. They are also perfect just for having as car blankets for families that do lots of road trips with young kids, or for camping.

And the prints? They are priceless! I wish they would have photographed better – sadly my photos on these do not do that artwork justice.

Family Date Night Cards

Here’s one for the family that loves doing random activities together: scratch off family date night cards! These super cool surprise activity cards come in a nice, sturdy box and are frankly fun to scratch off. Because of the presentation they make a fabulous wrappable gift that doesn’t cost a lot.

The 40 cards are color-coded based on what time of day they should be done, and include un-hidden keys so that they can actually fit into the designated time. Each one is marked by prep required, length of the activity, how much it costs and where it’s done.

Halo Basketball Hoop

There’s nothing like getting active together as a family, so why not gift physical activity? Halo Ball is a basket-ball inspired game only:

1. It can be taken anywhere and literally packs into a drawstring bag and
2. It’s played 360 degrees – all around the hoop.

The basket is hung between two points (such as trees in a park) from the slash-proof line, tightened with the rust-proof ratchet, and you’re ready to play!

Got any more best ideas for family gifts to add to the list? Anything that was a hit with your family? Comment below!

The post Best Ideas for Family Gifts appeared first on Moms and Crafters.

Looking for gift ideas for a creative person? These ideas will be a hit with any creative! Check out my full list of gift guides for all ages and occasions. This post contains affiliate links and gifted product.

When it comes to getting gifts for creatives there are so many different directions you can take! Not all creatives are alike – some prefer art, some crafts, and some are more advanced creators than others.

Some may stick to creating as a hobby, some may just be creative and not do much about it on the regular, and some might be career artists or crafters. Some might just have creative-adjacent careers.

This list of gift ideas for a creative person has something for all of the above!

Loads of Gift Ideas for a Creative Person

Creative-adjacent Gift Ideas for a Creative Person

Over the years, I’ve assembled a number of gift idea lists for creative people. One of my favorite things to include are gift ideas for a creative person that is not directly an art or craft material. Rather, it is fitting for a creative person’s lifestyle. These creative-adjacent gifts are super fun for creatives to receive.

CINCOM Hand Massagers

The hand fatigue is real! Many creatives experience hand problems, ranging from repetitive stress injuries to simple fatigue. CINCOM’s hand massagers offer comfort and relief for all of the above. I suffer from tendinitis specifically, which flares up from both crafting and writing this blog – and it’s been so comforting for me!

Probably most unique of these creative-adjacent gift ideas for creatives, this one is fabulous for crocheters, artists, tufters, or anyone who does things regularly that lead to hand strain.

CINCOM offers a few types of hand massagers so you can choose one that best fits the recipients needs. I recommend reading their buying guide for the clearest breakdown but in a nutshell:

• For a standard hand massager for average size hands, get the Classic 1.0 – Model CM-026H.
• For a more spacious interior, touch screen, better performance, and an upgraded more immersive massage, get the Comfort 2.0 – Model CM-088H.
• For a more personalized massage that includes individual fingers, a 4D massage head, adaptive pressure, targeted heat, and more, get SmartTouch 3.0 –  Model CM-096H.

All of them include different modes, intensity settings, and heat for a fabulous soothing experience. And they can be purchased using HSA & FSA!

Scribble Art – photo book with artwork

What do you do with kids’ artwork? What do you do with YOUR artwork?

Scribble Art has super cool technology that I got to test with my kids’ artwork. They create amazing quality hardcover art books to save those creations. You can photograph crafts, LEGO creations, or anything creative kids OR adults make.

We created books in a few sizes, and even included some photos of the artists in them – especially on the covers.

Simply scan the artwork and it removes the background, replaces it with a solid one for a pop of color, and straightens and enhances the image. We photographed A&J’s school projects, M’s origami, Y’s canvas and wood art. They even make custom wrapping paper with artwork (we put Y’s flamingo on it). The kids loved seeing their artwork in a “real” book!

If you want something more close to creativity but not an actual supply. Can get code if don’t have access to artwork, but super cool to surprise a friend with a social account where they share their artwork, or your kids.

Craft Kits & Quality Supplies

The go to gift ideas for a creative person are the tools of their creativity! Besides for being an endless niche, art and craft supplies are generally consumables and we can always use more. And even when we can’t use more, we still want more.

But which ones should you get? Especially if you’re not a creative yourself, but even if you are, it can be hard to navigate such a huge market. These gift ideas for a creative person are winners in our home and I’m sure your loved one will enjoy it too.

POSCA Water Based Paint Markers 16 Colors

Quality matters when it comes to art supplies. And there’s no question that POSCA are the leaders in paint markers – and my personal go-to when I’m creating something I actually care about. Their rich colors, reliable opaque coverage, and long lasting paint make for a premium experience.

The 16-pack offers plenty of color variety for both artists and crafters who are looking for a reliable paint markers. This is a classic “wishlist” item for so many creatives, it’ll be a win for sure. In fact, it’ll probably be a “how did you know it’s exactly what I wanted?” item.

Diamond Art Club Mini Dazzles – Diamond Painting Around the World

Diamond painting is a truly meditative process – one that’s relaxing to do with a podcast, music, or even as an at-home date. And it doesn’t require any learned skills. Here’s another one where quality matters. Diamond Art Club has drills (that’s the gems) with consistent sizes, gorgeous colors and specialty finishes, and adhesive that is top notch. Their kits come with everything needed – including the applicator and putty, trays, and this one even comes with multi-drill tips.

The Mini Dazzles are beginner-friendly kits, featuring small designs on canvas fabric. The square drills cover all the spots -meaning you’re really painting the picture with them. The Around the World series features landmarks (pictured here is part 1). Yes, there are SIX mini artworks to create with everything included for under 20 bucks at the time of publishing this! (Prices are subject to change).

My kids saw me doing this and got jealous, which was okay because there were kits for them too (see them in my gift ideas for 9 year old boys and 12 year old boys).

Save 20% off your first purchase with Diamond Art Club®. Use the first link below and the discount code MOMS20!

Pour Palz

For a super fun and dynamic crafting experience that requires absolutely no patience, Pour Palz is a win! It takes the pour painting trend and gives you a solid figurine to go to town on.

The kit comes with everything you need to mix and layer paints and pour it over the figure. Paints are pre-mixed and it comes with protection for the surface, hands, and clothing too. And if you’re looking for something smaller, they make keychains too.

I love how my bear came out. Pour painting requires some use of color theory, and the kit is well made in that respect. I used lots of layers and the colors blended nicely to soft purple tones, with the blues, pinks, and gold showing through. When it’s fully dry, I plan to take a permanent marker to it and doodle! It’s also reallyl fun to use as an autograph bear after crafting.

Mindware Run the Runway Fashion Design Set

I first got to learn about Mindware’s Run the Runway Fashion Design kit at a toy expo called Toy Fair and I was floored. It’s the gift of my fashion-sketching, crafting childhood dreams. The kit comes PACKED with loads of fashion odds and ends – from notions to fabric, from closures to decorations… And it comes with mini mannequins to set up the designs on!

Kids (and kids at heart) can then create scaled down creations. It does come with some patterns and ideas that are totally optional to use. The clothing can be arranged on the mannequin without permanently adhering it by poking it into the teeth at the back. Or, it can be sewn together permanently as fun fashion doll outfits.

It allows kids room for creativity while providing a structure and entry-level understanding of how patterns and garment making works.

Cahve Ring Carving and Casting Kit

You may have seen my pomegranate ring in some of my craft videos – did you know that I made it?!

Cahve is an incredible experience. Their kit includes everything needed to carve a model ring out of wax. The main kit includes a casting voucher as well. You send your carving back to them, along with any specifications, and they actually make it for you.

The photos elow include the kit, my carving, and the final cast ring.

Art Gift Ideas for a Creative Person

For those who aren’t creatives themselves, the distinction between art and craft might not be as clear. Although there is lots of overlap, art usually focuses on the expression and appearance of a creative work, and craft usually focuses on creating a functional end.

These gift ideas for a creative person really highlight the art aspect of it.

For Teens and Adults – Ohuhu Honolulu S (alcohol illustration markers)

For illustrators, art markers are a luxurious necessity. Alcohol markers are highly blendable markers that don’t soak the page so they can be layered seamlessly for gorgeous results. This is the kind of art supply where having a larger range of colors really makes getting the target result much easier.

Ohuhu is an amazing brand that strikes the balance of affordable price point with a high quality product. Their Honolulu S-range of alcohol markers features dual brush and soft chisel tips – the perfect combination for artists to get bold shadows and smooth blends.

It’s a fabulous gift for teens who are responsible enough to use an alcohol marker and adults. Go for the widest color range in your budget – pictured is the 60 color set.

For Tweens – Art Cafe Meditative Painting Kits

I love discovering new craft kits from small businesses and Art Cafe was another I learned about on-location. Their simple art kits feature a coffee theme and are relaxing and meditative.

Simply drop paint from the ready-made, fluid-art friendly mini squeeze bottles onto a rimmed coffee lid. The rim keeps everything neat and contained. Play around with pattern and shape and drag the paint into different blends.

Each kit comes with one base cup that stores the supplies, plus four lids to create artwork on. They can be mounted on nails easily due to the rim, but I hope to back mine and put a magnet on it.

The whole process art experience is very calming and unintimidating. It’s ready to craft right outside of the box and doesn’t require any existing skills.

For Younger Kids – OOLY Cat Parade

What about younger creatives? For kids of any age who love to make art, I recommend OOLY’s Cat Parade gel crayons. They can be used as standalone crayons, or as watercolor crayons if you blend them with a wet brush.

The color is rich but the crayons don’t melt, and the cute design makes this such a fun gift to give and to receive.

For Toddlers – Little Partners Easel

For the youngest artists in the home, a high quality wooden easel will get years of love. This one from Little Partners is durable and includes storage. One side is a whiteboard, and one side is a chalkboard.

It has a center mounted paper roll – pull it through the top center, down through the holder slot, and to the clips on the bottom of the whiteboard side. Plenty of space for art supply storage makes this folding easel a win in our house.

Craft Equipment and Tools

If you’re looking for mid-range or high end gift ideas for a creative person, it’s time to start thinking about serious crafting gear! These are perfect to purchase as a gift for a spouse or someone very close. Some of these are fabulous earners – that is, craft business tools!

3Doodler Pro

The 3Doodler pro takes the viral 3D printing pen to the next level. This model has many more features, temperature settings and is compatible with a huge range of materials.

I love making things like earrings, small sculptures, and more with it. You can go functional or artsy – it’s a real fusion of art and craft in one fun little gadget! And it comes with plenty of filament to get any artist creating.

Clawlab Tufting Gun and/or Frame

Rug tufting is an “on-trend” hobby now, and while this kit can totally make real rugs, I have lots of fun making smaller projects with it! I crafted these initials for my kids (they absolutely adore them).

Clawlab’s tufting gun and frame can be purchased as a set (which includes starter materials) or as standalone gifts.

They are unique and innovative – the gun takes tufting from heavy machinery to lightweight “glue gun” and the frame eliminates a lot of the work of getting the frame taught. I did a whole review and project demo on YouTube for this one, so you can watch it here:

LaserPecker LP5

If you have someone you want to get a really special gift for, a laser engraver is an incredible one. Besides for majorly upgrading any craft business with endless personalization opportunities, I personally find it just so much fun to craft things for myself.

The LaserPecker LP5 is a portable/small space laser engraver that has two laser types built in that allows it to engrave and cut much more materials. It’s great for entry-level engravers, for adding to a craft business for onsite craft-fair customization, or for small spaces.

Read my full Laserpecker LP5 review here to understand this device better.

Worx MakerX Rotary Tool

A good rotary tool is a must-have for every creative! This one from Worx is a hybrid system that can be connected to other tools from the line. It’s semi-cordless with a rechargeable battery that connects to the tool and has speed controls on the battery/base.

Craft Books: Activities Instruction

When you’re in doubt for gift giving, a craft book is usually a win! Whether it’s one that is actually an activity book, or one that teaches new skills, it’s an easy gift to add to any creative’s collection.

Drawing Dinosaurs: How to Draw Scientifically Accurate Prehistoric Creatures

We have more than one dino-obsessed person in this house, and Drawing Dinosaurs by Brian Vitocruz is a super cool book for kids and adults! It breaks down the drawing process of scientifically-accurate dinos so that it can be easily replicated.

Beyond teaching the specifics of drawing each dinosaur, it also shows fundamentals of drawing in general.

Tunisian Crochet: A Stitch Dictionary with 501 Stitches to Explore

This book by Lori Harrison is effectively a stitch dictionary, that offers over 500 new ones to try! It focuses on Tunisian crochet techniques and is fabulous for anyone who loves to crochet – and expand their skills.

This is not a pattern book – there are no actual projects, just new stitches to try, that can be used in any project. It’s great for those creators who like to actually be creative with their crochet and have a solid understanding of crochet concepts.

Each stitch comes with a chart with key as well as written instructions for each round.

Paint by Sticker Kids Trucks, Trains, and more

Paint by Sticker is an old favorite of ours and the concept is simple: match the shaped sticker to the correct numbered spot on the art page. This completes the puzzle. It’s perfect for kids who love stickers at any age where they can match numbers and have the dexterity to place the stickers.

The Trucks, trains, & more version is fabulous for that truck-obsessed kid. It’ll provide hours of tangible fun for kids who love to create something they can be proud of when they’re done.

Got any gift ideas for a creative person to add to this list? Comment below and let me know!

The post 18+ Gift Ideas for a Creative Person appeared first on Moms and Crafters.

Looking for the best gifts for a 12 year old boy? These top picks for tween boys will make you a gift giving celeb! If you want more ideas, check out these gift ideas for an 11 year old. This post contains affiliate links and gifted product.

As kids get older, getting them gifts really changes. There’s this soft mix at the tween age where very specific types of toys still appeal to them, but they need a bit more hype attached.

On the flip side, they also begin to really appreciate some non-toy gifts. My 12 year old, M, helped me curate this list of 14 best gifts for a 12 year old boy. Some were pitched by brands or discovered at toy shows, some were taken direclty from his wishlist, and all are things he’d love to (or loved to) receive as gifts.

First, I’ll share some general tips for finding the best gifts for a 12 year old boy. And of course, these are great for girls too, I’m just testing them with a boy.

How to find the best gifts for a 12 year old boy

It’s important to really know the kid at this stage -or choose something very safe. Your biggest risk is getting them something that they feel is too childish.

Here are some general directions you can take:

• Gadgets – a safe option. Smaller or larger electronic toys that are age-appropriate have very universal appeal at this stage. More advanced gadgets (such as devices or accessories) are even cooler.
• Games – If you are on a tighter budget and can’t spring for a cool electronic, choose a game over a toy. If you know which gaming device (if any) they own, you can get a new game for it too.
• Hobbies – If you know the child well, choose something that works with their hobby. If they’re into art, opt for more grown-up art supplies than they may have been using. Think STEM, sporting or active hobbies, etc.
• Fanware – These things are rarely featured in my gift guides just because my kids aren’t major fans of anything but if you have a kid who has a favorite team, video game, etc go and get some licensed goods.
• Non-toy gifts – Something so cool that I’m observing as my kids grow up is that some of the things that make nice gifts for adults are starting to be cool for them too!

The ideas below are sorted a bit differently but I think you’ll find the directions above as well as the ideas below super helpful!

14 of the Best Gifts for a 12 year old boy

Gadget Gifts for a 12 year old boy

Gadgets are really a safe zone. At this age it can include toys – specifically standout toys with unique features.

Silverlit Robo Rapidfire

Silverlit makes some super cool remote controls, and while for a 12 year old, remote controls are “been there, done that” THIS one isn’t! It’s part robot target for a dart blaster and part remotely controlled shooter. M was so excited to play with it in both of its modes.

In target blasting mode, the robot serves as the target, moving around on its own. You need to hit the target with the dart blaster.

In RC blasting mode, the robot itself is the dart blaster, and the player controls it. It’s REALLY fun for chasing adorable toddler brothers who are good sports.

It holds ten darts at a time and is overall a high quality RC, something that’s important in this toy category.

Otamatone Deluxe Batman & Kirby

My boys have loved Otamatone for years but these styles are just epic – and did you know they make cases too? Otamatone is a social media viral electronic music player with loads of humor. Music is played with one hand sliding up and down the stem of the musical-note shaped device for pitch variation, and one hand opening and closing the mouth to make a vibrato “wawawa” sound – as if it’s singing.

The deluxe version is a bit more of a legit instrument, with a pitch dial on the back, a 3.5 mm stereo jack to connect it to speakers or headphones, and a longer stem for more pitch variation. For the Batman fan, the Batman model just gives it more bonus points.

The Kirby Otamatone is so fun for kids who are fans of the video game. It’s the original model – a really fun, compact, and silly musical instrument that kids CAN actually play. This is the type of thing that “Kidults” love to, making it a fabulous gift for a 12 year old boy.

You can upgrade the gift with a case (make sure to get the right size for the Otamatone you’re getting).

Carrera Revell Hybrid Highway Challenge

What if you can combine kids’ favorite toys with a gaming-style experience? For kids who are fans of racing – try some incredible, high tech real racing simulation! The Carrera Hybrid line connects to the phone and allows kids to do their video game racing online – and IRL! The minimum age recommendation is 12 years on this, so it really is a next level “play” experience.

For M, the thing that REALLY did it was the AI integration. Kids (and parents when they leave it around) can choose to use AI-guided racing to keep the car on the track.

There are loads of tuning options – set the speed, tire wear, and more. It then simulates it on the model car. As you play you can score earn more features. Up to 16 players can race together.

The Highway Challenge is a fabulous all-in-one set for getting started with Carrera Hybrid racing experiences, which can then be added on to. It comes with 1:50 scale Porsche 911 GT3 “Red Devil” and “Black Devil” racecars with incredible detail. These can be raced on or off track – and the Highway Challenge comes with just about 20 feet of it. Set the parts you have in the app, connect to the cars and go ahead and race!

For kids that enjoy more traditional gaming controllers, you can get the Carrera Hybrid bluetooth controller add-on that includes an optional phone holder.

Electric Hand Warmers

I don’t know what it is about these – but M loves these! You know those packets that you need to activate and then they keep you warm all winter? Well, there’s a gadget version of them! These plug in and have different warmth settings.

I got these for M with a strict warning to proceed with caution and use them carefully – at twelve, I believe he’s responsible enough. The brand that I linked is UL certified and high quality. It comes in fun colors and prints too, and charges via USB. They connect magnetically when not in use

Top Games & Interest-Based Toys for a 12 year old boy

Games are another pretty cool safe bet when looking for the best gifts for a 12 year old boy. They mostly skew affordable, and adults play them too, so there really is no true age cap on it. When looking for toys, look at those that are more interest-focused and fit their hobbies.

Smart Games Cats & Boxes Game

For the kid who loves to play solo, doesn’t always have a playmate, or just loves a good puzzle, Smart Games is always a top choice for us.

M loves these challenges – they work well with his mathematical brain, and allow him to have solid screen-free fun on the go. Cat’s & Boxes is a super cool and unique spin on these puzzle games.

The game comes with 60 challenges, which are starting points for all the pieces on the game board. The challenge is to move the box pieces so that all the cats are in boxes. The cats must stay in place, and you can only move one piece at a time.

It’s a fun, humorous, more tangible take on the classic puzzle-solution game that totally appeals to M’s sense of humor.

LEGO Voyagers

What about when you want your kids SPECIFICALLY NOT to play solo? That’s where LEGO Voyagers comes in! This new and unique LEGO video game requires kids to play together! They can play virtually or IRL – and can even send friends who DIDN’T purchase the game a code to play with them.

LEGO Voyagers is a very laid back adventure-style game. The LEGO brick characters need to move LEGO pieces on the landscape to get around.

In a world of violent, aggressive video games, this one is so refreshing. It’s creative, and uses one of my kids’ favorite toys to build initial interest. It took them a few minutes to really learn it, but once they did, it became an instant favorite.

And I just love the social aspect of it!

Giiker Super Decoder

Giiker takes classic games and geekifies them – or rather turns them into gadgets! I love this approach for gifting a picky tween, especially one who loves to play solo.

The Super Decoder has game play similar to good old Mastermind. You have seven tries to break the four-color code, and it keeps getting harder.

The entire design of this game is so cool – it’s robotic! The two pronged antennae is functional and powers it on, sets single or duo mode, and provides game play cues as well. There’s an easier and more advanced mode, and a mind-boggling 600 levels of play!

Play solo or against a friend, and put it in your pocket when you’re done. It’s a screen free gadget – operated by lights – making it friendly for screen-free environments, like some schools. It’s one of those things that feels like a gadget, but actually builds some critical brain skills.

UFC Collectibles for Fans

If your 12 year old is a UFC fan, collectibles are a win! For slightly larger gifts, go for animated action figures of their favorite fighters. For smaller gifts, we’re in love with the the punching bag action figure capsules. These mini blind bags have different figures and accessories.

M even unboxed an ultra rare golden figure! The speed bags feature an octagon base and a figure in their signature pose. The punching bags feature a figure and a stand, with an accessory, plus a sticker and mini poster. The punching bag figures come with puzzle stands that connect to form an octagon.

The speed bags and punching bags come on a fun clip keychain, making them a fun backpack accessory on their own.

Best non-toy and activity gifts for a 12 Year Old Boy

At an age where kids think they want toys and gadgets that do something, it’s a huge win to find that gift that encourages THEM to do something! These are my best gifts for a 12 year old boy that’ll get them creating, writing, thinking, and building.

Diamond Art Club Sparkle Pals™ – R2-D2™

When my kids first saw me doing diamond painting, they wanted in on the action. And Diamond Art Club apparently knows that this hobby goes beyond the default demographic because they create kits for everyone! For 12 year old boys, especially the Star Wars fan, the Sparkle Pals R2-D2 is a super cool pick!

This beginner friendly kit comes in a theme that crosses demographics and is perfect for tweens who want to create a little. It comes with everything needed to get started – including the tools. M loves this set, as a Star Wars fan, and it’s a go to pick for me for when I’m looking for a smaller gift for a tween boy or girl. M enjoys displaying finished creations, and R2-D2 comes with a stand, perfect for propping on a desk. We might even glue magnets on the back and put it on his locker.

You can save 20% off your first purchase with Diamond Art Club®. Use the discount code MOMS20!”

Yes & Know Books

When I found out that Yes & Know books are coming back at Toy Fair this past winter, I literally did a happy dance. These invisible ink activity books are a childhood favorite of mine, a pivotal item that was a real treat. In fact, it was a tradition in our family to have these as “sick day” treats – but they make fabulous small gifts too!

Yes & Know books are invisible ink books that are full of puzzles, trivia, and more – appropriate for school age kids through adults (or ages 7-77!) We played tic-tac-toe on these pages as kids, learned new things about life, decoded, and maybe cheated a tiny bit by revealing a teensy drop to peek at the answer before filling it in fully.

The license to remake these was acquired by a small business called Tree Town Toys, and they have only gotten better. They retained their retro feel, but modernized it just the right amount – adding color ink to the mix. Gift these individually as a small gift, or bundle them for a larger gift.

Smartivity Mechanical Hand

If you have a kid who is engineering-obsessed (M is!) the Smartivity Mechanical Hand is a super fun exercise in engineering. Kids build a huge robotic hand that they can then use to pick up various thing, high five or fist bump siblings and friends, and in general have fun with.

This is the kind of kit where the assembly is intensive and the main point and a fun thing to play with is the byproduct. M thrives on this type of thing and was able to assemble it fully independently.

The instructions are clear, visual, and easy to follow and the precision laser cut pieces are easy to pop out of the frame for assembly.

Ohuhu Direct-ink Acrylic Markers – Nahuku

As kids get older, they are ready for grown-up art supplies, and for the kid who loves to draw, Nahuku Direct-ink Acrylic Markers are a win! These super cool opaque brush tip paint markers can be used to draw on paper, color things in, do brush calligraphy, decorate school supplies, and more. Since they are opaque, they work beautifully on both dark and light surfaces

They are fabulous for an aspiring artist (bonus points if you gift it with a sketchbook!) And the Direct Ink technology means that no pumping and priming is required. The 48 color pack that is featured here has three each of white and black – a really helpful feature based on real-life use patterns. It comes in an easy storage case.

Ohuhu’s art supplies are a win for this age group and one that I personally purchase as gifts for young and hobby artists. They are a mid-range art supply brand that leans more affordable than pro-grade brands but delivers consistent quality.

Owala FreeSip Water Bottle

While this isn’t an activity that “does”, it’s a fabulous, practical gift that the kids just love (especially if you’re reading this in 2025). It has a straw but also a siwg spout, so they can drink however they’d like. And it’s leak-proof so it won’t destroy that homework!

We got the Kids version because its 16 oz size is practical for bringing to school, but for 12 year olds you can get the real version too. And it’s insulated, keeping drinks cold for up to 24 hours, which encourages drinking.

Best Books for a 12 Year Old Boy

Books are an absolute win for gifting 12-year-olds – they can never have enough! Find out what type of reading they love and go with that!

Did you Hear what Happened in Salem?

This book is a nonfiction but totally not boring take on the Salem witch trials. It’s written in an engaging and snarky way, from the perspective of a third party observer. And it teaches some valuable lessons about groupthink, assumptions, and the value of a good justice system.

The book features vivid illustrations that bring the story to life, a character guide, and a very strong lesson written explicitly at the end. While it’s graded for ages 8+, as a mother of a 9 and 12 year old, I do prefer it for the 8+ demographic because of the subject matter.

Parent Warnings: It does contain one use of the “b-word” but as a negative reference not conversational, as well as a quick reference to suicide. I personally think this is age appropriate for a 12 year old.

Harry Potter boxed set

M received this set as an aunt and has read it at least twice since! At this age, he is ready to read the full set of the classic series – and it’s definitely an “own-it” type of series.

The Big Fat Middle School STEM Boxed Set

A little school help goes a long way and this boxed set is totally gift-ready! It is a notebook-style, kid-friendly book series that is designed to be better than the best note taker’s notes! It breaks things down into tidbits, with illustrations and fun commentary.

The boxed set comes with three books, math, science, and computer science/coding.

Which other gifts would you choose as the best gifts for a 12 year old boy? Have you tried any of those on this list? Comment below!

The post Best Gifts for a 12 Year Old Boy appeared first on Moms and Crafters.

If you’re looking for gifts for a 5 year old girl who has everything, you’ll love these unique gift ideas for every budget! You can find more carefully curated gift guides here. This post contains affiliate link and gifted products.

If you know a five year old who is having a birthday, or you’re looking for a holiday gift for one, congrats! This is one of the cutest, sweetest, funnest age groups to shop for!

These gifts for a 5 year old girl who has everything were tried and tested by A, my five year old diva who has quite the full playroom already.

Tips for finding gifts for a 5 year old girl who has everything

In addition to specific gifts, I always like to share tips for gifting the specific demographic. Here are my tips for nailing gifts for a 5 year old girl who has everything:

• Consumables: crafts and other things that use up can always be saved for when the current stash finishes
• Decide your budget in advance. It’s easy to get carried away spoiling a little princess so make sure it works with your original spending plan.
• Choose between unique or premium (or both if you can swing it!) Even if you can’t afford to go with premium, finding something truly unique and appealing to that demographic is a win.
• Gifts don’t need to be toys! Think of things that have a special element to them.

16 Gifts for a 5 year old girl who has everything

Extra Special Plush and Doll Gifts for a 5 Year Old Girl who has Everything

Plush and dolls are a win with little girls, but what if she already has a selection? Here are a few super cool upgraded gifts in this category!

Madame Alexander’s Going to Grandma’s Huggums

Madame Alexander creates high quality dolls, designed in New York with over 100 years worth of attention to detail. The Going to Grandma’s Huggums doll is a small baby doll with an i intricately embroidered outfit that is “going to Grandma” quality.

A right away adopted her as the baby sister she has been begging me for (“a fake one – not a real one, I still want a real one”). She is absolutely in love with the delicate lips, hair texture, bright pink three-piece outfit, and soft huggable body.

This is a keepsake quality vintage-style doll, with eyes that open when upright and close while lying down. It’s the type of thing that she’ll one day be able to gift her own little girl.

Madame Alexander 90’s Retro 18-inch Doll

If this particular five year old is a step beyond baby dolls, Madame Alexander makes fabulous 18-inch dolls too. This next-stage doll is 90’s inspired (I guess we’re retro!)

She has a plush pink hat I’d have ben envious of as a child, foam slippers, a cute handbag, jeans, jackets, and a sweet polo shirt.

Her hairs is soft and long – A’s favorite feature, though she’s obsessed with the plush hat too!

Purryfuls – Realistic Purring Pet Cat

For the little girl with big emotions, Purryfuls’ realistic purring pet cat is an amazing calming tool. It’s not just another plush. Every detail on this cat is beautiful and well-made, and it comes in a generous 16 inch size.

The cat has various vibration and “purring” modes to offer a calming feeling. it comes with a journal and pen too for a full calming experience. Most five year olds are just learning to write, making this a fantastic addition. And while A is not quite learning yet, she loves to draw her feelings.

The soft plush, combined with a bit of weight, and the vibration and sound make for a multi-sensory experience that mimics its real life inspiration. Press her paw to activate different modes. It’s perfect for cuddles at night, as a lap buddy, or any time a little calming down is in order!

Woof & Co Fashion Dog Dolls

I first “met” the Woof & Co fashion dog lineup at a toy show this past summer and I was so impressed. If you think there’s nothing in the toy industry that hasn’t been done yet, meet Lily the Shih Tzu!

This toy focuses more on the “unique” angle of gifts for a 5 year old girl who has everything and comes with a super affordable price tag. A loves the soft fur, and I’m totally jealous of her outfit!

She’s a posable doll, and her outfit is removable and swappable with other Woof & Co dolls, and she even has a Paris-ready handbag!

Non Toy Gifts for a 5 Year Old Girl who has Everything

Kids eventually get to an age when a non-toy gift gets a “what? that’s not a gift!” reaction – and then outgrow it eventually. I’m sure you’ve seen it. Five is well within the safe zone of non-toy gifts being a winner, as long as they have a very specific appeal. I’ll outline the appeal for each of the specific suggestions below, but some examples can include: a favorite character or theme featured, COZY – all the cozy stuff, and glitter.

The Comfy Original Junior

Everyone loves a good oversized hoodie and my kids are equally obsessed with a plush throw blanket.

But what if you combine the two? The Comfy Original Junior is a large, oversized hoodie made of Sherpa inside and soft fleece on the outside. I’m not gonna lie: her big brothers are totally jealous and have been begging for Comfies of their own!

It’s large enough to snuggle and tuck legs into – it is supposed to fit more like a blanket – and is perfect for lounging on the couch, especially on chilly days. But kids can still wear it comfortably and walk around in it. It has a generous hood and a large kangaroo pocket for a full snuggle.

One size works for ages 3-10 – although my very thin 12 year old fits in it too – making it something that she’ll be able to enjoy for years.

Diel Friends Kid-Safe Makeup & SPF Puff – 4 Piece Gift Tin

Diel Friends reached out to me a while ago to share specifically their SPF powder puff and I was amazed. Putting sunscreen on kids’ faces is challenging, but their Judy Sun Cushion SPF50 solves that issue with a formula that our little divas can apply on their own.

But let’s turn it into a giftable set!

The Judy Deluxe Beauty Gift Box comes in a storage-friendly tin. It’s a cross between functional makeup and play. It’s all kid-friendly and makes sense for this age, with the SPF I mentioned above, a water-based nail polish, color changing Pearl lipstick, and their heart cheek stamp. It’s a cross between play and function, and a sweet way that kids can play beauty salon with actual results.

All the products are made with EWG green-grade, non-toxic ingredients, and the tin is large enough to store any other play beauty products she might have.

Use code menucha10 for an exclusive discount!

My First Paint by Sticker

I tend to count toys and activities are counted as non-toy because they are so consumable – they don’t just collect and get played with, they get used.

Paint by Sticker is a favorite in our house – kids match up stickers with the correct number to form a picture. And My First Paint by Sticker is perfectly simple for this age group!

The Farm Friends book is spot on for kids who love cuddly farm creatures.

More Cool Toys for a 5 Year Old Girl who has Everything

When looking for toys for a 5 year old who has everything, think about things they might not have yet – classics with a spin, new releases, educational toys, and collectibles.

Emmers Emotion Seekers Game

5 is an age where little ones are navigating big feelings in a big way – and building the skills to resolve them. Emmers creates games and books that are rooted in developmental psychology.

The Emotion Seekers game is a very simple, easy to learn game that feels familiar but has a totally unique spin. It opens up feelings about emotions and how kids (or even adults) might feel in certain situations, having kids decide what that might be, which can help them understand reactions and how to navigate them.

Game play is simple: Flip over a card and read the story (a grown-up should guide the game if kids are non-readers). Kids choose emotion tokens (the instructions suggest starting with only four simple ones- though the game comes with 18) to correspond and move spaces according to the card directions.

The design is modern but still colorful, playful, and kid-friendly. And the moving pieces are sturdy wooden peg dolls.

Large as Life Puzzles with Trivia

Puzzles are a huge developmental tool at the 5-year-old-stage, and while kids might need help, they absolutely love the satisfaction of doing them at this age! Large as Life creates trivia puzzles in the shape of the animals they feature. This Red Panda measures 3 feet across and features a furry creature that my kids fell in love with!

Each piece has a trivia fact on the back, and some of the pieces are special shapes just to make things more fun.

And to simplify things for younger kids, it comes with a diagram that color codes the puzzle into sections so that it can be worked on bit by bit. It’s a fabulous entry level into real puzzles, and is perfect for kids who love animals – and learning random facts about them!

Clixo

Clixo is an all-around favorite toy in our house, and A is just starting to love playing with it! They are flexible (origami-inspired) sturdy plastic pieces that connect together with magents on the rounded ends.

Because f the added element of flexibility, kids can create in new ways. And the connected ends can turn, making a fun and satisfying clicking sounds.

Ty Beanie Bouncers

Ready for a touch of nostalgia? We all grew up with Ty Beanie Babies – but not Beanie Bouncers!

These plush balls bounce surprisingly high and come in… well, everything! There are Beanie characters, with their own birthdays, and there are loads of favorite licenses. Harry Potter, Marvel, Baby Shark, Stitch, Bluey…

Choose their favorite character, decide on your budget, and choose accordingly! Fill a basket as a bundled gift or gift them in singles or doubles. A loves the purple cow (Daisy) and Bluey Beanie Bouncers best.

Clickeez Modular Keyboard Fidgets

I have a troubled relationship with collectibles: on the one hand, I love the idea of small prizes and gifts I can give them, but on the other, I don’t like when the entire play value is collecting. So collectibles with added play value are my favorite!

Clickeez are a brilliant fidget concept. Kids love clacking on keyboards, and these are like the old-school SUPER clackey kind. They are modular and can connect in different ways, and multiple sets can be connected.

Best books for a 5 year old girl

They say you can never have too many books… and while I’m starting to learn that there may be a point where you CAN have too many, that number is very high. These book picks (and book-ish gifts) are super fun gifts for a 5 year old girl who has everything!

Booksy

These small little characters contain a surprise inside: a mini book with an actual story inside! A loves her little Frozen Booksy and keeps asking for more!

This is another one of those fun collectible-type gifts that have a real purpose beyond collecting. They have loads of licenses so you can get the one that your little one loves.

3 Minute and 5 Minute Character Stories

A received Daniel Tiger’s 3-Minute Bedtime stories and Disney 5-minute stories as gifts and she has spent so many hours immersed in it! I have no idea if these are from the same publisher or not, but you can definitely look up the recipient’s favorite character – there are many of these.

I’m Sorry You Got Mad

Yes, this book is as passive aggressive as it sounds! It’s about learning how to apologize properly, taking an “I’m sorry you got mad” apology and turning it into a genuine one .The drawings are vivid and the message is clear.

What Kind of Shoes Does a Hippopotamus Choose?

I met Kat Maconie, the author of this book at an event. Her bold shoes are iconic, and this book features loads and loads of them. It’s the kind of book that adults will enjoy as well – as they’ll discover new details in the pictures each time. It’s fun and humorous and my kids love it.

Got any more ideas for gifts for a 5 year old who has everything? Comment below!

The post Gifts for a 5 Year old Girl who has Everything appeared first on Moms and Crafters.

What makes the best gift ideas for a wife? Read on for some super cool, special, and personalized picks! Then check out these gifting ideas for Mother’s Day for more ideas. This post contains affiliate links and gifted product.

Every husband knows it. You can just walk into a jewelry shop, ask for help, and buy the wife some bling. But what about when you’re looking for something more unique?

Today I’m going to share with you some of the best gift ideas for a wife – including if you’re looking for just a little something – a smaller gift – or a big birthday, anniversary, or holiday gift!

But first, some quick advice on how to choose!

Tips for finding the best gift ideas for a wife

The cool thing about buying a gift for a wife is that it can be really personal. You know what she likes (and if you don’t, find out quick!!) My hope is that at least one thing on this list will catch your attention but first, here are some quick tips.

Small vs. large gifts

Not all gifts are created equal. There are times when you are looking to surprise her with something sweet – but don’t want it to be flowers again. If gift giving is her (or your) love language, these small tokens can go a long way.

You’ll find some of these in this list of best gift ideas for a wife. These are also great for occasions where gift giving is appropriate but you’re on a budget. We tend to take this approach with Hanukkah gifts, when the real tradition is gifts for the kids, but we sometimes like to surprise each other.

Then there are the real occasions, where you want to buy her sometime truly special. For those occasions, jewelry might be a “default” but there are so many other ways to go – and I’ll highlight them below.

There are also those in between, when you want a real nice gift but not something that’s a zillion dollars.

Figure out your goal and your budget before purchasing, and it’ll help you figure things out faster.

Pointers and categories to look out for

Here are some general categories (besides for the more specific themes highlighted below) that you can look out for that make fabulous gifts:

• Kits or gift boxes of basics – If she has too much “stuff”, give her a kit of basics that she uses regularly. It features the thrill of unboxing presented in a beautiful, giftable package.

• Higher end and luxury versions of essentials – One of my favorite gifts that my husband bought me was high end sneakers, that really helped my physical activity and comfort levels. I have a couple of spins on this but it’s a great approach for the wife that won’t just splurge on these things on her own.

• Hobbies and interests – This is my favorite starting point for all gift giving! Is she a crafter? Gift something crafty! Is she a foodie? Gift a super cool kitchen thing. Is pickleball her religion? I have something super cool for you on this list! When scrolling through my best gift ideas for a wife, keep these things in mind when you spot what interests her – it’s probably a great gift!

• Things that make her life easier – My husband is often hesitant to purchase anything that’s household related – it feels too domestic – “here’s a mop, now clean!” But another favorite gift of his was the robotic vacuum… If it’s something pricier that you KNOW she’s been eyeing and will make the chores she already does simpler, it’s a great gift. But you need to know your customer.

• Personal gifts – And with wives, you can also go more personal. Since you know her well, there are fewer boundaries with gift giving.

18 best gift ideas for a wife (from a wife!)

Best Foodie Gifts for a wife

If your wife considers cooking an art, good food an asset, and enjoys hosting, here are some favorite gifts!

Smithey NO. 12 Grill Pan

She’ll tell you: not all cookware is created equal and Smithey leads the pack in real cookware. Their 12 inch cast iron grill pan is fabulous especially as the weather cools and trust me, she does NOT want to stand in the snow grilling those arayes to perfection.

Pro husband tip: do NOT wash this pan for her, or put it in the dishwasher (trust me, bro.) She needs to build up that seasoning.

Smithey’s unique polished cast iron solve a lot of cast iron woes, and on this grill pan, the ridges are polished for easy food release. They are wide, allowing for better grill marks and the diagonal angle make it even cooler.

Gina DeSantis Ceramics Palo Santo Crater Serving Bowl

As someone who hosts frequently, I can never have enough serveware, and Gina Desantis Ceramic’s Palo Santo Crater serving bowl is large enough to feed a crowd! Plus it’s an absolute showstopper. It serves as a gorgeous table centerpiece for fruit or dried florals.

The gorgeous texture on the outside is rustic but the light color keeps it fresh. The inside is smooth, a must for cleanability, with the exterior lending it its personality.

Handcrafted ceramics make functional art – so if your wife appreciates real art, this is a winning gift.

Copper Moon Coffee Galactic Gift Set

When coffee is your saving grace, as coffee is mine twice daily, a coffee focused gift is always a win! Copper Moon Coffee’s Galactic Gift Set not only has a cute and quirky theme but it turns incredible, smooth coffee into a gift! It’s a family-owned company and is my new favorite.

They offer a few varieties – including ground, beans, and single serve cups, and flavored versions of the same – and each pack comes with 3 few roast strengths. It also has a camping mug and a 16 oz Hydro Flask – which is the perfect size for us “big cup drinkers.” In fact, it’s my new go-to “carpool coffee” mug. And just to make things a little more fun, there are stickers as well.

Best Beauty Gift Ideas for a Wife

One of the easier elements of purchasing for a wife is that you can really be a bit more personal. While some beauty finds are often individual, you know your wife well, so go ahead and treat her!

Nail Reformation Press-on Nails

For the wife that loves to always have her nails done… Nail Reformation is the way to go! Find out which shape and size she loves and get her a gorgeous set of glue-on nails from Nail Reformation!

These beautiful nails have fun but classy designs and include everything needed for application and removal. Each set can be reused up to three times! And after Ihad already photographed these, I discovered that there was another layer below the top layer – for a total of 30 nails per set!

The designs pictured are Turtle Pie, Sun Stone, and Bloody Mary.

FACTORFIVE Night Retinol Cream

Every woman needs a good night cream, and FACTORFIVE Night Retinol Cream delivers incredible made-in-the-USA science. It features ethically-sourced adult human stem cell factors as well as a 0.25% retinol for a luxurious and effective skin treatment for fine lines, spots, and other signs of aging.

This award-winning cream is a treat for my night time routine and is a luxurious gift that she’ll love. It doesn’t feel greasy and comes in a beautiful box, with an innovative pump that keeps the product clean.

This is a treatment with visible results in about a month, and is a fabulous gift for the wife who is struggling with changes to her appearance but is avoiding more dramatic treatments.

Caring for Mama Glow Box

One of my favorite gift concepts is the idea of a bundled gift. When you know that your wife likes pampering and beauty-related finds, the Caring for Mama Glow Box turns items like hand cream, shea butter, lip balms and more into a gorgeous and pampering gift. I do recommend purchasing this for a woman who prides herself in her status as mama, even though this is not focused on parenting products.

In the Glow Box you have a carefully curated selection of beauty and wellness splurges including: Vaihea 8-Acid Daily Peel, Havyn HOPE: Comforting Collagen Hand Cream, Tēthos Thin Mint: Chocolate Mint Tea, Societea Golden Tea Infuser to go with it, Solterra Tribe Lip Bloom, Mom’s Stuff Protective Day Face Balm, Good Earth Soap Sugar Body Scrub, and an Isabella MG Handmade greeting card.

Besides for the thrill of unboxing such a set, each item is uniquely useful to a woman’s self-care regimens. There were small touches – like dried lavender – and its beautifully packaged too.

Use code MENUCHA for 10% off!

M2U NYC Makeup Essentials Kit

For the woman who enjoys trying new cosmetics and will always enjoy a new lip gloss, the M2U NYC replenishes her cosmetic bag while giving her the chance to try new things. And since it’s a ready-made set, the giftability factor is way high.

The kit comes with their BKB Eyeshadow Palette (with some gorgeous neutrals), Jelly Highlighter, Eyeshadow Primer – a favorite of mine that helps my eyeshadow last all day, Tubing Mascara (award-winning!), Cream Blush, and Matte Liquid Lipstick.

It’s an all-in-one makeup set and makes a fabulous gift idea for a wife who is trying to up her beauty routine and is ready to add some new products to her makeup stash.

Comfort & Sleep Gifts for a Wife

For years, I know my husband’s dream gift to be able to gift me was the gift of good sleep. While this is a bit of a stretch, comfort gifts are like a constant hug, and if they add a few hours of sleep to her week, it’s priceless.

Manta Sleep Sleep Mask SOUND with Bluetooth earbuds

Manta is known for their innovative sleep masks that cushion the eyes, providing total darkness without the eye pressure. Their Manta SOUND Sleep Masks take it to the next level, with super thin bluetooth speakers that fit in little slots right by the ears.

One of the silly caveats of sleep masks that have prevented them from working for me was that they are so uncomfortable. Manta Sleep fixes that with their unique masks. But for those of us who enjoy sound to help us sleep, earbuds kind of kill that vibe – especially for side sleepers.

With Manta SOUND, now we can play our white noise, music, boring podcast, or whatever helps us sleep right from the mask, without anything in our ears. The buttons on this are integrated and don’t disturb. The battery notifications aren’t audible – they won’t beep in our sleep. It has 24 hour battery life at the maximum volume, so it won’t matter if she falls asleep with it on. And it’s made from a knit mesh to breathe better. It even has an extra removable head strap to secure it better.

1i4 Group Microwavable Heated Slippers

As someone with bad feet, I always enjoy a cozy pair of house slippers. But when the weather really feels cold, or if I’ve been on my feet for a long time, my feet an really use that extra comfort. If your wife struggles with the same, 1i4 Group’s microwavable heated slippers are a winning gift.

They’re incredibly soft and have a millet seed filling that heats up when microwaved and retains its heat to sooth aching feet. It’s lavender infused for an added aromatherapeutic touch.

Designed for downtime (they’re too heavy to use as house slippers and are ideal for “foot therapy”) they are also an incredibly cozy gift for the winter, when even a good heating system can’t always keep the toes warm. It’s like a heated blanket just for the feet.

CozyThrow💤™

CozyThrow💤™ has remade the idea of a good snuggle on the couch with a throw blanket. They did this by adding hand and foot pockets to allow you to completely wrap into it. But you can still have access to your hands while swaddling yourself with the CozyThrow thanks to the fingertip openings.

Imagine sitting wrapped on the couch with a blanket that completely envelops you – and stays that way – while still able to man the remote, scroll on your phone… your wife will love it! It’s incredibly soft and plush too.

Pro Tip: if your wife happens to have an adorable toddler, you can get them a matching set for together cuddles – it’ll be in epic gift! The CozyCo💤™ is a child-size version of the same that’ll completely charm them both!

Best Fashion and Accessories Gifts for a Wife

Wearables are one of my favorite gifts to receive (did I mention the sneakers above?) For some you’ll need to know her style – or the gist of it – and for some you won’t. Look for luxury items, things she won’t easily spend on her own. For every woman that price point can be different, and the cool thing is, that fashion and accessories come in a huge range of price points!

LUCYD Smart Glasses

For busy women, hands-free tools are a win! LUCYD smart glasses can be purchased with a prescription or without, and come in such beautiful styles! They allow me to listen to podcasts while working or folding laundry (earbuds are cool, but I lose mine. I always have my glasses on…) They allow me to still hear what’s going on around the house.

I can answer calls and hear maps directions directly in my ear when driving, and I just love the convenience of always having that on my face. It has AI capabilities too, including live translation. It integrates with the phone’s live voice assistant to provide touch-free assistance.

Tip: For sizing, measure a pair of her glasses or sunglasses that fits well.

Anne Cate Skyline Mini Wallet Emergency Kit

For a small handbag accessory gift that’s SO practical but also personal, try Anna Cate. This little handbag emergency kit features everything she might need in a small and compact pouch. Think: Shout wipes, lip balm, hand sanitizer, face wipes, a ponytail holder, mini sewing kit, nail file, and more!

Their Skyline series allows you to choose her favorite city and gift one that’s really meaningful to her. This is a beautiful and practical gift that really will touch her, especially if she’s living far from home. Or better yet: if there’s a prominent city where you met, it’s a great addition to an anniversary gift.

bbFonts Makeup Bag or Tote

For the wife that enjoys design, bold patterns, and an infusion of color in her life, bbFonts takes the boring out of bags! Their bold prints come in multiple bag types so go ahead and choose her favorite!

Their Betty cosmetics bag is so spacious (bonus points if you fill it with makeup that I linked above) and even has an extra long vegan leather zipper pull. It’s made of textured canvas with a denim lining, and has a sturdy metal zipper.

This market tote is made out of durable cotton canvas, and sturdy cotton handles. It’s a zippered bag with inner pockets – for a major upgrade on a well-made bag.

Choose the print that you think SHE’LL like best – my favorite is the Sunshine Day print!

Hat Country Abilene Rawhide Cowgirl Boots

You don’t need to be country to love a good pair of cowgirl boots! The beautiful tone-on-tone stitching and gorgeous dark leather on the Abilene Rawhide Cowgirl Boots from Hat Country makes this grudging city-dweller almost smell the grass. I’ve been wearing them around and getting the compliments piled on.

If leather is her love language, these boots will be a winning gift. The scalloped top adds a lovely feminine touch, and the boot comes in so many small variations that you can choose the detail type she likes best. Hardware? Color? Contrast stitching? Simple like mine? They’ve got it!

Sizing tip: purchase according to another pair of boots – sometimes people size boots up since they’re more often worn with socks.

Luvons Luxury Slides

Luvons is a mom-owned business that creates gorgeous comfortable slides that can be worn both in and out. These slippers are machine washable and look like shoes but are hugs for her feet. The Devon slippers were originally designed for shoe-free homes, to offer a beautiful option that doesn’t feel ugly.

While my own home is not shoe-free, the Luvons are a win for my fussy feet for both indoors and out. They slide right on and provide arch support and warmth, with a fully structured sole that allows them to be safely worn out as well.

They come in a few colors in velvet, raffia, and silk textures. They are machine washable and even come with a washbag to clean them in! And for lack of a better way to describe them: they look rich. They are understated elegance combined with comfort – a win for the fashionable wife who still cares about her feet.

Best Health & Fitness Gifts for a Wife

Discovering that I am prediabetic kind of shook me: I’m a busy mom, with little time to food prep and exercise, and now, to be a good mom, I had to take time to care for myself. Whether your wife is into wellness or health due to lifestyle choice or due to lack of choice, these picks will really help.

Rukstr Element Weighted Vest

Rucking is an exercise trend with purpose: it refers to walking with a weighted vest on to get more out of the walk. However, many rucking vests are cumbersome and bulky. Rukstr’s vests are well made – supportive, compact, not bulky, and designed for a woman’s body. They have two straps and pockets and clips for devices and accessories.

My core exercise routine is basically just getting my son to day care and being able to get more out of that walk is priceless to my help! Rukstr fits under the hoodie I wear in chiller weather and has been giving me a workout even if I’m tired and go slow.

Whether she enjoys a good new workout tool or can use the boost in her existing routine, Rukstr is a fabulous gift for wives!

USE CODE MENUCHA FOR 10% OFF!

FIT KING Advanced Foot and Leg Air Massage Boots

Part of increasing my exercise routine is the after-effects: I’m on my feet a lot already, and did I mention that they ache?

FitKing makes high end recovery tools but their full-leg massage boots are my favorite! They use air to compress and decompress the boots, allowing for massage all along the leg.

They are HSA and FSA eligible and offer various intensity modes. There are also two massage modes – circulation and sequence and you can set a timer as well. I find them easy to put on and take off and I’ve truly been enjoying this – a treat after a hard walk or a long day.

Tip: If you’re unsure of sizing, measure a pair of her jeans that fits well.

FIT KING Compression Knee Massager with Heat

If she particularly has knee issues, or you’re looking for something on a smaller scale, the Fit King knee massager is another great gift idea for a wife. It features heat in addition to the compression massage and also has intensity settings.

This one is also HSA and FSA eligible. It can be used together as a set, or separate them and use them individually. Each knee gets its own settings with its own control unit. And this one doesn’t need to be sized specifically – it has an adjustable strap for best fit.

The Pretty Pickleball Company Rotten to the Core Paddle

If to your wife Pickleball is not just a hobby but a way of life, The Pretty Pickleball Company’s high end paddles are for her! They are limted-edition fairy-tale inspired collectibles, but you don’t need to go all Princess on her! The Wretched collection features sassy styles, like this Rotten to the Core paddle that I chose.

It comes in a beautiful book-style box that fits right onto the shelf. Don’t let the gorgeous print fool you – this paddle is the real deal! It’s a T700 raw carbon fiber paddle with a diamond grit matte finish – appropriate for beginners AND competitive players alike. The handle is ergonomic and easy-to-grip. The premium polymer honeycomb core and balanced weight make it responsive and reliable.

Got any more best gift ideas for a wife to add to the list? Comment below!

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Looking for some top gifts to get a 9 year old boy for his birthday or for the holidays? These gift ideas for nine year olds are fun and fabulous – and definitely a step up from the best birthday gifts for 8 year old boys! This post contains affiliate links and compensated products.

As kids get older, it can get tougher to purchase gifts for them. Today, I’m sharing some of our top gifts to get a 9 year old boy, tried and tested by my very own, M. This post was originally published in 2022, and is being updated in 2025 with toys and gifts that Y tested. Since they have different personalities, I am able to offer even more good ideas.

I also share some insight into what’s a good gift for a 9 year old boy.

Now, I need to address the elephant in the room: the boy bit. As I mom, I believe in giving my children all sorts of experiences. And as the mother of a boy who loves to craft, I can definitely relate to the struggle of having a child who likes things outside of stereotypical norms.

I label my gift guides “for boys” or “for girls” for one very honest reason: it’s how my posts have a shot of ranking on Google. I’m not in the big leagues. I’m just a mom sharing ideas. And when you’re a smaller website, you need to be as specific in your posts as possible.

So since it’s my boy testing it, I’m labeling this gift guide as one for boys.

However, many of these ideas are fabulous for girls as well! It’s based primarily on M and Y’s interests and capabilities. So if you happen to be the parent or grandparent of a girl who would love these, I hope you enjoy the ideas as well.

Finally, these make fabulous birthday gifts and year round ideas for gifts to get a 9 year old boy. I purposely keep things non-seasonal and open for year-round use, to make this a fabulous 9 year old birthday boy gift guide as well.

Enjoy!

What’s a good gift for a 9 year old boy?

When looking for gifts to get a 9 year old boy, you’re at a huge advantage if you know the things he loves. Does he have a favorite character? Is he STEM-inclined? Is he creative or artistic? Is he more the active type?

Note: none of these gifts are sports related because M does not enjoy playing sports. However, for a child who is interested in sports, new equipment can be a fabulous gift.

Gadgets are ALWAYS a win with gifts to get a 9 year old boy. Always. I mean, which 9 year old doesn’t love something that does something? Have you ever given a child a toy and had them ask “but what does it DO?” They don’t necessarily do. They want the TOY to do.

This is the age to go back to exploring non-toy gift options as well. You don’t get adults toys, and as kids get older, they start to appreciate non-toy items as well – as long as it’s within their interest range.

Hobby Gifts for 9 Year Old Boys

Hobbies are a great place to start with gift giving in general – and 9 year old boys are no different!

If you have a 9 year old who loves creating – whether it’s crafting, art, or just putting things together, these top picks will be winning gifts! Y is my creative guy and so many craft kits seem so girl-targeted. We’re always excited when we find something more neutral or that directly suits their interests!

And even if their hobby isn’t creative (think sports) it’s the perfect place to start with gift giving!

3Doodler Start+ Essentials 3D Pen Set for Kids

We are such big fans of 3Doodler and my kids are thrilled about the Start+ pen for kids! How epic is it that kids can use this 3D printing pen safely?

A 3D pen is kind of like a 3D printer but the “hand-drawn” version of it. You’re melting filament to create 3 dimensional objects that can be connected to each other with more filament.

The pen doesn’t get hot at all on the outside and comes with a template sheet. Kids can make all sorts of cool creations, including the dog cord wrap pictured below.

Marvel™ Superheroes Diamond Painting Stickers

Diamond painting is a mesmerizing hobby and when my kids saw this Marvel sticker set, they were hooked! They loved watching me do my diamond painting, but were a bit intimidated by it. These stickers are small and make a functional end project.

The kit comes with everything kids need to make 15 superhero stickers – including the rhinestones, the applicator tools, putty, a gem sorting tray…

And there’s even enough to share with a sibling. My kids are making these to decorate their binders and folders for school. You can save 20% off your first purchase with Diamond Art Club® – use the discount code MOMS20.

Stomp Rocket Stomp N Pitch Baseball Pitching Machine for Kids 

For the kid whose hobby is sports, this super cool low tech baseball pitching machine is the baseball equivalent to shooting hoops in the driveway! It comes with plastic balls and bat – keeping it totally safe- and a stomp and pitch device. Just stomp on the button and it winds up, giving your kid a moment or two to get ready and then pops up a ball.

Y has been loving the ability to practice his hitting without having to wait on someone to help him with it. It’s been getting him outdoors, and has been a winner for us.

Geomag Mechanics Challenge Strike

For the kid whose hobby is STEM and making things that work, Geomag is a win! It’s the type of toy that you can constantly expand on! M loves building their “machines”.

These low tech cause-and-effect builds are made from plastic interlocking components, magnetic connectors, and metal (not magnetic) balls.

In the smaller Mechanics Challenge Goal set, you build a magnetic cannon and a goal. It’s not just about building it – it’s fun to play with when you’re done too!

This game is a fabulous way to teach about the forces that you don’t see – but you see the affects of: magnetism and gravity. But, again, the kids don’t need to know you’re teaching!

Game Gifts for a 9 Year Old Boy

Games are the perfect gifts to get a 9 year old boy. They are at an age where social skills are already quite strong but can still use some help, and the cooperation needed for game play is a great way to develop them. And even single player puzzle games help build patience, math, and computing skills.

Qwirkle Board Game

Quirkle feels like a mashup of dominoes and Rummikub and is a really easy to learn game. Each player starts with some tiles on their display. Players place tiles in the center to connect to the existing rows/setup.

The more matches in a row you get, the more points you score.

Points are tallied on a 1-100 score board, with each player’s game piece moving up a number as they score. The first to reach 100 wins.

Quirkle follows easy and familiar concepts, with logical rules that kids can pick up easily. While not super fast, the game play is quick enough to retain their attention and it’s a game that feels like a classic but is totally fresh!

Dōteki – Tabletop Battles

If you’re looking for a game that is truly innovative and unique – and not a typical board game – TOMY has your back with their new game Dōteki. This battle system feels like it’s part pinball, part table hockey, with a video-game inspired twist, and lots of fun.

The goal is to hit the target behind your opponents flippers. When you hit it, the health key moves over a notch and the player loses a life. When all lives are lost, the health key ejects and releases the band and that player’s Dōteki character falls.

We got to try out the Dōteki Battle Training Pack and Multiplayer Battle Pack and it has everything a 9 year old loves in a toy! It’s got trading cards, a little healthy (but doable) competition, and even some simple setup that’s right up Y’s alley – and part of the fun!

The system is modular. All the battle systems are compatible and expand to fit more players, making it super fun for Y who is very social! It features suction cups (play on a good, smooth surface) and a controller with flippers for each player that you use to hit the ion balls at your opponent’s target. The game play is familiar but fresh, and features lots of active fun.

The Trainer packs make great add-ons, definitely start with a multiplayer pack at least – and expand your set with the trainer packs, or add them later as additional gifts.

Disco Island Escape Board Game

Hootenanny games tend to be quirky with fun themes – and totally unique, and Disco Island Escape is no different. Lemurs need to boogie to safety to escape the volcano on Disco Island. My boys love to boogie and this game got them going!

Each player has four lemurs, and needs to move them from the center of the board to the corner, using the lava streams. Moves are played by matching the symbols on one of the players cards to the symbols on the lava streams.

But of course, it’s not just about matching – you’re color mixing too! Secondary colors can be played by combining the colors that make that one (for example, yellow and blue play green). But there are twists! Boogie to safety if you score that card – meaning, your lemur gets to exit the stream. Displace another lemur to send them right back to Disco Ball Mountain. Then flip it over to the “groovy” color side, and they can now move through two consecutive streams with a single card.

The game play rules are that you need to get three of your lemurs to safety – but you can modify! Make game play faster or do practice rounds with one or two lemurs. Add to the challenge by requiring all lemurs to escape.

This is such a fun game for 9 year old boys who love anything disco or dance themed, and is really easy to learn and play. And it’s a fabulous game for those who already have a big stash of games and need something totally unique!

Hootenanny Early Bird

For kids that like really quick, rapid games that include a little physical activity, Early Bird is a new release from Hootenanny that includes it all! It comes with a squishy worm and a deck of cards.

The goal is to be the first to empty your hand of “bird food” cards to win that round. Numbers are placed sequentially on a pile, or match the card to reverse the play direction.

To play a challenge card, you need to shout the name and then race to complete the action: flap wings to move playing positions, make a bird house by leaning two cards against each other, etc. The best challenge card is the worm card. When played, the player throws it across the room and other players need to race to find it.

The rounds go really fast and while the official game is five rounds, once again, you can play fewer or more to increase or decrease game length.

Early Bird is a fabulous game for kids with a shorter attention span or who need to move a little, or for larger groups (up to six players).

Smart Games IQ Stixx and IQ Six Pro

Two brothers close in age does not mean that they coordinate their game play! That’s why we love Smart Games solo puzzle games. Not only do they work the brain, but no collaboration is required. And yes, while we love when they get along, they do sometimes need personal space!

They’re travel-friendly and fun through adulthood.

Smart Games IQ Stixx features sticks with grooves in very specific locations. The booklet features 120 different starting layouts and you need to figure out how to place the rest of the sticks so that they fit.

IQ Six Pro follows the same pattern, with 2D and 3D challenges. You need to either place all the pieces to fill the slots, or build a pyramid.

Gadget Gifts for a 9 Year Old Boy

Which little guy doesn’t love a good gadget? My experience with gifts for 9 year old boys is… “what does it do?” Yes, that is a typical question they ask. They expect their toys to DO stuff. If you’re going for that angle, here are some favorite electronic toys and gadgets that are fabulous for this age group.

Silverlit ROBO DASH D Interactive Robotic Puppy

Y still loves RCs at 9, but we’re getting past the point of a plain old remote control car really nailing it. But this robotic dog is insanely cute, elicits lots of laughs, and is totally innovative!

Forget that slinky-inspired body – that on its own won Y over. But the coolest part of this toy is the sensor. If you toss the ball past it, it’ll actually follow it! And yes, the ball is the remote too – very ergonomic and easy to use.

But ROBO DASH D goes beyond remote control – it’s got gesture controls too! It wags and chases its tail, fetches, walks, avoids obstacles, and more!

Since the dog will follow the ball, you can simply walk and the dog will follow – no need to use the remote for every movement.

Tamagotchi R2D2

Welcome back to your childhood – but an epic version of it! If you’re faced with a gadget-loving Star Wars fan, the R2-D2 Tamagotchi is the perfect under 20 gift choice! It’s pretty much the “keep your pet alive” toy we grew up on, only you need to keep R2-D2 clean and charged, of course. He’s a robot, he doesn’t eat!

It features 19 skills to learn and seven mini games to play. The key chain goes right on your kid’s back pack and it’s the perfect little travel toy for your 9 year old.

Thames & Kosmos Code + Control Robo Dozr

If you’re looking for gifts to get a 9 year old who loves to take things apart – and build new things, Thames & Kosmos makes the best STEM robotic kits! We have loved them for years, and M is a master at assembling them.

He enjoyed the Code + Control Robo Dozr – it’s one of his favorites to date. Assembly was very straightforward. He was able to do it on his own, only asking me to hold things a couple of times when he needed an extra set of hands. This is a very involved building kit, and the assembly is a major part of the play value.

The manual is kid-friendly and easy for M to follow along in We also love the additional education

However, it doesn’t end there. When you’re done building, you’re left with a really cool programmable RC car! And it’s all on the control – no device needed for this one.

You can either use it as you would a traditional RC, or code it with sequences. The Robo Dozr features, lights, sounds, and everything your nine year old loves in a new toy!

Osmo Coding Starter Kit

If you’re not yet an Osmo family, you’ll want to put that emphasis on the yet.

Kids will want their screen time – it’s one of the inevitable facts of life. But there are so many opportunities for learning with devices. One of my favorites is the Osmo system. You get a tablet stand and reflective piece that positions your device and angles your camera just so that it can read what’s on the table in front of the device. The app interacts with and “understands” the pieces it reads through the camera.

That way your child doesn’t need to have their nose in their tablet the whole time. They can do, manipulate, and interact in a more authentic manner. And the kids think it’s the coolest thing!

Each kit’s pieces comes neatly packed in its own storage case.

The Osmo Coding Starter Kit (starter because it comes with the basic stand/camera reflector) features coding tiles that your child can use to give cues within the game. Three compatible apps (which don’t cost extra) are at three different levels, extending the play.

It’s fabulous for the child who hasn’t started with coding yet and wants to know how his – or her -gadgets work! This is one of my favorite gifts to get a 9 year old boy!

Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3: Slime Speedway

If you’ve got a 9 year old who has everything, why not get something to go with one of his favorite gadgets?

One of the hot games this holiday season, Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3 allows your child to race their favorite characters in an action packed game. It features Nickelodeon shows such as SpongeBob SquarePants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Avatar: The Last Airbender and more. Play with up to four players locally or twelve online.

Non-toy Gifts to get a 9 year old boy

At this stage, non-toy gifts can actually be pretty darn cool. You just need to know what the kid likes. Here are some non toy gifts to get a 9 year old boy that are totally cool.

Timex Camo Watch

Which little guy doesn’t feel incredibly smart with a timepiece on their wrist? We love Timex watches for a good, budget-friendly but decent quality watch for kids.

A poster or bedroom wall art

Let them personalize their bedrooms to their interests! Some thought starters: favorite games, movies, athletes… or just opt for something motivational or artsy!

Books

As kids get older, we tend to lean into gifting books as gifts more. I started picking up copies of Calvin & Hobbes for friends’ birthdays and requesting Garfield from grandparents who ask what to buy. Kids can read these again and again, they FEEL like a toy-type gift, and they’re not very clutter-creating.

Some ideas:

• Newer graphic novels, such as Dav Pilkey’s Dog Man series, Investigators, Hi-lo
• Older comics such as Calvin & Hobbes and Garfield
• Interest-based books, such as Minecraft or Pokemon guides, STEM activities, animal fact books.
• Classic boxed gift sets of whole series, such as Harry Potter.

What are your favorite gifts to get a 9 year old boy? Comment below!

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This Gladly Family wagon review will share you all you need to know about the Anthem 2 and Anthem 4 stroller wagon series. When you’re done, check out my best baby sprinkle gift ideas too! This post contains affiliate links.

Every time I walk through the streets using our Gladly stroller wagon, people always ask me about it. “Is it really good? Can you wheel it on beach sand? Is it easy to push?”

I decided it’s about time I write up an in-depth Gladly Family wagon review, featuring the Anthem 2. Most of what I’ll write applies to the Anthem 4 as well.

Just so you know: I’ve been using this already for close to two years, so I’ve got a good, thorough take on all the pros, cons, and using it with a newborn, 1 year old, 2 year old, 3 year old, AND 4 year old (between two kids).

I’ll over the good, the not-so-good, who it’s best for, what you need to know BEFORE buying, and more

Please note: I did receive a sample for inclusion in a post almost two years ago, so while I did not purchase this myself, I am well past my relationship working with this company, and creating this review of my own accord. I am going to be 100% honest here.

I AM an affiliate and yes, I earn a commission if you purchase through my link. If you find this review helpful and DO decide to purchase this, I ask that you please do so by clicking through my link – it’s how I am able to create honest reviews without requiring compensation from the brand and turning it into a straight up ad.

Gladly Family Wagon Review – Overview

In a nutshell

The Gladly Family stroller wagon is a feature-rich, all-terrain stroller wagon. It’s a convertible pull or push wagon, with options for 2 seater or 4 seater styles.

Gladly Family includes some accessories and comes in many different colors.

Technical Details

• Dimensions open:  41″ L x 25.5″ W x 21.5″ H
• Dimensions closed: 41″ L x 25″ W x 16″ H
• Handle Height: 42.5″ 
• Price point (note – this is a range, prices constantly change): $450-600
• Weight: 34 lbs
• Passenger seat weight limit: 50lb each
• Wagon weight limit: 150 lb (including cargo)

General features

• 5 point harness
• Double canopies
• Includes a nap mat
• Includes a removable basket
• Includes a parent cupholder and storage bin
• 2 or 4 passenger versions
• Push or pull without switching handle direction – just release it with a button.
• Add-on Accessories available: infant adapter

Answering your questions

Since I said that people always stop me with questions, I figured I’d include a section in this Gladly Family wagon review answering specifically the questions we get when out and about with it.

Is the Anthem stroller wagon easy to push?

This is always the first question we get, due to its size and bulk. And the answer is yes/no. The push is very different from regular strollers. It is insanely smooth – much better than any double stroller I’ve pushed. It takes very sharp turns because the swivel of the wheels is in back, you can do a sharp 90 degree.

HOWEVER and this is a big HOWEVER – because it navigates so differently from other strollers, there is a big learning curve. And while you’re learning, you might get a bit stuck a couple of times. Not STUCK-STUCK, just enough that you’ll be like “oops, shouldn’t have done it like that” and maneuver a bit.

But once I learned the tricks – such as when you need to turn, it’s a bit deeper into the corner than on regular strollers – it was so much easier, because it took those sharp turns better than a double stroller would.

That’s why you’ll see some people saying “it’s impossible” and some saying “it’s the best”.

Can you use the Gladly Family wagon on the beach?

This is where I need to highlight the difference between pushing and pulling with such a wagon. A large part of your advantage with a stroller wagon over a double stroller isn’t just the all-terrain feature, it’s the pull feature.

So it can go over loose sand, rocks, etc – as long as you switch to pulling! It took a bit to figure this out (and if you don’t realize that you just need to pull it it can be frustrating) but once you do – game changer!

The same goes for bumpy spaces that don’t have good paths. We took it through Lancaster farms, zoos, rocky paths, etc. And again – game changer to be able to have a stroller go through this, especially on trips that are hard for older toddlers and preschoolers to walk.

However, since you can’t tilt it up like you would a stroller, it’s not well-suited to city curbs.

How does the Gladly Family Anthem fit in the car?

We have a minivan, and while it can fold down enough to fit in the trunk, it’ll take the whole trunk. That makes it impractical for everyday use (considering we fill the car up for carpools).

We usually put down a seat or two from the back row when taking it on trips.

Does it replace a double stroller?

It depends! For a four year old it will, because in most quick scenarios they’ll walk, and for “bigger trips” we’re happy to make the extra effort to take the wagon.

I actually keep a stroller with a sit/stand bench in the car for quick shopping trips. For neighborhood walks, at first I used an umbrella double when I just wanted something quick and in the winter. Now, we use the Gladly Family stroller wagon exclusively as our double stroller that we keep in the house.

Keep in mind that for infants, you do need an infant seat adapter, so it’s bulkier. Once the kid outgrows that and can sit, it’s definitely similar in size to more full-sized double strollers.

My personal Gladly Family wagon review

We’ve been using this wagon for a few years now, and we find it to be a game-changer in some situations, and not so practical in others. The kids absolutely love it.

We use it mainly on walks to the local park, walking-intensive family outings (think: amusement parks, zoos, etc), and now that our preschooler is a little bigger, we use it when she needs a double stroller, such as longer family walks. On trips, we can almost live out of it, making it so convenient to have.

I’ve used it on exercise walks as well, as I found it easier to push than my double strollers. While it’s a bit bulky to be a real stand-in for a double stroller, and would definitely supplement that, it’s definitely enough to allow you to get a cheaper travel-friendly double stroller.

We use it mainly seasonally, storing it away for the winter, and leaving it in a corner of our living room, quite annoyingly, throughout Spring, Summer, and fall.

The wagon has a weird feature. When pushing, you have the back wheels swiveling instead of the front wheels. I do think that this helps the pull feature be really good, however, this does make for some wide turns on city streets.

I didn’t know if I should put this into the “pros” section or the “cons” because sometimes I love this feature and sometimes it’s a bit of a pain, but now on to my pros/cons breakdown.

Pros: What I love about it

There are so many situations where I can’t imagine being without the Anthem2 stroller wagon.

For example, last year, Baby J was a year old, not walking, and we liked to spend our Saturday afternoons at the local park. But he’d get antsy sitting in the stroller. We’d open the nap mat in the wagon and let him play in there. It worked amazingly.

He’s also a redhead, and sun-sensitive, so the huge canopies are a major deal.

And then let’s take the beach. You can actually wheel it there! And kids who need a break from the sun and play can really break in it.

I love that the kids love being in it.

I love the ample storage.

I find it so much easier to lug and access piles of water bottles on summer trips, snacks, and more. I hang things from the handle and it doesn’t tip (but it does impact pulling).

It’s SO easy and seamless to switch from push to pull, and I get through tight corners once I learned how to navigate the 90 degree turns. It is quite easy to fold. It comes with the basic accessories, making it an all-in-one for a fair price, much cheaper than a comparable quality double stroller would be.

Their infant seat adaptor is also really easy to use, and it’s universal, fitting many brands with one easy piece. I purchased this part myself and it was a game-changer, allowing me to use it with Baby J from the newborn stage.

Cons: What I don’t love

It’s huge. I really wish it would fit more easily in the car – and that I can handle it myself – and fold smaller. While it’s smooth enough to bump down my front steps (without kids inside), I wish I could just carry it down.

I’m not really sure if I should include that weird wheel setup as a con, as I found that it makes it easier to wheel around tight city corners, but I know that for some buyers it can be a downside. It does prevent you from really being able to “tilt it up” a curb, however, you can flip around and pull it up.

Overview and Summary of my Gladly Family Wagon Review

My outtakes

While the Gladly Family wagon didn’t fully replace a double stroller at the infant/toddler stage, it was much better than one in some circumstances. It also DID replace our double stroller at the toddler/preschool stage.

I have been using it regularly for multiple years, storing it open in the corner of my living room throughout the warmer weather. My kids love it, I enjoy using it mainly for outings, longer exercise walks but not quick “run to the neighbors” or shopping trips with kids. It’s a “lug everything” while out and about and a game-changer for family trips.

In addition to the Gladly Family wagon, I used a travel umbrella double stroller only for the quick run to the neighbor type walks, and used (and still do) an inexpensive regular stroller with a toddler sit/stand bench built in for shopping.

It IS the ideal solution for us for family outings where we do lots of walking, and for longer walks, such as day camp pickups all over the neighborhood.

I learned how to navigate with it after a walk or two, and when I need to switch to pulling from pushing, mainly in bumpier/rougher ground. Usually it’s easy, but when city sidewalks are very cracked, I sometimes need to manipulate a bit.

Who it’s best for

The most important part of this Gladly Family wagon review: is this really the right choice for you.

I think that for families who need a real double stroller solution for very short term or in very specific circumstances like larger family trips, it’s perfect. It’s perfect for amusement parks, the zoo, beaches, longer/larger park trips, corn mazes, apple picking… I mean, it made the whole trip more pleasant for the family. So if you do a lot of this, you’ll swear by it.

If you have a larger family that might need it too – specifically multiple kids at the preschool and toddler stage, it’s fabulous, especially if you need a four seater (which, by the way, will be slightly larger and heavier than the two seater that I’m reviewing).

If you just want it instead of a double stroller, it’s probably not for you.

If you have an attached garage that you can just wheel it out of, it will actually be a much better choice for you (I need to carry it up and down steps each time).

In a nutshell: the Gladly Family anthem wagons are fabulous, more affordable than some competitors, and really durable. They are a great solution for an on-the-go lifestyle but won’t fully replace a double stroller for the infant stage, especially for city families.

Did you find this Gladly Family wagon review helpful? Got any questions to add or feedback of your own? Comment below!

The post Gladly Family Wagon Review – Anthem Stroller Wagon appeared first on Moms and Crafters.

Looking for gifts for the man that has it all? Whether it’s Father’s day, birthday, or holidays, I’ve got you covered with these fabulous finds and gift ideas! This post contains affiliate links and gifted product.qu

Why are men so hard to buy for?! When it comes to gifting ideas for Mother’s Day or for any of my own celebrations, anything pretty will work for me! But for men? Unless you have the ability to lay down five figures on a designer watch, it can be so hard!

And then go and try to find gifts for the man that has it all… you know that guy who just buys it if he feels like he wants it! So what do you buy for him?

Whether it’s Father’s Day (the inspiration for this post), birthday, anniversary, or holiday, these gifts for the man that has it all focus on a few elements that make them giftable!

Some are unique and innovative, some are just straight-up problem solvers that he might not have known about (and you might not either – which is why I’m sharing them here!) Some are luxurious versions of more basic items. And I included some “grown-up toys” too that are perfect for the guy that likes to have fun.

Whatever makes most sense for your guy makes the perfect gift for the man that has it all!

Tips for finding gifts for the man that has it all

A good gift is the one that is right for the man in your life. It fits in with his interests, preferences, and lifestyle. I tried to include a “perfect for” note on each of these gifts for the man that has it all so that you can really figure if it’s the right fit.

So while I loosely categorized these to make the idea list more skimmable, also read the bolded “best for:” tip – it’ll really help!

I recommend starting with a loose budget. I have ideas here up to a few hundred dollars – as well as under 20. Then look for broad interest. The table of contents above is clickable so that you can more easily browse.

Another tip for getting gifts for the man that has it all: don’t worry so much! If it’s a nice and thoughtful gift that generally fits with his lifestyle, then the gifting is its own kind gesture.

Skim the list and if there’s something that “clicks” and fits with your budget, go for that. And if it’s not that easy, think a little deeper into how he spends his day, what makes him relax, what he enjoys doing with is loved ones…

Meanwhile, I hope these ideas help! These gifts for the man that has it all come almost exclusively from small businesses!

Just a reminder that the gift that is right for one person isn’t for the next. Even when things are very similar: does Dad drink his coffee hot or cold? Is he a dress-up or dress-down kind of guy?

While I actively reviewed and assessed each one, my husband gave feedback and insights on what to include, what makes great gifts for the man that has it all, and what he thinks of them!

Who said men can’t have fun?

Maybe one of the issues we have with gifts for me is that we think too seriously? Enough with the ties! These gifts are for the man who likes to have a little fun at home, the kidult, or anyone who will enjoy a recreational gift that would have made his 12-16 year old self so happy – but still has all that grown-up appeal.

3Doodler Flow

Best for: the doodler who enjoys a little tinkering too.

I’m a longtime 3Doodler user – and remember when they invented the 3D pen. This unique gadget allows you to draw – but with plastic filaments instead of ink, to make real-life functional art.

Despite the accessibility of 3D printers, there’s something unique about the 3D pen! It gives you a hands-on approach – no designing or computer needed – just doodle. Once he builds up some basic 3doodling skills, he’ll be able to make much more advanced creations too.

For the man who enjoys making functional creations – labeling his keys, making little toys for the kids, creating themed figurines – the 3Doodler Flow is perfect. They upgraded their flagship model to use rolls of filament rather than sticks, and the pen comes with everything he’ll need to get started doodling.

3Doodler Pro

Best for: the creative man who really enjoys making things with his hands!

This more advanced version of the 3Doodler is the one I’ll recommend for the man who’s a bit more of a maker! It uses much more material types (wood, PLA, PHA, copper filaments, etc) and has more setting options as well as more fine-tuned speed controls. It also comes with different tip types. As a relatively novice 3Doodler myself, I love the ability to go faster with a wider flow!

Craft sculptures, jewelry, toys, home repairs, models, art… For the creative man this is like an illustration marker only you make real stuff!

There are loads of YouTube videos to help him build up his skills, and the 3Doodler Pro even comes with a base to work off of.

Again, one of my favorite things about the 3Doodler is that instead of having to plan a design before getting into the creating process, you dive right into crafting and can fix things as you go along. For the problem solver and DIYer, this is a win!

Would You Rather (From History) Card Game

Best for: The history geek or self-proclaimed political commentator. Use coupon code MOMSANDCRAFTERS for 10% off any game from Fun Fact Co.

Most history games are fact and knowledge based but this one is unique. Would You Rather? (from history) by Fun Fact Co is more of an analysis game – where would you rather place yourself in history?

Which bad scenario do you think would have better long term outcome? Which turbulent historical era would you rather have lived through? It’s a game that’ll generate lots of conversation – especially from the guy that has strong opinions!

I love this game for those moments that benefit from some conversation starters and good-natured arguing, and this game is fabulous for the professional debater – who’s not afraid to share his controversial take!

Use coupon code MOMSANDCRAFTERS for 10% off any game from Fun Fact Co.

LEGO Superman Keychain Light

Best for: The Superdad or DC Comics fan!

If you’re looking for a small-but-mighty gift, this LEGO Superman keychain is such a perfect gift – especially for Father’s Day (or Dad any day).

When looking for a gift for the man who has it all, you may be intimidated by thinking that you’ll need to break the bank, but a small but totally unique gift like this is meaningful and so sweet.

It’s not just fun for Superman fans, it’s also got a flashlight – the feet light up when you push the stomach!

While I had in mind as a fun gift for a Superdad, it’s fabulous for anyone who enjoys Superman, LEGO, or both!

Get Him a Little (or big) Something to Drink

When looking around for gifts for the man that has it all, you’d think that all men do is drink. That’s because it’s kind of true! Or at least it feels this way…

Whether he prefers something with a little buzz or a caffeinated boost, ditch the ceramic mug that says “#1 DAD” and go for these unique finds instead.

Each one serves an original function, and some of these can go great bundled together. Once again, read my “best for” tip to help you figure out which is the best for YOUR man.

Dragon Glassware x Yellowstone Glass Tumblers

Best for: Yellowstone fanatics!

Okay, here’s the deal: I don’t even watch Yellowstone (I watched like one episode and moved on) but if your guy does these tumblers are a WIN! I mean, I love them without watching Yellowstone!

Perfect for iced coffee (but great for other drinks too), they feature subtly colored (neutral amber and gray) ribbed glass and are just gorgeous. The glass straw is a stronger version of the glass color.

It features a leatherette sleeve embossed with the Yellowstone logo in one of the classiest and untackiest (yes, I’m using that even if it’s not a word) licensed bits I’ve seen. And my favorite part: it closes! The lid has a gulper section and a straw hole and they both actually seal shut.

GoodCook Koffe Stainless Steel French Press

Best for: Hot coffee Connoisseurs that enjoys handsome counter decor

This sleek French Press from GoodCook’s Koffe line shows that you can get form AND function in one handsome package!

The stainless steel coffee maker makes eight cups of hot coffee at once – the perfect amount for a small crowd. French Press is my favorite way to make coffee for a small crowd. The fine mesh filter keeps out the grinds, and it’s a low-tech and efficient way to make good, smooth coffee.

You can brew it for as long as you’d like, and it’s insulated, keeping it hot for multiple drinkers.

And just look at how gorgeous it is! Whether he’s living in his mancave, or he needs to concede some design decisions to her, this French press is going to be a winner.

ZULU Athletic – Goals Mammoth 101oz Stainless Steel Bottle

Best for: the guy who needs his hydration – and needs it cold!

Whether he’s an athlete, enjoys hiking, or just drinks a lot of water, the Zulu Goals Mammoth water bottle is just that – mammoth! It’s about as large as you can get without going for a full gallon.

He can fit his whole day’s worth of water in the bottle, and then choose from gulper or straw spouts (and switch them if he wants!) Both are leakproof.

And it even has a handle so that he can lug it around.

I love that the base is actually covered in silicone, protecting it from dents, especially given its size. And yes, it keeps drinks cold for a very long time!

Lardera Cold Brew Coffee Maker

Best for: the man who likes his coffee iced – and super smooth!

Not all iced coffee is the same, as cold-brew fanatics will tell you. If the man in your life likes his coffee cold, go ahead and introduce him to cold brew – for the smoothest, least acidic method of brewing coffee that I’ve personally tried. And if he already loves his cold brew – introduce him to making his own using the Lardera Cold Brew Coffee Maker.

The mesh insert does a fabulous job at containing those grounds, and unlike others I’ve tried, this one doesn’t have an opening at the top for grounds to escape from – it’s totally sealed!

The size is perfect for storing in the fridge and it makes about a week’s worth of cold brew for me.

All the details are in this one – from the flat and sleek lid, to the silicone grip that ensures you can pour it easily when it’s cold. Here’s to better cups of coffee!

For the Connoisseur

When men do food, they do it right – just ask my husband! If you have a guy in your life who likes his food just right, go ahead and give him one of these “foodie” gifts.

Whether he’s a drink connoisseur and only drinks his whiskey in the finest glasses, or he likes to drink an Old Fashioned, whether he’s the one who teaches you how to properly wash his cast iron, or he measures his ingredients in grams, these gifts are spot on for the man that has i tall.

Saludi Smoky Whiskey Glasses

Best for: Enjoys a drink with friends – and has class!

I mean, how gorgeous are these smokey whiskey glasses? I couldn’t just take one set of photos – I had to show them to you in different lighting settings! They are a subtle greige tint with that hint of color that’s unique but not quite “colorful”.

Husband’s favorite part of this? Each glass has its own design! Not only does that look gorgeous in your bar cabinet, but it serves a practical purpose: when you get together, everyone can recognize their glass.

It’s handcrafted with care and durable enough for real life. So, for the social drinker, the one that drinks his whiskey from a glass? This set of four whiskey glasses from Saludi is one of my favorite gifts for the man that has it all.

Crafthouse by Fortessa Smoking Cloche

Best for: he doesn’t just pour a drink – he crafts it.

You know those guys who don’t just pour a drink, they craft one? Whether he’s the kind of guy who likes an old-fashioned, or he pores over unique cocktails, this smoking cloche from Crafthouse by Fortessa is a luxurious addition to his bar setup.

Just connect the included smoking gun, fill it with wood chips – or any other smoking-friendly medium – and add that smoky flavor! Yes, you can use it for small food items, and the smoking gun disconnects and can be used for food in larger dishes as well.

The wood base with the glass dome looks fabulous displayed in an open bar or buffet setup – doubling as decor as well.

Smithey Cast Iron Dutch Oven with Polished Inside

Best for: He cooks – and when he does, he does it right. Maybe he’s even the sourdough maker in the house…

My husband doesn’t cook, but he has very specific things that he makes, including the sourdough. And the things that he makes, he makes just so.

Smithey’s Cast Iron Dutch Oven is unique: it has a polished inside that makes maintenance much easier. Plus, like everything else Smithey, it’s jaw-dropping gorgeous. I mean display-on-a-shelf and not in a cabinet gorgeous. Or just leave it on the stovetop…

So if your man who has it all enjoys making stews, braising meats, or baking artisan breads, this is a fabulous, luxurious gift idea. It’s build to last literally forever, made in the USA, features a stainless steel knob that is ovenproof, and is a win.

The lid has channels that redirects moisture to the dish, and the non-stick inside is what really sets this apart.

Unique but Practical Gifts for the Man Who Has It All

If you’re trying to buy something for the kind of guy who’s just too practical to really gift anything luxurious, you need to start thinking unique! Think of those everyday problem solvers that are super functional but have a unique twist!

Uniball Kuru Toga Mechanical Pencils

Best for: the man who jots things down IRL!

For as long as I can remember, my father kept a high quality pencil and pad in his shirt pocket to jot down any and all important things. He still does things this way. Uniball majorly leveled up the mechanical pencil game with their Kuru Toga line, and it’s pefect for the guy who still pencils it in – or anyone who appreciates premium writing instruments.

While most mechanical pencils give you a blunt tip to write with, Kuru Toga features an internal rotating engine that sharpens the lead. And Uniball’s diamond infused lead is stronger and darker than typical lead. You can gift these individually or as a set.

Quartet Glass Dry Erase Desktop Computer Pad

Best for: the man whose office is his zone!

That zone between the keyboard and the monitor can often be “dead zone”. On the one hand, you don’t want to keep things there – it’s too close to the keyboard – on the other hand it’s prime desk real-estate. And if you don’t use that space, it’s a magnet for clutter.

Quartet creates various solutions for that zone, in the form of dry erase boards with organizers! They are sleek and the perfect spot for jotting quick notes – like phone numbers, in-your-face reminders, top priorities for the day…

Because it has a glass surface, it looks super modern and sleek – and it wipes clean very easily, minus the stains that your typical whiteboard gets in a minute. It has a slide-out drawer for stashing some office supplies, and it has a groove at the top for markers. And the angled surface leans towards the computer chair for easier viewing and writing.

Titan by Arctic Zone 24 Can Backpack Cooler

Best for: the man who enjoys a fun day out.

POV: He loves a good day out, but hates lugging all the drinks. The Titan 24 Can backpack cooler makes the cold drink toting much easier! It keeps ice for up to two days thanks to the insulation with a radiant heat barrier and triple layer ColdBlock base, allowing him to really rely on it – not only to keep his drinks cold, but to keep his meat sandwich fresh too.

While it can hold up to 24 cans, for me that’s just a good capacity gauge, as you can use it for so much more. It’s a fabulous solution as an outdoor adventure backpack, with additional pockets for storage. He can use it for trips to the beach, days in the city, tailgating, and more!

It features a smooth, wipeable surface and looks so high end!

Wad-Free Bedsheet Detangler

Best for: the dude who does all the housework.

You know that feeling when you go to take your bedsheets out of the dryer two days after you washed it and… well, whoops! It wasn’t quite dry because it got all twisted?

Wad-free created this brilliant low-tech gadget that holds your bedsheets at all four corners so that it doesn’t twist.

I think that this is the perfect inexpensive and practical gift for the man who has it all – specifically a bachelor, stay-at-home Dad, older man, or anyone who is responsible for the bulk of the housework and laundry.

Luxurious Apparel & Accessories Gifts for the Man Who Has it All

One of my favorite gifts to buy my husband is wearables – but to make them giftable, we step it up a notch! These high fashion and luxurious picks are great gifts for the man who has it all – because who can’t use another shirt?

Surfside Joey Slub Island Shirt

Best for: the business casual who appreciates comfort

The Joey Slub Island shirt from Surfside Supply Co has a gorgeous, light, breathable cotton weave. It’s one of those linen-look shirts that it timeless, and can look dressed up or beachy, depending on what you wear it with.

My husband was super impressed by the stitching that shows quality and even the soft color of the buttons show attention to detail. And who doesn’t love a shirt that won’t make him sweat on the hottest summer days?

It looks fabulous tucked or untucked, thanks to the gentle scoop of the hem. We found that it fits true to size and washes well, and comes in timeless, classy colors.

Happy Patina Leather Wallet Gift Bundle and Care Kit

Best for: the man who appreciates a good leather craft.

Even men who don’t consider themselves very creative themselves often appreciate luxurious leather goods, and HappyPatina handcrafts those for the man in your life!

The EDC kit comes with a beautifully stitched bifold wallet as a main feature, along with a key fob, wristband, and leather care kit.

It’s made of gorgeous vegetable tanned leather and features instructions for caring for it as well. The care products are all natural, and it comes in a ready-to-gift boxed set for a gift that’s more than just another wallet!

CPSlippers Leather Hotel Slippers

Best for: The man who wants to free his feet.

Shoes constrain the feet, and for some people that just won’t work.

Whether his feet simply need a break, or he has a house where shoes are removed, comfy slippers are especially important. Yes, the man that has it all needs a pair that suits him!

CPSlippers hand stitches minimalist slippers, that work as “barefoot slippers” around the house.

The luxe version adds a cork sole for the man that needs a little more. They come in a large variety of colors for any style, and do need to be broken into for maximum comfort.

I hope these gifts for the man that has it all has been helpful. Are men really that hard to buy for? Or do we just need to start thinking outside the box? Comment below with your ideas!

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