Hey girl, today let's chat about the best last day of school gifts for kids.
The end of the school year is in sight and if you are anything like me, you like to give your kids a few last day of school gifts for all the hard work they have put in over the school year.
As a mom of 4 (a girl -12, and 3 boys – 10, 8, and 6), I am here to tell you about fantastic last day of school gift ideas that have been a complete hit with my kids and I know your kids will love them, too! I will also share what I plan to give them this year.
You are going to find out about all these pretty amazing last day of school gifts for kids that have absolutely nothing to do with a screen. Now don’t get me wrong guys, my kids have screen time, but I try to limit it during the summer.
After checking out these summer gifts, I know you will find the perfect ones to get your kiddos.
Let’s get into the best last day of school gifts that are worth your money.
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Best Last Day of School Gifts
1. Swimwear
I am sure your kiddos have grown just as much as mine have and that would be right out of last year’s swimsuit.
Swimsuits are on the top of my last day of school gifts for my kids.
2. Sunglasses
Along with the swimsuit, I will be tossing in a new pair of shades.
I am not sure how your kiddo is about wearing sunglasses but my kids can’t get enough of them - and I mean all summer long.
3. Hat
A ball hat is another great option to block the sun.
My daughter loves this hat since she can wear a ponytail however high or low she wants to.
My boys like mesh back hats otherwise they tell me how hot their head gets on those hot summer days.
4. Water Squirters/Guns
Being summer, you have to consider water squirters and squirt guns. Your kids will have no trouble keeping cool when they are running around with these.
Don’t cheap out and get the squirt guns that are on sale. I have been burned by that a few times and ended up paying for the good ones anyway.
6. Sports Equipment
If your kiddo is into sports, this list could go on and on for you! So, I am just going to mention a few rockstar items that have stood up to some heavy use here.
I used to be a home daycare provider and this stuff got put through the wringer!
7. Jump Rope
I am surprised how much these jump ropes get used.
My kids like having jumping contests with them.
8. Bike
A bike is a fantastic way for your kiddo to get exercise during the summer!
If you are looking to save some money, see if you can find a bike at a garage sale or a bike shop. We got most of our bikes this way.
If you are looking for a brand new one, then you can’t go wrong with these bikes.
9. Bubbles
I only recommend bubbles if your kiddo is finishing 2nd grade or younger.
Even though older kids will gladly still play with them, they don’t want them as a gift.
10. Sidewalk Chalk
Just like the bubbles, only gift sidewalk chalk to kids under 2nd grade.
All my kids love sidewalk chalk and get very creative with it. However, I don’t think my older 2 want it as a gift anymore.
11. Sandbox Toys
If your kiddo is in preschool – 1st grade and you don’t have a sandbox, I highly recommend putting one in. And make it as big as possible for them!
Then, grab these sandbox toys and sandbox trucks. They have been at our house for a while now and are still working great.
My husband built my kids a giant sandbox, and even when I had daycare kids here, they all fit in it with room to spare.
12. Backyard Bug Kit
Help your little one explore more in your backyard with this bug-catching kit.
I am so glad that it comes with tweezers because there have been bugs my kids have caught that I don’t want them touching.
13. Butterfly Garden
How cool is this?
Your kids can grow butterflies and then release them.
I haven’t tried this yet but my neighbor did and invited us to the release. All the kids went nuts over it.
14. Stomp Rocket
A stomp rocket is perfect for boys and girls both big and small.
Get the dual one. It is easier to assemble and sturdier than the single one.
My husband and I have even done our fair share of showing how high we can make the rockets go.
15. Kite
You know, I don’t see that many people flying kites anymore, but it is a blast.
My kids will run for over ½ hour to make these kites stay in the air.
My son loves kites and is interested in this Red Baron Kite – he also loves Charlie Brown
.
16. Fishing Gear
Let me know in the comments below if you are a fishing family like we are.
If you are, you know that you can never have enough fishing tackle.
And fishing tackle is such a useful gift.
We like to go for Bass, Northern Pike, and pan fish. These are some great lures for that kind of fishing.
17. Craft Kits
Your kiddo can’t be on the run all the time. These craft kits are the perfect way to keep him busy so you won’t have to hear “I’m bored”.
18. Activity Books
Help your kids continue their learning throughout the summer with some activity books.
I bought several grade levels of the School Zone books and they are all so colorful and engaging.
Maze books and Connect the Dots are also a huge hit around here.
19. Books
Holy smokes, friends, I could go on and on about how many amazing books there are for your kids but we haven’t got all day!
Instead, I will just tell you about a few of our favorite series for boys and girls.
One way to help your kiddo stay reading all summer long is to create a book reading challenge.
Have a reward set up for when she reaches a certain number of books or minutes read. It will give her a fire to want to read more and more.
Let me know in the comments what books your kids have enjoyed reading. We are always on the hunt for great new books.
20. Coloring
Kids can spend hours and hours coloring. Pick up a new color book or 2 along with something to color with.
Our go-to colors are markers and gel pens. I must admit, they are just more fun to color with.
The runner-up colors are Crayola twistable crayons and colored pencils.
21. Board Games
One of our favorite ways to hang out on our deck is by playing a board game together.
We have over 50 board games, yes that many! There are a few that win for the favorites.
22. Barbie
If you have a younger daughter and she is into Barbie, get her something Barbie new.
My daughter went nuts over having Big Sister and Little Sister dolls.
23. Fashion Plates
Oh yeah, these fashion plates are my jam and my daughter lets me join her all the time.
She first got them when she was 6 and still busts them out about once a month to work on different outfits (she is 12).
Using colored pencils and gel pens works best to get all the fine details.
24. Nerf Guns
Boys are obsessed with Nerf Guns! You know what though, I play with them a ton too.
They are just fun.
If you are looking for an alternative brand that also packs quite a punch, try X-Shot.
Either brand you pick, it doesn’t hurt to have your kiddos wear safety glasses when they have a battle.
25. Laser Tag
Oh man, laser tag is going to be such a hit for your kiddo.
Boys are mostly drawn to playing laser tag but girls want to get in there as well, my daughter sure does.
We love this laser tag set.
You can play during the day or the night and with or without the vests. The laser guns have built-in sensors.
26. Legos
Every single kiddo loves playing with Legos.
Even though there are so many sets to choose from, I love the classic Lego set the most and that is what my kids go to the most as well.
27. Magna-Tiles
If you have never seen magna-tiles before, prepare to be amazed! Your kiddo is going to love them.
We have had magnet blocks in our house for 6 years now and they have been played with almost every single day – no joke!
Don’t be surprised if you find yourself playing with them as well.
28. Cars
Now, my boys are all about cars. Cars, cars everywhere. And there can never be enough of them.
They make tracks with the magnet blocks and then race the cars on them.
Trust me, this combo will keep your son occupied for hours!
This post was all about the best last day of school gifts for kids.
Which last day of school gifts are your favorites? What do you think you will get your kiddo?
Let me know in the comments below what your plans are for this summer! We are planning to go camping, fishing, boating, and swimming.
I look forward to hearing from you and thanks for stopping by.