2019 holiday gift guide: The best gifts for kids in New York City

December 10, 2019

Nobody appreciates a great gift like a child, but New York City kids are a tough audience. They’ve already got the world at their feet, even if they’re not possessed of a pile of material goods. Fortunately, there are lots of options for cool presents for your favorite pint-sized architects, athletes, fashionistas and foodies as well as the Big Apple babies on your list. Check out our list below for a handful of gift ideas for New York City kids.

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Image credit: Nikko Salgado for Brooklyn Boulders.

For every must-have toy and gotta-get-it game, the city offers a bounty of fabulous experiences that make equally fabulous gifts. Brooklyn favorite Skateyogi offers weekly group skateboarding classes for all ages from toddlers to adults. And while we’re keeping everyone moving, Brooklyn Boulders makes climbing the walls a good thing with kids’ programs from Adventure Days to summer camp. Kids fly through the air with the greatest of ease at the Trapeze School New York City youth programs.

Back on terra firma, budding chefs can learn their way around homemade pasta and more alongside their parents at Eataly. Future filmmakers can get a headstart at Cinemakidz. Barking Cat studio offers uniquely creative art studio classes for tots to teens (and adults), with school pickup available. And for dozens of cool drop-in activity options for the whole family, from farm and museum visits to ballet and swimming classes, try a kidpass.

Image: FAO Schwarz

Nothing says New York City kid like a trip to F.A.O. Schwarz. And as if the iconic emporium wasn’t enough of a wonderland, the kid who has everything will be seriously impressed by this ultimate New York City holiday experience: Conrad New York Midtown has partnered with iconic FAO Schwarz to bring a 1,800-square-foot one-bedroom suite full of toys, including 10-foot stuffed animals, train sets and the famous dance-on piano.

More cool gifts for urban urchins:

	This giant NYC coloring poster can be used on the floor or on the wall to color fanciful drawings of the Big Apple’s streets and landmarks from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park.
	This subway map duvet cover has the New York City subway system covered.
	Some complain that we can’t see the stars in the big city. This Sega home planetarium helps by re-creating the solar system on any available ceiling.
	The New York in Color jigsaw puzzle reveals the details of the city in 500 pieces, resulting in a colorful collage of snapshots from around New York City by photographer Nichole Robertson.
	Rush Hour Traffic Jam is an international award-winning logic game and STEM Toy that teaches kids ages 8 and up how to use their smarts to get through gridlock. This should come with every NYC drivers license for grown-ups, too. Horn absolutely not included.
	The Personalized Child’s Food Cart from Hammacher Schlemmer was inspired by New York City street vendors. Young culinary entrepreneurs get their name on the front when they open for business slinging hotdogs and pretzels. Reverse the awning, and it’s time for ice-cream cones, popsicles, and Italian ice. The cart comes well-stocked with faux food including drinks, hotdog toppings, and ice cream sandwiches.
	Help kids create a melting pot of flavors in your own kitchen. The Global Adventure Cooking Kit comes with shopping lists and hard-to-find ingredients as well as instructions and history on cuisine from four countries.
	This Anna Wintour Kokeshi Doll will stand guard over your favorite fashionista’s domain. The rest Lucie Kaas’ creative figurines may soon join the star-studded style and culture icon party: additional dolls include Andy Warhol, Ziggy Stardust, Amy Winehouse, Freddie Mercury, Coco Chanel and more.
	Budding architects can make their own NYC skyscrapers with the colorful Blockitecture Big Apple building set from Areaware.
	The LEGO Architecture New York City build-it-yourself New York skyline model kit is for kids and adults, because who doesn’t love the LEGO version of everything.
	A great distraction for fussy eaters, this “Construction” plate and utensils mealtime kit re-creates what we see all around us and helps make mealtime more…constructive.
	The adult-sized version of this kids’ ergonomic sitting stool makes many a home office more comfortable and more stylish. This cool seat comes in several colors and might just make it easier for them to sit still.

Books

	Joining stylish books on Paris, London, and Rome, M. Sasek’s “This Is New York” pictures big, bold New York City in all its glory. First published in 1960, this classic has been updated for the 21st century.
	“Pop-up New York” from Lonely Planet Kids contains a set of six stunning pop-ups for a stylish view of iconic landmarks like the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge, a yellow cab and a hot dog cart.
	“Good Night New York City” helps toddlers and preschool-age kids build listening and memory skills by identifying famous landmarks.

NYC, baby

	What New York City baby doesn’t need a Metro Card baby rattle? This one’s made of soft organic cotton and is much harder to lose than the real thing.
	The Inglesina Fast Table Chair is an award-winning alternative to the baby high chair. Use it at a restaurant, at home or anywhere to give baby a seat at the table. It won’t leave scratches on your table, folds up to carry or pack, and it’s great for small spaces. This handy chair comes in every color of the rainbow, too.
	For the littlest literary New Yorkers, a New York Public Library lion onesie honors the iconic symbol of the venerable institution and epitomizes baby chic. Available in 6-month and 12-month sizes.