Boligfritid.dk is a Danish magazine for homeowners. This English version is written for international residents in Denmark. Read the original in Danish.
Children’s wish lists can be long, and choosing can be hard. Here are our Christmas gift ideas for children of all ages, from babies to teenagers, and our advice on how to make sure the toys are safe.
In short
- Follow the age marking on toys, especially for children under 3.
- Look for the CE mark, and be careful with cheap toys from webshops outside the EU.
- Many children get more joy from one good gift than from lots of small ones.
- Experiences and time together are also gifts that children remember.
- See also our guide: What should I give for Christmas?
Christmas gifts for children aged 0–2
The youngest ones do not need much. They love colours, sounds and things they can touch and put in their mouths, so safety matters most.
- Cloth books and board books: with big pictures and different materials.
- Stacking blocks or a stacking tower: in wood or a soft material.
- A baby walker: for the child who is learning to walk.
- Bath toys: for bath time.
- Clothes in the next size up: always practical, especially warm winter things.
- Savings: many parents appreciate an amount for the child’s børneopsparing (a tax-favoured Danish children’s savings account).
Christmas gifts for children aged 3–5
Imagination blossoms, and role play takes up a lot of their time. Gifts that can be played with in many ways last the longest.
- Building blocks: large blocks they can build with for years.
- A play kitchen or tool bench: for role play.
- Dressing-up clothes: as a princess, firefighter, knight or animal.
- A balance bike: for the first rides on the driveway.
- Jigsaw puzzles and simple board games: which build patience and cooperation.
- Books for reading aloud: for the bedtime story.
Christmas gifts for children aged 6–9
Schoolchildren want to do things by themselves. Gifts that challenge them, and that they can share with their friends, are popular.
- Building sets: with instructions, which they can build by themselves.
- A bike or scooter: remember a helmet.
- Board games for the whole family: great for the Christmas holidays.
- Craft sets: beads, modelling clay, paints or a knitting kit.
- A torch and a tent: for adventures in the garden or on the living room floor.
- Books: they can read by themselves, for example a series they can collect.
- A bird box they can assemble themselves: and put up in the garden together with an adult.
Christmas gifts for children aged 10–12
Children aged 10–12 often have strong opinions and their own interests. Feel free to ask the parents, or listen out for what they are into.
- Sports gear: for the sport they play, for example a new ball or good skates.
- Advanced building sets: or an electronics kit for building and programming.
- An experience: a trip to an ice rink, a climbing centre, the cinema or an amusement park.
- Headphones: for music and audiobooks.
- Bedroom decor: a string of lights, a beanbag or a pinboard.
- A comic or book series: from their favourite universe.
Christmas gifts for teenagers aged 13–17
Teenagers are hard to buy for, and many want money or gift vouchers. That is perfectly fine. If you want to give something personal, go for experiences and things they can use with their friends.
- Gift vouchers: for their favourite shop, the cinema or a streaming service.
- Concert tickets: for a band or an artist they love.
- Clothes and accessories: for example a good winter coat, a hat or a backpack. Ask about size and style first.
- Driving lessons or theory lessons: for the oldest ones who will soon be getting their driving licence.
- Room decor: a good desk lamp, a wireless speaker or new bedding.
- An experience together: a trip to the big city, a match or a dinner out.
Christmas gifts for children by budget
| Budget | Ideas |
|---|---|
| Under DKK 100 | Book, jigsaw puzzle, beads, torch, comic |
| DKK 100–300 | Board game, building set, dressing-up clothes, craft sets |
| DKK 300–700 | Play kitchen, balance bike, larger building set, headphones |
| Over DKK 700 | Bike, a family experience, concert tickets |
How to buy safe toys
Toys sold in the EU must meet EU safety requirements and carry the CE mark. Toys for children under 3 must not be able to release small parts that can be swallowed. Even so, dangerous toys still turn up, especially from webshops outside the EU. When Forbrugerrådet Tænk (the Danish Consumer Council) tested 162 products from Temu and Shein in 2025, 112 of them did not meet European safety standards (see the study (in Danish)). How to avoid dangerous toys:
- Look for the CE mark and an address for the manufacturer or importer on the packaging.
- Follow the age marking. If it says “not suitable for children under 3”, that is because there are small parts or other risks.
- Be careful with very cheap toys from webshops outside the EU. Sikkerhedsstyrelsen (the Danish Safety Technology Authority) warns about toys that are too good to be true (in Danish).
- Check the batteries. Small button batteries are very dangerous if a child swallows them, so the battery cover must be securely fastened.
- Read warnings about dangerous toys from Sikkerhedsstyrelsen (in Danish).
Find more ideas in our guides to Christmas gifts for men and Christmas gifts for women, and read our advice on exchanges, gift vouchers and shipping in What should I give for Christmas?
Frequently asked questions
How many Christmas presents should a child get?
There is no right rule for that. Many families choose a few good gifts rather than lots of small ones, and some agree with grandparents and others on who gives what, so the child does not drown in presents.
What is a good Christmas gift for a 5-year-old?
Role-play toys such as a play kitchen or tool bench, dressing-up clothes, building blocks, a balance bike or simple board games are good choices for 5-year-olds.
What should I give a teenager for Christmas?
Gift vouchers, concert tickets, clothes they have chosen themselves, or an experience together. Feel free to ask the parents what is on the wish list.
Are toys from foreign webshops safe?
Not always. Toys from webshops outside the EU are not checked in the same way, and in a test by Forbrugerrådet Tænk, 112 of 162 products from Temu and Shein did not meet European safety standards. It is better to buy from retailers in the EU, and to look for the CE mark.
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