Sure, a brand-new bike, scooter, or soccer goal will inspire physical play—but you can also encourage kids with a smaller, simpler (cheaper!) active toy. Try these small-size, but high-impact gifts to inspire action. Pair with a healthy snack for a fresh take on a stocking stuffer, report-card reward, or birthday treat, or pile a bunch into a basket for an active-themed present.
- Bubble solution and wands
- Jump rope
- Ball: look for adorable, animal-faced balls from Gertie for little ones (compare prices), or the innovative Phlat ball from Toysmith for bigger kids—it changes from a disk to a ball mid-flight (compare prices).
- Diving sticks or pool rings
- Goggles for swimming or skiing
- Sports trading cards
- Paperback books about sports or athletes
- MP3 gift card (such as iTunes) for tweens and teens who like to take music along on walks or workouts
- FitDeck playing cards (compare prices)
- Sand toys
- Passes or membership cards to an ice rink, bowling alley, driving range, etc.
- Coupons good for family play—a game of catch in the backyard or trip to the playground, for example
- Pedometer
- Cool-weather gear such as earmuffs, mittens, hats, and socks
- Flip-flops or travel-sized toiletries for the locker room
- Sunhat or sunglasses
- Reusable water bottle (stainless steel or BPA-free plastic)
- Sidewalk chalk
