23 Expert-Approved Gifts for Kids Aged 1 Through 12 That’ll Arrive in Time

This dancing, light-up musical robot is great for a 1-year-old who’s beginning to discover music. According to Dr. Sarah Roseberry Lytle, director of outreach and education at the Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences: “Young kids love to make music and noises and explore things, like, Can I make it softer? Can I make it louder?” Lytle says. “What happens when I hit it harder? Does that make it louder? That’s a really interesting learning process.”

Or try these magnetic blocks, which are made in Honduras by a company with the goal of creating living-wage jobs for Tegucigalpa residents.

“Instruments are great because kids can do anything with them and collaborate with others,” says Dr. Roberta Golinkoff, a professor of psychology at the University of Delaware. “With maracas you can get up and walk around with them and play with mom and with friends.”

This popular board game for preschoolers (it’s also a Strategist best seller) has kids hunting for acorns using skills like color matching, strategic thinking, and hand-eye coordination.

You can’t go wrong with this classic book by Eric Carle.

According to George Sachs, a clinical child psychologist and founder of the Sachs Center in Manhattan, 4-year-olds are doing a lot of pretend play. “This picnic play set is wonderful, as is any kind of activity where they can pretend using different props,” he says.

“This is the story of Rosie Revere, who dreamed of becoming a great engineer,” begins this book about a brilliant young inventor. For the 4-year-old who wants to follow suit.

Dr. Sachs also approves of this fort-building set for 5-year-olds. Not only is it instructive, it’s also really cool.

Kids go wild over the Stomp Rocket, according to Dr. Sachs. Not only is it fun and interactive, it’s also educational.

Play therapist Joseph Sacks recommends a grabber, which can occupy a 6-year-old for hours. “It’s not really a toy, but kids love it,” he says.

Lexie is a cowgirl with a talent for wrangling words. Read this book with your 6-year-old and find out who’s making a mess of things at the ranch.

“I want children to love reading,” says Dr. Golinkoff. “I don’t want it to feel like a chore. And I don’t care about what kinds of books they read.” Her grandson Elio approves of the Calvin and Hobbes series. Although it might be a little advanced for a 7-year-old, its illustrations would be more than engaging.

Mobi is like Bananagrams, but with simple math equations — a fun way to get your kids into math.

This award-winning toy is a great opportunity to introduce your 8-year-old to the world of electronics.

At 8, literacy skills are increasing, according to child therapist Glenda Stoller, LCSW, co-founder of Village Parenting NYC. This set by childhood favorite Dahl includes Matilda and The BFG.

You can’t go wrong with a classic like Jenga, which is as fun for 9-year-olds as it is for their parents.

Graphic novels are great for kids who don’t necessarily love reading, according to Sachs. This book follows Pablo, the new kid in a New York City school who gets separated from his class during a field trip to the Empire State building.

Ten-year-olds are beginning to feel the pressures of school and social interactions, so encouraging their interests and increased autonomy is key, according to Stoller. For fifth graders interested science, try these geodes that contain real crystal formations.

And for the crafty 10-year-old, this string art kit encourages creating more detailed artwork.

Psychotherapist Alyson Cohen advises getting 11-year-olds board games that are trending, like this “Cards Against Humanity, but for kids” card game called Not Parent Approved.

“I don’t think you could ever go wrong with a slime-making kit or a soap kit,” says Cohen — “something that gives the child a sense of accomplishment.”

Kids at 12 are straddling that line between teenhood and childhood. Don’t offend by getting them a toy that seems “babyish.” Instead, go straight to the source and ask them what they want. Often, that’s a gift card to their favorite store.