Melbourne's best gifts for kids

Chocolate Aussie animals, $4.90

A little sweet treat never goes astray as a stocking stuffer. Pop into Koko Black and pick up a handful of the most adorable chocolates. The strawberry white chocolate penguin pop is sure to be a hit. Or how about a cookies and cream wombat? Take a look at the full line-up of Aussie animal chocolate goodies. 

Mystery box squishy, $9.99

Nothing drives kids crazy like a mystery box! Swing by Stranger than Paradise and pick up a gummy bear mystery squish. Inside the box kids will find one of five bright colours. If they're lucky, they might even unbox the rare gold bear! These toys are soft and perfectly squishable for a fun sensory toy.

Nanoblock kit, from $12.99

Have you heard of Nanoblocks? It's Japan's answer to Lego (only mini). Create an entire zoo of tiny animals and build polar bear, crocodile, wombat and Tasmanian devil sculptures. Or build complex cityscapes in the likeness of New York or San Francisco. Find them at Hearns Hobbies.

UNO cards, from $15

Word on the street is a pack of Uno cards is a right of passage in kid world. This retro card game has gone beyond its familiar format with a bunch of fun, new versions available at Mind Games. There’s Uno No Mercy, where the wild cards go up to draw 10! Uno Teams is ideal for big family get togethers, birthday parties or sleepovers. And there's even a Super Mario pack.

Costume wings, from $22.50

Stock up their costume collection with a new pair of wings from Kidstuff at Emporium. Flutter around in a ladybug pair. Dress up as a buzzing bee. Channel spooky vibes as a bat. Or transform into a sparkling fairy. Speaking of fairies, don't forget their magic wand! This whimsical gift is sure to spark their imagination and wonder.

Kite, from $24

There’s nothing more magical than flying a kite on a summer’s day. Have a look at what’s on offer at Poppy Shop and choose from a bunch of stunning options. Brighten up the sky with this multi-coloured beauty. Choose one with a quirky jelly bean print. If you’re into the idea of a kite that can perform nifty tricks, the Prism Stunter is just the ticket.

Nature scavenger hunt tokens, $26.95  

Turn your nature walk, park visit or backyard play session into an adventure with these nature scavenger hunt tokens. Each token features a prompt for little explorers. Hunt for a butterfly or moth, find a slimy snail, seek out a spider’s web or collect three different leaves. They come in a handy pouch for easy carrying. Available at the Melbourne Museum shop.  

Book box sets, from $44.99

Give the gift of a book so good, they'll stay up all night reading under the covers. There are dozens of box sets available from Readings Kids for a sweet keepsake gift. Throw it back to your own childhood with classics like Winnie the Pooh, The Chronicles of Narnia and The Babysitters Club. While fantasy-loving teen bookworms will get lost in the His Dark Materials series.

Ride-on floaties, $59.99

Level-up your kids’ summer with epic pool floaties from Monsterthreads. These ride-on inflatables are perfect for pool parties. We love the adorable Tino the tiger and Eli the elephant. They've got sturdy handles for little hands so the kids can bob around safely and in style. They're suitable for kids up to 60kg and yes, there is an adult version for you too!

Pokemon Instant camera, $159

Kids will adore the novelty of IRL printed photos. Instant cameras are always a hit and this tiny camera is perfect for little hands. The Pokémon instant Polaroid camera is super simple to use. Designed for taking happy snaps in all lighting scenarios, just point and shoot and the auto exposure will do the rest. It even has a selfie mode. The cute pink colourway is a nod to the Fairy-type Pokémon, Sylveon. Find it at Film Never Die.

Balance bike, $249.99

What could be better than a new bike? Mini riders will adore adventuring around playgrounds and driveways all summer long on a brand new balance bike from Trek Bikes on Artemis Lane. It comes in gold and weighs in at just 1.9kg. It's the perfect size for kids aged 18 months to 5 years old. Don't forget to pick up a kid-size helmet while you're there.