The Cool Aunt’s Trusty Gift Guide for Multiple Nieces and Nephews

Perhaps the best memories of our youth include dismantling the living room furniture and piling blankets and chairs to create a (relatively subpar) fort. This FunForts glow kit, however, turns children 4+ into architects with 53 glow-in-the-dark rods and 28 spheres that can be transformed into countless geometric playhouses. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon) 

This luggage scooter is the epitome of cool. The attached bag is spacious — it's got room for enough clothes for a weekend getaway, plus a tablet pocket. Kids can scoot around the airport or train station, and actually move at a pace that matches their parents' steps. The wheels light up and when it's time to get tucked away, the scooter folds up to fit into overhead compartments. Other bonus features: a height-adjustable handlebar for growing kids and a detachable water bottle holder. PS: Use code SKIMM for 15% off. ($140, Roll Rider)

This 70-piece block set is crafted from quality wood that can last for generations. Rainbow shapes and tools are accompanied by a developmental stage-based activity guide to meet their child’s growing needs, plus the wooden storage box transforms into a pull car to make clean-up time feel fun. ($90, Lovevery)

Rest by Hatch provides soothing sounds like white noise, rain, and lullabies to keep their baby sleeping deeply all night long, even providing a time-to-rise function that helps older children know when it’s time to get out of bed. There’s an ambient night-light too, perfect for those midnight feedings where the overhead light feels too harsh. ($59.99, Hatch) 

Turn their little one into Picasso with a KidKraft easel that has both dry erase and chalkboard surfaces. Built-in storage containers ensure their drawing accessories stay neatly nestled in one place and, major bonus point alert, parents will love this gift too — it’ll keep their kids from attacking painted walls with permanent marker. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)  

Sewn and hand-cut with organic wool felt, this elephant is the perfect piece of nursery decor that they’ll cherish for years to come. It’s lightweight and easy to hang, can be spot cleaned with a lint roller, and the cream color means it’ll match any nursery’s color palette. ($150, Maisonette) 

One day, you can solidify cool aunt status with a real car (we say with a giant wink) but until then, settle for the best-in-class Step2 Whisper Ride II. This stroller substitute is sure to make morning walks approximately 100 times more entertaining, while fun features like a storage trunk and drink holders allow mom and dad to pack a few of their necessities, too. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)

Goodnight Moon by Margaregt Wise Brown is a nursery classic that belongs in every bedtime reading rotation. This particular copy is leather-bound to ensure its keepsake status, and we recommend reading every sentence in an animated voice so your performance gets rated an A+. ($98, Serena and Lily)

We can’t imagine a more entertaining afternoon than that provided by this easy-to-store foam ball pit — memory foam will keep them comfy, thick anti-collision walls prevent accidents, the zipper covering is easy to launder, and the activity itself helps them develop cognitive and motor skills. It’s the perfect activity for a birthday party or a Sunday afternoon. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon) 

Adding a pair of flower-embellished Dr. Martens boots to their wardrobe will have them feeling like the coolest kid on the block, and the pull-on design and water-resistant fabric will keep mom and dad happy too. Only one question remains: Do these come in our size? ($70, Dr. Martens) 

KiwiCo is a subscription service that delivers hands-on science activity crates to their doorstep every month — and we adults know that there’s simply nothing better than getting mail to unbox. Activities are based on the child’s age (they offer from 0-3 months to 12+) and you can choose the cadence of deliveries. ($23.95/per month, KiwiCo) 

The LeapFrog Scoop and Learn Ice Cream Cart has amassed over 15,000 reviews noting how much kids love it. They’re able to create unique ice cream and topping combos, “take” customer orders from the register, and follow along with seven games designed to exercise memory, color, and counting skills. It’s great for ages 24 to 60 months and can entertain siblings in that range. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon) 

Turn your nieces and nephews into engineering whizzes with a 300-piece track toy from Marble Genius, which lets them design and build structures to run the included glass marbles. There’s even an accompanying app for older kids so they can unlock special challenges. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon) 

The Figgy is a play couch specifically designed for kids with four base cushions and two rectangles that can be rearranged to their heart’s content. It’s not an eyesore, either: choose between 12 luxe color combos and flat-weave, microsuede, or velvet fabrics that best suits the family home. And yes, the waterproof liners are machine-washable. ($269, Figgy) 

Bring the thrill of an adventure park into their own backyard with a ride-on electric bumper car, one embellished with fun LED stickers, a bluetooth speaker, two speed settings, and a parental controller. Honestly, this is the coolest toy we’ve seen in a while. ($159.96, Target)

This ultra-soft sherpa unicorn is the perfect first chair that can be customized with their name. It’s lightweight, which means it can be easily transported from room to room, while a machine-washable cover means it’ll stay spick-and-span through countless spills. Apple juice, you’ve met your match. ($151.99+, Pottery Barn Kids)

We’re fans of gifts that combine joy and practicality, and this hooded beach towel does just that. Post-swim and post-bath sessions will be made far more fun by this mermaid wrap, crafted from Turkish cotton that’ll feel supremely soft against their skin. ($44.50, Pottery Barn Kids)