Three Kings Day Gifts: 26 Ideas for January 6, for Kids and Adults

Sweet coal is Spain's January 6 joke: in the morning the child finds “coal” by the shoe for being a little naughty, with the real presents right next to it. It's black sugar candy; a 100–250 g bag costs a few dollars at Spanish or Latin grocers, or make it from sugar, egg white and black food coloring. Keep the portion small so it reads as a joke.

Chocolate figures of the Three Kings or gold-foil chocolate coins: sweets that clearly belong to January 6, not Christmas. A 100–200 g box from a good chocolatier costs $8–15. Check with the parents about nut or dairy allergies.

A quick card game so the whole family can play after lunch on January 6. Spot It!, Exploding Kittens or Virus! cost $15–25, with 10–20 minute rounds. Pick one that both a 6-year-old and Grandma can follow.

A hat with bear or fox ears goes straight out on the morning walk. Knit or fleece-lined hats cost $15–25. Choose one with chin ties so the wind can't take it, and skip small pom-poms on strings for little kids.

A building set is the most common line in a letter to the Kings. For ages 2–5, LEGO Duplo with big bricks costs $30–60; from age 5, a LEGO Classic box of 400–500 bricks runs $35–60. A tub of loose bricks gets more play than a model built once and shelved.

A playset with a house, vet clinic or shop is for the child who invents stories for hours. Sylvanian Families or Playmobil sets cost $25–60. Check what they already own: a house that fits their existing figures is worth more than one more stand-alone doll.

A wooden Montessori balance board is a rocker, a bridge and a car ramp in one. It builds balance from age 3 and stays in play for years. It costs $50–100; choose one with a felt base so it won't scratch the floor.

A big 30–40 inch teddy or unicorn waiting under the tree becomes a cuddle buddy and a pillow for cartoons. Good-quality plush with hypoallergenic fill costs $40–80. Make sure the eyes are embroidered, not glued on.

A night light that turns the ceiling into a starry sky suits a child who's afraid of the dark. Astronaut projectors cost $25–35; models with lullabies $40–60. A 30–60 minute auto-off timer is a must.

A dinosaur or unicorn onesie to open the rest of the presents in. Cotton or fleece onesies cost $25–40. Size up one and pick a zipper over buttons for quick bathroom trips.

A young scientist kit, crystal growing, a volcano or a slime lab, fills the last days of winter break. 4M or National Geographic kits cost $20–40. Check the age on the box and do the first experiments together.

A four-wheel-drive RC car tears through the park, the beach and puddles. 1:16 WLtoys or Traxxas models cost $80–150. Get a spare battery and charge it on the evening of January 5 so it runs at breakfast.

Adjustable inline skates go outside the same day. Kids' models from Oxelo or Rollerblade cost $50–100 and grow 3–4 sizes. A helmet and knee pads come with them, not “later.”

For a young player, a proper ball instead of an inflatable one. An Adidas or Select size 4 (ages 8–12) costs $25–40; size 3 for younger kids. Tie a ribbon on it, since it won't fit in the shoe.

For a curious kid: a telescope to see the Moon's craters, or a microscope for pond water and leaves. A 70 mm beginner telescope costs $100–200; a kids' microscope $50–100. Set it up together the first evening, or it stays in the box.

A buildable robot teaches coding through play: kids assemble it and program its moves with blocks on a tablet. The Makeblock mBot (ages 8+) costs about $100–150. Build it together on January 6; it makes the afternoon.

An instant camera is for a teen who wants photos off the phone and on the wall. The Fujifilm Instax mini 12 costs around $80, and the newer mini 13 adds a self-timer. Film comes in 10-shot packs, so buy one or two extra.

If the Kings are bringing the big gift this year: a Nintendo Switch OLED for about $300–350. Mario Kart or Animal Crossing work solo and with the whole family. Set up parental controls in the app before January 6.

Noise-canceling headphones are for the teen who has music on the way to school and at the gym. Sony WH-CH720N cost $100–150; AirPods 4 about $179. Find out which phone they use: AirPods make the most sense with an iPhone.

For a teen who reads fantasy in whole series, an e-reader puts every volume in a pocket with a light for reading under the covers. The Kindle Paperwhite (2024) costs about $160, often less on sale. Add a case.

A digital photo frame is for grandparents who live far from the grandkids: you send photos from your phone and they appear on the frame. 10-inch Wi-Fi frames such as Nixplay or Frameo models cost $70–150. Load the first 50 photos and set up the Wi-Fi before you hand it over.

A couch throw for Mom, Dad or an in-law works for almost anyone. A 50×60 inch wool-blend throw costs $30–60; fleece is cheaper and machine-washable. Pick a neutral color that fits most living rooms.

In Spain, perfume is the classic Three Kings gift for adults, but only when you know the person's scent. A 50 ml designer bottle costs $100–180. If you're unsure, a discovery set of minis takes the risk out.

The roscón, a ring cake with orange-blossom water and candied fruit, is eaten on the morning of January 6. Hidden inside are a figurine and a dry bean: whoever finds the bean pays for next year's roscón. A Spanish bakery's roscón for 6–8 people costs about $18–35, or bake one at home.

When there's enough stuff, an experience lasts longer: dinner out for your parents, a pottery class or a spa day for two. Vouchers cost $80–200. Pick one with a flexible date, since January is already packed.

Turrón, polvorones and marzipan are the sweets that sit on Spanish tables from Christmas to Three Kings. A bar of artisan Jijona turrón costs $10–18. Check that no one is allergic to almonds.