Birthday gifts for kids can be tough.  The ideal is a not-super-expensive gift that inspires the imagination and yields a squeal of delight.  Here are a few ideas:

THE I SPY GIFT

One of my favorite gifts to give right now is the Seedling Spy Kit with a copy of a book like Agatha, Girl of Mystery.  (Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew is also a great choice.)  

THE ALMOST SUMMER GIFT

You can’t beat J.Crew for affordable, but fun filled gifts and I love this kids Speedo Aqua Quest Snorkel Set.  At $27, it packs a lot of fun in one fetching gift:    

THE GIFT FROM ABROAD

Studio Roof is an amazing collective of designers and their kids from Amsterdam.  This Archiville book with cardboard cutouts that kids can assemble and re-assemble to create their own worlds is a lovely gift. You can order it from JCrew as well.