The Banner’s 2025 holiday gift guide

Kids’ sketchbook

Packed with character and durability, this handmade journal is made for pocket-sized adventures, whether you’re at a beach, city park, zoo, or your own backyard.

Giving Guide 2025

For many, the holiday season is about buying gifts, attending parties and baking cookies. However, the holidays are also a great time to give back to those less fortunate.

Inner Harbor counting book

Count the boats (and seagulls) in this beautifully illustrated celebration of Baltimore’s busy harbor.

Early childhood music class

This immersive program in Annapolis for preschoolers and kindergartners is designed to boost cognitive, social and physical development while giving parents a shared creative experience.

Orioles baby onesie

Give ’em the bird, baby. This cheeky bodysuit is a nod to the beloved hometown O’s.

Icee Machine

Treat kids to their very own slushy station at home. This fun Icee Machine lets them mix ice and syrup to make their favorite frozen drinks. Perfect for birthday parties, snow days, or any time they want a cool and colorful treat.

Membership to the National Aquarium

Give the gift of undersea wonder this holiday season with membership to the National Aquarium. Members get free, unlimited admission for one year and can access exclusive perks, special events and discounts. Explore membership plans today.

‘Partypooper’

It’s Greg’s birthday — and you’re invited to the chaos. In “Partypooper,” the 20th book in UMD grad Jeff Kinney’s global smash-hit “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series, Greg Heffley is planning the ultimate party — for himself.

The Shops at Kenilworth

Celebrate the season at The Shops at Kenilworth in Baltimore County! Discover holiday fashion, find thoughtful gifts, snap photos with Santa, explore our holiday train garden and enjoy seasonal specials all winter long.

Sew much fun

Have a crafty kid? Treat them to this hands-on sewing experience at Artsy Partsy. From threading the needle to finishing a handmade project, they’ll learn new skills and leave with something they created themselves.

Hot dog race shirts

Is your kid on Team Relish, Team Ketchup or Team Mustard? Let your little O’s fan rep their favorite condiment with pride.

Otter encounter

Experience how the Maryland Zoo animal care team and river otters interact on a daily basis by watching a training session with Hudson and Brie the otters.

Stylish fidgets

Speks magnet balls are like magnetic putty, a stress ball and building blocks all in one. Perfect for focus and stress relief.

‘Black Women Are the Future’ coloring book

Baltimore-based author Naomi Winston created a coloring book specifically designed and curated to uplift Black women and girls with the goal of supporting sisterhood within the Black community.

Mr. Trash Wheel Construction Kit

Build your own miniature version of Baltimore’s beloved trash-eating icon, Mr. Trash Wheel. This laser-cut wooden kit is eco-friendly, educational and a fun gift for makers of all ages.

Dumper Truck

Built for big imaginations and little hands, this sturdy Dumper Truck is perfect for hauling, dumping and endless make-believe. Durable, colorful and fun indoors or out, it’s the ultimate gift for kids who love to build, move and play.

Cozy coastal crab PJs

Little ones won’t wake up crabby after sleeping in these soft bamboo pajamas. A full-length zipper makes changes quick, while the breathable fabric keeps baby comfortable from nap time to playtime. The cheerful print adds an extra splash of fun.

Maryland Park Service passport

Instead of toys my kids will get bored with, one item on our wish list every year is a Maryland Park Service passport. Some of my family’s favorites include the tire park at the Hilton area of Patapsco Valley State Park and searching for shark teeth at Calvert Cliffs State Park.

— Carrie Mihalcik, express desk editor