Three Kings Day Gifts for Kids: What to Give on January 6
On Three Kings Day, or Día de los Reyes, many children receive their main gifts. Five ideas for different ages, plus how the day works.
Three Kings Day (Día de los Reyes) falls on January 6, the day of the Epiphany. In many Spanish-speaking families it is when children receive their main gifts, remembering the gifts the Three Wise Men brought. In some homes children leave their shoes out the night before, or a box of grass or hay for the kings' camels, and find a small present there in the morning. Other families give gifts on Christmas Day or on both days, so it is worth asking before you buy.
Plan ahead
January 6 comes right after the Christmas rush, so stock and shipping can be tighter than you expect. Order by mid-December. If a child writes a letter to the kings, ask what is in it; it is the easiest way to choose well.
Our Top Picks
1. A Building Set
Bricks and blocks suit a wide range of ages and keep a child busy long after the day itself. Check the age range on the box and pick a size that fits the child, not the biggest one.
2. A Family Board Game
A game everyone can play makes the afternoon together part of the gift, which fits a day that is built around the family sitting down together.
3. A Bilingual Picture Book
Books in Spanish and English help children keep reading in both languages. Look for a story the child will want to hear again, and read it with them the first time.
4. Small Gifts for the Shoes
If your family leaves shoes out, a handful of small things fits better than one big box: a toy car, stickers, a keychain, a small puzzle.
5. An Art or Craft Kit
A kit with everything inside gives the child something to make the same day and show to the relatives who come by.
Share a rosca
Many families share a rosca de reyes, a ring-shaped sweet bread with a small figure baked inside. In Mexico, for example, whoever finds the figure traditionally hosts a gathering on February 2. Customs differ between families and regions, so treat this as a starting point and follow your own family's way.
Wishery Verdict
Traditions differ by country and by family: some give gifts on Christmas, some on January 6, some on both. Ask the family what the child expects, then choose something that suits their age and keep it for the morning of the 6th.