Found 20 stronger alternatives to upgrade your writing.
Informal
Nuance: Playful
Casual.
Boring
The child ran across the playground and skidded to a stop by the swings.
Better
The kid ran across the playground and skidded to a stop by the swings.
Very young
Nuance: Infant
Specific age (often under 1).
Boring
The child cried until someone warmed the bottle.
Better
The baby cried until someone warmed the bottle.
Walking baby
Nuance: Young/Unsteady
Specific age (about 1–3).
Boring
The child walked after the dog, laughing and stumbling a little.
Better
The toddler waddled after the dog, laughing and stumbling a little.
General young person
Nuance: Energetic
Friendly and general.
Boring
The child was waved over and the drill was explained again.
Better
The coach waved the youngster over and explained the drill again.
Young person (older)
Nuance: Future generation
Collective/general for young people.
Boring
The children of today will inherit the choices adults make now.
Better
The youth of today will inherit the choices adults make now.
Teenager
Nuance: Growing up
Often clinical/formal.
Boring
The child grew quieter this year and wanted more privacy.
Better
The adolescent grew quieter this year and wanted more privacy.
Aged 13-19
Nuance: Teen
Common age label.
Boring
The child stayed up too late texting and regretted it in the morning.
Better
The teenager stayed up too late texting and regretted it in the morning.
Legal under 18
Nuance: Underage
Legal context.
Boring
It is illegal to sell tobacco to a child.
Better
It is illegal to sell tobacco to a minor.
Young / offender context
Nuance: Young offender
Often legal and can sound negative.
Boring
The child was questioned with a lawyer present.
Better
The juvenile was questioned with a lawyer present.
Biological
Nuance: Progeny
Biology/nature.
Boring
The birds fed their children until the nest was empty.
Better
The birds fed their offspring until the nest was empty.
In school
Nuance: Learner
School context.
Boring
The child raised her hand and asked a careful question.
Better
The student raised her hand and asked a careful question.
In school (traditional)
Nuance: Learner
Traditional/British usage.
Boring
The teacher greeted each child at the door and checked homework.
Better
The teacher greeted each pupil at the door and checked homework.
Relying on adult
Nuance: Bureaucratic
Tax/official context.
Boring
On the form
Better
On the form, he listed his child as a dependent.
Newborn
Nuance: Newborn
Medical/formal.
Boring
The nurse carried the child to the warmer and checked breathing.
Better
The nurse carried the infant to the warmer and checked breathing.
Small child
Nuance: Small/Cute
Affectionate/diminutive.
Boring
The child clutched a stuffed animal and refused to let go.
Better
The tot clutched a stuffed animal and refused to let go.
No parents
Nuance: Storytelling
Tragic/specific circumstance.
Boring
After the storm
Better
After the storm, the orphan moved in with relatives in another town.
Street child
Nuance: Poor/Scrappy
Literary/old-fashioned tone.
Boring
The street child darted between carts and vanished into the crowd.
Better
The urchin darted between carts and vanished into the crowd.
Future family
Nuance: Lineage
Lineage over time.
Boring
His children's children will read these letters long after he is gone.
Better
His descendants will read these letters long after he is gone.
Offspring (formal)
Nuance: Descendants
Formal/literary.
Boring
The king worried about his children and who would inherit the crown.
Better
The king worried about his progeny and who would inherit the crown.
Angelic child
Nuance: Poetic
Poetic/metaphor.
Boring
In the painting
Better
In the painting, a smiling cherub hovered near the clouds.