Holiday Gift Guide for Toddlers

Toddlers are a little tricky to shop for. Some 1-year-olds and 2-year-olds are getting better at exploring the world around them, which means they love toys that foster motor coordination, show cause, and effect or enhance imaginative play.

And while this makes them more interested in actually playing with toys (and not just the boxes and the wrapping they came in), there are still lots of playsets that aren’t appropriate for them, since toddlers still have to steer clear of choking hazards.

From a personal experience, we found these were the best toddler gifts that will inspire hours of fun and play. All of the gift ideas below are all items we own at home, that Rowan enjoys playing with, interacting with, reading, and bringing her joy.

And if you are also shopping for a baby, check out my holiday gift guide for them here!

Holiday Gift Ideas for Toddlers

1. Janod Big Cooker Reverso Play Kitchen

This small kitchen has provided hours of play, from cooking, washing laundry (on the reverse side) to now storing fruits and vegetables in the fridge. It’s in soft colours, mid-century modern style, rounded shapes, a perfect size for an apartment, and has so many features!

2. Fisher-Price^® Little People^® Caring for Animals Farm

Since we brought it home from Toys R Us, this little farm has been played with every day the past 4 months. As your child plays and explore with this cute farm, fun songs, sounds and phrases introduce counting, colors, animal sounds and more with three Smart Stages® levels that grow along with your child.

3. Melissa & Doug, Let’s Play House! Dust! Sweep! Mop! Pretend Play Set

What I love about the toddler age, is that they want to be so helpful around the house! Rowan is constantly asking to help out from dusting to sweeping to putting trash in the bin, and I picked her up this Montessori-inspired set so we stopped fighting over my duster!

4. Books

You cannot go wrong with books! With thousands out there for toddlers, you can find something that will pique their interest. The brighter the illustrations, the better in my opinion. I’ve shared a glimpse of our book collection on the blog, but we keep adding to it because of all the fun books out there!

This book featured is really cute and easy to read and beautiful to look at!

5. Soft and Cozy Pajamas

I’m an adult and I still ask for new pajamas for the holidays. So what toddler wouldn’t want new jammies to get into for all those chilly days spent at home? There are many affordable options, I tend to pick up ours from Old Navy, Joe Fresh, Carter’s or Gap Kids.

These ones pictured we picked up for Rowan and she is obsessed since dinosaurs are some of her favourite toys!

6. Jellycat Brooklyn Small Hippopotamus Stuffed Animal

Any cute, soft doll will become a toddler’s new best friend. You can’t go wrong with any Jellycat doll, how sweet is this hippopotamus?

7. Melissa and Doug Wooden Puzzle Set of 3

I don’t know any toddler that doesn’t enjoy a puzzle, this set of 3 puzzles is under $30. Wooden pieces are easy to grasp, lift, and fit together to create stunning scenes.

8. Musical Instruments

Music is very important to a baby and toddler’s developmental stages. This set comes with 19 pieces so you both can play music together or share with a friend.

9. Montessori Wooden Pikler Triangle + Ramp

Endless hours of fun and creativity with this pikler and ramp combo. Besides practicing climbing, balance, and motor skills, we also use the ramp to slide down her toy cars or dolls or hide underneath. It’s easy to fold up and store, can be wiped down and the level of excitement that happens when it’s pulled out is worth it.

10. TekyGo! Junior Bouncer Bundle

A mini trampoline and video game + app?! That’s right, this educational system just launched this October! Rowan can get daily exercise (especially during the winter months) while learning colours, word association, and even going on a world adventure in the app!
*Use TEKYGOGIFTALIFEWELLCONSUMED to get 10% off

11. LoveVery Kits  + Block Set

As I’ve mentioned before on here and on my Instagram, these play kits and other toys are fantastic for babies and toddlers! We love getting our new kit every 2-3 months full of new activities and Montessori toys for Rowan to discover.

12. Balance Bike

I bought Rowan a balance bike for Christmas, I can’t wait for her to open it! It will help her improve motor skills and I can just see it be a lot of fun at the park or at home on rainy days.
* You can use my promo code ALWC10 for 10% off sitewide.

13. Mega Bloks First Builders Big Building Bag With Big Building Blocks

This affordable block set (under $25) has brought us endless hours of play! Rowan is getting so good at building towers and buildings (I say this loosely), and we don’t go a day without this being pulled out of her toy basket.

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