As a parent to two active little ones (ages 5 and 1.5) I have some insight into what kids love—and, let’s be honest—what parents actually enjoy having in their house.
Don’t miss our guide for Him + Her, and Parents/in-laws!
Today, I’ve rounded up 36 gift ideas for kids and toddlers, ranging from popular gadgets to unique finds from small businesses and personalized keepsakes. These are gifts my own kids have loved, ones we’ve given to others, or plan to gift this year—all thoroughly parent-approved!
Let’s start with gifts for the littlest loves, thoughtfully curated with my 1.5 year old son in mind.
1. Baghera Speedster car // They’ll be the talk of the playground with this ride-on speedster car. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more stylish kids ride! Here’s a similar, budget-friendly version.
2. Vehicle Toy Set // This set was gifted to Luca on his birthday, and he plays with them all day long. Each one makes realistic sounds, lights up and has doors that open/close. The friction-powered movement is a bonus. I’ve been super impressed with the features and quality, especially for the price!
3. Take-along train set // Trains are Luca’s #1 obsession right now, and I’m getting him this set for Christmas. The portability/easy clean-up is the biggest selling point for me, and I love the accessories with this one.
4. Wind up train book // I saw this on Instagram and immediately bought it for Luca. It’s a board book that converts into a track, complete with a wind-up train. It already sold out at several places online, but I found it on sale on Amazon!
5. Mini City play mat // If your toddler has a car in their hands at all times like mine does, this city play mat will keep their imagination alive for hours. I love that it’s easy to roll up and put away!
6. Radio Flyer Classic wagon // We’ve had this in our family since our daughter was a baby, and we still use it daily. Our son loves to take turns pushing his toys around and riding in it. A classic, well-built wagon any toddler would love.
7. Organic Houndstooth romper // One of my favorite small biz brands for high quality, organic kids textiles (we still use their crib sheet from 4 years ago). Soft, stretchy fabric that holds up great after multiple washes. I ordered this romper and matching dress for big sister for holiday photos!
8. Bath Boon toy set // Another big hit we’ve had for years, and Luca’s current favorite bath toy. An engaging way to help develop their hand-eye coordination, and he loves watching the water trickle down.
9. Outdoorsy t-shirt // This shirt sums up my toddler in one word. It just arrived last week and the quality is really nice—especially for $15!
10. Sherpa bear booties // Honestly, is there anything more adorable than a toddler in fuzzy bear winter gear? I dress Luca in his bear slippers and beanie every chance I get (aka, the one week it drops below 70º here).
11. Warmies stuffed animal // A stuffed animal that also doubles as a heat source? Genius! This cozy microwavable plushie is perfect to keep them warm in bed on chilly nights. I got one for each kid this year and can’t wait for them to open it.
12. Mix ’n Match Bear Family // Our daughter still loves her dress up doll puzzle, and this cute bear set is ideal for boys and girls with plenty of options to let them explore their creativity.
13. Personalized board book // This board book can be personalized with photos of your favorite people, places and memories. A fun way for your little one to learn about their unique story, and a keepsake that doubles as a photo album.
14. Castle play tent // My kids love making forts and castles, and this pop-up play tent is cute enough to keep up permanently (also portable to move around easily!)
15. Little Tikes Story Dream Machine // I recently bought this for my niece’s birthday, and it has been a hit in their house. It’s a simple projector that brings story time to life with lights and sound. My kids would love it!
16. Wood climbing set // Our active toddler would probably spend all day on this. There are endless configurations to keep them busy and practice their motor skills.
17. Battery powered tool set // This was Esmé’s Christmas gift a few years ago, and it’s now one of Luca’s favorite toys. It’s so rewarding to watch him figure out how to switch out the bits and operate the drill—start ‘em young!
18. Toy cleaning set // If your little loves to help around the house like ours does, this set is the perfect way for them to practice their skills (and it’s cute enough to keep out in the open!)
Our kids are at the age where they enjoy playing together, and share many of the same toys. Though this kids’ guide is inspired by my five year old, you’ll find gifts suited for a range of ages (1-10+):
1. Gingerbread popup house // Keep the kids entertained all winter break long with this pop-up gingerbread playhouse. They’ll love coloring and decorating the outside, while playing house with functional folding doors, windows, and a mail slot.
2. Petimini kids bike // Our daughter has recently shown interest in learning to ride her bike (again) and if I had the choice, this is the bike I would have bought her (alas, Frozen won out). Really, I just want it for myself. It comes in several sizes, maybe I could fit on the largest??
3. Adjustable wooden easel // Our daughter has asked for an easel for Christmas, and this is the only one I found that met all of my criteria: simple wood construction, chalkboard + whiteboard + paper roll, folds away when not in use, under $100. Sold!
4. Play camping set // My parents had one of these camping kits set up with a tent for our kids when they came to visit, and our daughter didn’t want to leave. They both had a blast pretending they were camping. My favorite part is the realistic stove that emits light and “steam”.
5. Mini golf playset // This 8-piece wooden mini golf set will bring hours of entertainment to your golfer-in-training. I like that it can be used year round indoors or out, and the whole family can enjoy a game together.
6. Fabric doorway theater // My kids would have the best time putting on a show with this darling and clever pop-up puppet theater. I love that you can easily put it up in any doorway and it requires minimal storage space.
7. Digital Piano Keyboard // We’re enrolling Esmé in piano lessons next month, and this compact keyboard would be perfect for practicing at home. It’s a great middle ground between a basic baby piano and investing in a real instrument.
8. Toniebox // My niece has a Toniebox, and my girls can’t get enough of it when we visit. They love the independence it gives them to pick their favorite stories and switch between stories and music without needing our help.
9. Exploring Nature activity book // Esmé received this for her birthday this year, and loved it so much she gifted it to her best friend. It’s full of fun activities and experiments to spark their curiosity for the natural world.
10. Magic trick set // We recently got a magic trick kit for Esmé, and she was thrilled to learn the tricks and put on a magic show for us. This wooden set is simple enough for younger kiddos, and well designed to last for years.
11. Foxtail Villa dollhouse // What little girl wouldn’t be delighted to wake up to this villa dollhouse on Christmas morning? Honestly, I wouldn’t mind having this on display in my home—it’s that charming! Plus, it even comes with matching furniture.
12. Moulin Roty Coloring Book // Coloring and sticker books never get old at our house, and this darling French inspired book would delight any little girl. We’re gifting this to one of Esmé’s ballet friends this year.
13. Paper airplane kit // For the young engineer, this paper airplane kit would make the perfect holiday break activity. It includes 100 different paper airplanes to create, decorate and launch (fun for the parents, too!) Stealing this gift idea.
14. Snug Play+ kids headphones // If you’ve ever traveled with children, you know how essential a good pair of headphones can be. This pair features a built-in volume limiter, folds for easy packing, and comes in a variety of fun designs.
15. Fujifilm Instax camera // I bought this to use at Esmé’s birthday party last year, and it was a hit with her friends. Now that she’s five, she’s even more into developing her photography skills. The instant polaroids never get old, and this model is very user/kid-friendly.
16. Primrosia dual tip marker pens // For the budding artist ready to graduate from Crayola, this beautiful marker set includes 60 watercolor brush and fine tip pens in a wide range of colors.
17. Organic smocked dress // One of my favorite small biz brands for high quality, organic kids textiles (we still use their crib sheet from four years ago). I ordered this dress and matching romper for Luca for holiday photos.
18. Shadow puppet theater // Any interactive form of entertainment that isn’t a screen is a win in my book. This shadow puppet theater makes bedtime stories come alive through an immersive experience with light, shadows and a narrated story.
I hope this post has been helpful to find the perfect gift for the little ones in your life! This guide is always my favorite to create because I love imagining the joy my kids will feel when they open their gifts. Counting down the days until Christmas morning!
Stay tuned for our last guide tomorrow: gift ideas for parents and in-laws!
