(Edited and updated on 9-25-18) We’ve rounded up some of the best toys out there for you to choose from in this gift guide. With the Holidays approaching, now is the time to get your lists out and figure out what you need for each person.
(At the time this was written….. ) Having an almost one year old now, makes this a very exciting holiday season. I can’t wait to share these holidays as a family and see how she loves spending them with us.
I absolutely love Christmas/Holiday shopping. It really puts me in the holiday spirit. Finding the perfect gift for each person and getting excited to see their reaction as they unwrap the exciting gift, is always priceless in my eyes.
I love the anticipation of gift giving and I mayyyy go a little overboard each year. My in laws are always telling me to scale it back this year, but, that would take all the fun out of it. I just can’t do that!
So, I’m a little crazy and buy more than I should. I also start shopping earlier in the year than I should, but, in my eyes, I’m just spreading the Christmas spirit throughout the year.
This year, I decided to join a list full of amazing other bloggers to share our top gift picks for various age ranges and categories.
You’ll be sure to find many unique and exciting Christmas present ideas for every person you need one for this year.
This gift guide that I am providing you with is for finding gifts that are great in initiating getting baby on the move, helpful in teaching toddlers different life skills and providing toys that help with physical development of babies and toddlers.
I want to share toys that are more geared toward functionality or learning rather than toys that seem pointless and that will take up space in your home.
So, without further ado, let’s get to the gift ideas.
Gift guide of ideas for Infants and Toddlers
Toys that help get your baby on the move
Some babies are just happier when they are moving. Why not get them the tools so they can do so safely and begin the learning process of how they can move around.
Our daughter loved rolling around and crawling. Then once she was upright, she loved bouncing around and attempting to walk with eventually walking around.
These are some fun ways to get your babies moving around with these toys and apparatus.
The VTech Sit to Stand Learning Walker
The Evenflo Exersaucer Doorway Jumper Â
Baby Walker
I can’t get enough of anything Disney, so anytime I see anything Disney that is cute, I always want to share it. This walker is great for any baby who wants to be on the move and have some basic freedom of their own.
This walker also has something that our walker did and we were very thankful for it. The tray that is attached to the walker has toys that are attached to it. It’s very helpful to keep your child entertained and it is safer than just giving them stand alone toys along with the walker.
If you give them a separate toy to play with, you run the risk of them throwing it on the floor and then getting jammed up under the walker. The wheels are quite sturdy and work well on carpet floors and flat surfaces as well.
This walker is also equipped with grip strips that will help keep walker safe on uneven surfaces.
Infantino Grow with Me Activity Mat
We loved the Grow with Me Activity Mat. It is something that you can use for many, many months.
Baby can use it as an activity mat where they lay on their back and play with the toys above. Then as they age, the sides can come up and they can have it as a cute and fun ball pit.
For this one in particular, the balls store in the little turtle’s head which make clean up and storage very easy. Now, when Caroline isn’t using it, we toss all of her toys in it and it acts as a toy bin.
Multifunctional toy that grows with her- Â for the win!
If you’re looking for more toys that will help build your Toddler’s Motor Skills, check out the post by Dana at Mama Needs Cake.
Toys that help teach Toddlers
Uppercase and Lowercase Alphabet Puzzle
This puzzle is not only great at helping your child learn the letters of the alphabet, it is great at showing them the difference in upper and lower case letters.
As with all puzzles, this is great for helping children with their motor skills, so it could easily be a multifunctional toy that helps them learn their alphabet, colors and dexterity.
Hey! Play! Foam Floor Shapes Puzzle Learning Mat
This mat has so many functions, it’s ridiculous. I LOVE it.
We plan on getting a set like this for Caroline for Christmas!!! It will be under our tree for sure.
A foam playing mat is always good to have as a safe playing area for children. This learning mat has various shapes for your child to learn, as well as many colors on each of the foam pieces.
The pieces come out like puzzle pieces and can be a GIANT puzzle to keep your child busy for hours on end.
Step2® LifeStyle Bright Custom Kitchen
One of these is also going to be under our tree this year. My mom still had my little sister’s play kitchen.
Caroline has started playing with it at her house and it has already become a hit. I’m praying she will love this one just as much.
It’s so cute to watch her play with all of the pieces involved in the kitchen. She enjoys pulling out the drawers and attempting to put them in.
This play kitchen is really neat because the different appliances make real sounding noises that you would hear in the kitchen, making play time seem even more real.
I always say any toy that can get their imagination going is the BOMB in my book. I know I loved the play kitchen when I was younger too. Most kids do and I know this will be a hit for the children on your list.
Lanka Kade Elephant 1-10 Puzzle
If you’re looking for more educational toys, check out the list by my friend Kim!
Toys to help the Physical, Mental and Emotional Development of your Toddler
Little Tikes Fish ‘n Splash Water Table
We hope you can use these awesome gift ideas in this gift guide to bring some educational joy into your child’s Christmas time. These gifts are perfect for babies and toddlers. I hope you were able to find something that you can get the little one in your life. Have a safe and fantastic holiday season! Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave your gift ideas in the comments below!
Ruth Ridley says
Love this gift guide! Time to shop!!
Kate says
These are so great! They actually remind me of a lot of toys that I had when I was growing up. I’m glad to see things that don’t use batteries or technology. Sometimes that market gets so oversaturated. Bringing it back to basics is so refreshing. Thanks for the guide!
Megan says
I had one of those play kitchens when I was little. I swear they are the best gift for kids, entertained for hours on end!
Zuzana says
Such a great tips. My brother just got a baby. Now I know what to get for Xmas.
Kendra says
I love all these ideas, especially the elephant! My favorites.
Beth says
My son loves the Melissa and Doug Calendar! Such a great list. Thanks for the resource!
Vicki @ Babies to bookworms says
This is such a great list and so many of my daughter’s favorite toys are on here! She absolutely loved that VTech walker! I definitely need to check out that play kitchen for my little baker!
Jaclyn Bree says
I like the walker! I actually remember the walker I had as a baby (not clearly, but I definitely recall it) and they’re fond memories. I wish I could get one for my girls but “walker” (on wheels) are now illegal in Canada. At least they’ll be able to have Kinder Surprise though!
Lyndsey says
these are so many great gift ideas! I love this roundup!
Jenny says
I will totally have to pass this along to my friends who have young kiddos 🙂
Madison @ Ways Of the weavers says
This is a great gift guide! I’m always trying to figure out what to get the babies in my life, and it’s hard when you don’t have kids of your own. Thanks for sharing!
sARAH says
My little one loved her walker! She still plays with it even though she is mobile now!
Erin Nicole says
My boys love the sensory table! This is a great list!!
onesharpmamablog@gmail.com says
Thanks for sharing Erin! That table is awesome
Hanka says
Thanks for sharing the ideas! I´m pretty sure my 2yo daughter would love the alphabet puzzle!
EmIly @ Pizza @ Pull-Ups says
We had that activity mat, it was awesome! These are some great gift ideas.
Ayanna @ 21FlavorsofSplendor says
Great list! Play kitchens are always a great gift and provide fun for years to come.
Kelsey says
These are great ideas. I love the play kitchen!
Chelsey says
These are great ideas for my little girl! I had no clue what to get her! Thank you for sharing!
Ant says
The V-tek walker was great for our tiny one and the kitchen has been a wonderful addition too.
Laura | The Yellow Birdhouse says
My kiddos love their play kitchen, it was a sound investment! I love that elephant puzzle too, that would be good for my son who can’t seem to figure out the difference between 3 and 4. Haha
Kristi says
Lots of great ideas! I especially like the water table.
Rebecca @ Strength says
These are wonderful! Fun and beneficial for them!
Kalyn says
I love the calendar and nesting blocks! So fun! the water table would also be neat! Thanks for compiling a great list 🙂
Sara @ Magical Mama Blog says
That doorway jumper has saved our lives. My baby can be in the worst mood and instantly turns around when we put her in there! The puzzle mat covers our fireplace hearth and she adores tearing it apart. I’m going to need that elephant puzzle in our home immediately! Great finds thanks for this list!
Katie | Hospitable Homemaker says
Such a great list! My kids love everything on here although I haven’t seen the elephant before. Love that!
Becca says
Both of my kids LOVED that walker! Seems to be a fan favorite among our friends too.