Searching for the perfect toddler Christmas gift? You’re in the right place!
Toddlers can be tricky to shop for. They seem to love almost everything at first glance but 5 minutes later they’ve lost interest and gone back to climbing the windowsills, and that new toy you dropped $20 on has been quickly forgotten.
I’m not a fan of buying toys that clutter up my house and rarely get played with. Toddlers grow and develop so quickly, it seems like they are constantly moving on to the next thing!
For this reason, I am picky about the toys I buy my toddler. Toys are an investment. If I’m going to spend money on them and allow them to take up space in our home, I want them to be put to good use for more than 5 minutes!
That’s why I’m a big fan of toddler activities like sensory bins and sticky walls. They are cheap and easy to set up and can constantly be updated to fit your toddler’s needs.
However, on Christmas, I still want my baby to have something under the tree to open!
Most all of the gifts on this list are items we have personally purchased and love. I’m only including “timeless” toys that my daughter has continued to love and play with months after receiving them.
You’ll also find a few new items on this guide that are on my list to purchase for Christmas this year. Don’t worry, I’ve done the research so you don’t have to!
Best Gifts for Toddlers in 2019
Pop-Up Tent, Tunnels, and Ball Pit
This might be one of the best things I’ve ever purchased for my daughter. We bought it as a Christmas gift when she was only 8 months old, and she still plays with it daily a year later! From crawling through the tunnels to playing hide and seek to shooting hoops with the balls, this set has provided endless entertainment throughout several developmental stages. You’ll also need to order a set of plastic balls to go with it.
Comfy Lounge Chair
Oh my goodness, these chairs are the cutest. I’ve been amazed by how often my daughter actually sits in it, considering how rare it is for her to be still.
We went with the Oversized Anywhere Chair from Pottery Barn, but you kind find similar ones on Amazon that are a good bit cheaper.
We decided to buy the large one so she could grow into it, and it’s been a great investment. She loves sitting in her chair hugging her stuffed animals, looking at her books, and watching the occasional Mickey Mouse Clubhouse episode! It’s large enough that she will be able to comfortably sit in it for years to come.
Melissa & Doug Wooden Cleaning Play Set
Contrary to popular belief, toddlers really do love to be helpful!
My daughter used to constantly try to grab the broom from me every time she caught me sweeping the kitchen floor. I let her “sweep” with it a few times but it was so big I knew it would end in disaster!
So I ordered her this adorable wooden Melissa & Doug housekeeping set. She LOVES trying to sweep anything on the floor into her little red dust pan.
Here’s to hoping this love for cleaning continues into her teenage years and beyond!
Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Tricycle
This is another one of those toys that grows with your child. This convertible 4-in1 tricycle has 4 settings:
- Infant Trike: Includes a baby tray that wraps all the way around, a safety harness, and a footrest. Also features a tall handlebar for you to push with, for use similar to a stroller.
- Steering Trike: When baby’s arms are long enough to reach the handlebars, remove the wrap-around tray but leave the footrest. Your tot will feel like he’s riding a bike, but you are still in control as you push using your handlebar.
- Learn-to-Ride Trike: When your child grows tall enough to reach the pedals, remove the foot rest. The handlebar stays on so you can continue to guide your little one as he learns to pedal.
- Classic Trike: Finally, remove the handlebar to make a classic independent tricycle!
Other features I love:
- Cup holder for your tot
- Cute little storage “trunk” in the back for snacks and toys
- Seat adjusts to 3 different positions to accommodate your growing child’s height
This is one gift that will be used for years to come!
Wooden Puzzles
Chunky wooden puzzles are perfect for toddlers. They facilitate fine motor skills and critical thinking strategies, two very important parts of toddler development! Our two favorites are this Mickey Mouse Clubhouse puzzle and this Melissa & Doug puzzle that plays nursery rhymes! You can also find personalized wooden name puzzles here.
Confession – as I was writing this post I got distracted and clicked buy now on this puzzle. We’re learning shapes and she loves Mickey Mouse, how could I not for under $6? You win again, Amazon.
Water Table
You might be thinking that water tables are more of a summer toy, but water tables can be used for a lot more than just water play! You can use your water table to make a sensory bin or fill it with jello for some messy edible play. We have this one.
LeapFrog My Pal
These interactive stuffed dolls can be personalized to say your child’s name, favorite food, etc. You can also program your child’s age to change the level of skills practiced. These dolls teach colors, animal sounds, nursery rhymes, body parts, and more! My daughter has had hers for over a year and still plays with it all the time. We have Violet. We also have the Fisher Price version, this adorable Smart Puppy!
Water Wows
Water Wows are AMAZING as an activity to bring when you are traveling or out-and-about – car, airplane, restaurant, whatever. They are a lot more economical then the water painting books I had as a kid since the pages fade as they dry and can be reused time and time again. Simply add water to the tube on the brush and paint away! These make a great stocking stuffer!
We all know toddlers love to climb! As nerve-racking as it can be for us parents, climbing is an important part of toddler development. Rather than try to fight it, you might as well give your tot some safe opportunities to practice their newfound skills!
The Naturally Playful Woodland Climber (pictured above) features a slide, ladder, and play rock climbing wall. There’s even a crawl space underneath that can be used as a sandbox or a fun sensory play area!
Mega Bloks
Building with blocks benefits your toddlers development in so many ways. Hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness, engineering skills, and fine motor development are just a few important skills practiced when playing with blocks!
Mega bloks are perfect for little toddler hands – they’re like legos but bigger and easier to use!
I love that they come in a storage bag for easy clean-up. There are also several color options – we have the pretty pink and turquoise set!
Aqua Magic Doodle Mat
Like Water Wows on steroids!
Let your kiddo experiment with art without running the risk of paint on the carpet or crayons on the walls.
The doodle mat comes with two pens, a paintbrush, stamps, and stencils – all you have to do is add water.
It’s large enough for multiple kids to doodle at once and dries completely clean so it can be used time and time again.
What are you getting your toddler for Christmas this year?
Do you have any ideas for gifts that can be put to use for a long time? If so, leave a comment and let me know so I can add it to the list!
We would love to see what you and your toddler are up to this Holiday Season! Follow us on Instagram and tag @happytoddlerclub using the hashtag #happytoddlerclub to show us all the fun Holiday activities you are doing this year!
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