Gosh gift giving can really be stressful, can’t it? I hope that this guide takes the guess work out of it for you. I’ve compiled my favorite toys for age ranges of many kiddos and I think these are some of the best gifts for babies and toddlers.
This list is a combination of my experience as a pediatric OT, mom, auntie to 12 nieces and nephews for 9 years, and a poll of my friends and family members! Together, we bring you this guide! Make sure you check out my Gift Giving: A Guide for Kids Aged 4-8 Years for the older kiddos in your life!
Tips for Use
-Feel free to flow between ages. Kids might like a specific object that might be mentioned earlier or later.
-As kids get older, gender seems to matter more. But much of what I mention here can be interchangeable!
-A LOT (like a lot) of these items could likely be found second hand and I encourage you to look. Likely they’re still in good shape, but are just grown out of.
Categories
- Books are wonderful for language development, social emotional learning, developing play schemes, and motor tasks such as pointing and page turning. Encouraging readers and enjoyment of reading is done by reading early and often.
- Manipulatives include some of my favorite toys for free play, developing fine motor skills such as finger strength, dexterity, two handed play, and visual motor integration.
- Play will include toys or items that encourage all types of play: sensory, imaginative, reciprocal, representative. Kiddos oftentimes lack play skills and utilizing these types of toys can continue to promote this important part of development.
- Subscriptions or passes are ideas for monthly mail items or ways to go out and do awesome things in your community. Sometimes people don’t need more “stuff”.
- Gross Motor objects are toys, games, or gear that encourage your child to move the big muscle groups in their body. This type of movement is excellent for developing strength, coordination, balance, mobility, and body awareness!
For each age range, you’ll find suggestions in each category. Feel free to search other age ranges if your kiddo is not quite ready for a certain toy, or if they are on e edge of an age range!
*This post contains affiliate links and I may receive commission when you click on links and make purchases. However, this does not impact the price you pay!
0-12 months
Books
Any books. Research shows reading at an early age, and honestly reading anything, will support your child to be interested in reading in the future. As Babe gets a little older, she’ll flip through the pages quickly and you’ll want simple pictures with simple words and books she can grasp onto. Here are a few favorites.
–Baby’s first words
–Indestructibles: These books are non-toxic, chew and rip-proof, washable
-Touch and Feel books, such as this one
Manipulatives
Baby is just learning how to hold items in his or her hands, so choosing objects that are easy to grasp and transfer between hands is great. They’re also exploring how things work, so toys that go up, down, open, close, in, out are great!
-Ring tower: This one has smaller rings that are easier to manipulate and put on/take off
–Spin tower: Or check out their “mini spinny” which is equally cute. The mini skinny is likely more appropriate for little babes, but the spin tower will serve slightly older babies as well.
-Toys with doors to open/close, such as a pop up toy
-Rattles, rings that interconnect, large pop beads: These are all easy to grasp and explore with
Play
At this stage, babies use sensory exploration to play. So think of things they can explore with their eyes, ears, mouth, and hands! Or just get yourself a new set up pots, pans, Tupperware and lids and tell others that it’s a gift for the baby. You’re helping him play! Your secret is safe with me
-Crinkle paper
-Mirror toy
–Pull back cars
-Buckets and shapes (such as a shape sorter without the lid)
-Toys with buttons and music: Ok, I get it. Toys with noise can be mind numbing. But have a few that have big buttons that do something to give your child the opportunity to explore this skills. I find this one to be not that annoying.
Subscriptions
-Parent/baby swim lessons
–Lovevery: These are awesome boxes. The objects are quality and they send an entire booklet on how to use the items to promote development! You’ll notice I include Lovevery at every age below. Send me an email or DM me on social media for a code.
-Kiwi Co: I have not tried their stuff, but I’d love to! It looks pretty great.
Gross motor
-Water table: This one is for older babies and those that are standing. If you live in a cold climate however, this is still a great gift that the child might be ready for when summer rolls back around
–Water mat: If you have a younger baby you’re buying for, a water mat is an awesome way to encourage tummy time!
–Small lounge chair: This offers lots of practice of getting on and off of surfaces that are totally safe
-Walkers or riding cars: These promote mobility in an upright means. Here’s one that serves as both. There are a lot out there, but I do like Skip Hop’s stuff.
-The Upseat: An excellent seating option for when your babe wants so badly to sit up but can’t yet (ages 4 months-9 months for some). Use code: KIDSANDLIFE10 for a 10% discount.
1-2 years
Books
-Lift-A-Flap books: Any book that encourages their little fingers to do some work, is awesome. This also solidifies the cause/effect concept they have been working on over the past year.
–Poke-a-Dot books: Guys. I love these books. So addicting for a fidgeter like myself. But also, this book is interactive and encourages the isolated finger use necessary for dexterity and fine motor skills!
-Word books: So many opportunities to learn language at this crucial stage of language development. Think of books like Richard Scarry where each page is filled with pictures and words of things that you can just point out and read.
–Tiny books: These are so great for those little hands and fingers. The pack that they come in also encourages the first matching they might encounter.
-Simple interactive books such as Where is Bear
Manipulatives
-Wooden blocks: These will be a timeless toy and worth any money you spend. They will last your kiddo a long time. These can begin the concepts of in/out and building. These are big and bulky, great for big construction building. And these are another awesome option!
-Shapes and shape sorters: Excellent for building visual motor integration skills!
-Mega Blocks: This promotes building as well as bilateral coordination
-Simple puzzles: Think 3-6 piece, large knobs, picture behind the piece puzzles like this one.
Play
At this stage, toddlers are picking up on everything and starting to imitate. Consider play schemes that they see others play or do and model that!
-Babies and accessories: Stroller, diapers, diaper bag
-Shopping carts and pretend food
–Cleaning supply toys
-Puppets or stuffed animals: Kids start to feel a connection to these objects and may want to start involving them in play schemes
Subscriptions
This was the time that my daughter started getting excited when she realized something new had come for her!
-Highlights Hello: These are awesome baby magazines that are indestructible and wipeable. We still keep these in the car for easy entertainment and are great for ages 0-2.5-3 years.
-Ranger Rick: All about animals and wonderful pictures
–Lovevery: I cannot speak highly enough about this company!
Gross Motor
This is a fun age to start thinking about gross motor toys because they are so explorative!
-Rocking horse: This one is nice and sturdy and durable. Having it low to the ground helps it feel safer
–Foam play set: Encourage building and crawling up, over, around, and under objects
–Learning tower: We LOVE ours for helping in the kitchen
-Tunnel: This is a fun tool for learning concepts such as through and promotes crawling
2-3 years
Books
Toddlers are starting to sit for longer periods of time and attending to stories! Also, they LOVE asking you to read the same story over and over again. So pick something that you like too 🙂 Choose books with simple stories, those that are about certain events or situations, and those with simple lessons to learn.
-The following books about manners, Duck and Goose, books about going to the doctor or the dentist, The Gruffalo
-For the love of everything, introduce diverse books please. Check some great titles out here.
-Interactive books such as Color Blocked, Press Here, or Silly Goose
-Picture books or photo albums with family and friends
-Recorded books with family members’ voices on them. This is a very special book we have and I’ll hold onto it forever with all the grandparents reading a page.
Manipulatives
-Stackable toys like Duplos or blocks (such as the wooden blocks already mentioned): start creating more actual objects versus just stacking. Create trains, houses, robots, trees, etc.
–Button Art: this is an OT’s dream toy. It promotes color matching, visual motor skills, and use of finger tips for strength and dexterity
-Tweezers: Ha! Who likes tweezers for a gift? But I’m talking toys that have tweezers as a component. Here is an example: Bee Match
–Tea Party: This is the best for two handed play, grading pressure, and taking off and putting on the lids
-Play Doh, Kinetic Sand, modeling clay: options are endless
–Barnyard Activity Box: This was and still is one of my favorite treatment tools as well as gifts to give.
-Potato Head: A classic toy great for finger skills and two handed play
Play
This is a fun age for play! They are starting to show imaginative play around 2-2.5 years old. It’s so great because you can start to see the play scheme wheels turning. During this time, however, they are still best at imitating skills and play schemes that have been modeled for them. Try these things to promote open ended play:
-Kitchen play sets and pretend food: also have you seen mud kitchens? Make your own with this guide. Or, grab a second hand one that is shotty already and put it outside. Add pots, pans, spoon, measuring cups, buckets of water and you’ve got an afternoon of fun! My sister-in-law did this and she dubbed her back deck as a “toddler’s delight”.
-Cars and trucks
-Little People
-Doctor, dentist, vet sets
-Simple art supplies such as jumbo crayons, chalk, finger paint, Playdoh
Subscriptions
-Passes to the local zoo
-Swim lessons or gift cards to the local pool
–Lovevery (see, I did it again)
Gross Motor
Watch out! Toddlers get more curious and daring at this age. Here are some ways to encourage their movement and body awareness with safe(ish) options. As with most any gross motor tool, PLEASE provide supervision.
-Scooter: Consider one with 3 wheels… trust me.
–YBike: One step easier than a balance bike
-Tricycle: I like this one because you can make a setting where the wheels turn when you push or they only turn when prompted by the child. Both are good for learning at various times. This was gifted to us and my daughter has loved it.
–Nugget: If you follow my IG account, you’re thinking, “Enough about the Nugget!” It’s just such a versatile tool, great for many gross motor skills (not to mention creativity and problem solving as well), and will definitely be used for many years to come. I also heard about a new company, The Figgy. They’re based out of Madison, WI. I haven’t tried it, but it seems like another great option! Check them both out.
3-4 years
Books
-Any books with a couple longer lessons to learn such as: Rainbow Fish, Giraffes Can’t Dance, Be Kind
-Berenstain Bears series
-Search and find books
-Any books that encourage and celebrate diversity. Check out The Able Fables, Skin Like Mine, Not Quite Narwhal, Books by Andrea Beaty
-Dragons Love Tacos, Pete the Cat series
-Dr. Seuss books
Manipulatives
Hello creativity and imagination!
–Magnatiles!!! I recommend all kiddos have something like this. I could have actually put this suggestion in all age categories. There are also other brands, such as Picasso Tiles, Connetix, Playmags. Choose your poison. We only have Magnatiles, so I can’t comment on the differences, but I know others have, so go ahead and search for your fave, if needed.
-Lacing cards, bead threading: These seem so boring to us, but kids like them! This is a good age to provide these at because it provides the right amount of challenge
-More advanced craft tools like stamps
-Letter puzzles
Play
Children’s play schemes are becoming broader and they will begin to play with others, not just near others. Here are some great ideas to encourage this skill.
–Animal figurines
-Play sets such as this airport or a construction site
–Play Mobile sets: Kids love having “guys” at this age, and these are such a great size and still simple for their play skills
-Dress up clothes: These do NOT need to be fancy. Consider heading to thrift stores, garage sales, or even pull out the clothes that you have received as hand-me-downs that are too big, and let your child play and discover!
-Materials to play in the sand/snow: you know, buckets, shovels, cups
-Tool bench; small or large. Kids love pretend playing at this stage.
Subscriptions
-Passes to local children’s museum
-Highlights Hi Five: The next step up in the Highlights series. This offers so many opportunities to learn about things every month
Gross motor
–Balance Bike: Basically a bike with no pedals. This gives great opportunity to feel the balance of a two-wheeled bike without needing the coordination to pedal and lots of control of their feet on the ground. If your child has been doing a balance bike since 2, you could go for a 2-wheeledbike with or without training wheels.
-Easel: Ok, not totally a gross motor toy, but kind of 😉 A vertical surface is excellent to write and color on.
-You want to go really big? A swing set
-Don’t want to go that big? How about a swing like this one?
–Step-A-Trail balance objects: Use for motor planning, balance training, beginning obstacle courses
Ok. What did I miss? Share with us! What are your kiddos’ favorite toys, gifts, books over the years? What were those toys that “knocked it out of the park?” Also, don’t forget to check out my post- Gift Giving: A Guide for Kids Aged 4-8 Years for the older kids in your life!
The Sooner, the Better: Early Reading to Children
Effects of shared parent–infant book reading on early language acquisition
Context and repetition in word learning
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