Christmas is upon us. I’m always on the lookout for a great gift idea for our kiddos. Over the past few months I’ve searched the internet looking for the best there is to offer. We’ve purchased most of these ourselves over the years, and/or past few months. None were provided to us. Here are a few that I’ve found that are worth recommending. Some are more practical while others are more fun. I’ve also tried to include all price ranges as family budgets vary.
Fat Brain Toys
Fat Brain Toys is one of my all-time favorite companies. While they are a little pricey their items are well-made, colorful and engaging. Their Diaper Bag Essentials Set includes Dimpl, Lil Dimpl, Dimpl Clutch Dimple Fidget Toy, and Mini Spinny. These are the perfect starter pck of toys to introduce your baby to the Fat Brain toy line. We have found their toys are all high quality and durable. Very important when they need to stand up to the harsh use a child can put upon them.
I also love their Whirly Squigz, pipSquigz and Dimpl Digits. Whirly Squigz was a lifesaver on our recent trip to Florida. You can suction them to a window or smooth table and spin them. My son played with it for hours. They are a lot bigger than I thought and really good quality. pipSquigz suction cups to table tops and high chairs. Babies can flip and spin the plastic rings to make them rattle or chew on them if teething. Check out our review on Dimpl Digits, another great toy that is a popper that teaches numbers.
Bigib Rattle Socks & Wrist Rattles Set
Baby Rattle Socks and Wrist Rattles are typically winners in the newborn to 3 months age. My eldest son had a wrist rattle, which we affectionately called Mr. Turtle. He went everywhere with him that was always his favorite. Wrist rattles are great for babies who love to throw their toys and then immediately want them back. We purchased our son’s wrist rattle for use in the car, when retrieving a toy while driving is impossible. The sock and wrist rattles are great for sensory development. It also helps develop hand, foot and eye co-ordination.
I’m all about machine washable toys and these are machine washable so when they chew on them, you can just put them in the wash when they go to bed.
Tagged Sensory Blankets/Taggies
Tagged sensory blankets are great for teething. It provides loops of cloth designed to be chewed on to help the teething child. My kiddos chewed on everything, so this was perfect for them. This blanket is great for throwing into the diaper bag for those quick trips to the grocery store. It is small, soft and has lots of colorful ribbons for the baby to play with and chew on. It’s the perfect security blanket because of the size and texture. Plus, it was always easy to toss in the wash to clean, which is an added bonus.
Nuby Ice Gel Teether Keys
Teething is torture not only for the baby, but for the parents who suffer along with them. Anything they can chew on during this time is great. Nuby Ice Gel Teether Keys works great for teething babies. They are large enough to not be a choking hazard, textured and can be chilled in the refrigerator to soothe the sore gums. These are not recommended to be frozen since they can stick to the baby’s mouth if their lips are wet.
If you want to always have a chilled one, we recommend you buy two. One to hand your child and one to chill in the refrigerator.
Bright Starts Oball Rattle Shaker
Looking for the perfect stocking stuffer. Here’s a great one! Brights Starts Oball Rattle Shaker toy is inexpensive and was another favorite with our kids. Our son found it mesmerizing. It’s the perfect size for baby hands and is brightly colored, which is visually appealing to babies and makes it easy to spot if they drop it (a plus for parents whose kids like to drop things while out of the house).
The First Years Stack N Count Cups
The First Years Stack N Count Cups are another great stocking stuffer. These are colorful and are great for stacking. They are also perfect for play time in the bath or for a water table. These are great for keeping a toddler entertained during bath time, pouring water from one cup to the next or just scooping up water and pouring it back into the bath tub. And in a pinch you can also use them to rinse hair during bath time. during bath time you can talk to your child about colors, telling them which cup you are using, or asking them to hand you a specific color cup.
You can also use these as color sorting cups when they get older. All you have to do is purchase sold colored counters. We used little bears and have them place the colored toys into the appropriate colored cup.
Infantino Squeeze Block Set
The Infantino squeeze block set is great for teaching building and stacking skills. It also has the numbers written on them so you can work on beginning number skills at the same time – number recognition and counting skills. My son loved these so much we purchased two sets so he could stack and build even more. With two sets you can also work on matching skills or sequencing when they get older.
Fisher Price Tap and Turn Bench
The Fisher Price Tap and Turn Bench is a classic toy that has been enjoyed for generations. I had a version as a child, although the heads were much smaller and harder to hit and grasp.
This version has five colorful shapes that your toddler can grasp, twist, pull and hammer. Then you flip it over and play on the other side. This makes it great for teaching hand eye coordination in a fun way.
Talking Flash Cards
If you’re looking for something more educational. I’d recommend these talking flash cards. They are great for practicing sight words and hearing them at the same time helps reinforce word recognition. Plus the picture provides a visual so your child can see the printed word, hear the printed word and see a picture of what the word actually is, all at the same time.
Kickin’ Tunes Music and Language Play Gym and Piano Tummy Time Activity Mat
I love toys that grow with the kids and Baby Einstein’s Kickin’ Tunes Music and Language Play Gym and Piano Tummy Time Activity Mat is one of them. This mat evolves with your baby starting with laying, sitting, tummy time and toddler play. It includes detachable toys, mirror, piano toy and tummy time pillow. The piano toy can be detached and played with even after your baby outgrows this toy and has piano and melody mode. And the mat is machine washable.
Fisher Price Animal Wonders Jumperoo
The Fisher Price Jumperoo works on strengthening legs and keeps them contained and entertained at the same time. Our son would spend hours playing in his Jumperoo. It was great to keep him entertained and safe while I worked on cleaning the house, and cooking in the kitchen. That way they weren’t around chemicals or hot stoves and ovens.
The Fisher Price Jumperoo is a freestanding infant jumper that can spin 360 degrees with toys that go all the way around. The toys are sensory as well as fine motor with a teether, flipper and slider. It has musical and light elements.
What we liked about ours was that you can adjust it to three different heights, allowing your child to be able to play in it longer. And best of all you can remove the seat pad and wash it in your clothes washer. There are also other themes in addition to Animal Wonders including Rainforest and Pink Petals.
The one downside is that it does have a maximum weight is 25 pounds. And you’d be surprised at how quickly that seems to come. So get them started on it early. We started putting our in it once they could sit.
Playskool Sit and Spin
Sit and Spin toys are great for entertaining toddlers as well as building up arm strength. This classic toy has been popular for generations and you can’t go wrong purchasing this one. There are several different colors and characters to choose from and many play music.
Mega Bloks
Mega Bloks are great for kids starting to show an interest in building skills. This allows them to show their creativity and gives them something more their size when their sibling are playing with Legos. Some even come in their own storage bags. There are also add on sets with Thomas the Train and Paw Patrol that you can add to the basic sets for additional play.
Step2 Rain Showers Splash Pond Water Table
One of our son’s favorite summer activities was to play outside with his water table. The Step2 Rain Showers Splash Pond Water Table has two levels unlike many water tables that only have one. You can scoop bottom level and pour it into the top tray to make it rain. Your child can rearrange the maze pieces to create new waterfalls for a fun cause and effect STEM activity. Water tables are a great sensory activity that your child can participate in for many years.
Ball Pits
Every year ball pits get even cooler and more elaborate. Because of the age of ours, it was a simple indoor tent like structure which had balls. There are some that are stationary and others that are portable to suit everyone’s needs. You still have the simple ball pits, but you can also get much more elaborate ones that have tunnels, tents and basketball hoops.
The Playz Rocket Ship Astronaut Kids Play Tent, Tunnel, & Ball Pit is nice because it is large, can fold up to be stored when not in use and gives you a tent, tunnel and ball pit all in one. However, this particular ball pit does not come with balls. Some pits do and some don’t so be sure when selecting one for your child that you know if it comes with the balls or if you need to purchase them separately.
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