2010 Holiday Gift Guide: Toddlers

Below are my gift picks for the toddler set that will encourage imaginative play to help them explore the world around them, exercise new found independence, while also laying the foundations for learning.

Look for the items marked as giveaways and leave a comment below to enter to win. Extra entries can be entered via the Google Form.

Custom Superhero Cape (BabyPop Designs, prices starting at $16)– I met BabyPop creator Sherry Aikens at Type A Mom Conference in September and instantly fell in love with her and her gorgeous handmade custom capes for boys, girls, grownups, dogs, and even teddy bears. She creates her items out of the highest quality fabrics (think silky smooth capes in bright bold colors) and uses cool graphics (love the lightning bolt!) made by her graphic designer husband. Sherry is 15 year veteran of the apparel industry and a mom who knows kids and their desires to dress up as alter egos. Her motto is: “BabyPop: Saving one backyard at a time!” Place your order before December 5 if you want it in time for Christmas since all items are custom made from scratch! Trust me, it’s worth the wait! Ages 2+ (Don’t tell Captain Computer but he’s getting the Superhero Cape Set for Christmas which was personally purchased.)

GIVEAWAY: The Robot Book (Accord Publishing, $16.99)- I love the message of this sturdy book that teaches that it’s what on the inside that counts and that it is an interactive story that engages minds of future engineers. The working— and moving—gears, cogs, nuts, and bolts mounted on each beautifully illustrated spread will keep little fingers busy and imaginations engaged as the charming story reveals the secret behind what really makes the robot tick. Ages 0-3

Baby Alive 1^st For Me Moonlight Lullaby (Hasbro, $19.99)- Nurturing mommies and daddies-to-be will love this baby doll who comes in a variety of different skin tones (African American, Hispanic, Caucasian, but no Asian!). She comes tucked in her fleecy pink sleep sack holding her blanket, has a light-up moon on her outfit, and plays a night-time lullaby when snuggled to sleep. View the entire collection of Baby Alive on Hasbro’s website. Ages 18 months+

My Own Leaptop (LeapFrog, $24.99)– Incorporate a kid-friendly laptop into pretend play while allowing your child to explore the alphabet, pretend play, music, animals, and computer literacy with 6 learning activity stations. This kid-tough device allows parents to personalize play and connect to The LeapFrog Learning Path to see what their child has been learning and personalize play. Ages

GIVEAWAY: Peek-A-Zoo (Scholastic, $10.99)- This book is absolutely mesmerizing thanks to mirrors, die cut shapes, glittery surfaces, soft flocking, and peek-a-boo flaps that adorn the pages with bright colors, rhyming text, fun shapes, and smiling faces. A great multisensory read! Ages 0-3

CUSTOM SCHOLASTIC BOOK GIVEAWAY: Here Comes Christmas by Caroline Jayne Church (Scholastic, $7.99)- A little boy imagines what he’ll receive for Christmas: a dragon to ride, a lollipop tree–but can these things be? Caroline Jayne Church’s incredible art appeal to kids and parents alike, and the touch-and-feels on every spread keep readers enthralled! Ages 0-3 One customized selection of books will be provided by Scholastic to a single winner. Entries from all published gift guides will be used to select the lucky winner.

Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway Early Engineers Busy Day on Sodor Set (Learning Curve, $11.99 and up at Toys R Us)- Young train lovers will rejoice over having a new version of favorite engines designed just for them. The Thomas & Friends Early Engineers line features chunkier engines that are just right for smaller hands to hold, easy to turn knobs, and track that is flat on the ends, rather than the kind that has to fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. Early Engineers is designed to grow with your child since trains and track are compatible with the other Thomas lines for older ages. Ages 18 months

CUSTOM SCHOLASTIC BOOK GIVEAWAY: Little Scholastic: Stacking Shapes by Salina Yoon (Scholastic, $12.99)- A literary spin on a classic toy, Stacking Shapes encourages kids to sort and stack the four primary-colored die-cut board books on a solid post, and read each one to learn about shapes and colors! Ages 0-3 One customized selection of books will be provided by Scholastic to a single winner. Entries from all published gift guides will be used to select the lucky winner.

GIVEAWAY: Weebles Musical Treehouse (Playskool, $29.99)- They wibble, they wobble, they’re Weebles! Weebles wobble, climb, slide, hide, and dance in this musical playland where toddlers can turn a handle to bring them to the top of the escalator before they head spiraling down the twisty slide that can be incorporated into any imaginative play. Parents will love the hidden storage inside the tree and the built in handle for their toddler to tote around their favorite wobbly pals. Includes 2 Weebles, base, slide, elevator, and instructions. Additional Weebles are sold in 2 packs for $4.99. Ages 18 months+

Toddler Squall Mittens (Lands’ End, $14.50)- Extremities need to stay warm in cold weather and we’ve found that Lands’ End Sport Squall Mittens are our favorites because they are just the right size for little hands. The longer cuffs keep snow out of jacket sleeves because they stay tucked in while the non-bulky insulation ensures warmth. Durable waterproof nylon keeps hands dry during extended play after a great snowfall. Another reason to buy Lands’ End mittens is their Lost Mitten policy which allows you to purchase the missing mitten or glove for half the regular pair price by calling 1-800-800-5800. Great for kids and adults alike! Ages 2+ (Mittens were personally purchased.)

GIVEAWAYS: To enter to win any of the above items marked as giveaways, leave a comment about your toddler’s favorite toy.

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All products were provided for review purposes except where noted that items were personally purchased. Images provided courtesy of the companies. No compensation was received for this post.

Fine print: Eligible entries through the comments must include an email address or Twitter handle. E-mails must be valid and addresses must be within the United States. Companies will not ship outside the U.S. nor will they ship to P.O. boxes.

All information collected is solely for Tech Savvy Mama to ensure efficient delivery of your prize and will not be shared with anyone else but the marketing/PR company who is shipping the prize. Leticia- Tech Savvy Mama is not responsible for lost prizes or shipping delays.

Please note that there will be one customized selection of books provided by Scholastic to a single winner and entries from all published gift guides will be used to select the recipient.

Entries for all Holiday Gift Guide giveaways will close on Sunday, December 5 and winners will be notified via email.