Oh how I miss this age! I never thought I wanted to follow in my mother’s footsteps as a teacher until I spent so much time with these age groups. There was always something magical about toddlers and preschoolers. Maybe you don’t feel the same way as a parent in the thick of tantrums, potty training, naps, and trying to stick to a routine toddlers and preschoolers are fun because of their pure view of the world and their ability to play.
Kids this age need gifts that will let them explore their curiosities, figure out the world through play, and tap into their imagination. While they may be drawn to screens, I would advise to hold off on tech gifts or products involving screens in favor of imaginative play and time outside. After all, there are plenty of years to come where screens will be part of their lives and these nine gifts will fuel their creativity and imagination while allowing them to be exposed to critical skills that they’ll need as they grow up.
Indoor Outdoor Teepee by Dream House ($54.99)
Kids love forts because they’re spaces of their own that are just the right size and this cotton canvas teepee provides immediate gratification for winter fun indoors and can be used outside in the warmer months. Measuring 43.3” on each side, this teepee is big enough for sibling play or a best friend playdate and the charming windows are perfect for peeking out when you want to know what’s going on outside. I also love the simple design that goes with the décor of any house plus it comes with the charming colorful pendant banner seen in the photo for added fun.
Eco-bricks (starting at $22.61 for 90 pieces)
What do you get the child who is always after their older sibling’s Lego’s? I vote for Eco-bricks. Unlike most Legos that are sold as a kit where the objective is to build the object on the box, a set Eco-bricks encourages open ended building and imagination to create with the bricks you have. They’re perfect for younger siblings and the natural wood makes them easy to distinguish from the multicolored bricks in an older brother or sister’s room so your preschooler can feel like this set is all theirs.
Personalized Crayon Roll from DecoratedRoom on Etsy ($12.50)
While it may seem a bit obsessive compulsive to us adults to have a crayon roll with a slot for every crayon, a personalized crayon roll not only allows your child to learn the letters of their name but teaches a bit of order at a young age. Kids will know when they have a missing crayon that has rolled on the floor and parents can grab this tidy roll and stash it in their bag to provide entertainment during long waits. I love this particular crayon roll because not only can you personalize it with your child’s name but also chose the color of the inside fabric and ribbon tie. Pair it with a box of washable crayons for an affordable gift for under $20!
Bathtub Ball Track Set by HABA ($19.99)
Bathtime just got a lot more fun thanks to chutes that attach to the wall with suction cups and can be arranged in endless configurations for water pouring fun. The Bathtub Ball Track Set also serves as a great way to learn about the basic principles of kinetic energy at a very young age!
Ikuzi Dolls ($80)
I was not a fan of dolls when I was a little girl perhaps because there were none that looked like me. Ikuzi Dolls that represent different looks and ethnicities and are designed for all kids. Having dolls that more accurately represent diversity can help promote a positive self concept during a critical stage of learning while also teaching acceptance of ourselves and people of other races. Not only are Ikuzi Dolls gorgeous but they come with their own carrying case for travel and storage and the site features doll clothing in African prints as well as clothes for all occasions and even girl and doll dress sets. Thanks to Ikuzi Dolls for ensuring that today’s kids have dolls that look just like them and their friends.
Felt Birdhouse Fairy Cottage from The Red Sari ($20)
These 100% hand felted wool birdhouses are so decorative and adorable that your child might not want to place them outside where they are fully functional houses and perfect homes for small birds like Wrens, Nuthatches and Titmice. I love the fairy cottage birdhouse because it’s so charming but The Red Sari also has a brilliant yellow felt birdhouse and beautiful pink felt birdhouse featuring a fuchsia flower entrance for the same price! Like all products from The Red Sari, the birdhouses are handmade by artists in Nepal so your purchase provides sustainable jobs to artists who are earning a fair wage for their work.
Rainbow Rocket from HABA USA ($19.99)
Not only is the Rainbow Rocket colorful but it employs fine motor skills to be constructed, beginning math skills thanks to the geometric forms, and overall STEM awareness. Plus it’s fun to build, knock down or lift off, and then start all over again. All that for right around $20? Sold!
PlayTape from InRoad Toys (starting at $8.99)
The floor makes a fine road for toy cars but Playtape makes it even better. Playtape sticks to any flat surface, tears easily to any length, and is repositionable and quickly removed without residue to create angled and curved roads or even entire highway systems. Young kids will have as much fun racing cars along their PlayTape roads as parents will have helping them create them. Playtape is available in multiple colors, lengths and widths making the possibilities for creation endless!
Curated Collection of 36 Caldecott Metal-Winning Children’s Books ($100,000)
Yes, you read that right. $100,000! I love children’s picture books and this Neiman Marcus Fantasy Gift is fun to dream about because it is an incredible collection of books. Instead of buying the set for that huge price tag, choose a from the list that you don’t have to add to your home library this holiday season or gift to a friend to boost theirs. After all, you can never go wrong with Caldecott Metal winning books as gifts!
Visit my other age appropriate gift guides for more gift suggestions:
- (grades K-2 or ages 5-8)
- (grades 3-7 or ages 8-12)
- (ages 13+)
Specialty Gift Guides:
- (preK-teen)
- Gadget Lovers
Must-Read Gift Guides Compiled by Friends:
- Gifts that Give Back by ThirdEyeMom’s Nicole Melancon
Samples were received for review purposes. Amazon Affiliate links included in this post. All images courtesy of the companies.
