Tech Savvy Mama

Parenting in the Digital Age

2021 Gift Guide: Best Gifts for Toddlers and Preschoolers  

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Well before I started teaching elementary and now middle schoolers, I loved spending time with toddlers and preschoolers as an undergraduate psychology major, then through my graduate studies, and finally as a mother.

Every year my Best Gifts for Toddlers & Preschoolers list reflects the innocence and curiosity of this age group. Toddlers and preschoolers have a pure view of the world yet are completely honest. They bring you into their fantastical minds through imaginary play and see the world as a wondrous place.

2021 Gift Guide: Best Gifts for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Kids between the ages of 2-4 need gifts that will let them explore, figure out the world through play, and engage their imagination. The best gifts for toddlers and preschoolers let them develop social and emotional skills while fostering a love of learning. Encourage beginning math and reading skills while stimulating social and emotional growth.

Here are my 11 best gifts for toddlers and preschoolers.

Melissa & Doug Food Truck Fabric Play Tent Playhouse ($53.99)

Toddlers and preschoolers love imaginative play and this darling Food Truck from Melissa & Doug will provides hours of fun for multiple kids at a time. It features a barbecue theme on one side and ice cream truck on the other. The roomy and sturdy 4-foot-long food truck has a back door entry, pass-through windows on both sides, roll-up flaps, mesh fabric in front windows, and a sturdy floor. Kids will love the playful details inside and out like a gas tank, illustrated food menus on the sides, drink display in cooler with flap that opens, sunroof with flap. The food truck also comes with a double-sided reusable menu activity card and a handy take-along storage tote. It’s easy to assemble and transport, making it great for indoor and outdoor use.

Moonlite Eric Carle Gift Pack ($39.99)

Imagine seeing The Very Hungry Caterpillar flashed onto the bedroom ceiling page by page. Moonlite is an easy to use story projector that makes Eric Carle stories like The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Very Busy Spider, Brown Bear Brown Bear, The Very Lonely Firefly and Mister Seahorse come to life page by page.

Moonlite works by clipping on to your mobile phone (not included) and uses the flashlight to project vibrant storybook pictures onto any surface. While projecting the storybook images, the Moonlite app displays story text and plays charming sound effects. Moonlite puts a new twist on favorite bedtime stories to make snuggling up for story time on cozy winter nights even more fun.

Snowballs ($26.99)

There’s nothing quite like a snow day but this holiday season, bring winter fun indoors with a set of 48 plush snowballs that are fun for the whole family. These snowballs are firm enough to hold their shape yet soft enough to not cause injury.

MagnaTiles Glow in the Dark Set ($29.99)

MagnaTiles of any kind are addictive playthings that combine math, science, and creativity but the glow in the dark version is even more fun! This set contains 16 glow in the dark shapes that includes 4 small squares and triangles (equilateral, right, and isosceles) that can be played with on their own or combined with other sets to teach math, science, spatial, and tactile skills. 

Little Patient from Uncommon Goods ($55)

Meet Erwin- a little patient who is the perfect toy to pique the interest of your pre-pre-med student. Zipped inside Erwin’s tummy, young surgeons will find six essential organs: lungs, heart, intestines, liver, spleen, and kidneys. All of the plush organs are color-coded and kids will love learning and identifying each one using the accompanying booklet that also teaches about ts very important role in our bodies. Underneath it all, an embroidered posterior skeleton teaches kids about how our bones keep everything together. Smart and surprisingly sweet, Erwin is a fun and interactive learning tool that can also help a brave child get through a tough surgery. 

Space Snow Sled ($33.99)

There’s nothing like zipping down a snowy hill on a new sled and this inflatable space themed one will have every kid wishing for a snow day. Measuring 47” across, this hexagonal shaped sled can hold up to 650 pounds, good for your toddler or preschooler and a friend or parent. It features a deep seat and handles for comfort and stability, a 3 in 1 inflatable valve with a double lock to ensure air stays in, and a repair patch just in case the heavy duty PVC happens to tear.

Cooking and Baking Set from Baketivity ($39.95)

Cooking is a great way to teach science, math, how to follow directions, and basic life skills. Inspire small hands to help in the kitchen with this darling baking set from Baketivity. This 31-Piece Kids Baking Set includes real accessories designed for smaller hands. Toddlers and preschoolers will love using a whisk, offset and silicone spatulas, cookie scoop, rolling pin, mixing spoon, pastry brush, knife, baking mat, measuring cups, and measuring spoons just right for their hands. The set also includes 12 parent-approved child-friendly recipes to get you started.

Kinetic Sand ($29.99)

There’s something about Kinetic Sand that this age group just loves so why not gift them 4.5 pounds of a substance that is so satisfying to touch. Kids will love fluffing the sand and feeling it flow through fingers like slow-moving liquid. 10 included molds let kids Mix, cut, pull, shape, scoop, squish and reveal surprising designs while the 5 colors (red, blue, yellow, black, and white) inspire color mixing.

Ultimate Box of Arts & Crafts ($24.99)

Let their creativity run wild thanks to the Ultimate Box of Arts & Crafts that will keep kids creating and minimize trips to the craft store. The kit includes glitter glue, white glue tube, pipe cleaners, assorted pom poms, various gemstones, skeins of friendship thread, assorted wiggly eyes, scissors, glitter packets, Pony beads, craft sticks, sequins, foam sheets, assorted foam stickers, feathers, and an easy-to-follow inspiration guide. And yes, it’s totally ok if you take the packets of glitter out and throw them in the trash. No one ever needs to know they were in there in the first place! 

Good Night, Good Night by Sandra Boynton ($17.99)

“The sun has set not long ago” begins The Going to Bed Book, a favorite book that was read to both kids every night before they went to sleep. This favorite is a familiar story to so many families and now Good Night, Good Night is the larger and longer version of a classic that has been redrawn for a new generation. This is a great book for families with young ones or even parents of older kids who fondly remember reading The Going to Bed Book like I do.

Goodtimer ($79.95)

Teach healthy habits in a positive way thanks to Goodtimer. This interactive and friendly clock-like companion serves as a positive reinforcement toy to incentivize good behavior. Custom token incentives that work with your family values along with glowing lights and encouraging sounds reinforce good behavior and encourage children to form healthy habits that last. Goodtimer is designed by parenting experts and backed by neuroscience who created it to grow with your child. Best for ages 3-10, Goodtimer’s difficulty levels feature 10 convenient settings so the product can grow with kids as they reach new developmental milestones. 

2021 Holiday Gift Guides

2021 Gift Guides

AGE APPROPRIATE GIFT GUIDES

SPECIALTY GIFT GUIDES:

In case you wanted to start making your shopping lists now, here’s a look at last year’s gift guides that are full of great ideas:

Note to PR: The period for accepting items for age specific gift guides has ended but I am happy to accept items for review to consider for specialty guides. Please be specific about the products you’d like me to consider reviewing in your pitch and thanks for understanding I’m on a short deadline to get all gift guides wrapped up before Thanksgiving and do not have the bandwidth to return samples during this extremely busy time of the year.