2023 Holiday Gift Guide for Toddlers and Preschoolers

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In the vibrant world of childhood, imagination knows no bounds and curiosity reigns supreme, making selecting the perfect holiday gifts both an exciting adventure and a thoughtful task. As little ones develop from babies to toddlers (to preschoolers and beyond!), their developmental milestones and interests evolve, making the quest for the best toys a crucial endeavor for parents, caregivers, and anyone keen on fostering growth through play this holiday season. 

We’re here to help make shopping a little easier this year with a curated selection of toys that entertain, comfort, and are just plain fun! Whether you’re looking for something that encourages developmental growth, an activity that will spark critical thinking, or a toy full of sensory fun, there is surely something on our list that your little one will love.

Sensory Fun

Encourage your tot’s curiosity with the Petilou Sensory Shapes Toy by Le Toy Van. The toy board includes nine toys in different shapes with sensory features like rattles, jingle bells, fur, and more. Additionally, each toy is brightly colored and affixed with a kid-friendly image. Ages 12M+

Walker-Toy Combo

Offer your toddler some walking support and a fun toy with The Buddy Stroller from Lovevery. Made from sustainable materials, this stroller is designed to encourage pretend play and independence. It’s the perfect height for a toddler to push comfortably, and it’s a toy they’re sure to continue playing with for a long time. Ages 12M+

Baby’s First Balance Bike

While toddlers are too young to take off on a two-wheeler bike, they’re the perfect age to start building the skills necessary to do just that in the coming years. Retrospec’s Cricket 2 Baby Walker Balance Bike offers little ones a safe place to learn to walk, practice balancing, and ultimately scoot/ride. It’s equipped with slip-resistant, no-scratch wheels (so it’s safe to play with indoors or outside), has limited steering to avoid falling to the side, and features a soft seat and cushy handlebars for comfort. Ages 12-24M (up to 44 pounds)

Color Play

With the Peacock Colors toy from Tender Leaf, your little one can explore the world through a new, colorful lens (literally). The toy peacock has five feathers—green, yellow, orange, red, and blue—with colored acrylic windows that your child can hold up and look through. Kids can look through one feather at a time or double up to learn about color mixing. Ages 18M+

Wooden Tea Set

There’s no way you can decline an invite to your child’s tea party with the Teatime Toy Set from Manhattan Toy for Anthropologie. The wooden set comes with an impressive 22 pieces, including two cups and saucers, a teapot, cookies, sugar, honey, cream containers, spoons, a wooden tray, and even little tea bags. Each piece is beautifully colored, so on top of being the cutest set ever, it’s also not an eyesore if left out in the open. Ages 3+

Mess-Free Coloring

Foster your little one’s love for art without having to worry about potential messes (or wall scribbles) with Water Magic Scented Reusable Water Reveal Activity Pads from Scentco. Simply add water to the drawing pen and let your kiddo draw on the pages to reveal colorful pictures. Once the page is dry, the image disappears so that it can be used again and again. Choose from several fun styles—including holiday packs! Ages 3+

Puzzle Snack Container

Keep kids busy before and after meals with this intriguing 3-compartment Puzzle Container by melii. Not only does it hold snacks, but the bento box puzzle pieces are designed perfectly for your child’s curious little hands to open and close comfortably. Parents rejoice because you’ll be able to toss it in your bag without the worry–it’s airtight and leakproof, plus BPA-free, microwave, dishwasher, and freezer safe, too! Ages 3+

Remote Control Tractor

Kids who love all things farming will get a thrill out of the SUDOPOR Crazy Jumping Car. The adorable tractor—available in red, blue, green, or yellow—plays music, lights up, dances, stands upright, and bounces up, down, and sideways. Not to mention, it’s topped with the cutest little farmer hat that swings around as the car jumps. Ages 3-12

Sorting Mini Fridge Toy

The Learning Resources Sorting Snacks Mini Fridge is filled with color-coded food and a carrying basket for all your kid’s counting and sorting needs. The hinged fridge comes with activity cards for grocery shopping, and your child will learn new counting, sorting, patterning, and critical thinking skills. Ages 3+

Numberblocks Playset

hand2mind’s Numberblocks is a playset (based on the global hit series focusing on counting) designed especially for secret numbers missions. There are lookout windows, a kid-powered elevator, a detachable slide, and a table with five chairs–all for plotting the block’s next assignments. The set also comes with the number block three that works with friends One to Five (not included). Ages 3+

Silly Sensory Seat

For a new, unique, simple, and innovative way to play, you’ve got to get a Teeter Popper from Fat Brain Toys. Kids can improve balance, coordination, core strength, gross motor skills, and stability when experimenting with the endless ways to play with this sensory-friendly, colorful, concave plastic board covered in silicone suction cups. They can safely sit, rock, tilt, wobble, stand, spin, and pop to their heart’s content while using their imagination. Ages 3+ (up to 110 lbs.)

Hand-Knit Doll (That Also Gives Back)

We can’t stop squealing with delight over these adorable hand-knit, heirloom-quality cuddle+kind dolls. The charming, 100% cotton dolls are soft, sustainable, handmade, and available in two sizes (13 or 20 inches) and various unique styles. Like Maya the mermaid, all the dolls are named and include their birthdate and favorite inspirational quote. Not only will your child fall in love with their new best friend, but this can also be a great way to involve them in the spirit of giving. Each cuddle+kind purchase provides 10 meals to a child in need and helps provide one thousand female artists in Peru with fair-trade employment. Ages 0+

Snuggly Blankie

These super soft and cozy Cotton Muslin Quilted Throws by Little Unicorn are great for snuggling on the couch with hot cocoa on a cold winter’s day, laying on the floor during playtime, cuddling with at bedtime for stories, and everything in between. The oversized quilts are made of four layers of 100% cotton muslin, which is breathable, durable, and machine-washable. This sweet “Snow Day!” design features classic woodland animals, perfect for the holiday season, but there are a plethora of lovely hand-painted prints to choose from and enjoy all year long. Ages 0+