Yay, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! 🎄✨ Welcome to the second post of my Christmas Gift Ideas series! (In case you missed it, you can check out “Baby’s First Christmas Gifts” here!)
So when it comes to Christmas gift for toddlers, in my personal experience, especially until they turn 2-3 years old, Christmas provides a great opportunity to fulfill practical needs along with a sprinkle of toys for that extra joy! In this list, you’ll find a mix of practical suggestions alongside some delightful toys. (Of course, if I’ve misjudged, feel free to prioritise the toys from the list below over the practical recommendations!) Here’s to a thoughtful and joyful holiday season for you and your little one! 🎄🎁👶
Crocs Unisex Kid’s Crocband Rain Boot
My boys and I absolutely adore these Crocs wellies! We’re so smitten with them that we keep ordering the same pairs in different sizes as the boys grow!
Living in the UK, it’s a must for toddlers to have wellies, given the frequent rainy or damp days. You want to make sure they’re ready for mud and little puddles!
The unique thing about these Crocs wellies is that they stay securely on tiny feet. Unlike many other wellies that tend to slip off or cause little ones to tumble, these Crocs wellies stay put unless you intentionally take them off. My boys didn’t face any difficulty walking in them, even though they started wearing them just a month or two after taking their first steps!
If you’re anything like me and value letting kids play freely outdoors, then this is a game-changer! It’s unrealistic to expect your toddler to stay dry while playing outside—they still tumble and choose to sit down on less-than-ideal surfaces. That’s where waterproof dungarees come in handy, making life easier for mums too. No need to change your toddler into fresh clothes after outdoor play; simply take off the dungarees, and they’re clean! Paired with wellies, this combination not only reduces the post-play cleanup but also ensures that toddlers look absolutely adorable in their outdoor gear!
LittleLife Animal Toddler backpacks
Let me introduce you to these utterly adorable animal backpacks by LittleLife! Just look at how cute they are on those little backs!It has a safety rein, so it can be useful when you go somewhere busy and crowded. It is quite small, so may not be ideal for nursery bags as you would want something spacious for spare clothes and other stuffs. But this is ideal when you go out with your toddler and let them just have a couple of toys in their bags for the sake of their fun. With a variety of animals to choose from, you can pick your little one’s absolute favourite!
One of children’s classic toys! They say this toy helps hand-eye coordination, but what’s more important is that kids love it and they spend hours playing it! There are plastic ones and wooden ones, and you can choose whatever you prefer as the fun won’t be different!
Hape Pound & Tap Bench with Slide-Out Xylophone
Toddlers are naturally drawn to the joy of banging and pounding, and Hape has brilliantly combined this fascination with the magic of musical sound! And the xylophone alone will last one of their go-to toys and stand the test of time, lasting well into their preschool years. I will say no more as over 16K reviews of 4.7 out of 5.0 will say enough!
Shape sorters
Every child is unique, but generally, toddlers begin to show interest in shape sorters around 16-18 months. (But it doesn’t mean that they can put the right shape into the right holes at this stage). Since shape sorters come in various levels of complexity, it would be nice to try different shape sorters and see how your little one finds it!
Sorting & Stacking toy, £12.99
B. Toys Shape Sorter, £11.62
Fisher-Price Shape Sorter, £9.56
Pretend Vacuum Cleaner and Cleaning Toys
Isn’t it just adorable how toddlers are so into vacuum cleaners, brooms, and mops? My older kiddo got this Dyson toy for Christmas when he turned one, and he couldn’t get enough of it. And guess what? His friends during playdates were just as obsessed! Some of their parents ended up getting the same toy because it was such a hit.
If your little one loves tagging along when you do the vacuuming and has a special place in their heart for “dirty” brooms and mops, here’s the perfect fix! This toy not only keeps them entertained but also lets them join in on the cleaning fun in a safe and playful way. It’s a win-win!
Dyson Toy Pretend Vacuum Cleaner £19.99
Dyson Toy Prend Vacuum Cleaner £19.99
Broom and dustpan (Pretend Play cleaning set) £25.49
This straightforward toy guarantees hours of play for your little one! The concept is simple: you stick them into the hole, press, and let go—voila, they pop up! It never fails to bring a giggle to your child’s face. Besides the joy of the popping action, let’s not forget how toddlers just love sticking things into any available holes (or is it just my boys?). So, they’ll have a blast putting those colorful sticks into the holes and enjoying every moment of it!
Moms want their kids to explore colours and be creative, but let’s face it, the cleaning aftermath can be a bit daunting. Traditional paint brushes can create a mess that might make you hesitate to try again. And that is where these paint sticks come! In my experience, while toddlers can still colour with crayons, the lack of hand strength can make it challenging to draw or create vivid marks. These paint sticks, however, effortlessly produce vibrant marks even with tidy hands! They work on papers, whiteboards, and glass. Plus, they are easy to wash off in case your little one gets a bit too creative in places they shouldn’t. (Just a quick note: If your toddler still puts things in their mouth, you might want to wait a bit before introducing these!)
Peg puzzles & Peg toys
Around 18 months, toddlers often begin exploring peg puzzles, and Melissa & Doug offers two delightful options to kickstart the fun! These puzzles, featuring adorable farm animals and exciting transportation themes, are sure to captivate your little one’s interest.
At first glance, this peg board may seem ordinary, (I thought so, too) but toddlers are at an age where sticking things into holes and stacking becomes utterly fascinating for them. You’ll be surprised by how much they love it!
Lift-the-flap books and pop-up books
Reading with your toddler is essential in nurturing their love for reading, and lift-the-flap books and pop-up books will enhance the fun and make it more interactive. Here I introduce some of classics!
With my list above, I hope your Christmas present shopping becomes less stressful! And I hope your little ones will like the presents from the list!
* I’ve chosen the products above based on my genuine recommendation, and it’s important to note that this selection is not influenced by any commercial request. However, please be aware that the links provided are affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase after clicking on one of these links, I may receive a commission. Your support is appreciated!