Home Gift Guides
By: Polly Conner
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With three kids apiece, we’ve been through our share of toys. The last thing we’d want is for you to waste your money and have more stuff that your kids won’t use.
With the help of some mama friends, we’ve pulled together the best of the best ideas for you in this gift guide for babies and toddlers, up to age 2.
See all the gift guides here.
Table of Contents
Featured Gifts for Toddlers
Sound Puzzle
Place a puzzle piece correctly in the puzzle board to hear realistic sounds. We had all three types and these were used over and over again.
Squigz
My kids loved these when they were little. They are great for car rides and bath times. They can even be easily washed in the dishwasher!
Gifts Under $25
CoComelon Musical Learning Bus
JJ is ready to take little learners on an upbeat bus ride with the CoComelon Musical Learning Bus! A big hit for little ones.
Wooden Alphabet Puzzle
“My daughter absolutely loves this puzzle. Great quality and vibrant colors!” – Karla
Animal Sound Book
This was a huge hit with my kids at this age. I continually gift it to people too! Kids love to push the animal sound that goes with the animal they are reading about.
Boynton’s Books
My kids LOVED these books. The Big Blue Boxis a perfect collection for terrific little kids. Includes four wildly popular books:
1. Moo, Baa, La La La!
2. A to Z
3. Doggies
4. Blue Hat, Green Hat
Stacking Toy
A classic toy that every young kiddo should have!
Makes a great gift for toddlers and preschoolers.
Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog
My kids would have loved this when they were young! I’m snagging one for my nephew this year! It has over 33,000 great reviews too.
Poke a Dot Books
A huge hit with this age. A 20-page interactive sturdy board book with buttons to press and “pop” on every page. Little ones love this!
Crayola Washable Fingerpaint
Perfect for toddlers! This 6-pack of paints is safe, non-toxic, and washable. Use them in an empty bathtub with the Fingerpaint Paper Pad for the easiest clean up ever!
Manhattan Toys Links-To-Go
Flexibly, bendably versatile for moments that need it. Another great item to throw in your purse.
LeapFrog My Pal Scout
40+ learning songs, melodies and lullabies, for active daytime fun. Lots of ways to have fun with this little guy.
Metal Dump Truck
Out of all of the trucks we own, the dump trucks get the most action. Hint: metal trucks seem to be favored among the kids. I think it’s because the noise it makes when rocks and materials are dumped in and out.
VTech Story Book
A great car toy. Kids like all of the buttons and the loud click that happens when you turn the pages.
Baby’s First Blocks
A classic toy for a good reason. It’s so fun to see kids begin to figure out how shapes work. Easy to store all of the pieces too.
Play Tunnel
Great for all ages, but the fun can start as soon as they can crawl. My kids had a lot of fun in these!
Stroller for Baby Doll
I don’t know why kids love these but they just do! My daughter’s baby stroller went with us on SO many walks when she was little.
Baby Doll
Little ones take to dolls really quickly. This is a classic doll that is durable and will become a favorite quickly.
Water Wow! Books
We have gone through SO many variations of these. My preschooler still loves to play with them. They make a great car activity or even a, “Please do something in one place while I make dinner,” activity.
Counting Piggy Bank
Not only do little hands like putting the “coins” in the bank but this toy has 40+ sing-along songs, tunes & phrases.
Stack Up Cup Toys
These are a must for little ones. My kids used these over and over and over again! I love that they have little holes in the bottom for bath play too. For such a great price, you’ll get so much play out of something so simple and cheap!
dimpl
Little hands love these! Features five vibrant Silicone Bubbles built into a plastic frame that they can push, pop, poke, and grab. Perfect sensory delight!
Indestructibles
Indestructibles is the trusted series for easing little ones into story time. Beloved by babies and their parents. They are built for the way babies “read” (i.e., with their hands and mouths) and are rip proof and waterproof.
$25-$50 Gifts
Xylophone
Award Winning Durable Wooden Musical Pounding Toy. Sorry, parents. Kids this age love stuff like this! Their little brains love a big cause-effect toy!
Bubble Machine
You just can’t go wrong with getting one of these. Kids will use it for years and years!
Playmobil Noah’s Ark
Designed with a handle, this set can be taken anywhere! Think sibling soccer games, road trip travel, grandma’s house. This toy has been a hit!
Green Toys Recycling Truck
I have never met a toddler that doesn’t obsess over this truck. It’s made from earth friendly materials (no BPA!), easy to clean, and dishwasher safe.
Inflatable Bounce Toy
I got this for my youngest son when he was about 1.5 years old and it was a huge it. I thought for sure it’d pop quickly but was so surprised by it’s durability! It even survived older kids bouncing and boinging around the house with it.
Bath Toy
Water is drawn through the submarine to create a steady stream of water. No need to keep the bath faucet on!
Laugh & Learn Wagon
For 6 months and up, this wagon grows along with your little one’s age and stage.
Toddler Swing
We had one of these hanging under our deck for YEARS. Kids love them! My kids, who are way too old for it now, still ask about it!
Little People Caring For Animals Farm
My nephew’s favorite! Classic Little People farm playset with lights, music, sounds, and Smart Stages learning content.
Balance Bike
This came highly recommended by my sister-in-law. As a mother of a 2-year-old, she said this was a top favorite toy for the past year.
$50-$100 Gifts
Junior Play Slide
Used this inside during the winter months and outside in the summer. A huge hit!
Push Around Buggy
All three of my kids LOVED this little buggy. It’s a great alternative to the stroller for little ones, and also comes in red!
Our Gift to You!
Good News of Great Joy
A simple, weekly Advent devotional that’s intended to help your family focus onthe story of Jesus’ birth.
The discussion questions and wide range of fun activities are designed for children ages 2-11.
Each weekly activity focuses on a different aspect of the Christmas story.
25+ Make Ahead Christmas Breakfasts
We have rounded up the BEST ideas for Christmas breakfast or brunch on the internet. The good news is that all of these can be prepped ahead of time so you can relax and enjoy the morning.
25+ Christmas Breakfast Ideas
Polly Conner
As co-founder of Thriving Home, Polly’s passionate about helping busy parents get dinner on the table. With a house full of kids, dogs, and (usually) a DIY project in the works, she knows firsthand how every minute (and every dollar) counts. As a business owner, she enjoys wearing multiple hats and serves best as a project manager for Thriving Home.
Read more...
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Samantha H. saysThe water wow books are a favorite in our house! They’re great for car rides and my almost 4 year old still plays with hers all the time!!
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- clippingpathlab says
E’ve pulled together the best of the best ideas
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- MANDEE HOUSE says
I love the submarine spray station for the bathtub! Such a good idea!
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- Laura Schwind says
Number16! Reminds me of my childhood toys.
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- Melissa Gerardy says
Thank you for sharing all of these great ideas!
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- Amy O'Donnell says
I use number 2 for everything! So handy.
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- Angie J says
I haven’t had a kid this young for quite awhile (my youngest is almost 14). I would choose the swing as a favorite because it gets everyone outdoors to play. I also like the stacking cups…had them for all three of my kids..lets them use their imagination and no electronics involved!
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- JoAnn says
At first I thought the Dimpl seemed like a ridiculous toy, but my daughter loves it! Definitely keeps her occupied in the car. whether she’s trying to eat it or using her hands, it’s a great sensory toy!
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- Nicole D says
I want a Dimple for my baby due any day and I actually think my 2 and 3 yos would love the mini shovels!
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- Marie E Berning says
The Baby Einstein Neptune Jumper would be great to have when great grandkids come to visit.
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- Laurie Whatley Hiott says
I am loving the stacking cups. There are so many activities that you can do with them!
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- Joanna says
There’s not much sweeter than a toddler enjoying a swing!
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- Sarah says
The metal dump truck is on our list!!
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