MPMK Gift Guide: Go-To Gifts for Preschoolers - Modern Parents Messy Kids (2024)

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Welcome to the famous MPMK Gift Guides and congrats on findingthe most comprehensive and easy-to-use toy gift guide on the internet –already viewed over 7,000,000 times!

Shopped bytens of thousands of parentsyear after year!(If you’renot familiar with our famous lists,learn all about them here).

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Now, onto our very favorite, most engaging, toys for preschoolers…

Hot Deals!

$59.99$44.44 (Ages 2 – 6)

When I saw this Sea Patrol boat/land vechicle in person the other day I was suprised by how big it is and my toddler immediately ran to it and proclaimed, “This is all I want for Christmas!”… So there’s that.

Aside from that enthusiastic endorsem*nt, there’s also a lot more to love about this one. First, the Sea Patrol spin off show of Paw Patrol has been a HUGE HIT with the toddler set so many of them will be familiar with these characters and excited to see them.

Also, it’s super cool that the wheels drop down to change the ship into a land vehicle and there are lots of cool accessories like themoveable crane and attachable cage as well as the Rescue ATV.

There is so much potential for great imaginative play, and quite possibly unheard of amounts of quiet play, here!

$89.99 On Sale for $79.00 (ages 2-6)

If you’ve got a train lover at home, and the space for this impressive new toy, this one will be a huge winner this year. There’s a lot to love here – for me the biggest thing is that the tracks are compatible with ALL the different kinds of trains out there – finally!! One awesome toy for your kids and their friends to play with all those different types of trains they’ve collected together.

When switched to the Dual Racetrack layout, two side-by-side tracks open up a world of excitement. Just choose your engines, place them at the top and let them go to see which gets to the bottom first… In our house my kids have been playing with the same basic Hotwheels race ramp for years so I can tell you for sure what a big hit this part of the toy will be.

From the manufacturer:

Now, for the first time ever you can Set Friendship in Motion and play with your Thomas & Friends Adventures, TrackMaster, MINIS and Wooden Railway engines all in the same set.The Thomas & Friends Super Station features tracks that work with all these systems.
Layouts can be changed to fit any space, and the set’s height and width makes it effortless for for children to come together and play with siblings and friends.

Along with the impressive size, all the ways you can set it up, and all the different types of trains it uses, this toy is also a really great storage piece. It features storage for 100+ engines, over 35 feet of track, and iconic locations including Tidmouth Sheds, Brendam Docks, Knapford Station, the Sodor Steamworks, the Dieselworks, Blue Mountain Quarry and the SSRC with Harold’s helipad.

This is the toy that’s gonna have every kid in the neighborhood asking to come play at your house.

(ages 2 – 6) $59.99 On Sale for $44.99

Ah, Peppa Pig- how I love thee. So bright and cheerful and inviting, so gender neutral and appealing to all kids, so fun and happy! And this new lights and sounds family home playset is no exception.

First and foremost, your kids are gonna be impressed by the size- it’s big!

Which means your older kids will love it because it will be large enough to play with their friends during play dates (always a must) and your toddlers will be able to get their hands easily into all of the play spaces.

That makes this a really great toy for multiple siblings to share, which is something I’m always on the lookout for. It’s so much easier on my budget to buy one big toy for everyone and also less clutter in my house!

Plus it encourages cooperative play, a skill we’re always working on around here.

The last thing I really, really like about this stellar doll house is that it has some fun effects like lights and sounds, but they’re not overwhelming. It’s just one button to turn them all on or off and, while engaging, they don’t seem to be the main event of this toy (that would be imaginative play all the way).

With it’s vivid colors and bigger proportions, this house looks like it came straight from the pages of a gorgeous picture book. Plus the 7 rooms each have plenty of fun accessories to keep your kids engaged in tons of dramatic play. Your kid will love it!

The Full List…

$89.99 (ages 2-6)

If you’ve got a train lover at home, and the space for this impressive new toy, this one will be a huge winner this year.

There’s a lot to love here. For me,the biggest thing is that the tracks are compatible with ALL the different kinds of trains out there – finally!!One awesome toy for your kids and their friends to play withallthose different types of trains they’ve collected.

When switched tothe Dual Racetrack layout, two side-by-side tracks open up a whole new world of excitement.Justchoose your engines, place them at the top and let them go to see which gets to the bottom first… In our house, my kids have been playing with the same basic Hotwheels race ramp foryearsso I can tell you for sure what a big hit this racing element of the toy will be.

From the manufacturer:

Now,for the first time ever you can play with your Thomas & Friends Adventures, TrackMaster, MINIS and Wooden Railway engines all in the same set.The Thomas & Friends Super Station features tracks that work with all these systems.
Layouts can be changed to fit any space, and the set’s height and width makes it effortless for children to come together and play with siblings and friends.

Along with the impressive size, all the ways you can set it up, and all the different types of trains it uses, this toy isalso a really great storage piece. It can hold over100+ trains, has over 35 feet of track, and features all the iconicThomas locationsincludingTidmouth Sheds, Brendam Docks, Knapford Station, the Sodor Steamworks, the Dieselworks, Blue Mountain Quarry and the SSRC with Harold’s helipad.

This isthe toy that’s gonna have every preschooler in the neighborhood asking to come play at your house – guaranteed.

$119.99 (2 – 10 years)

I discovered Magna-tiles when my oldest son was 3-years-old via his preschool and they were the big present under the tree for the kids that Christmas. They’re definitelymore of an investment but have been COMPLETELY WORTH IT.

Teachers absolutely rave about these blocks and the play possibilities are endless. Because they join together using magnets, kids can create elaborate structures (often taller than they are)without becoming frustrated by crashes.

They’re also great for use with other toys. They can beused along with blocks and LEGOs to make elaborate structures, with marbles and cars to make tunnels, bridges, and marble runs, or even with dolls to create dollhouses.

All ofmy kids, ages 2 to 8, still play with them multiple days a week.Currently, my 6-year-old loves making elaborate pet stores with ramps and rooms for each of herDisney Princess Palace Petswhile my 2-year-old always asks for these first to take to build in his room during “Quiet Time”

We splurged for the 100 piece set and got hours of rainy day fun with these- the higher price was completely worth it.

Note:For an extra $10,thesemagnetic train basestake the play possibilities to a whole new leveland make a great stocking stuffer.

$15.99(18 months – 8 years)

Normally I’m not big on electronic toys with lots of sounds and lights, but when said toy can help my kids get rid of all their pent-up energy inside on a stormy day, it becomes my new best friend.

Thisinexpensive magical wand uses 90 silly commands (sway, creep, stomp like a dinosaur, leap) and 26 songs, along with a light show to get kids moving.

This isone of those rare toys that’s great for siblings of different ages to play with together (my kids have loved it at various ages ranging from 18-months-old to 7-years old).

It will keep the bigger kids interested (who doesn’t like having the mic and being the star of the show?) whiledeveloping listening skills in the younger set along with enriching their vocabulary and ability to follow directions.

Note:If animals aren’t your kids’ thing, there’s now also thisgym version.

$23.99 (3 – 8 years)

I particularly like how this particular toy combines fine motor skills with pattern recognition AND adds a great dramatic play element. We got it for our son when he was 4 and heplayed with it quite a bit until his littleold sister took it over.

Our 1 1/2-year-old is started to getting in on the funsorting and manipulating the pieces with his hands and was off and drilling around the time he turned 2. Now this is one of the first toys he goes to, again and again, when given a choice.

The popularity of this toy has also led to some cool variations, including the Design & Drill Flower Power Station and, my favorite, the Design & Drill BrightWorks– which is like if the Design & Drill had a baby with the classic Lite Brite from my childhood(in other words, the pieces light up and it’s totally awesome).

(ages 2 – 6)$59.99

Ah, Peppa Pig- how I love thee.So bright and cheerful and inviting,so gender neutral and appealing to all kids, so fun and happy!And this new lights and sounds family home playset is no exception.

$99.95 (2+ years)

The aunties bought this for my kids several Christmases ago, when my oldestwas 3. I have to say, I had my reservations. My son, of course, thought an excavator that he could actually sit on, drive, and manipulate was just about the coolest thing ever but I was concerned about the space it would take up in our yard, especially with a non-rainy season of only about 3 months here in Seattle.

What I failed to realize was the versatility of this toy. Yes, it’s awesome for digging in the sandbox or bark in the summer, but it’s also great for picking up leaves in the fall and snow in the winter (see here).

This thing gets played on year-round and is often the one of the main things that lure my kids out to play on a rainy day (they put out buckets to collect the rain water and use the bucket shovel to scoop it out). This one’s definitely a big ticket item but the return oninvestmentis high.

$49.99 (Ages 2 – 6)

When I saw this Sea Patrol boat/land vehicle in person the other dayI was surprised by how big it isand my toddler son immediately flung himself at it and proclaimed,“This is all I want for Christmas!”… So there’s that.

Aside from that enthusiastic endorsem*nt, there’s also a lot more to love about this one. First,the Sea Patrol spin-off show of Paw Patrol has been a HUGE HIT with the toddler setso many of them will be familiar with these characters and excited to see them.

Also,it’s super cool that the wheels drop down to change the ship into a land vehicleand there are lots of interesting accessories like therescue ATV,moveable crane, attachable cage,and the fact that itliterally shootslife preservers into the water.

There isso much potential for great imaginative play, andquite possibly unheard of amounts of quiet play, here!

$99.97 (2 – 8 years)

We bought our son a train tablefor his 2nd birthdayandwe always say it’s one of the best purchases we’ve ever made.

Forover four years both he and his sister played with it several times a week. At 4-years-old our oldest was able to completely construct the track by himself using the map andthat added a whole new level of building play to this fantastic toy.

I think the model we bought has been discontinued but this one is the same brand and has all of the same key components:a bridge, waterfall mountain, helicopter landing pad, and the all-important drawers for storing all the little pieces.

If you’re going to be putting your train table in a main living space, you may want to spring for the more expensiveKidKraft Metropolis Train Set Table with Trundle Drawer. It’sgot a nicer “furniture” look(and that double-decker bridge is pretty cool too).

Note: Over the years we’ve amassed quite a collection ofThomas trainsto go with this table and they work great.

$24.99 (walking – 6 years)

One of the most surprising thingsabout having toddlers and preschoolers is seeinghow much they absolutely LOVE to clean!We’ve had

We’ve hada broom and dust pan setfor years and it’s always been super popular.The kids really enjoy breaking it out to help with clean up when the opportunity arises or just using it to play pretend. Every toddler we know has this set and totally adores it andaround 18-months-old our son started completely freaking out if he can’t find it.

This year, though, I’m thinking of upgrading and totally eyeing this Melissa & Doug Cleaning Bundle-it comes with so much amazing stuff!!

You can also buyThe Spray, Squirt, and Squeegee Setat a very reasonable price.

Not only will my toddler be able to sweep, mop, and dust to his heart’s content- he will also get to spray, wipe, scrub, and even squeegee.Do you KNOW how muchtoddlers love, love, love to spray and wipe down windows, cabinets and anything else they can get their hands on?

$19.44(18 months – 6 years)

This set includesa scale, bowl, 3 self-standing spoons and 6 unique cup designstohelp children visualize quantitiesas well asactivity cards to guide children in making mystery goo, puffy paint, slime and more.

Because itallowsthose not quite ready to experiment to get in on the fun too, this isa great toy for siblings of different ages.

Older kids can partake in real concocting while their younger counterparts pour to their heart’s contentment. This is a fabulous toyperfect for playing with at the sink, in the tub, or at the water table.

$14.46(no longer mouthing toys – 3 years)

As I said, finding engaging toys that build fine motor skills and concentration skills for this age group is HARD. They aren’t interested in the baby toys anymore but a lot of the more advanced toys are still too difficult for them.

This pegboard setseems to be specially designed for the curious two-year-old.

The pieces are the right size for them to easily manipulate and the colorful puzzles are interesting enough to keep their attention but not so hard that they become frustrating.

This one gets great reviews from parents of two-year-olds looking for that elusive perfect toy and we’re getting it for our toddler this Christmas.

(ages 2 – 14)$47.99

If you’re a parent, you are likely familiar with the mermaid fabric trend.Kids absolutely cannot get enough of playing with and “drawing” on this magic fabric.(To be honest, either can I – each night when I lay with my 3-year-old, I just can’t stop myself from petting this pillow.It’s so, so relaxing.)

As such, these pillows from Mermaid Pillow Co.have becomemy new #1 suggestion for gifts from grandparents.

Why?Becausegrandparents like to buy things that have a big “Wow!”effect, they often don’t mind spending a little extra on their grandchildren for something that’s high quality, and ifleft unchecked grandparents can often misguidedly gift monstrous, noisy toys that you would never normally allow into your home!

Mermaid Pillow Co.sent one of these pillows for each of my kiddos to review (I chose the “Sharks Think” for my 8-year-old son, the “Fairies Fly” for my 7-year-old daughter, and the “Dinosaurs Discover” for my 3-year-old son.)

There are a couple of things I love about these particular pillows.First,the affirming messages are really cool– just the kind of encouraging note we try to hit in our parenting – and it was nice that there wereso many to chose from!I was able to find one that perfectly suited each of my kids’ personalitiesand interests.

(I also love the message ofthis one.)

Second,I was very pleasantly surprised with how soft the front of the pillows were.You can never really tell when ordering from a website, but these are extremely well made and super plush.

They camebeautifully packaged and seemed like something I would have bought from a boutique.

Last, but not least, is the mermaid fabric!Every bit as addictive as you might think, this stuff can be played with for hours.It’s fun to draw designs in, to write on with your finger, and also acts asa really nice tool for relaxing at bedtime or calming down from a tantrum.I highly recommend!

$54.96 (2 – 12 years)

If I could buy my children only one toy, a large set of basic wood blocks like these would be it!

They are the ultimate creativity toy and this is a wonderful basic set at a great price. Enough said.

$14.88 (2 – 12 years)

This super fun game has been a huge hit ever since it debuted. We got ours for my son’s 8th birthday and had the best time playing with it.

Everyone from my 2-year-old son to the grandparents was rolling on the ground laughing.

The premise couldn’t be more simple; spin a number, put your face in the holder, crank the number of times that you spun and see if you get a “pie face”. Because kids love getting dirty and silly, this one is always a winner.

$24.50 (3 – 8 years)

$120.00 (12 mos – 6 years)

I know what you’re thinking – a one-year-old is too little to enjoy a big dramatic play toy like this. Once upon a time, I would have agreed with you – but then my baby boy starting pulling up and I got to see first hand how much he LOVES opening and shutting the doors, turning the knobs, taking the sink in and out and putting food in and out of all the compartments.

Plus, I know he has years of enjoying it still ahead of him. The ideal time to buy this toy is around 18 months so your child gets the maximum amount of years out of it.

In case you are wondering, we bought this for our oldest kids when they were 1 and 3 and couldn’t be happier with it six years later.

I really like the look of the thing and I think the vibrant red is nicely gender neutral. Despite a small footprint, this kitchen still has all the amenities a kid could want and both my kids enjoy regularly playing at it simultaneously.

(Side note: people sometimes ask if kids will get too big for this smaller kitchen – mine are 95% percentile in height and haven’t had an issue). If you’re looking for a big wow gift from Santa, this could very well be it!

Based on how much my 2-year-old (and all my other kids) love the play kitchen, I was so excited when I found the line of Hape Playfully Delicious kitchen tools!

Toddlers absolutely love mimicking what they see adults doing in the kitchen and these toys do such a great job of allowing them to do that. The toaster is my favorite but the bottom two are close runners up:

Hape – Playfully Delicious – Pop Up Toaster Wooden Play Kitchen Set
Single Serve Coffe Maker (think a play Keurig)
Might Mixer (think a Kitchen Aid mixer)

$15.99 (3 – 6 years)

Regardless of whether you go for a play kitchen, grocery cart,cash register or all of the above– you’re gonna need some food to cook and/or buy.

We got this cutting food from Melissa & Doug before we ever got the kitchen and it was an excellent toy all on it’s own, both for dramatic play and for building fine motor skills.

Our kids have been playing with these pieces for years and still found them very enticing on their own up to age 3 or so (after that they were good props for kitchen play).

$49.98 (walking – 7 years)

We haveowned a basic water table for years and still get so much use out of it!Mytoddlerplays with it so much thatwe gated off a portion of our deck,that also has doors into our living room, so thathe can freely walk in and out to play with all day long.

To my surprise,even after years of pouring, dunking, sailing, etc. my 5 and 7-year-olds still found themselves drawn to the water table too.

It’ssuch an excellent toy for getting your kids playing outdoorsandwe use it in all types of weather. It’s actually great fun to put on our rain gear and go play with it on the deck while it’s raining (plus there’s pretty minimal clean up for playing outside in the rain because they stay out of the mud).

I highly, highly recommend this one and so do the multitude of positive reviews. Just look how next level cool it is!

Toys I recommend playing with while at the water table (aside from basic cups, bowls, and measuring cups), include thesewater bugs and net,this set of cups and a ball, and thesesquirting toys.

$22.00 (3+ years)

I’m kind of in awe of these Take-A-Part kits (there’s an airplane, crane, 4×4 and roadster available). They combine my son’stwo absolute favorite activities: building and playing with things that go vroom.

Plus kids put together their sets using a working power drill with 3 different bits. Thereviews on this one are stellar and I’m totally sold!

$27.99 (4+ years)

A basic set of LEGOs is a must-have for any child, boy or girl. Start early witha basic duplo setor a set ofMega Bloksand transition around age 4to a standard sized set. This is a good one to start with!

$11.99 (3+ years)

$12.74 (5+ years)

$12.16 (4+ years)

Large floor puzzles are great to introduce around ages 3 or 4. We have all three of these and our kids haveloved them from preschool through 2nd grade and counting. It amazes me that they can construct the entire map of the US completely on their own!

It amazes me that they can construct the entire map of the US completely on their own!

$19.99 (3 – 8 years)

I have heard great things about this cooperative, non-competitive game from multiple sources but was really convinced when a mom on one of my son’s good friends was raving about it. Everything about this game is impressive, from the 6-foot-long game board to the amount of imagination and teamwork required.

In fact, the company behind this game, Wonder Forge, has won over 120 prestigious awards by creating good-for-you games that encourage teamwork, healthy competition, and get-up-and-go active play. This is the perfect game for children of multiple ages to play together and for when you hit that stage when kids pout a lot about losing or start to become ultra competitive as it focuses on teamwork instead of competition.

$143.99 (22 months – 5 years)

I thinka balance bike will probably make it onto my gift guide for as long as I’m writing them.

All of my kids have been zooming around on bikes since they were 2-years-old thanks to thisgenius idea of taking away the pedals and letting the kids pick up their feet and balance when they’re ready. I also really love how lightweight they are.

My kids could easily pick theirs up and carry it around as soon as they started using it. I

In previous years I’ve always recommended theStrider Balance Bikebecause that’s what we have and it’s worked great for us and Icontinue to do so because the price is so great. Check out this video of some of the cutest bikers ever and you’ll be totally sold.

The only drawback has been when the kids get really good at it and can’t stop when going down steep hills due to the lack of brakes.ThisFirstBike versioncomes with a hand brake that could come in very handyfor those scenarios (no pun intended).

$44.91 (ages 2-7)

Every day around 4:30 PM, when things get real, I used to wonder why we haven’t bought one of these yet.Such a great tool for getting kids’ energy out!

Two of my kids’ buddies had one and they each love to jump and jump and jump on it.

Last year I finally asked my parents to get our toddler an indoor trampoline and recommended this onedue to the great reviews… It did not disappoint!It has really been invaluable for getting out pent up energy on cold and rainy days.

And now this year it is even better because this version has a handle that folds down!! That means the entire thing can be tucked away WAY more easily. If you’ve been on the fence about one of these,now is the time to finally get one!

$79.99 (3 – 5 years)

Hailed as “the quality choice in 3-wheel scooters for young children” this scooter has more than it’s fair share of rave reviews and awards (the Oppenheimer Toy Portfolio Gold and Platinum Award Seals for Best Toy,the Parent’s Choice Approved Seal,‘Best Pre-School Scooter’ by Toy Report, ‘Best Outdoor Toy’ by Learning Express Stores and was featured on the NBC Today Show as part of its ‘Best Toys for Summer’ series).

The key is the “learn to steer” design and back brake, both of which grantpreschoolers an extra element of stability. Also,the Mini can be ridden inside while learning (or waiting for Spring) as the quality wheels, made especially for Micro, are non-marking.

TheMicro-Mini 3-in-1 Kick Scooter $114.99 (1 – 5 years)lets even new walkers in on the fun. 1-year-olds start out sitting on the scooter with the seat attachment and using it as a typical ride-on toy.Later they advance to the O-bar (which is lower than the traditional Mini Micro Scooter) and eventually graduate to the real deal.

$20.47 (2 – 7 years)

Whether playing with mommy or a favorite doll, tea time is always a fun way to pass some time. We’ve had this set for over a year and it still looks like new (despite lots of use in the playroom, bathtub and even sandbox).

Plus I love that Green Toys are 100% recycled, madefrom milk jugs, are FDA approved to eat and drink from, and do not contain BPA, phthalates, or lead paint. What more could you ask for?

(crawling – 8 years)

This is a new addition to this list this year (and somewhat of a “doh” moment for me).We’ve had severalplayhuts throughout the years – some cheap, some expensive but more durable –all extremely successful in keeping my kiddos of varying ages happy and busy.

Nevertheless, I still forgot them for this list until Ipolled my mom friends and they ALL brought up the power of the playhut. Because these guys can be so inexpensive, they’re kind of a no-brainer for me if you have the space.

Currently my favorite are thisThomas version, thisBeauty Boutique, and thisPrincess Castle with Glow-in-the-Dark Starsversion.

Also, I LOVE playhuts with tunnelslike this one(more than doubles the fun).

In fact, if you don’t have the space to have a play hut set up all the time, I would definitely recommenda tunnelthat you can tuck away when not in use.

Last but not least,if your toddler is a huge Paw Patrol fan like minethisPaw Patrol Fire Truck Hutwith a ladderis going to blow his mind. This one is a big contender for a Santa present this year!

$29.99 (18 months – 4 years)

A few years ago when we had a 20-month-old and a brand new baby, we bought an indoor slide and put it in the upstairs landing between the kids’ bedrooms and it wasone of the best things we ever did.

A sturdy plastic slide used insidecan be a life-saver when the weather is bad and the kiddos are restless.

This particular slide –highly rated for durability and usabilityfor kiddos young and old – also serves double dutyoutside as an excellent safe place for toddlers to playwhile their big siblings scale taller play equipment.

Plus you gotta love how it folds away for easy storage when you’re not using it!

$24.99(2 – 10 years)

$34.95

Although not completely mess-free,Play-doh really is the ultimate quiet time art toy. It’s unbelievably engaging to kids of all ages (it started becominga huge hit with my youngest around 18-months-old) and, as long as you prep your space well with a tablecloth or large placemats, allows for quick and easy cleanup.

Of course, you can always make your own, butI like to also have a few tubs of the pre-made stuff on handfor when we don’t have time.

I also highly recommend the clay center with storage case.It’ll give your kidstons of tools to keep them occupiedand you a handy place to store them all when they’re done.

$19.99 and up (3 – 8 years)

If you’ve got a true vehicle lover at home then you know they can NEVER get enough construction vehicles to push around the floor (or around the sandbox).

The Brudler versions are each realistic, high-quality options that won’tdisappoint. They cost more but they hold up and both my sons (2 and 8) are seriously smitten with how well their crane truck works as well as the sheer size of it.

$4.24 (3 – 10 years)

My parents gave the kids a couple of these reusable sticker books a few years ago for Christmas and they’ve been a consistent standby for us ever since. Each of the books contain a series of background pages and hundreds of various sticker clings that can be positioned over and over on them. There are tons of book themes to choose from too.

They are surprisingly useful on long car rides (despite their large size) and we always grab them when heading to someone’s house who doesn’t have younger children and, therefore, is without toys to entertain younger children.

$94.99 (2 – 6 years)

Several indoor play centers and community centers around our town have these Step2 rollercoasters and my kids always flipped when they saw them.Easy for younger kids to get on and off on their own,I have seen first hand how they will get on it over and over and over.

A friend of mine bought one for her kids a few years ago andsaid it was an excellent toy in the driveway on sunny days and in the playroom on rainy days. And, of course, there’s also aThomas the Tank Engine versiononly makes it that much cooler!

One reviewer wrote, “The Thomas Roller Coaster Ride is absolutely amazing!I have two younger kids, a boy and girl who are two and three, and they can’t get enough of it. They have been playing with it for hours at a time.All they have to do is climb up the small steps and take turns going for a downhill ride. Not only does it keep them entertained, italso teaches them about sharing and taking turns.”

$19.99 (12 months – 5 years)

$21.99 (1 – 9 years)

Around the time they start walkingall kids, girls and boys, ABSOLUTELY LOVE pushing around toy strollers. When my daughter was a toddler, she liked her dolls, but wasn’t obsessed like some other little girls we knew.

Yet she has always adored piling them into her stroller and taking them for a stroll around the houseover, and over, and over again. Then her stroller was straight-up commandeered by her18-month-old brother who also couldn’t get enough of pushing it around all day.

I promise you, if you abuy a toy strollerfor your child,it will be one of the most-used toys you’ve ever purchased.Oh, and if you have a girl that does happen to be doll-obsessed, this3-in-1 pramisa really fun and versatile option too!

Logic follows that if one baby to take care of is good, then twins is even better. And the facial expressions on these two are my favorite, so realistic!

Very similar to theMelissa & Doug Brianna Doll, these twins havesoft bodies that allow for laying or sittingandhard arms and legs that easily wipe clean.Plus,there’s two of them! (Basically for the price of one.)

They are also some of the most life-like dolls I’ve seen. These two arenow on the top of my birthday gift list for the 1-year-old to 3-year-olds in my life.

$29.99 (2 – 9 years)

The best thing about these dinos are their jumbo size, making them easy to hold and fun to play with. This is a great find if you have a dino lover at home and want a starter set.

If you find your dinosaurs starting to accumulate,this storage box that unzips into a deluxe playmatis also extremely popular.

$29.95 (2 – 8 years)

A quality doctor kit is an excellent dramatic play toy for both boys and girls. Kids like being patients but really enjoy the power involved in getting to play care-taker (which can be really nice when you’re tired because you can play with your child by basically laying still and playing “patient”). These kits are also nice for easing doctor visit anxiety.

This new kit from Kangaroo has an unprecedented amount of uniqueprops that do some really cool things– too many to list here in fact!

This includes battery operated instruments such asthe thermometer (press tip down and see the temp change), the stethoscope that plays a heartbeat, the x-ray machine, heart monitor, and blood pressure monitor that have actions and lights, the light up otoscope, spring-back syringe and so much more! It also includes some great imagination props like glasses, a clipboard and x-ray sheets.

You get a lot of bang for your buck with this toy and, accordingly, it gets a lot of rave reviews.

(Ages 3 – 6) $94.00

He’s back!That’s right guys, the evil toy geniuses totally have our number and know that we will pony up the cash for anything that brings back nostalgic memories of our own childhood.And in the case of Teddy, I’m 100% here for it.

I mean how can you pass up a chance to share that with your kid?! And, of course,they made him way coolerthan the first time around.

Most notable arehis crazy-emotive LCD eyes with over 40 animations– SO MUCH better than the creepy blinking of the original version.The cassette player in his back is gone too because Teddy now reads books on the free app- but don’t worry, you don’t have to have the app to use him.He can also tell his stories and sing without it.

He truly is a nice toy for encouraging reading in pre-readers and emerging-readers.By being able topause the reading just by tapping his paw, they can ensure that Teddy goes at their pace and he is sure to have them asking him to read to them again and again.

*Post contains affiliate links.

Still want more ideas? Don’t forget to check outall 15 of the MPMK Gift Guides,organizedby your child’s age:

The Best Toys for Babies
The Very Best Toys for Two-Year-Olds
Go-To Gifts for Preschoolers
The Most Exciting Gifts You Can Give a Kindergartner
Go-To Gifts for Elementary Aged Kids

For thehottest toys of the yearsee:

The Hottest 20 New Toys of the Year!
50+ Toys for Kids (Ages 2 – 14) for $20 or Less!

Plus, the rest of our guidesorganized by interest:

Best Toys for Fostering S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineerin, and Math) Skills
Best Toys for Staying Active Inside and for Getting Outdoors
Best Kid Games for Family Game Night, Playing with Siblings, or Playing Alone
Best Dramatic Play Toys
Best Toys for Vehicle Lovers
Best Toys for Baby

Tens of thousands of parents use these lists every Christmas to find the perfect gift!

If you like these recommendations,I encourage you topinor bookmark them for later when you’re ready to start shopping.

I would alsolove it if you forwarded the list to your parenting friends or shared it onfacebook– trust me,your friends will thank youfor the help and you get to be the cool mom (or dad) with all the best resources. It’s a win-win.

Also, don’t forget for even more recommendations andalerts when we spot our gift guide items on sale: