If you have a toddler in your life, you are probably asking yourself what to get him for Christmas. Sure a plethora of options abound, but a bit of careful consideration will better guide your purchasing decisions. So, when buying a child’s toy, keep these things in mind:
Age appropriate
Make sure whatever you choose is right for the child’s age and abilities. If it is too juvenile, the child won’t enjoy it. Likewise if the item is too advanced for her age.
Durable
Make sure the item is well-made and can withstand the forces of a young child.
Educational
Many toys can be educational, not just ones that involve letters and numbers. Toys that encourage open-ended play (such as blocks, trains, doll houses, etc.) allow the child to create his own adventure instead of being directed and guided in his play.
Interesting
Let’s face it; if an item isn’t interesting, it will be tossed to the side and won’t serve any purpose.
Simple
Simple is often better. Case in point, how often does a child play with a box as much a the toy itself? Lights, sounds and batteries are not required for a toy to be valuable. In fact, those features often distract…and annoy.
With those pointers in mind, consider these top 10 gifts for toddlers. For help on this gift guide, I turned to Dawn Lanser, mother of six and owner/operator of Lanser’s The Natural Way, who happens to be one of our site sponsors. The following is a list of 10 items that are sure to please toddlers and parents. While the items can be found at Lanser’s or online by clicking the photos, the opinions are all mine.
Melissa & Doug Wooden Food
The Melissa & Doug wooden food is always a crowd pleaser. All three of my kids have loved cutting, serving and “eating” it. While perfect for toddler-aged children, my elementary-aged son still enjoys playing with it. And, even with the amount of children who have played (quite vigorously at times) with it over the years, our sets are still in great condition. This is often my first recommendation for a toddler gift.
Wooden Train Set
Our kids love playing with wooden train sets. Though my son has now passed the prime age of this toy, I still find him from time to time gathering his old train friends and building a new track for a new adventure. Train sets are a great way for kids to use their imagination and learn spatial skills as they build their own layouts.
Wooden Puzzles
Puzzles are a basic toy, but they are so valuable. And, once again I’ve chosen wooden ones because they are durable and withstand the test of time.
Animal Nesting Blocks
Blocks are so basic and yet such great teaching tools. These are great for hand-to-eye coordination, stacking, learning animals, colors and even counting. They are durable and great for open-ended play.
Rubens Baby Doll
Designed in Sweden, these handmade dolls are soft and warm, but are also weighted to feel more like a real baby. They can suck their thumbs or a bottle, and are anatomically correct (a rare find). Each doll has a name and individual bio, and are machine washable…a must for any baby doll in our house.
Wheely Bugs
Not only are these little guys cute, they are also loads of fun. With a wooden base and leather seat, Wheely Bugs are durable. They are ideal for indoor use and can be a great asset when needing to burn off extra energy during the winter months.
Tail Wags Helmet Cover
Of course helmet safety is important, but why not make it fun, too? These cute helmet covers make the sometimes challenging task of getting a helmet onto a child easier. They come in a variety of animals, including panda bear, bunny, dalmation, frog, lobster, pig, raccoon and skunk.
Sprout Storage Bin
Order amidst toys can be difficult to achieve, but cute storage containers can certainly help make it more possible.
Trunkie
Whether it’s a trip to Grandma’s house or a week in Disney, this suitcase comes in handy. The wheels make it easy for kids to pull or ride on when their little legs are tired. And, it comes with a teddy bear seat belt. How cute is that?!
George the Giraffe
George is an interactive rocking horse that features three modes: story time, song time and play time. When your little one feeds him a felt toy from his pouch, he tells a different story or sings a different song. And, he sings when rocking, making him a great teacher of cause and effect.
Stay tuned for more top 10 gift idea lists in the coming weeks. In the meantime, leave a comment and let us know what your favorite baby gift is.
{Please note: Lanser’s The Natural Way is a sponsor of this website and they did sponsor this post, though the opinions are still my own.}
