Christmas Gifts Ideas for Toddlers

Last Updated on September 23, 2019

Buying Christmas gifts for toddlers represents an entirely different ballgame than buying gifts for infants or school-aged children. While toddlers are too old to spend hours simply satisfied with the wrapping paper (as many babies do), they are often too young for grade-school supplies or complicated gadgets.

At the same time, toddlers are just old enough to start looking forward to those presents from Santa and using toys that make them feel like the “big” boys and girls. Parents of toddlers typically want toys that keep children actively engaged while offering a touch of practically.

Not to mention, it is always an important bonus when toys encourage important physical and cognitive developmental skills. A look at the best gift ideas for toddlers can help you choose presents to keep your little one happy and active all year long.

Zoo or Farm Animal Toys for Toddlers

Zoo and farm animal toys are among the most popular gift ideas for toddlers. These toys are easy for children to hold and maneuver, thereby building fine motor skills and encouraging engagement in play. The toys also help build toddlers’ active vocabulary by teaching them how to identify all types of animal species.

My recommendation: Fisher-Price Little People Caring for Animals Farm Playset

Board Books for Toddlers

Increase your child’s vocabulary and nurture a lifelong love of reading with board books for toddlers. Board books are excellent resources for bedtime, story time, and group or individual play. Made of thick paperboard, these books are durable enough to withstand long-term use in a variety of playtime settings.

Musical Toys for Toddlers

Foster creativity and freedom of expression with musical toys for toddlers. Musical toys make excellent Christmas gifts for toddlers because they introduce young children to basic instruments and provide a healthy outlet for curiosity about sound. These toys can also serve as “training wheels” for music lessons and classics children take as they get older.

Wooden Puzzles for Toddlers

Teach children problem solving and logic in a fun way with wooden puzzles for toddlers. Wooden puzzles are excellent options for parents looking for Christmas gifts for toddlers that aren’t toys. They are durable enough for everyday use and help children learn concepts like letters, shapes, and colors.

Magnetic Fishing Game for Toddlers

Help your child reel in the catch of the day with this magnetic fishing game for toddlers. This classic game helps develop hand-eye coordination while teaching your child the basic concepts used for fishing. Great for taking turns and developing sportsmanship, this game is a healthy alternative for indoor fun.

T-Ball Set for Toddlers

Introduce your child to the joys of the ballgame with this T-ball set for toddlers. As one of the most popular Christmas gifts for toddler boys, the T-ball set combines elements of softball and baseball to help young children develop gross-motor skills, learn the rules of team sports, and have fun.

Corn Popper Push Toy for Toddlers

Help your child develop the basics of walking and movement with a corn popper push toy. As one of the most sought-after Christmas gifts for 1 year olds, this sturdy toy encourages walking, counting, and visual counting. The colorful popping balls and easy-grasp handle keeps your child happy and busy every step of the way.

See ‘n’ Say Toys for Toddlers

Encourage speech-language development and object identification with see ‘n’ say toys for toddlers. This classic toy helps toddlers strengthen vocabulary and phonetic ability through memory and repetition. With its easy-to-use lever and identification or game mode, your child can discover new words and build important learning skills just in time for preschool.

Hammering Toys for Toddlers

Provide a healthy outlet for busy toddlers with the help of hammering toys. Because hammering toys help build dexterity, coordination, and fine motor skills, these toys are among the most popular Christmas gifts for 2 year olds. In addition to building developmental skills like arm movement and hand manipulation, hammering toys are also a great way for children to learn about cause and effect.

Mini Basketball Hoop for Toddlers

Teach your child the fundamentals of team sports with a mini basketball hoop. Because the miniature basketball hoop helps build coordination, gross motor skills, and social skills, it is one of the most recommended Christmas gifts for 3 year olds. In addition to shooting the ball independently, children can learn valuable lessons in sportsmanship when playing with a team.

Purse or Backpack for Toddlers

Give your toddler a great way to store favorite supplies and belongings with a purse or backpack. Because children can use a purse or backpack for preschool, daily outings, or travel, purses and backpacks are some of the most practical gift ideas for toddlers. A carrying bag also encourages organization and personal responsibility from an early age.

Learning Laptops for Toddlers

Turn modern technology into a fun teaching school with the help of learning laptops for toddlers. Since children are more tech-savvy than ever before, learning laptops are some of the most recommended Christmas gifts for toddlers. These laptops introduce children to typing, letters, and numbers using durable hardware that withstands wear and tear.

No-Mess Paint Set for Toddlers

Teach your child the basics artistic expression with this no-mess paint set. Because painting encourages independent creativity, fine motor skills, and color identification, paint sets are some of the best Christmas gifts for 1 year olds. In addition, the washable paint and coated painting paper make cleanup a breeze for Mom or Dad.

Reusable Stickers for Toddlers

Encourage hands-on play and intellectual stimulation with this reusable sticker pad for toddlers. Featuring colorful backgrounds and numerous sticker types, reusable stickers make fantastic Christmas gifts for 3 year olds. Stickers build fine motor skills in individual play and can double as a classic “stamp of approval” for a job well done.

Sit and Spin Toys for Toddlers

Fun and developmental skills come full circle with the help of sit-and-spin toys for toddlers. Because the spinning toy helps to encourage balance, coordination, and motor skills, it is one of the most recommended Christmas gifts for 2 year olds. The toy helps your child expend excess energy while enjoying limitless whirling fun.

Magnetic Letters for Toddlers

Make learning the alphabet fun with these magnetic letters for toddlers. Easy to grasp and vivid in coloring, these magnets are perfect for teaching your child letter identification and encouraging language development. The magnets make excellent Christmas gifts for toddlers and teach the building blocks of words just in time for preschool.

Little People Little Movers Gift for Toddlers

Let your child’s imagination take flight with this Little People, Little Movers toy for toddlers. This toy set features an airplane, luggage, and mini figurines for hours of imaginative play. Whether your child dreams of being a pilot or loves to pretend travel to faraway lands, the sky is the limit with the help of this engaging classic toy.

Bubble Blowing Toy Mower for Toddlers

Yard work never looked more fun than with this bubble-blowing toy mower for toddlers. Now your busy toddler can help “mow” the lawn with this toy that blows bubbles on grass, sidewalks, or driveways. The handle is easy to grip, allowing toddlers to pull and push the toy mower to their hearts’ content. Whether you want your child to build self-confidence or engage in healthy physical activity, this push toy is a winner.

Pull Toys for Toddlers

Let children create their own adventures with the help of push toys for toddlers. With easy-to-grip handles and rolling wheels, push toys encourage both gross and fine motor skills development. Practical and portable, these toys are also easy for toddlers to transport to any section of the house for fun, interactive play.

Pretend Phone for Toddlers

Encourage communication skills and tech competence with the help of a pretend phone for toddlers. Fostering skills such as number recognition and fine motor abilities, a pretend phone is a must-have in an increasingly technological world. Durable enough for long-term use, these phones are perfect for toddlers who want to “talk” to friends just like Mom and Dad.

Bath Tub Toys for Toddlers

Make bath time an event to look forward to with the help of bathtub toys for toddlers. Bathtub toys encourage fine motor skills as well as extending the length of wash time for good hygiene. Whether you need to make bath time transitions easier or ease the fear of water, each colorful toy is a must-have for preschool age.

Large Trucks & Cars for Toddlers

Let children embark on their own automotive adventures with the help of large truck or car toys for toddlers. These toys teach children the basics of the wheel and locomotion while encouraging countless hours of imaginative play. Easy to grip, push, or roll, large toy trucks and cars put your child at the helm of fun and exploration.

Bowling Set for Toddlers

Introduce your child to one of the best-loved recreational activities with this bowling set for toddlers. Made of easy-to-grip, safe material, this bowling set teaches target practice while developing hand-eye coordination and motor skills. Whether your child wants to practice independently or play with a team, one can never go wrong this set in the toy room.

Princess Playset for Toddlers

Pamper your own little princess with this playset for toddlers. Featuring a miniature princess and enchanted castle, this playset is one of the most popular Christmas gifts for toddler girls. A perfect companion to story time, this playset also makes a great addition to any dress-up party or princess-themed room.

Bead Maze for Toddlers

Encourage top-notch developmental abilities with the help of a bead maze for toddlers. This classic toy stimulates cognitive development through pattern recognition, visual and depth perception, and color and shape identification. As a hands-on favorite in classrooms and nurseries alike, the maze also builds hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.

Baby Doll for Toddlers

Give your child the gift of both comfort and empathy with a classic baby doll. Because it is easy for toddlers to grip and carry, a baby doll is a great companion for everything from nap time to tea-party time. Parents also use dolls as teaching tools for personal responsibility and caring.

Large Duplo Building Blocks

Encourage fine motor skills, imagination, and problem-solving abilities with these large duplo building blocks for toddlers. With a wide variety of colors and shape combinations, the possibilities are endless for using each building block as a teaching tool. In addition, the set comes with an easy-storage blocks to begin teaching children to keep their spaces neat and tidy.

Sand or Water Table for Toddlers

Help encourage sensory development, creativity, and social skills with a sand or water table for toddlers. This toy brings this fun of a beach or sandbox to any location with minimal effort. Perfect for sand buckets and toy shovels, this table helps build hand-eye coordination and fine motor abilities without the mess or stress.

Ride-On Toys for Toddlers

Toddlers can enjoy the thrill of a lifetime with the help of ride-on toys. These toys encourage gross motor abilities, spatial awareness, and muscle development while giving your toddler safe control of the wheel. Whether you want to increase physical exercise or encourage independent play, the opportunities of exploration are endless when using ride-on toys.

Jack in the Box for Toddlers

Encourage a child’s sense of discovery with a classic and nostalgic Jack-in-the-Box toy. Combining whimsical elements of surprise and peak-a-boo, this toy also increases fine motor skills with the levered hand operation. The toy is a unique addition to group play and parties as well as a fun decorative item for bedrooms or nurseries.

Spill-Proof Cup & Snack Holders for Toddlers

Spill-proof cup and snack holders are some of the most practical gift ideas for toddlers. These eating utensils encourage independent eating and help children develop occupational skills needed for school and social interaction. Spill-proof features also help keep clothing and snack areas tidy, making cleanup a breeze for Mom and Dad.

Pretend Chunky Tools for Toddlers

Nurture your child’s creative mind with pretend chunky tools for toddlers. These tools are easy to handle and grip, making them perfect for children to learn independent play and high self-esteem. Building tools also teach the concepts of problem solving and cause and effect. Because they are easy to share, these tools are perfect for group activities.

Ball Pit for Toddlers

Transform your playroom into a virtual amusement park with a ball pit for toddlers. Encouraging skills ranging from gross motor development to color identification, a ball pit provides a stimulating environment that any toddler can enjoy. This toy also makes a great addition to sleepovers or small birthday parties.

Toddler-Sized Instrument for Toddlers

Help children develop a safe and healthy love of music with a toddler-sized instrument. These instruments help build hand-eye coordination and self-expression while maintaining a safe pitch and tone for young ears. Suitable for independent play or participation in a pint-sized band, these toys are perfect for your little rock star.

Play Food and Kitchen Tools for Toddlers

Introduce life skills in a fun way with play food and kitchen tools for toddlers. Pretend kitchens are among the most pediatrician-recommended toys for children as they encourage imaginative thought, planning and logical processing, and social skills among other members of the family. From “baking” a favorite dish to setting a table, play food and kitchen tools make great gifts for your tiny chef.

Constellation Night Light for Toddlers

With a constellation night light, there is no need for your toddler to ever feel afraid of the dark. Constellation night lights provide an excellent projection of a starry sky, thereby igniting a lifetime curiosity about space and science. This light makes a great bedtime companion to soothe your toddler to sleep. As an added bonus, the light offers a great backdrop for indoor “camping” under the stars.