It’s here! Holidays in 2020. While things are looking different this year, we’re still celebrating. In fact, judging by the amount of Christmas decor I have already crafted, things may even be a little extra this year. Finding all the little moments of good and really wanting to celebrate.
Sharing some of my favorite gifts for babies, kids, and mamas here today. I am often asked about the “best” toys for kids as a speech therapist, and the best toy for a child is really what they’re uniquely interested in, which you as the parent will know best and can vary so widely from kid to kid, even between siblings. One kid is interested in art, another loves to move. Think about what lights them up and what they’re interested in this year. Our favorites are always the simple, open-ended, non-battery ones that can be used in a variety of play contexts, and especially those that encourage pretend play. Sharing some of our tried and true, year after year favorites here.
FOR BABIES
Bannor Toys, for modern wood and personalized toys that make an heirloom style gift.
KiwiCo Panda Crate for 0-24m. Blaire got this as a gift this year and the activities and toys have been so fun. $10 off here.
Pinhole Press Photo Book. Still well loved after 4 years, and great for speech and language development.
Rainbow Stacker. There are many of these out there, we have a small wooden one. Open ended play and cute as decor.
L’ovedBaby. Their organic cotton zip rompers were all that Blaire wore her first year. 15% off here.
Bucket Swing. If you happen to have a backyard play set, or a really good tree, Blaire got one for her first birthday from a great grandparent and I thought it was a creative and unique idea for babies if your parks are closed.
FOR KIDS
Green toys. Made from recycled milk jugs, we have the ferry, firetruck, and garbage truck (for babies: the stacking cups). Great for pretend play, dishwasher and bath safe.
Pretend Play Kitchen. A classic we have loved for years.
Cookie Baking Set. We got this one at a garage sale. Wood, well designed, fine motor practice, love the velcro cutting concept, often in use in our pretend kitchen.
Dollhouse. (now sold out at that link! Similar one here) If you’ve seen my stories you’ve heard me rave about the one I found second hand for $20. It is incredibly well made and gets daily use. I am actually embarrassed to say I didn’t think of getting a dollhouse until I had a daughter, and my son actually plays with this every single day, and builds all kinds of complex pretend play schemes with it. It is beautiful and stays out in our living room, and was the best kid item we bought this year. (I also love this one too, but it’s also sold out right now. Similar: the bakery. There is some really amazing modern doll house furniture on Etsy, and less modern but still wood and super cheap at the dollar store!)
Dollhouse people. Marc the Skateboarder and the Camper set by HABA. Trey got really into camping and skateboarding this summer, so this is a fun set that is a little more boy inclusive for dollhouse pretend play.
Dolls. Even for boys! Inexpensive and racially diverse one that we don’t have but looks good here. We also love Cuddle and Kind. Next Christmas I will introduce Blaire to American Girl dolls and I can hardly wait.
Doll stroller. I found two of these on OfferUp last summer and they are another well loved toy item around here. This one is fun in that it looks like our jogging stroller, but any kind is great.
Pretend make up set. Blaire is always taking my makeup so I think she would really love this. Wood, not plastic! And small shop find.
KiwiCo. We have loved these monthly STEAM crates this year for both kids. Age specific and developmentally appropriate activities mailed to your door, and the creations often get reused in pretend play. $10 off with this link here.
Magnatiles. These make the list every year. Have heard good things about the less expensive version, Picasso Tiles.
Scooter. Another multiple year winner. The mini deluxe is our favorite for ages 2-5. (Don’t forget a helmet!) $10 off with my friends & family link here.
Trey is more into creative play than building, but LEGOS are a classic, along with Duplos for younger ages, and Plus Plus is the newer, cooler cousin (the smaller size is tiny tiny, make sure you get the big size for kids under age 4-5).
Art supplies of all kinds from your favorite local art store. Also, surprisingly IKEA has a great selection of art (and other pretend play items) at good prices.
Wobble Board. A grandparent got this for Trey for Christmas. A bridge, a slide, a balance board, I’ve seen these for years and I think he’s going to really love it.
Similar: Wobble Chair. We have a very active preschooler. We were sent this to try out, and it seems really fun and Trey likes “wobbling” on it while drawing. Sometimes I even sit on it while I work! Great for core strength and kids who need to move to focus, I wish I could gift this to every child who is now zooming for school.
Games. Our preschooler is starting to get into games and we have quite the game cabinet now. Some of our favorites: The Sneaky Snacky Squirrel, Zingo, eeBoo Picnic game, and Spot it.
Cardboard Castle. We got this for my nephews last Christmas. Great for indoor play in the winter.
Gym mat. Speaking of indoor active play. I have my eye on these. Ikea has this pretty ombré one too.
New books out:
My Favorite Color. I love this one because so many children (and adults!) have a difficult time picking a favorite color. This book acknowledges that there are many different colors, even in the same shade, and has translucent pages that highlight the subtle differences in color.
Christmas is Joy. Sweet and simple with repetitive text and cute illustrations.
Mouse’s Night Before Christmas. A darling story about a mouse wishing for a friend!
Peppa Pig and the Day of Giving Thanks. A little late, but my nephew is a big Peppa Pig fan so I looked into this one. Highlights thankfulness and the fall season, and also there’s a rainstorm, which is so applicable for us since we’re in the PNW and it rains a lot here. Come January it’s easy to become ungrateful with all the rainy weather, but this story spins it for good.
FOR MAMAS
Everlane perform leggings. I have three pairs and they are my daily uniform. The fabric is amazing.
LVX luxury & 10-free nail polish.
A virtual creative workshop like my friends Brooke and Kristi have started over at StudioLife
Coolest modern, inclusive, woman-owned puzzles. 10% off with code ALLIE.
Love hot baths at night in our freezing winter months. Rediscovered all the benefits of salt baths and now I want Epsom salts in bulk
BLK + GRN black owned, cleaned beauty from multiple brands all in one place
The leather tote I’ve carried every day for years and is ethically made! I have the black/cognac version. I wish all my purchases were as inspiring as their company slogan: “Challenging the culture of the fashion industry by creating transformative opportunities for women.” Yes, please. (AND that tote is on sale right now)
