This year is our first Christmas with a toddler. Buying toys for little ones is always a bit difficult because you need to find something that the kids will like, is safe for little ones, and won’t make their parents crazy. (Lo, to the person who buys Sloane a drum set or a screaming chicken.) Here are a few suggestions for the 2-4 year olds on your list, without a single stuffed animal. (How do they multiply so quickly?!)
One. Molding Clay // Whether your little one is into Play-Doh, Kinetic Sand or this Madhatter Modeling Clay, squishing, flattening and rolling helps build fine motor skills and creates a stimulating sensory experience. Need an easy stocking stuffer or takeaway gift for a kids party? This clay Advent calendar would be a fun option for older kids.
Two. A Screen-Free Audio Player // An audio player allows kids to listen to books and play music with ease for self-guided, screen-free play. Sloane has a Tonies Box, which is a great choice for small children who recognize the figures of Moana, Rapunzel, etc., and she loves dancing to the music. This Yoto Player is another great choice; it plays podcasts, books, music, and works as a white noise machine and alarm clock.
Three. Instant Camera // Little kids love older technology. Don’t believe me? Take a four year old to house with a landline phone and watch the hijinks ensue.
An instant camera takes that same nostalgia and turns into a fun activity. Let them capture photos of family, take selfies, and snap pictures of their stuffed animals (Seriously, why are there so many?!) This one from Amazon comes in lots of colors, uses filters, has a 1080p camera and comes with multiple rolls of film.
Fourth. Bubbles // Always a toddler crowd pleaser, Fubbles lets your little one enjoy bubbles without the mess. No sticky spills, just hours of fun. This bubble gun is also a great option, and if you want a version that doesn’t require adult involvement, try this bubble machine. Just turn on a little music, add a galaxy strobe light, and let your little ones have a disco-bubble-dance party.
Fifth. Balance Toys // This Rainbow Balance Beam is a great toy for active indoor play in the winter time. These Stapelstein stepping stones also make a fun obstacle course. And if you need a less expensive option, try this set from Amazon. For Christmas, we’re buying Sloane a small trampoline. Apparently, there are toddler workout videos that kids will jump along to until they exhaust themselves.
Sixth. An Ice Cream Set // I bought this Melissa & Doug Ice Cream Set for Sloane on a rainy day when she was teething and moody. An hour later, she was still making cones at the kitchen table. This thing is a dream. Every time I post it, readers tell me that it is one of the few toys that you buy for a toddler that elementary students still play with. Want a bigger gift? Melissa & Doug also has a Cool Scoops Creamery and an awesome Snacks & Sweets Food Cart.
Seventh. Science Toys // Instill a love of science into your kiddos with a great, educational toy. Air Toobz is a building toy that uses a motorized pump to propel felt balls through the tubes. Kids of all ages love this one. For more great learning toys, check out Fat Brain Toys for kids of all ages. Also, Kiwi Co. makes fantastic STEM toys for children from ages 1 to 18. So you can find an interactive gift kids will love and parents will feel good about.
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My daughter is 8 and we JUST decluttered that ice cream scoop set.
On toys that make noise but are not terrible, we bought a Baby Einstein Together in Tune piano for our 3 year old last year. When he first got it, he could only press the button for the pre-programmed music, but he’s moving into using the color coded sheets to learn to play things on his own. It has soft tones, so even if they play incorrect notes, it’s not an assault on your ears.
I was that poor soul whose MIL bought a drum set for my 5 year old. It lived outdoors for obvious reasons until the “weather ruined it” and it went to the dump.
As a non-playdoh/slime/glitter house, my littles loved the wooden cleaning set and magna-tiles (especially the add on set with wheels and the marbles when they got older).
100% agree on these. My kids are 6 and 9, and that ice cream shop is STILL so fun.