Shopping for people is hard, and shopping for people who can't tell anyone what they want, or aren't old enough to really understand, makes it even harder. This year, many of us want to make the holiday season a little extra special, given everything that has gone the last few years. This means there's some pressure to find the right gift and when shopping for youngest on our list, and there being so many potential present ideas out there, many of us need help narrowing it down.
But, we've got that covered. We did the research and narrowed down the best gift ideas for the newborns through toddlers on the shopping list. This age group is a fun age to shop for because we can get things that are practical, educational, and fun — and the little ones will just love it regardless.
We've rounded up a list for all the tots we love, and there's everything from clever bibs and water toys to things that will spark their creativity and help them sleep. So scroll through — we're confident you'll find the right gift in no time.
Little Tikes® 3-in-1 Activity Walker™
$31.99
from
Little Tikes
The Activity Walker is recommended for babies as young as 9 months, as they're developing their walking skills. The walker encourages them to get moving with lights that project on the ground as they start pushing and walking. It also folds down, so babies can play while sitting—and they'll love checking out the activities, songs, and sounds. And toddlers will get tons of play out of this walker as well, once they've mastered moving around on their own—it converts to an activity table to help them learn colors and shapes.
Bead Maze
For a toddler, this toy is perfect to work on those motor movements while keeping the little one engaged. The bright colors and fun swoops the beads make as they go over the hoops will keep the kiddo busy. We love a gift that'll keep kids entertained and get their brains working.
KidDazzle Bib
For the younger one who is just starting to get into finger foods, this is the cutest gift. But this isn't just a typical bib, it's even more practical. Whether the little one is painting, eating a messy treat, or helping a loved one bake, this adorable long-sleeved cover will shield their entire outfit (as well as arms and legs) from messes while decking them out in a "formal dress" or adorable "tuxedo."
Bonding Play Mat
$99.99
from
Aden + Anais
Tummy time isn't always the favorite activity of the little ones, but it's so good for them and important to do. This gender neutral Aden + Anais mat is both adorable and entertaining with its jungle animal friends. With attached toys for the young little ones to touch and crinkle while they work on their head control, this machine-washable play mat will be a win.
Little Tikes® Learn & Play™ My First Learning Mailbox
$41.99
from
Little Tikes
With more than 50 awesome activities, phrases, and songs, this mailbox will be your kid's favorite playtime game! It combines the fun of sending and receiving mail with learning activities that teach shapes, colors, numbers, counting, and aid with fine motor skills and coordination. The My First Learning Mailbox is so much more than just a toy! The mailbox includes nine numbers, so kids can pretend and create different house numbers, three sorting shapes, three "envelopes," two packages, and a soft doggie (of course!).
Inklings Baby Plushie & Book
There's a reason plush toys are so popular with little kids — they're cute. This adorable Inklings book and plushie take that idea and push it further with the creative look of the creatures. The board book shares the story of Billy and his new best friend, Wobby, and encourages imagination.
The Babybel Boom Gift Pack
$15
from
T-Shirt Deli
There's little room for discussion on this: Cheese is one of the best foods in the world. And this onesie plays on that. For cheese lovers who happen to be new parents, this personalized onesie with baby's name on it is the perfect dad-pun, and a cute and unique outfit for a little baby.
Little Partners Limited Edition Chalkboard Tower
Ideal for a toddler as well as older kids, this learning tower grows with little ones and offers a way to engage our kids in the world. It's perfect for quiet drawing on the chalkboard or it can be pulled up to the kitchen counter as a safety stool so the kiddo can participate in cooking, cleaning, crafts, or other hands-on activities.
Engraved Name Puzzle
Puzzles are one of the best first toys for young toddlers who are still figuring out how the world works. Gifting them a custom puzzle with their name can keep them playing while they also learn how to recognize those letters and spell their name. Sets can be bought in different colors that match the theme or style of the child.
SmartMax My First Animal Train
This baby's first train gives the little ones their first intro into STEM. This toy is more than meets the eye with 22 different pieces that allow kids to make a custom train that actually moves. It comes with friendly and adorable animal pieces and is perfectly sized for their little hands.
Water Play Mat
It seems that the more ways we make tummy time exciting and engaging for kids, the more likely they won't spend their time screaming. This tummy time water play mat is designed to keep their focus on the floaty water creatures, allowing baby to play with the water without getting wet. It's easy to deflate to put away for later and pull out when baby needs some stimulation.
Jellycat Bashful Security Blanket
Every baby needs a little cuddle toy to sleep with for naptime and this Jellycat is a favorite for a reason. It's not as big as a blanket, which can be dangerous for the younger ones, and it's the perfect size for little hands to cuddle. Bonus points for parents because it's machine washable.
Lucy Darling Baby's First Year Memory Book
There is so much that happens in baby's first year, and it can be hard to recall those details years later. This book is the problem-solver and it's a fun way to jot all those memories down for parents and child to look through together later. It's got a bunch of extras, like stickers and dividers, to customize it.
Snoo Bear
$59.95
from
Happiest Baby
So much of the first two years of a baby's life is spent trying to help the little one get restful sleep (so we can sleep, too). This adorable white noise machine will help soothe babies to sleep, and can later be used for a toddler to cuddle. It comes with a strap to hang it off a stroller and has finger holes so parents can use it as a puppet.
Lulla Doll
$49
from
Lulla Doll
The Lulla Doll is a bedtime buddy that makes a calming heartbeat noise, which baby is used to from being in the womb. There are thousands of parents who swear by this doll, saying it's got an incredible ability to help baby drift off into a peaceful sleep. That's a gift that will keep on giving!
My First Guitar & Drum
For families that love music, getting their kids involved right from the beginning is a great way to foster the continuation of that through the family. This baby's first drum and guitar toy is soft for those little hands, and it makes special light shows and sounds to get baby excited to move and groove to their own music.
Manhattan Toy Skwish Color Burst Rattle & Teether Grasping Activity Toy
For the youngest babies who are just figuring out they have hands that can do things, it's important to put toys into their grip for them to explore. This rattle also doubles as a teether toy to give comfort to their gums as their teeth come through. It's the right size so babies can easily pick up and hold, and easy to bring along on the go, too.
Huey Hare Snuggle Bunny
$25
from
Bunnies by the Bay
The last two years have been a strange for everyone, especially kids. And they may need comfort in new situations after not being all that social. The Huey Hare Snuggle Bunny gives them a cuddly buddy friend that'll comfort them day and night. These are so soft they're hard to give away, trust us.
Toddler Christmas Onesie
$32
from
Little Sleepies
Kids love pajamas, whether they're infants or toddlers. These toddler "footie pajamas" will get them super excited for Christmas and keep them warm in winter. This festive set has Christmas trees, gingerbread men, and stockings. The only thing that would make these better would be to get matching jammies for the rest of the family.
Baby's First Board Books
For families who are trying to encourage bilingual kids from an early age, these Canticos first books are designed with that in mind. These books are made for little hands and bright minds with their colorful pages made of thick materials to withstand curious fingers. There's a whole series of these that teach kids everything from opposites, to feelings, and shapes and patterns.
Kids Digital Camera
$35
from
The Little Learners
Have a budding photographer at home? Nurture the little one's interest, or maybe even spark it, by gifting a "toy" digital camera. We put toy in quotes because it's a real digital camera, but safe and easy for kids to use as its made just for kids "out of lightweight, safe materials and it has been designed to be easy to hold and carry."
Flamingo Rocker
Toddlers may dream of riding horses, which is why horse rockers exist. But we know another animal that would be just as fun to pretend to ride: a flamingo. This flamingo rocker will give kids the chance to use their imaginations and get some "air," which is why we love this as a gift.
Wooden Veggie Set
$29
from
Pottery Barn
Little ones may actually like to try veggies or eat them if they practice preparing them on their own, well, sort of. Pottery Barn's wooden veggie set is a toy that lets kids chop their own veggies in imaginative play. Who knows, it could also spark a love of cooking, or at least, eating veggies.
Mine to Love Twins Tyler & Taylor Dolls
$48.5
from
Melissa & Doug
Toddlers love baby dolls, no matter if they're boys or girls, they love to play with dolls and love and nurture them. Encourage that love and caretaking by gifting them the "Mine to Love" twin baby dolls from Melissa & Doug. Each baby comes with caps and rompers and "dolls suck thumbs or included pacifiers."
100-Piece Wooden Block Set
$21.5
from
Melissa & Doug
Building blocks are literally and figuratively the "basics" when it comes to building from the ground up, and that also applies to the foundation of kids toys. They're simple but they spark the imagination and also foster engineering skills. Kids will love to get this 100-piece set from Melissa & Doug as a gift.
*Psst: if you choose to purchase an item from this post, CafeMom.com may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
