I don’t feel middle-aged…… until it’s time to find Holiday gifts for the little ones in my life. My kids are older now, so I’ve somehow lost touch with what would bring the most joy to my youngest family members. I don’t want to be that aunt who sends puzzles for your birthday and gives out healthy treats for Halloween. I’m not a raisin box mom! If you find yourself here too, I’ve gone on the hunt and found some things that I think our littles will love.
We had a felt Christmas tree with ornaments when my children were little. While this isn’t the exact one we had, I honestly don’t remember where I got mine; it’s very similar. I loved it because the kids would play with it all winter, either one at a time or together. It didn’t make noise or require batteries, and there were no small parts that I had to worry about them eating. It was also easy to roll up and store at the end of the season.
Who wouldn’t love a play tent like this? It’s probably the closest I will get to having a she-shed. The cotton tent is large enough for two or three little ones. It’s a perfect place to host a tea party or snuggle with a book. The tent comes in six styles, so there is something for every taste.
If you have an adventurer on your list, they will probably need a kit. This explorer’s kit has everything they need packed into an adorable carrying case.
I am a book lover, and while adults think that kids won’t like to open a book as much as they like to open a toy, I’ve found that often isn’t the case. A book is a gift you can open more than once, and many wonderful stories stay with us forever. Patchwork is a beautiful story that celebrates each child’s unique gifts.
If you have to choose only one children’s gift this year, choose this boxed set of the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award winner You Are (Not) Small and companion books That’s (Not) Mine and I Am (Not) Scared. These are the first in a series authored and illustrated by my incredibly talented friends, Anna Kang and Chris Weyant. These stories demonstrate friends navigating their differences in size and perspective while overcoming their fears. They are wonderful read-aloud books, and the simple text is appropriate for early readers to tackle on their own.
I would actually like one of these hammock swings for myself, but they are designed for children, and my kids would think I’m nuts if I hung this in the backyard. Since it may not be appropriate for me, I will end up giving them this year!
If you want to avoid the iPad at the table, this is a great idea. These hide-and-seek busy bags come in six different themed pairs and promote both problem-solving and fine motor skills. Plus, they never run out of battery life.
Leapfrog is one of my favorite tried and true children’s brands. Their products are always creative, durable, and safe. I find this ice cream cart appealing because one person can play with it, or lots of kids can play together, and it’s suitable for a variety of ages. Sit back and see who appoints themselves in charge of the money. The fact that it’s adorable doesn’t hurt either!
Toddlers love a water table. This is an excellent option for a smaller space, such as a small patio or balcony. It can be used with water or sand, depending on your tolerance for mess!
A talking telescope! The GeoSafari Talking Telescope STEM toy is loaded with 24 images from NASA and 240 fun facts in English, Spanish, French, and German.
The artist on your list might enjoy the Melissa & Doug Stained Glass kit. Melissa & Doug is another one of my go-to brands for children’s toys. This old-fashioned activity allows children to explore their creativity without feeling frustrated or overwhelmed using stickers to create the stained glass piece. It’s a fun way to practice problem-solving and work on fine motor skills.
If you are hosting festivities and will have kids over all day or into the night, give them something to keep them busy after the sugar kicks in. How about a basement glow party?
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