From educational baby toys and nursery artwork to a toddler trike and hilarious shape sorter, you’ll find Christmas gifts for all of your favorite littles in our holiday gift guide. To help you look, we’ve divided our selections into the best gifts for babies (but good for any age) and the best gifts for toddlers.
Best Gifts for Babies (and Great Gifts for Little Ones of All Ages)
More gifts for toddlers below.
Photo Baby Board Book by Artifact Uprising
This baby board book is a gift the whole family will treasure. Fill it with photos of favorite people, places or things to be grateful for and you'll give baby a wonderful, personalized way to learn about their world. Artifact Uprising has chosen three popular themes, or you can create your own to describe the photos in your book. This well-designed book has thick pages to hold up to curious little hands, and it can be designed with 20, 30 or 40 pages.
Available at artifactuprising.com, starting at $30.
Grasping Toy Gift Set by Clover & Birch
Early learning tools are important for brain development, and this gift set of handmade wooden toys provides babies with lots to explore. The rattle is easy for small hands to grab and makes soft clacking noises as baby shakes it. Grasping beads lets baby examine a variety of textures, and the interlocking discs develop fine motor skills as baby passes it from one hand to another. The discs also roll, so they'll give crawlers an object to reach for. The set comes in an organic cotton drawstring bag that is easy to pop in a diaper bag or suitcase and keeps toys organized at home.
Available at maisonette.com, $22.
Animal Alphabet by Tiny Toes Design
Kids love animals, so what better way to introduce the alphabet to a child than with this beautiful fine-art poster. Choose your poster size (there are eight options, from 5x7 to 30x40) and whether you want the letters in gray, pink or blue. Because of the minimalist style and realistic depictions of each animal, this artwork will grow with your child. The artist, Brett Blumenthal, donates 10% of net proceeds to wildlife conservation, animal welfare and the environment.
Available at tinytoesdesign.com, $17 (unframed).
Plush Pacifier by WubbaNub
The beloved WubbaNub pacifier is celebrating its 20th anniversary! This ingenious soother combines a BPA-free medical-grade silicone pacifier with a soft, sweet stuffie small enough for your baby to hold and cuddle. The weight of the plush animal keeps the pacifier from rolling away if baby spits it out of their mouth, so it's easier for your little one to find and replace it, making for calmer car rides and bedtime snoozes. Recent additions include animals with Major League Baseball logos as well as a blush pink unicorn and a baby sloth. The company also recently introduced cuddly loveys, which are shaped like animals and feature a rattle for playtime.
Available at wubbanub.com.
Club Neo Book Club by Literati
Books are one of the best presents for kids of all ages. Treat a little bookworm to this book subscription service geared to the youngest readers (newborns to age 3). Here's how it works: You receive 5 books a month and have a week to read them and find your favorites. Purchase the ones you love and send the rest back (returns are free). You'll also receive custom art and name tags for your books. If subscriptions aren't your thing, give a one-time gift box of books focused on a specific theme (world cultures, kindness, ocean life, STEM and more). The image shown is the A Touch of Genius book gift box for ages 0-3 ($69).
Available at literatibooks.com, $9.95 for a monthly membership in the subscription service.
Baby Teething Popsicles by Teetherpop
Soothe a baby's gums and provide a healthful treat with this teether you fill with liquids and freeze. It's perfect for momsicles (aka breastmilk popsicles), and you can also fill it with purees, smoothies, or juiced fruits and vegetables. Slits in the silicone top let baby enjoy the frosty treat inside with less mess than a mesh feeder or traditional popsicle. Pop it in the top rack of the dishwasher for easy cleaning.
Available at amazon.com, $12.99.
Dooballs Soft Animal Balls by Baby to Love
These four adorable animals (cat, rabbit, panda, bear) are a perfect first set of balls for baby. Small hands will love the soft texture and easy-to-hold round shape. The ears are made of the crinkle fabric babies love, and there's an internal bell to further entrance them. These balls will grow with children for years as they learn new ways to play with them.
Available at shop.babytolove.com, $15.95 for a set of four.
Stainless Steel Jangles by Kleynimals
It's a toy. It's a rattle. It's a non-toxic teether. It's a musical instrument. And it's a set of bangle bracelets you won't mind wearing so you always have something to entertain baby on hand. Literally, on your hand! Bring Jangles along to keep baby occupied in the stroller or car seat, or even during diaper changes. Made out of 100% food-grade stainless steel, these machine-washable bracelets are a modern twist on teething necklaces that babies (age 5 months and up) will find fascinating.
Available at kleynimals.com, $35.
Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker Musical Book by Cali's Books
Introduce a child to the music and magic of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker with this musical board book. Each page tells the story in brief text and sweet illustrations, and you or your child can press a button on each page to hear the music that accompanies the scene. The book includes favorites from the ballet, such as "March of the Toy Soldiers" and "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy." This book will quickly become a favorite at storytime and bedtime, both at the holidays and beyond.
Available at calisbooks.com, $14.99.
Upcycled Cashmere Baby Beanie & Mitt Set by Jack and Mary Designs
Made from recycled cashmere sweaters, these beanie and mitts sets for babies are impossibly soft and adorable. Designed for babies from birth to 6 months old, they'll keep little ones warm and toasty through the winter months, and it can warm your heart to know you've helped give new life to sweaters that otherwise would have ended up in a landfill. These sweet, stylish pieces are upcycled in York, Maine and come in soft, subtle colors. You can also purchase a beanie on its own.
Available at jackandmarydesigns.com, $30.
Darling Pacifier Clip in Llama by LouLou LOLLIPOP
There will be no more drama from dropped or dirty pacifiers thanks to this little llama from LouLou LOLLIPOP. Fasten one end to baby's clothing (the one-piece silicone molded clip has no metal to rust and no holes to harbor bacteria) and attach baby's pacifier to the other end. If baby throws or spits out the paci, it'll stay off the floor and within reach for easy replacing. The colorful beads are made from food-grade silicone, so baby can gnaw on them safely, and the whole clip is free from BPA, PVC, phthalates, lead and cadmium and can be sterilized when necessary. Pacifiers not your thing? Check out the brand's absorbent and adorable bandana bibs in drool-worthy prints.
Available at louloulollipop.com, $17.
Personalized Sports Gifts from Designs by Chad & Jake
Calling all sports fans! Designs by Chad & Jake has licensing for the NBA, NHL, Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, and college teams, so you can gift your favorite little jock with bibs, blankets, bodysuits, stuffed animals and these plush sports balls. Best of all, you can personalize them with a child's name and birthdate or your (I mean, baby's) favorite team.
Available at chadandjake.com, $30-$36.
City or State Bodysuits from Boredwalk
Represent your favorite place and increase a baby’s cool quotient with these unisex onesies, made from soft, ringspun cotton and hand-printed in the USA using eco-friendly water-based inks. Choose from a variety of designs for various states (including Washington, Georgia, California, New York, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Texas, Ohio and Michigan) or select a city you love. There are several represented, including San Francisco, Pittsburgh, New York, New Orleans, Milwaukee, Los Angeles, Houston, Denver, Chicago, Brooklyn and Atlanta.
Available at boredwalktshirts.com, $25.
Charity Set by BEB Organic
Babies with sensitive or fragile skin need special skincare. BEB Organic is a premium skincare line safe for even preemies' ultra-sensitive skin, thanks to organic, all-natural ingredients and the inclusion of a healing complex made with more than 6,000 bioactive compounds and micro and macro nutrients. The Charity Set includes four products from the line: Healing Gel, Silky Cream, Nourishing Oil and two pouches of Bubbly Wash. And here's where the name comes in: For each Charity Set sold, BEB Organic donates half the purchase price to The Blue Dot Project, which raises awareness of maternal mental health disorders.
Available at beborganic.com, $182.
Eco-Friendly, Non-Toxic Wooden Teethers by LexyPexy
If you’re terrified about everything babies put in their mouth, you’ll love LexyPexy teethers. They are made from sustainable maple wood sealed with beeswax and are non-toxic, non-allergenic, naturally antibacterial and non-splintering, in addition to being super chic and perfect for photo ops. Designs range from a passport and pretzel to a mermaid and croissant.
Available at lexypexy.com, starting at $26.
Three-Layer Security Blanket Set by Copper Pearl
Lovies, like these small security blankets from Copper Pearl, are babies' best friends. They help babies self-soothe as they doze off and provide relief from teething pain, as well as giving them a soft texture and beautiful pattern to explore. At 16" x 16", these lovies are small enough to stash in a stroller or diaper bag or to tuck into a car seat to comfort baby during a drive. Copper Pearl smartly sells these security blankets as a two-pack so you'll always have a backup at the ready if one goes missing or needs to be washed. Copper Pearl is known for soft, luxe fabrics and beautiful prints, so you'll have no problem finding a favorite from the selection.
Available at copperpearl.com, $19.95.
Terrific Gifts for Toddlers
Little Climber by Lily & River
This smart playground, designed for kids from 6 months to 5 years, builds important skills while giving your child a fun spot to play and explore. The climbing frame, also known as a Pikler triangle, helps kids develop motor skills, balance and self-confidence as they learn their own boundaries and celebrate their newly discovered abilities. The slide is adjustable so you can lower it for crawlers and younger babes. This handy, and important, developmental tool folds flat for storage and can be used inside or outside. It's made from bamboo or birch and covered with non-toxic sealant by a family-owned and operated business in Arizona.
Available at lilyandriver.com, starting at $199.
Liki Trike by Doona
As the smallest folding tricycle on the market, this cool ride is made for travel and will grow with your child from 10 months to 3 years old. Use the parent control bar to push younger riders, while they sit safely and comfortably with a backrest, footrest and protective bar. Remove those as your child outgrows them, add pedals and lower the backrest. The trike folds up compactly with the click of a button and can fit into a car trunk or airplane overhead compartment. Best of all, there’s no assembly required, so the fun can start as soon as you unbox it.
Available at shopdoona.com, $249-$299
Baby Bird Pull Along by Hape
Hape is known for high-quality wooden toys, and this new pull-along bird is no exception. Designed for kids age 12 months and up, the brightly colored toy features a red cord you pull to get the birdie to wobble along, flapping its wings. It's the perfect companion for crawlers and walkers.
Available at hape.com, $19.99.
Snuffles with Scarf by GUND
A best-selling GUND teddy bear for more than 30 years, Snuffles now comes dressed up for winter with a festive red scarf. This beloved bear is much loved for its super-soft plush fabric and rounded, crescent-shaped body, which means the bear's face looks up with its sweet smile at the child giving it cuddles. This 10-inch bear is surface-washable and designed for kids age one and older.
Available at gund.com, $22.
Explore & More 3-in-1 Yeti Shape Sorter by Skip Hop
Shape sorters are important toys for babies and toddlers. They teach categorization, shape recognition and color recognition, and they can help kids learn the names of all those shapes and colors. This exuberant yeti takes shape-sorting toys to a whole new level. Younger babies can press on the shapes to watch them light up, and they will later develop the hand-eye coordination to remove and replace the shapes in their proper spot on the yeti's body. The yeti also provides interactive fun, playing more than 50 songs, sounds and phrases, and spinning around and popping out the shapes to kids' delight. Designed for kids 9-36 months.
Available at skiphop.com, $30.
Christmas Star from Afar by Star Kids Company
For those who want to teach their toddlers about Jesus, this 14-piece wooden nativity set comes with an fun twist that makes it a favorite family tradition. On each night in December, hide the star in a different spot in your home. Include a small toy, book or treat for an added surprise. In the morning, your child searches for the star and, when they find it, places the Three Wise Men alongside the star. On Christmas Eve, place the star on the nativity's stable. On Christmas morning, your child then moves the Three Wise Men to the nativity scene. This set comes with a hard-cover book about the birth of Jesus.
Available at starkidscompany.com, $34.99.
Small Sensory Balls by Edushape
These colorful, nubby balls may be small (4 inches), but they can teach big skills. Gripping, tossing and bouncing the balls develops fine and gross motor skills, while rolling and tracking them encourages hand-eye coordination and reasoning abilities. This is one gift that will grow with your child for years of fun: Place a ball just out of reach of a beginning crawler to inspire them to move forward, and put a ball in a new walker's hands to distract them from falling. Once a child is walking and running, these balls are small enough for young hands to throw and catch. Designed for babies 6 months and up, they're made from a plastic free of BPA and phthalates.
Available at amazon.com, $11.49.
Matching Child & Doll Outfits from Hazel Village
Take a trip to Hazel Village and you'll find organic, ethically made, handmade woodland animals and dolls with a variety of skin tones and hair colors, both boy dolls and girl dolls. Dress the dolls and animals in precious outfits, including elf jackets, overalls, rompers, flower crowns, leggings, party dresses and tutus. You'll also find matching styles for your baby to bring this gift to a whole new level.
Available at hazelvillage.com.
Peppa Pig Mat by ezpz
Toddlers will be inspired to pig out with this Peppa Pig combination food bowl and placemat from ezpz. Suction on the underside and a wide mat helps keep the food contained on the table. And Peppa's smiling face brings more fun to mealtimes. The Peppa version of ezpz's popular Happy Mat is limited edition, so get it while you can.
Available at ezpz.com, $22.49.
Baby & Toddler Play Kits by Lovevery
Fill a child’s toy shelves with science-based, non-toxic toys and activities designed for the developmental stages kids go through. With the Lovevery subscription service, well-made educational toys are delivered to your door right when baby will be ready to play with them. Baby will love exploring new skills, and you’ll love playing with them, and knowing that the items are thoughtfully crafted from organic cotton, sustainably sourced wood and baby-safe plastics.
Learn more and subscribe at lovevery.com.
Allover Bib by grabease
This awesome allover bib is a gift to messy babies and anyone who has to clean up after them. Stretchy neck and arm holes let kids get to their food, while the bib's elastic hem covers the front and back of a high chair. The fabric is lightweight, stain-resistant and machine-washable, so clean-up is a breeze. Designed for kids from 6 months to 24 months, you'll want to bring it to restaurants, grandparents' houses and anywhere else you're worried about mealtime messes.
Available at grabease.com, $27.
Zoo 3-in-1 Ride On Toy by Skip Hop
We love a toy that grows with kids, and this supercute ride-on toy is great for early walkers as well as preschoolers. In wagon mode, kids can fill the included plastic storage tub with toys or other treasures and use the toy as support as they test their pushing and pulling skills. Flip the storage tub over and it becomes a seat for riding on. With toddlers, you can remove the tub and raise the handles and you have an awesome scooter to zoom around on. Push the button at the front to activate a headlight, play beeps and other sound effects, as well as melodies.
Available at skiphop.com, $60.
—Eva Ingvarson Cerise
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