These goodies are sure to become instant favorites they’ll use well beyond their first birthday

A pull-along snail, their very own turntable, an activity table with hidden storage, the bounciest unicorn, a beautiful balance bike, and bath toys that keep the water in the bath? These are the holiday gifts for one-year-olds that are sure to delight. And if you’ve got other littles on your list, check out our gifts for 18 to 24 months and 6 to 12 months.

Fisher-Price Mix & Learn DJ Table

The Fisher Price Mix and Learn DJ Table is one of the best holiday gifts for one-year-olds in 2023

If your babe’s been bopping their head to the beat since they first gained neck control, they’re going to love this music-themed, light-up activity table. As sitters, they can explore the piano, buttons, and toys, and brush up on their shapes and colors; once they can stand at the decks they’ll be dropping a beat while learning Spanish phrases and opposites.

Fisher-Price Mix & Learn DJ Table ($31)—Buy Here!

Plan Toys Pull-Along Snail

Proud new walkers love having a little buddy to follow them around, and this snail is just too cute as it inches along. Kiddos learn about cause and effect while working on their balance and fine motor skills.

Plan Toys Pull-Along Snail ($30)—Buy Here!

Joovy Tricycoo 4.1

Joovy Tricycoo 4.1 is one of the best holiday gifts for one-year-olds in 2023

Tikes can cruise in style for a long time with this solid 4-in-1 tricycle. It starts as a fully harnessed push trike with a parent handle and canopy and eventually evolves into a tricycle that three-year-olds can ride independently.

Joovy Tricycoo 4.1 ($130)—Buy Here!

Manhattan Toy Musical Lili Llama

Manhattan Toy Lili Llama is one of the best holiday gifts for one-year-olds in 2023

You’ll be amazed by how long toddlers entertain themselves with this musical llama friend. Lili’s got a xylophone, four spinners, a maraca, two gears, a washboard, 2 clacking saddles, and two mallets (conveniently stored in her head), so there’s never a dull moment.

Manhattan Toy Musical Lili Llama ($61)—Buy Here!

Joymor Foam Climbing Blocks

Joymor Foam Climbing Blocks is one of the best holiday gifts for one-year-olds in 2023

Toddlers can get their beans out on these fun foam climbing blocks, exploring tunnels, ramps, and stairs, and parents can rest assured that any spills or messes are easily wiped clean with mild soap and water.

Joymor Foam Climbing Blocks ($236)—Buy Here!

Bouncy Inflatable Animal Jump-Along

Bouncy Inflatable Animal Jump-Along is one of the best holiday gifts for one-year-olds in 2023

Giddy up! Let your little loose on one of these fun and bouncy inflatable animals, available in unicorn, grey bunny, fox, and green triceritops. Each animal comes with a hand pump and a unique birth certificate.

Bouncy Inflatable Animal Jump-Along ($57)—Buy Here!

Haba Fun with Sounds Wooden Discovery Blocks

Haba musical fun with sounds wooden discovery blocks is one of the best holiday gifts for one-year-olds in 2023

Not only can little hands stack these colorful beech wood blocks, but each one is also ripe for acoustic exploration—from rattling and clacking to squeaking and tinkering. Plus, you can toss a few in your bag for on-the-go entertainment.

Haba Fun with Sounds Wooden Discovery Blocks ($49)—Buy Here!

Gund Muttsy Dog Plush

Gund Muttsy Dog Plush is one of the best holiday gifts for one-year-olds in 2023

For parents of dog-obsessed toddlers, a puppy stuffie is a no-brainer. They’ll instantly fall in love with this super-soft and extremely huggable Gund version.

Gund Muttsy Dog Plush ($27)—Buy Here!

Learning Resources Learn-A-Lot Avocados

Learning Resources Learn-A-Lot Avocados is one of the best holiday gifts for one-year-olds in 2023

There’s so much to learn from these adorable little avocados. Kids can color match the tops and bottoms, building fine motor skills while they do it, and get to know the different emotions on each fruit’s face.

Learning Resources Learn-A-Lot Avocados ($12.50)—Buy Here!

Anthropologie Frenchie Push Cart Toy

The anthropologie frenchie push cart is one of the best holiday gifts for one-year-olds in 2023

Leave it to Anthro to design the most beautiful push cart of our dreams. As baby toddles, three Frenchie dogs bob up and down and their tails wag around on springs.

Anthropologie Frenchie Push Cart Toy ($70)—Buy Here!

Dragon's First Taco Board Book

Dragon's First Taco board book is one of the best holiday gifts for one-year-olds in 2023

Not only does this bring the hilarious Dragons Love Tacos series to the littlest of readers, but the book itself is also shaped like a taco, which makes it extra fun for little hands to explore. Inside, baby dragons learn how to make a taco. Yum!

Dragon's First Taco Board Book ($7)—Buy Here!

Wonder & Wise Baby Busy Box

Wonder and Wise by Asweets Baby Busy Box is one of the best holiday gifts for one-year-olds in 2023

Aesthetically minded parents will appreciate how this neutral play box fits in with their modern decor; kids will love the gears, puzzle, shape sorter, abacus, and more. From seated tots to two-legged toddlers, there's plenty of room to grow with this one.

Wonder & Wise Baby Busy Box ($149)—Buy Here!

Boon Pipes Building Bath Toy Set

This fun and stylish bathtime set includes five tubes that are shaped differently to be used separately or combined to make a big chain. The best part? The water finally stays inside the tub.

Boon Pipes Building Bath Toy Set ($18)—Buy Here!

SEREED Baby Balance Bike

Sereed Baby Balance Bike is one of the best holiday gifts for one-year-olds in 2023

Perfect for indoor or outdoor play, babies can begin learning how to balance and get the feeling of riding a bike before graduating to a two-wheeled balance bike or training wheels. And since it’s under 4 lbs, mom or dad won’t have to break their backs carrying it home when a ride takes a turn for the worse.

SEREED Baby Balance Bike ($50)—Buy Here!

ALASOU Suction Cup Spinner Toys

ALASOU Suction Cup Spinner Toys is one of the best holiday gifts for one-year-olds in 2023

These genius suction spinners are the gift that keeps on giving, from the car to the bath to the high chair. They’re also live-savers on airplane rides—just stick them to the windows and let baby have at them! One Amazon reviewer said she puts them on the fridge, oven door, and dishwasher when she’s working in the kitchen and needs to keep her tot occupied.

ALASOU Suction Cup Spinner Toys ($10)—Buy Here!

Coco Village Wooden Activity Table

Coco Village Wooden Activity Table is one of the best holiday gifts for one-year-olds in 2023

There’s so much to love about this chic activity table, from its beautiful birch frame and soft muted hues to the two worlds for baby to explore: land and sea. The storage bag that’s hidden under the winding abacus is particularly brilliant.

Coco Village Wooden Activity Table ($150)—Buy Here!

Tender Leaf Peacock Colors

This take-along wooden toy introduces tikes to the art of color mixing and gives them a chance to look through each brightly hued acrylic screen to see the world in different shades.

Tender Leaf Peacock Colors ($28)—Buy Here!

Pottery Barn Kids My First Anywhere Chair

This is a timeless staple as far as first-year gifts go—with good reason! The tot-sized chair is a cozy place to read a book or explore a new toy. Pro tip: if you have the space you can size up to the kid version—my six-year-old still sits in his to watch TV.

Pottery Barn Kids My First Anywhere Chair ($129-$169)—Buy Here!

Farm Animals Toy Set

Farm Animals Toy Set is one of the best holiday gifts for one-year-olds in 2023

Toddlers love taking things out and putting them back in and they’re sure to get their fill with this toy, a set of ten brightly colored barns with farm animals inside. Kids learn to color-match the barns and rooves, identify the numbers on each barn, and practice vocabulary like “put in” and “take out.”

Farm Animals Toy Set ($30)—Buy Here!

Fisher-Price Mega Bloks

With 80 blocks that transform into endless creations, this toddler staple lets their imaginations run wild. The chunky blocks are easy for wee hands to put together and pull apart, so maybe they’ll even play on their own for a few minutes.

Fisher-Price Mega Bloks ($16)—Buy Here!

Vilac Iceland Waterfall Ball Toy

Vilac Iceland Waterfall Ball Toy is one of the best holiday gifts for one-year-olds in 2023

Oh la la! This French toy is gorgeous to look at but, most importantly, kids will love watching the adorable little animal balls slide down the snow-capped mountain to ring a dangling bell at the end.

Vilac Iceland Waterfall Ball Toy ($65)—Buy Here!

Djeco Finger Paint Tubes

Djeco finger paint tubes is one of the best holiday gifts for one-year-olds in 2023

Yes, finger painting can get messy, but these brightly colored paints are totally washable and free from harmful chemicals. So throw down some newspaper, drop some colors on the plastic palette, and unleash your little artiste.

Djeco Finger Paint Tubes ($22)—Buy Here!

All the products listed are independently & personally selected by our shopping editors.
If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.
All images courtesy of retailers.

Celebrate the Lunar New Year a bit differently this year when you go on a Monkeyshines hunt to find hidden art around the city

The Year of the Rabbit is right around the corner, and if you’re looking for a new way to celebrate, we’ve got just the thing. Monkeyshines is a secret art scavenger hunt that gives families a reason to get outside and explore. Plus, if your hunt is successful, you’ll take home a gorgeous glass orb as your prize. Ready for a new kind of hide and seek game? Here’s what you need to know…

Go Bananas for Monkeyshines

Guerrilla art. Hidden treasure. No matter what you call it, Monkeyshines is a beloved Tacoma tradition. It’s a citywide scavenger hunt that starts around the Lunar New Year—the exact start date is a secret—that anyone can join. Seekers are on the lookout for blown glass floats or medallions, stamped with a Lunar New Year animal design. This year, there are two new Year of the Ox designs, in addition to a historical one (a stamp used 12 years ago) hidden around the city. Where you’ll find them? Nobody knows. That’s sort of the point. Seeking a Monkeyshine is about getting out and exploring T-town with your kids. If you find a hidden treasure along the way, you’re one of the lucky ones.

In the Beginning

Monkeyshines started 18 year ago by Ms. and Mr. Monkey as a way to bring joy to the community. In an effort to cheer themselves up during the gloomy winter months, they organized a whole hot shop’s worth of artists and volunteers to make 200 Monkeyshines they then hid around the city. Now Ms. Monkey and her band of mischief makers spend the better part of the year designing and producing the 2,000 glass orbs they eventually hide. It’s a true labor of love and a gift to the city; a way for people to make their own fun, explore Tacoma and connect with community.

Going Rogue

The excitement surrounding Monkeyshines is contagious. In fact, years ago it inspired Marble Man to hide colorful marbles in anticipation of the big hunt. Now “going rogue” is kind of a thing. Area makers create Lunar Near Year art and hide it in the weeks and days leading up the official Monkeyshines hunt. So while you’re out seeking orbs, keep your eyes peeled for other guerrilla art (think: wood ornaments, stamped paper, metal coins and more) you may find tucked into trees, hanging from sculptures or carefully placed along popular paths. How will you know if you’ve found a Rogue? All this art incorporates this year’s lunar animal as well.

The Heart of the Hunt

Ms. Monkey says it best. At its core, Monkeyshines is about the hunt more than the find. It’s about creating a positive experience in the community and finding wonder along the way. Whether you find an orb, or someone else does, it’s the memories of your time together that matter. There’s an ethos that guides the hunt. For starters, Monkeyshines find you. That’s why you never know when you’re going to stumble across one. Seekers are asked to only take one Monkeyshine per year. And trade-ups are allowed. So if you find a Monkeyshine medallion and later come across an orb, leave one so you can take the other. Our favorite part of the hunt? There’s no way to know what’s been found any given year, so it's possible to find Monkeyshines hidden years ago at any time.

Where to Seek & (Hopefully) Find

Amy M. via yelp

Only the volunteers who hide the Monkeyshines know exactly where they are, but if your family is ready to head out in search of this coveted treasure, these spots are always worth exploring. Try looking in…

Wright Park is a 27-acre oasis in the middle of the city. While you’re looking for your Year of the Ox treasure, wander the winding trails, play at the playground and stop in to smell the azaleas, cyclamen and orchids at the W.W. Seymour Conservatory with a timed ticket.

Downtown Tacoma is another great spot to happen upon elusive art. While the usual haunts aren’t currently open, families can still walk around the UW Tacoma campus, cross the Chihuly Bridge of Glass and walk the Prairie Line Trail near TAM in search of Monkeyshines. Also consider exploring Old Town Tacoma if you’re still on the hunt.

Dune Peninsula Park and Point Ruston have lots to do in addition to seeking hidden treasure. The playground, trails and amazing views will keep the kids busy for hours. It’s a bike and scooter paradise on a sunny day!

Wherever you plan your hunt, remember that Monkeyshines are hidden all over, and never on private property. Don’t forget to look for them in trees and ponds (Ms. Monkey’s favorite hiding spot is in the water), as well as on the ground.

Insider tip: Check out #Monkeyshines on Instagram and Twitter to see where people have found treasures in past years for inspiration.

Good to know: The pandemic has been especially tough on local artists, including many who volunteer their time to put on the Monkeyshines hunt. That’s why this year Ms. Monkey is working to pay artists for their time and talent. If you’d like to show your support, it’s as easy as donating to the Monkeyshines fund.

All photos courtesy Sierra Hartman, unless otherwise noted

There’s nothing that motivates a little one for a walk around the neighborhood like a scooter. We’ve scouted out all the best three-wheeled scooters for little ones, scooters that convert to a tricycle and even electric scooters for when you want to up the power. Which one will be your family’s favorite?

Best Scooter That Ages Well: Razor A Scooter

best scooters for kids, top toys

Razor was the first to market in 2000 (maybe you even had one back in the day) and they've managed to stay a step (or a scoot ahead) of the competition throughout the years. Why? The scooter is aluminum, which makes it lightweight, yet durable. Handlebars can be adjusted easily, and while there's no assembly required when you open the box, the scooter does fold down for quick and easy carry and storage. 

For ages 5+

Price: $50

Buy it here 

For Blues Clues Fans: Blues Clues Swinging Blue Scooter

We love this too-cute scooter that comes with three wheels for extra stability. As the child leans in each direction, the scooter and Blue lean with the rider making the scooter a fun and interactive toy for children ages 3-7 years old.

Price: $45

Buy it here

Best Scooter for Toddlers and Beginners: Micro Kickboard Original

Erin Lem

For those first learning to balance and ride on wheels, we suggest the original Micro Kickboard (tried and tested by our Editorial Director's toddler son who picked it up after just a handful of outings). We were impressed with the scooter's engineering: it's stable and easy to balance on without feeling flimsy, simple to steer and tough as nails (or as Mico Kickboard says, they're "virtually indestructible" and we'd have to agree). The design and quality of the scooter mean it'll still be in great condition year after year, which is the type of product we love investing in.

For kids ages 2 to 5 years.

Price: $80

Buy it here

Best Convertible Scooter: Swagtron 4-In-1 Scooter & Trike

Swagtron

It's a scooter! It's a bike! It's  . . . both! Swagtron's K6 4-in-1 scooter has a simple-to-use modular design capable of switching between two- and three-wheeled versions of both a balance bike and stand-up kick scooter. It's perfect for growing with kids as their balance and skills increase. With the simple click of a button, the seat of the balance bike rotates to become the deck of a stand-up scooter. Use two rear wheels in either mode for greater stability or swap out for a single wheel. The single wheel features a heel brake for use in scooter mode, just like the big kids. 

For kids ages 2 to 5 years.

Price: $40

Buy it here

Grows with You: Globber NL-205 Scooter

We love this two-wheeled option from Globber as it is easy to bring along to adventures. The handlebars easily fold down to pack in the trunk and they also extend to four different heights to grow with your child. 

Ages: 8 and up

Price: $100

Buy it here

Easy to Control: Mongoose Expo

The Amazon reviews speak for themselves but the key element to this scooter is the big air-filled tires which provide some natural suspension to ride over multiple terrain options. The scooter also comes standard with hand brakes which are an added convenience not typically seen on standard kick scooters.

Price: $130

Buy it here

Best for Style and Comfort: McLaren MCS03

three kids riding scooters and balance bikes

Kids ages 9 and up will love the sleek styling of this upgraded scooter that doesn't have any little kid vibes at all. You can fold it in half for easy transportation and the kickstand helps it stay upright when you need a break. We especially appreciated the suspension system when going over bumps on the sidewalk. 

Price: $229

Buy it here

Best Scooter That Even Parents Love: Svolta

When SVOLTA designed their scooters, they essentially made scooters they (adults) wanted to ride, but in kid sizes. They opted for premium materials, so the construction is solid and sturdy. The scooters ride smoothly and have a variety of added style details like matte satin finishes, champagne gold accents and lightning bolt patterns. They've got different scooters for little ones (the 2-in-1 sit and stand convertible), toddlers (3-wheel kick scooter) and bigger kids (2-wheel kick scooter) so you'll be able to find something that works for you. 

For kids ages 2 and up

Prices: $93

But it here

Best Scooter for Any Age: Globber ULTIMUM Scooter

Tired of having to upgrade your kid's scooter as they grow? The ULTIMUM scooter from Globber solves this problem. Designed to be used from age 5 all the way up to adults, the scooter has a 6-height adjustable T-bar and adjustable steering angle control system. The extra-wide scooter deck supports up to 220 lbs. and comes with an anti-slip deck design. You'll love that the scooter folds down for easy carrying. 

Ages 5 and up

Cost: $160

Buy one here

Best Wiggle Scooter: Yvolution Y Fliker

best scooters for kits, top toys for kids

Lots of kids are getting into this two-footed style that moves when they wiggle. This one was the first on the market and we love its ability to drift and have a controlled ride. 

Ages 7 and up

Price: $100

Buy it here

Electric Scooters

SmooSat E9 Pro Electric Scooter

kids on electric scooters
SmooSat

Your kids will love zipping around in this fun electric scooter with rainbow lights. You can feel good knowing that the speed is controllable by you. It folds up for easy transport and storage, and you can adjust the handlebar height as your kid grows. 

Age: 8+

Buy it here

Best Powered Scooter: Segway Ninebot eKickScooter ZING E8

Segway

If you are looking to add a little power to your scooter, check out this option from Segway. The Ninebot eKickScooter ZING E8 has a max speed of 8 mph with 4 hours of charge time. There's a hand-operated brake plus a foot brake for easy stopping. It also comes in 10 mph and 12 mph models. 

Ages 6-12

Required height 3’9”–4’9”

Cost: $199.99

Buy yours here

Flyer S533 eScooter

Radio Flyer

From our friends over at Radio Flyer comes this new eScooter on the block. With a top speed of 16mph and a 15.5 mile range, you can cruise to the grocery store and back. Designed for adults, the Flyer is available in gray, white and red. It even folds down for easy portability.

Price: $599

Buy it here

Best Powered Scooter for Tweens/Adults: Segway Ninebot KickScooter ES1L

Segway

You'll love the smooth ride from this Segway scooter that has won design awards and is a favorite of tweens, teens and grown ups. Whether you use it to commute or just to tool around the neighborhood, you'll love the front electronic, and rear foot brakes to keep you safe. Headlights make you stand out when the sun goes down and the max speed of 12.4 mph gets you where you need to go. 

Age 14+

Max weight 220 lbs.

Cost: $299.99

But it here

—Kate Loweth

Featured photo: istock

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At twenty-eight, I was older than most other students in beauty school when classes started. A few girls had just graduated high school, others had already worked in salons. And then there were a few like me, people looking for a different way to make a living. I’d tried being an actor in New York City for eight years, to no avail. I’d found myself stuck in the dream machine, feeding money to the shady industry that dangled vague promises of success in front of hopeful actors like a carrot. 

The first day, we received our kits, including two mannequin heads, a set of plastic rollers, cheap scissors, a comb, a brush, a jar of Queen Helene green gel and another pot of cholesterol. There was a smock with the school acronym LIBS, and a cutting cape—everything a beginner at beauty school might need. The teacher, Ms. Evalyn, said in her Staten Island accent: “If you finish this course, you’ll never be without five dollars in your pocket.” To this day, I’ve found this to be true. I finished the course. I earned my license. And I don’t think I’ve ever been without enough scratch to buy myself, or someone else, a cup of coffee. 

I didn’t feel it at the time—I suffered through getting lost in a haircut on the school’s salon floor and lumbered through a poodle perm—but taking the chance on beauty school not only changed the trajectory of my life, it also allowed me the space to be as uncomfortable and bad as I needed to be as I embarked on learning a skill I had no talent for and no earthly idea of how to even start. But it also presented the tools I needed to learn how to learn.

Every new step was a series of mini-journeys reliant on my willingness to listen, not only to my human teachers, but also the materials I was working with, who were the real teachers. And with each new challenge, I found myself a perpetual beginner again, caught in an endless loop of pushing forward and circling back. 

The benefits of the beginner’s mind are well documented. The absence of expectation is a boon to the human experience, and an open mind is key. But aside from all that, being a perpetual beginner has other benefits as well. A life of learning keeps things fresh. The connections between disparate ideas and skills become apparent. And when a hopeful beginning ends in abject failure, as it did when I earned my motorcycle license, despite driving a scooter into a ditch, one not only learns about the benefits of failure but that a whole new beginning lays in wait.

Some beginnings are simple. Learning to bake bread. Hiking the mountains in Maine. Reading a book in a genre you’ve never read before. Some are more complex. Adopting a pet. Learning to drive. Getting married. Starting a new profession. And other new beginnings are thrust upon us—the times in life when a person doesn’t choose the beginner’s path, the path chooses them. The new experience of having a child, for instance. Or ushering a loved one into death—the sort of new beginning that occurs when something else ends. What if the practice of beginning and of learning is also the practice of humility? What if living life as a perpetual beginner teaches us to weather the hardest beginnings with a little grace, a little kindness, and maybe, even within the pain of loss, a tiny, perhaps nearly invisible, glimmer of hope?

It might not seem logical but stepping into that first day of classes released a chain of events, beginnings, endings, and middles that forked like rivers or cracks in glass. It led me to work backstage on Broadway, a whole new world I explored for over fifteen years. Working in theater is one of the very few places where working on a different job every year is an asset instead of a liability. Every new show was a new beginning and required new ways of thinking, new strategies, new experiments, and new subtle and surprising teachers. I suspect this practice and profession of beginnings and endings led me to graduate school, which led me to write a book, which led me here, writing this article, another new beginning, for I’ve never written about being a perpetual beginner before. 

Ms. Evelyn knew the score as she led us through unpacking our kits, counting our rollers, and setting up our mannequin heads that first day. In my memory, she had a slightly mischievous quirk at the corner of her mouth as she watched us struggle to comb our mannequins’ knotted hair. None of us were good. All of us were beginners. This moment, she knew, would be the beginning of things we never saw coming. 

This New Year, dare to become a perpetual beginner. It doesn’t matter if you’re good at it. Learn a new skill, start a new hobby, pick back up the instrument you played in high school. You’ll become a better listener with a more open mind who isn’t afraid of failure. And with those evolutions, you live and see a brighter life. 

—Amy Neswald, author of I Know You Love Me, Too

Amy Neswald is a recipient of the New American Fiction prize with her debut novel-in-stories I Know You Love Me, Too. Prior to moving to rural Maine, she was a wigmaster for Broadway shows. She teaches at the UMaine, Farmington and continues working on her next novel and short film.

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me…one tree tipping, two rising electric bills, three scooter crashes, four crashing ornaments and five major headaches. For all the fun of the holiday, there are some real hazards to consider, outlined in a new report.

This year, 10% of Americans surveyed said they’ve been injured setting up a tree, which is actually down from 20% last year. Whether that happens when the tree falls over, or when a rogue branch strikes, it’s definitely something to keep in mind while decorating. If you’re a pet owner, it’s pretty common for your furry friend to wreak some havoc, too. Another 72% of respondents said their pets have knocked down the tree or ornaments, often causing damage.

While scooters are an ever-popular Christmas gift, they’re also the most dangerous present. There have been 477,082 injuries attributed to nonmotorized scooters since 2011, but fortunately that trend is on the decline. In 2020, injuries dropped by 81%! Other dangerous toys (based on number of injuries caused) include balls, toy vehicles and building sets.

Finally, it might be nice to leave your lights twinkling all night, but that can be a fire hazard. The danger intensifies if your lights are old, since the wiring can be faulty. Real trees can also be a bigger risk for going up in flame, but the study found that parents are more likely to choose a live tree. Play it safe and turn those lights off at bedtime!

—Sarah Shebek

Featured image courtesy of Jonathan Borba, Pexels

 

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Calling all CAMPers in NYC!

Looking for a new, better way to holiday? Head to CAMP for themed experiences and shopping—each with a theme your little one will love! Whether it’s finding the best toys, making festive and clever gifts for family and friends or getting immersed in unique in-store experiences, CAMP is bringing the magic to NYC’s holiday season. Check out four new CAMP spots you won’t want to miss:

All About Art

Art CAMP in Columbus Circle helps little ones create homemade works of art—hello, perfect grandparent present! From splatter paint to spin art, ceramics to tie dye, your crew will enjoy making DIY projects that do double duty as heartfelt gifts. It’s multitasking at its merriest! Open Now.

Explore & Play the Day Away

The Fifth Avenue Flagship location offers Present CAMP, a winter family play zone packed with fun and presents galore! Spin the Holiday Fun Wheel, mix up some jolly beats, get messy with snow slime, zip around the scooter track or visit the Pony Cycles in their winter barn. Heads up: there’s a kids-only present run where your little ones can pick out one-of-a-kind gifts for friends and relatives. Open Now.

No Pup Is Too Small for Big Fun

Attention Paw Patrol fans, CAMP at Hudson Yards will have you suited up to join your favorite pup pack in no time. The PAW Patrol™ Experience helps kids bring their rescue team dreams to life. Whether they’re on Adventure Bay’s Lookout Tower, helping Marshall at City Hall or squealing with glee on the indoor zipline, kids will enjoy “paw-some” themed environments and activities. Open Now.

Answer the Call

Ready for your mission? Head to Brooklyn to answer the call of Cosmic CAMP, an out-of-this-world play space. The spaced-out experience takes you on an adventure through interactive games, physical challenges and crazy cosmic-themed locations. It’s a total blast. Opens December 1.

—Jessica Solloway

A kid’s show that’s modern, heartwarming and just so darn delightful that even parents will enjoy it? It does exist. Episodes of this original series are short, sweet, and much like chips; you can’t stop at just one. Bluey, a 6-year-old Blue Heeler pup is full of personality with a loveable, curious spirit—dare we say, she’s our spirit animal?! We realize this is an animated show about a family of dogs living down-under, but its realness and relatability draw us in and keep us coming back for more!

Along with adorbs younger sister, Bingo, Bluey loves to turn everyday family life into endless, playful adventures. Dad, Bandit, and mom, Chilli, are like the cool neighbors you want to hang with—they parent with a sense of humor, big heart, and a little self-deprecation every now again, and we can relate. But wait—this is a show for your kids, we swear!

Now your preschooler can bring the fun and imaginative play home with their best Australian buddies! (And if you happen to get in on the action, too, we get it.) Check out these cool new Bluey toys that your little ones will adore just as much as the show!


Bluey Family Home

$39.99

Your kiddos will feel like they're inside the show with this awesome playset! Bluey's family home includes plenty of space to play in the living room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. It comes with two beds, two stools, two sofas, two rugs, a bathtub, toilet, dining room counter, a fridge and, of course, one Bluey figure ready for adventures!

BUY NOW

Scooter Fun Figure Set

$12.99

Let’s roll! Bluey and Bingo are ready to explore on their individual scooters included in this figure set. When you press Bluey or Bingo’s paw down, they attach to the scooter and are ready to go. The scooters even have moveable wheels and come with helmets for both Bluey and Bingo.

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Heeler 4WD Family Vehicle

$19.99

Take Bluey and her family on road trips in the Heeler Four Wheel Drive 4WD Family Vehicle! The top opens up to fit the whole family inside, and it features a roof rack that holds two surfboards. Your kiddo can cruise Bluey and the family to the beach so they can ride the waves. The family vehicle also comes with a fun sticker sheet so your preschooler can decorate the outside of the car.

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Bluey & Family 4 Pack

$14.99

Get the whole crew together with this four-pack of figures featuring Bluey, Chilli, Bandit and Bingo! These cute poseable figures are the perfect size for preschooler's hands and are compatible with other Bluey toy sets like the Heeler 4WD Family Vehicle and the Family Home Playset. These little toys are perfect for on-the-go play!

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Unipony

$12.99 BUY NOW

Giddyup! Bluey is ready to ride! This magical set includes a Bluey figure, a Unipony figure, a saddle for riding and a bale of hay for Unipony snacking. Recreate fun moments from the show by helping Bluey hop on her Unipony (which she attaches to thanks to the saddle) and head off to adventure!

Find more adventure-ready Bluey toys!

— Leah R. Singer/ Jamie Aderski

 

Kate Strand

Mom to two, former Elementary School Teacher, Preschool Owner, turned Co-CEO of Hello Happy Parent.

Parents dream of magical toys that are captivating, educational, durable- and will engage children for more than a few minutes at a time. The simplicity and reliability of bubbles, Legos, and the hose in the backyard are great options, but when it’s time to settle on a few solid decisions for the playroom- a bit of planning ahead can save you space, and money! As a former Preschool Owner, Mom to two, and Co-CEO of Hello Happy Parent, I can testify that this series of toys will not only check off the boxes of qualities listed above, they will also stand the test of time. The versatility of these toys ensures that if you buy them when your kiddos are littles, they will continue to enjoy them for several years ahead.


1

Pretend Play Sink

Crabby kiddo? Just add water!

$29.99

Water has the ability to capture a child's imagination and invite them to a long, calm, sensory reset. This sink does just that. It provides an opportunity for children to explore scooping, pouring, mixing and pretend play- all with running water that isn't increasing your water bill! Several parents I've spoken to recently, swear by this toy as a daily favorite.

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2

Magnatiles

Don't walk, RUN to buy these.

$49.99

I have watched children spend HOURS upon hours every DAY exploring these blocks! Perfect for learning through play, you can discuss colors, patterns, shapes, counting, balance, lights, magnets, and more using magnatiles. You can use magnatiles as the foundation and add in figurines or animals, build the blocks on a light table (turn the room lights off for an increased sensory experience), or create building challenges. Bonus: many adults enjoy playing with these as well. And one thing we know to be true about increased enjoyment for parents during playtime: it promotes a strong bond & shared happiness for the child. Win/win.

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3

Wooden Blocks

The toy that never goes out of style.

$55.99

Wooden blocks are a toy that never goes out of style. They are durable, so you don't need to worry about breaking them. They are awesome to add on to as time goes on- you can mix and match wooden blocks from multiple sets and the building opportunities are endless. Castles, garages, houses, apartments, towers... you get the idea. As a side note: they even look really nice on the (low) shelf in the play area. Even if you aren't trying to achieve the look of a pinterest-worthy Montessori classroom, when you glance over at the toys, and you spot some neutral colors amongst the bright, light-up, musical toys- it's like a breath of fresh air.

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4

Micro Scooters

Why walk, when you can scoot?

$12.95

I didn't know there could be such a difference in scooters. BUT, when I saw my second child (who was 2-years-old at the time) jump on one of these and ride it around the local toy store, I knew at that moment, that it was one of two things: either she became a gifted board-sports prodigy over night, or this scooter was special (hint: although she's fun to watch, it was the latter). These scooters ride so smooth, both of my kids will ride them all around the neighborhood on sidewalks without any trouble. They come in different sizes and are easy to adjust in height. Part of me thinks both of my children have been on these wheels more than their feet in the last year.

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5

Wooden Rainbow

Simple + Beautiful

$49.49 BUY NOW

It may appear to be a simple rainbow, but let's walk though the alternative ways it can be played with beyond practicing and stacking ROY.G.BIV in order. Turn it into toy car and skateboard ramps, use it as you animal caves, a doll gymnastics course. Your kids will show you something clever with it, I promise! Bonus: Like the wooden blocks- this toy also looks good on display.

Celebrate your favorite babies and toddlers with holiday gifts they’ll love and use for years to come. We’ve divided our holiday gift guides for babies by age to help you find what you’re looking for.

Our Favorite Holiday Gifts for Newborn Babies to 6 Month Olds

Monti Kids

Here they are, presents that go beyond the baby registry. These gifts for newborns and babies up to 6 months celebrate their names, decorate their nurseries, help them with developmental skills and more. Check out our 2020 holiday gift guide for newborns to 6 months.

Top Holiday Gifts for Babies 6 to 12 Months—Toys, Gear & More

Lakeshore Learning

Give growing babies a new way to see the world, toys that delight, and gear that will grow with them. You'll find all this and more on our list of holiday gift ideas for babies under one.

Oh, Baby! Our Favorite Holiday Gifts for 1-Year-Olds

Bella Luna Toys

Yes, they'll be excited about the boxes and brightly colored wrapping paper, but these baby gifts for a one-year-old celebrate their growing brain and all the new skills they learn between 12 and 18 months. From a scooter and a table just their size to a musical instrument and a combination basketball hoop and soccer goal, there's a gift in here to delight every baby on your list. Check out our favorite gifts for one-year-olds.

Toddler Gift Guide for 18-24-Month-Old Boys & Girls

Little Navy

Toddlers love to build, move, learn, and cuddle with their dolls and stuffies, so our holiday gift guide for toddlers age 18-24 months is full of toys and gear to help them. Read on to find your toddler's new favorite presents in our gift guide for kids under age 2!

—Eva Ingvarson Cerise

featured photo: iStock

Editor’s Note: Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.  

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Check your kid’s scooter. Jakk’s Pacific is recalling MorfBoard Skate & Scoot Combo scooters with “Y” handlebars. The “Y” handlebar joint on the scooter can break, posing a fall hazard.

Jakks Pacific Recall

This recall involves Morfboard Skate & Scoot Combo scooters with “Y” handlebars.  The skateboard system has interchangeable parts that convert into a scooter.  The scooter is created by inserting the “Y” handlebar into the base board.  The scooters were sold in a variety of colors, including cyan (blue), chartreuse (yellow), lava (red) and mint (green).  An 8-character alphanumeric manufacturing date code is located on the bottom side of each skate deck that is sold as part of the Skate & Scoot Combo.  Only scooters with the following manufacturing date codes are included in the recall:  0049VE01, 0128VE01, 0238VE01, 0328VE01, 0598VE01, 0718VE01, 0878VE01, 1068VE01, 1168VE01, 1278VE01, 1458VE01, 1508VE01,1598VE01, 1858VE01, 2068VE01, 2328VE01, 2398VE01, 2478VE01, 2548VE01, 2508VE01, 2568VE01, 2958VE01, 3198VE01, 3258VE01, 3537VE01, 3628VE01.

Jakks Pacific Recall

Consumers should immediately take these recalled scooters with the “Y” handlebars away from children and contact Jakks Pacific to receive a free replacement “T” handlebar.

The company has received 18 reports of the “Y” handlebars breaking with one injury when a child fell resulting in a bloody nose.

These scooters were sold at Walmart, Target, Toys R Us, Meijer, BJ’s Wholesale Club stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com and morfboard.com from February 2018 through August 2020 for about $100.

Consumers can contact Jakks Pacific online at www.jakks.com and click on “Safety Notices” at the bottom of the page or toll-free at 855-602-5464 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT Mon. through Fri. for more information.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of Jakks Pacific

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