Christmas Gift Ideas for Babies and Toddlers by Age
There is nothing worse than splurging on a gift for your favorite baby or toddler and then realizing that she doesn’t enjoy it because it is not suited to her age. This situation becomes even more high stakes because you want to buy your little one a Christmas gift that is not only fun but also educational as well.
Shopping for babies and toddlers is never easy. Buying the perfect Christmas gifts for them is even harder. That’s why we have prepared this guide to help you figure out exactly where to start. Here is a list of some amazing Christmas gift ideas for babies and toddlers categorized by age. If you are on a tight budget, be sure to also check out our list of stocking stuffers under $20.
Christmas Gift Ideas for 0-6 Months Olds
Infant Sleep Sound Machine: Babies love white noise and soothing music. With this Infant Sound Machine from Momcozy, you get 10 white noise options, 3 fan sounds, 7 lullabies, and 14 nature sounds. Everything you need to create a soothing bedtime routine for your little one that will never fail to settle her down for bed.
Textured Floor Playmat: This is the perfect choice for floor play, which is super important for younger babies. With this textured floor playmat, your little one will be able to stretch and experiment with basic movement as she learns about the world around her through sensory play.
Baby Carrier: Baby carriers are must-have essentials that every parent should invest in. They will make your life easier as you will be able to free your hands while carrying your little one. Plus, it will allow your baby to feel closer to you when she needs that sense of security most.
Sock and Wrist Rattles: These rattles are a great way to teach your little one about cause and effect. Every time she kicks her legs or moves her arms, she will be rewarded with a delightful sound, allowing her to start making the connection that her actions have a reaction.
Christmas Gifts for 6-12 Month Olds
Baby Swing: Your little one will appreciate the rhythmic movement of this swing. It is also a great way to help her explore her own body and movement. The Graco Simple Sway Swing comes with 6 swing speeds and a deep, plush seat that your little one will love.
Pop-out Tunnel: This tunnel is a unique way for your crawling little one to explore the environment around her. It will be interesting for her to find out how her body fits into things. Perfect for hours of endless fun!
Stacking Cubes: This simple educational toy is a great way to help your little one understand the concepts of size, shape, gravity, and cause and effect. This version from Fat Brain Toys also features adorable animal designs as well as fun things to count, stack, and arrange.
Books: Reading to your little one is a great way to bond with her while teaching her basic language skills. It’s never too early to start reading to your kiddo. Consider getting textured books with lots of pictures to help ignite a life-long passion for reading from an early age.
Christmas Gift Ideas for 12-18 Month Olds
Pop-up Tents: By this age, young toddlers are starting to appreciate solitude and hanging out by themselves. A pop-up tent will give her a fun space that she can call her own where she can hide and experience independent play.
Ride-on Bike: Bikes are the perfect toys for growing toddlers as they allow them to explore their balance and extend and strengthen their muscle development.
Rocking Horse: This is yet another great option for independent play. With a rocking horse, your little one will be able to develop her gross and fine motor movements as she plays. She will also begin to make simple decisions for herself, such as deciding how fast or slow she’d like the horse to rock.
Bath Toys: Investing in bath toys is a great way to reduce the fights and tantrums that you regularly experience during bathtime. It is also a fun way to develop skills like scooping and pouring as well as imaginative skills during play.
Christmas Gifts for Toddlers 18 Months to 2 Years Old
Wooden Pretend Play Set: Your little one is discovering the wonders of pretend play! With a wooden pretend play set, she will blossom in it. Plus, they are designed to last a very long time, so she’ll be playing with them for years. This play kitchen from Tiny Land Store is the perfect way for your budding chef to start practicing her cooking skills! It comes with lots of accessories and playable features that will keep her busy for hours at a time.
Play Dough: This is a great way to get your little one’s fingers and hands moving. With play dough, your toddler will improve her hand-eye coordination and motor movements while exercising her creativity as she plays.
Peg Puzzles: These simple peg puzzles are a great way to introduce your kiddo to the world of puzzles. They will also enhance her creative thinking and problem-solving skills as well as hand-eye coordination.
Buckets and Spades Set: Toddlers love scooping things up and relocating them. With a simple bucket and spade toy set, she will improve her hand-eye coordination while exploring her world and experimenting with different weights of sand that she can carry.
Christmas Gifts for 2-3 Year Olds
Art Easel: Art easels are a great way for your toddler to express her creativity. With a paintbrush and paint, she will also be developing the same skills that will later come in handy when she needs to write.
Pedaled Tricycle: It is time to graduate to a trike with pedals. This will encourage the development of other skills such as balance, timing, and strength as she controls her new trike. It is also a great way to tire her out so she spends all that energy.
Costumes: What is your little one into? Toddlers have strong personalities, so if she is into princesses, fairies, dinos, or doctors and nurses, invest in costumes that will help take her imaginative play to the next level. This is also a great way to develop basic language skills.
Musical Instruments: This musical instrument set is a great way to explore rhythm and build a foundation for a love of music. If you are lucky, you might even unlock a passion that will last her entire life!
Final Thoughts
Shopping for babies and toddlers can be tough. We hope that with the suggestions outlined above, you’ll be able to get some inspiration on what to get for your kiddo. These toy ideas are guaranteed to hold their interest for longer while also encouraging them to learn through play.
So, which one was your favorite? Whatever you choose to get, make sure it is safe for your child to play with, easy to use, age-appropriate, and something that she actually wants. As long as your gift checks all these boxes, it will be a guaranteed hit!
Merry Christmas!