Alrighty friends. Thanksgiving is right around the corner so if you are not already, you are eventually going to have to start thinking about Christmas shopping. I finally have started and I’ve put together some of my favorites for you. In no particular order…..
Lets start with the “big” gifts shall we. Boy or Girl I think a play kitchen is a must! Last year we gave Mr. C a kitchen as his big gift. Here are my picks.
1. KidKraft Vintage Kitchen in White – This is the one we have. I’m constantly getting compliments on it and C loves it. Fair warning… it took hubby 3hrs to put this together last Christmas Eve but it was well worth it!
2. Hape – Playfully Delicious – Gourmet Kitchen in Green – If you are looking for something slightly smaller this kitchen is adorable & Hape is a fantastic quality brand.
If you are going to have a kitchen a shopping cart would be a good accompaniment.
1. Melissa & Doug Shopping Cart – I love how realistic looking this little shopping cart is.
Step2 Par 3 Mini Golf Course – If you have the space this little golf course rocks. This is another toy we own. This time from Mr. A when he was about 3. What can I say the kid loves golf. He’s never been one to ask for much but he insisted on this. He got years out of it and as he got older he could put it together himself for another level of entertainment. I’m sure Mr. C will enjoy it too when I dig it out of our basement. It’s hung around and is in great shape after 6 yrs. Can be used inside or out and it’s really reasonably priced.
Plan Toys City Series Parking Garage – This is what I have my eye on for Mr. C this year.
What about a Ride on Toy? We like these…
PlasmaCar Blue – for the little ones
And the Razor RipRider 360 Caster Trike for the olders – We own this one and Mr A (9yrs old) and company have enjoyed it very much.
Ok, lets switch gears a little bit and talk Blocks. Can a kid ever have enough blocks? I could probably do a whole post on my favorite blocks!
1. IQ Baby Knock-Knock Blocks – Hands down my no. 1 pick for baby. My oldest (now 9) received these soft blocks as a gift for his first Christmas and they are still kicking around and being enjoyed by our youngest two. I’ve gifted them often since then.
2. Haba Eeny Meeny Miny Zoo Building Blocks – So cute & colorful with lots of shapes for little ones to explore and create. Love!
3. Uncle Goose Classic Embossed Alphabet Blocks – If you are looking for a classic set of blocks I think these are just beautiful.
4. Guidecraft Jr. Rainbow Blocks – The newest addition to our block collection. These are awesome when the light shines through them. Very captivating for little ones to play with.
Keeping the Babies in mind Little E has a set similar to this one from Mama May i and plays with it more than any other toy yet.
Handmade Wooden Bambino Bamboozles from Mama May i
Lamaze My First Fishbowl – We gave this to Mr. C on his first Christmas. It was well loved and played with. Now Little E is getting just as much enjoyment out of it so it’s double approved for you. Babies love to take things out of things.
Marble Runaround Marble & Blocks Building Set – Another top pick in my book. We received this set when Mr. A was 3 or 4 and he’s played with it for years. He still does sometimes. Mr. C has taken quite a liking to it already. I’m sure it would be a hit for whoever is on your list.
The Janod Kubix – Marble Run is another option & an excellent quality brand.
The perfect friend….
Knit Dolls from Bla Bla Kids – I am obsessed with these beautiful 100% cotton knit dolls made in Peru. If you are looking for a unique, guaranteed to be loved by any age group doll/plush, for someone to snuggle with this is it. Little E is getting this one for Christmas 🙂
If you are looking for something for the older kids on your list check out Snap Circuits. I think these are a fantastic gift for 8 and up age group.
Snap Circuits – Perfect for your budding engineer (or kid who likes to tinker and make things work). We own three different sets of snap circuits in this house. My oldest started tinkering with them at age 6 via this Snap Circuits Junior Kit (which is just a little over $20 if your looking for a lower price point or are on the fence as to how it will be recieved). Now that he’s older he can play on his own.
Snap Circuits Light – Older kids are so hard to buy for aren’t they? I think this looks so cool! You can hook your Ipod or mp3 player up and watch the lights dance in time to music.
Travel Tangos – There are three different versions of these and they come in just shy of $10. Our oldest uses them in the car as an alternative to electronics.
Lego Watches – There are so many to choose from and there are even specifically girl versions if your little princess adores pink. I think my nephews may be getting the star wars ones for Christmas but shhhh….don’t tell.
Ok, back to those littler ones. Lets talk puzzles. My picks are…
1. Begin Again Toys, there are quite few choices with a range of price points. My favorite is the Alphabet Parade but I’m quite sure Mr. C would love the dinosaur.
2. Sevi Play Puzzle – Farm – I love, love, love this. Someone will definitely be getting it for Christmas in our house. This Sevi puzzle set is self contained and doubles as a playset. Even better it’s handmade of hard wood and colored with vegetable dye so it’s super eco-friendly. Did I mention I love this set? (they have a city and transportation ones too)
Vehicles
Another pick for the babies on my list. This line of vehicles from Kid-O is a favorite here. They come in a variety of colors (the car even comes in pink!), can take a little beating and are easy for little hands to hold on to. Little E (9 months) can play with them and Mr. C (2yrs) still does. The car is my favorite. It’s perfect for little baby hands to hold on to. They also get my vote because Kid-O has the best customer service. We had a problem with our car and they promptly and without question sent us a new one at no cost.
1. Kid-O Go Car
Melissa & Doug Whittle World School Bus – Melissa & Doug has a few of these whittle world sets. We have the firetruck & the school bus and both get used quite often.
Kid-O Bilibo – I love toys like this that force creativity to take over. I can imagine kids from Little E’s age (10months) to well over 5+yrs enjoying this. These are on our personal wish list this year. Just think of all the possible uses. Hat, chair, sled, carryall, how might your child use this?
Safari Ltd Toobs – There are so many of these miniatures to choose from. I have yet to meet a set that wasn’t loved. We use them all the time in our sensory bins, for small world play, with our trains or haul them in dump trucks. Reasonably priced they would make a great stocking stuffer or give two or three together for a bigger gift set.
So, those are our recommendations. What are your favorite gifts to give?
My son will LOVE that parking garage! It’s totally going on his wish list. You featured so many great toys!
Amanda@ Dirt and Boogers recently posted…Child Made Thanksgiving Table Runner