Early shopping for Christmas essentials makes sure you present them to your kids without any hassle. While the big day is just around the corner, gifting your toddler the most cherishable toys are necessary! So, we at Smoresup have listed the best Christmas gifts for toddlers from the masses. We have considered user reviews, skimmed through diverse brands, and tested more than fifty products to get here. We made sure to list the brands that are true to their product specs. Also, we made sure to pick only the safest toddler toys so that they don’t harm your child in any way.
Buying Guide
If your little one has just entered the toddler phase, finding out an age-suitable Christmas gift can seem arduous. So, to land on the right choice, always remember to look out for the following factors,
- Size:
When it comes to kid’s toys, make sure to pick small-sized toys so that they fit into your baby’s hand. To ensure this, check the package description to find out the age recommendation. However, never go for too small ones as they increase the risk of choking or swallowing. The best size would be 3 inches in length.
- Weight:
As your baby steps into the toddler phase, never buy an intricate or heavy toy. Go with simple toys and pieces and make sure they weigh less than five pounds. Also, do not go with toys that have too many parts, as they can turn heavy on your toddler when carried together.
- Safety:
Though you sort out age-appropriate toys, always check for sharp edges or loosely attached parts. For instance, your toddler can easily pull off delicate parts like wheels. Also, watch out for clutching components that can pinch the finger skin or sharp strings.
- Creativity:
The Christmas toys for toddlers must induce creativity and bring out their expressiveness and artistic ability. Remember your toddlers no longer need soft toys to grab but creative or educational toys to play and explore.
- Price range:
Toddler toys can cost between $10 and $20 on average. However, never overspend on toys that your toddler will overgrow in some time. Instead, either go for affordable toys or slightly pricey ones if they serve for some extra years.
Top 10 Best Christmas gifts for your toddler
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Melissa & Doug Countdown to Christmas Wooden Advent Calendar
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1. Aytai DIY Felt Christmas Tree Set
Editor’s point:
If you are looking for a Xmas gift for your just turned toddler, this Tree set is the best choice. It is easy and uncomplicated to handle and builds color recognition skills through the colorful ornamental pieces. Featuring a Christmas tree, this is the best Christmas-themed gift doubling up as Xmas decor.
Special features:
- 3ft felt Christmas tree
- 26 detachable ornaments
- 3D design
- Thick ornaments prevent choking
- Safe and durable
Product Specification:
- Type: Wall hanging felt tree
- Brand: Ayatai
- Color: Matte
- Number of pieces: 26 ornaments, one base tree
- Size: 12.68 x 9.72 x 2.87
- Weight: 1.76 ounces
Detailed Review:
Because this toy is a DIY Christmas tree, this is one of the best Christmas presents for toddlers. It also boosts creativity, eye-coordination and, this product is a sort of puzzle. This DIY felt tree gets itself onto the wall and comes with 26 detachable ornaments like Santa Claus, snowman, snowflake, Christmas socks, Christmas hat, candies, bells to enhance your toddler’s motor skills during the arrangement. With the parts, the tree comes with sturdy velcro to have the ornaments attached. The hanging hoops are sewn onto the tree so your kid can not pull it off or cut themselves.
Pros
- Non Chokable parts
- Ornaments do not fall off
- Wall hangable
- Suits for early toddlers
- Attractive color
Cons
- Requires mild iron to stand stiff
2. iPlay, iLearn Bouncy Pals Unicorn Hopping Horse
Editor’s point:
This unicorn hopping horse is one of the best presents for toddlers, as it is a toy that promotes physical activity. I loved the fact that this hopping horse is portable and can last for an entire toddler phase. It also works well in keeping toddlers away from digital gaming!
Special features:
- Attractive color and design
- Plush covered
- Includes hand pump
- Inflatable
- Lightweight and transportable
Product Specification:
- Type: Ride-on toy
- Brand: iPlay, iLearn
- Material: Polyester
- Number of pieces: one hopping horse + hand pump
- Size: 22 x 11 x 22 inches
- Weight: 3.8 pounds
Detailed Review:
This ride-on hopping horse from iPlay, iLearn comes with a safe, ergonomic design, so your toddler will feel unconditionally comfortable while on it. Kids can quickly have a dynamic balance after continuous usage. However, for short toddlers, parent supervision might be necessary.
This hopping horse, unlike other stationary ride-on toys, comes with a plush fabric cover. As a result, your toddler is away from developing rashes when the thighs rub against the surface.
The legs are sturdy and designed carefully with low center gravity to prevent accidental slips. It has an easy inflation technique- just remove the air plug, inflate and close.
Pros
- Anti-slip structure
- Easy inflation
- Machine washable cover
- Comes in six style variants
- Includes hand support
Cons
- Slightly expensive
3. Melissa & Doug Countdown to Christmas Wooden Advent Calendar
Editor’s point:
This Christmas countdown would be the best to buy to get your toddler entertained the Christmas way. Also, this countdown board comes made out of first quality wood, in a Christmas tree shape with magnetic ornaments, enhances creativity, and is an everyday game!
Special features:
- Sturdy wooden calendar
- Magnetic, colorful ornaments
- Includes an ornament box
- Complimentary inspiring poem
- No choking hazards
Product Specification:
- Type: Magnetic tree
- Brand: Melissa & Doug
- Color: Orange
- Material: Wood
- Number of pieces: 25 ornaments, 1 star + one magnetic tree
- Size: 16.5 x 12 x 4.25 inches
- Weight: 1.9 pounds
Detailed Review:
This attractive, fun Christmas countdown tree is one of the best Christmas toys for toddlers, also doubles up as an educational toy. This toy best suits toddlers between 2 and 5 as it comes with numerous ways to get hands-on play done.
The wooden Christmas tree comes printed with numbers from 1 to 25 and thus helps toddlers to develop numerical skills and memory. Next, the pack contains 25 distinct ornaments designed on a Christmas theme resembling small badges and magnets to fit onto the tree.
This play can be repeated as toddlers can always change and swap the way they arrange the ornaments on the tree, creating a new design every day.
Pros
- Classic wooden toy
- Countless ways to repeat the game
- Also a Christmas decor
- Aids in numerical learning
- Introduces Christmas in a hands-on way
Cons
- The printed tree layer may peel off with time
4. Sassy Stacks of Circles
Editor’s point:
This stacking ring set from Sassy is very much different from the traditional stacking set. I loved that the rings come in varying sizes, colors, textures, and shapes. It is a learning toy and can enhance early STEM in toddlers in a fun way.
Special features:
- Sturdy stacker base
- Nine colorful stacker set
- Rings for teething
- One filled rattle
- Numbered rings
Product Specification:
- Type: Stacking circle set
- Brand: Sassy
- Color: Orange
- Number of pieces: 8 rings + 1 base
- Size: 4.25 x 4.25 x 8 inches
- Weight: 11.3 ounces
Detailed Review:
This circle stacking set is one of the top Christmas gifts for toddlers and babies aged above six months. This playset is easy to use but focuses on multiple baby growth aspects like eye-to-eye coordination, motor and sorting skills.
The base host is sturdy enough and easily holds all eight rings without flipping down. Further, the rings are chunky, so your toddler will find it easy to grab and handle them.
Each ring comes with different colors, shapes and, sizes double up as a teether for to-be toddlers. The rings have textural variety and come in distinct designs. There is a monochrome ring to teach color contrast. And also a rattle with beads to learn connecting sound to sight in the early toddler phase.
Pros
- Easy to grasp rings
- Bigger rings double up as loops
- No sharp edges or wires
- Aids in texture learning
- Color recognition toy
Cons
- Easy to grasp rings
- Bigger rings double up as loops
- No sharp edges or wires
- Aids in texture learning
- Color recognition toy
5. LEGO DUPLO Minnies Birthday Party
Editor’s point:
This gingerbread house set from LEGO is the best Christmas toy you can gift your toddler as it focuses on creative thinking ability. I loved the fact that this toy can even serve kids aged between one to five, so you are making a worthwhile investment.
Special features:
- Building kit with 21 pieces
- Minnie mouse figure
- A buildable toy car
- A Figaro the cat figure
- Buildable birthday cake
Product Specification:
- Type: Building set
- Brand: LEGO
- Material: Plastic
- Number of pieces: 21
- Size: 0.04 x 0.04 x 0.04 inches (each piece)
- Weight: 2.2 pounds
Detailed Review:
LEGO has been one famous brand manufacturing interlocking plastic brick toys and, this gingerbread house set is the best to buy this Christmas. Its highly detailed interior can be intricate as a toy for one-year-olds, but they can learn to touch and understand textures, learn colors and characters using the ornamental pieces.
This birthday party set has around 21 pieces with ornamental elements like cartoon figures, colorful items like a car, cake, some birthday presents, and a party house that makes a set of attractive toys for growing toddlers.
This set also includes Minnie and Figaro figure pieces, providing countless ways for your toddler to create an imaginary role-play.
Pros
- Made out of non-toxic material
- Building pieces double up as small toys
- Attractive colors and Pieces
- Builds exploratory play
- Enhances early verbal skills
Cons
- Slightly expensive
6. SKYFIELD Wooden Animal Puzzles
Editor’s point:
One of the top presents for toddlers, this wooden puzzle set from SKYFIELD comes packed in a custom gift box. I believe this wooden puzzle set is the safest toy for toddlers as the pieces come made with eco-wood and polished edges to prevent cuts or scratches.
Special features:
- Four animal patterns
- Sturdy eco-wooden base
- Attractive color and pattern
- No choking hazard
- Customized gift box
Product Specification:
- Type: Puzzle set
- Brand: SKYFIELD
- Material: Wood
- Number of pieces: 4
- Size: 7.3 x 6.6 x 2.3 inches
- Weight: 1.39 pounds
Detailed Review:
This vibrant animal-based puzzle pattern is an excellent brain-building toy for your little one who just entered the toddler phase as it enhances color recognition, verbal communication, knowing animals sorting, and hand-eye coordination. This puzzle set comes with four distinct animal patterns, each on a separate wood base with corresponding, colorful puzzle blocks. The four animals are namely bear, butterfly, ladybug, and bee. Each puzzle piece is thick enough and easily fits into small toddler hands without slipping or causing a choking hazard.
Pros
- Made of high-quality environmental wood
- Lead and BPA free
- Non-toxic water based-colors
- Attractive and vibrant colors
- Free drawstring bag for puzzle blocks
Cons
- Slightly loose fitting blocks
7. Einstein Box for Kids
Editor’s point:
If you are looking for a wholesome learning toy to gift your toddler, this Einstein box can cover it all most entertainingly! You will find a variety in a single box, from premium board books to animal masks to instigate imaginative ability. I loved the rhyme card that came along.
Special features:
- Two board books
- One kid’s board game
- Laminated ‘first-word poster
- Vibrant rhyme card
- Farm animals face masks
Product Specification:
- Type: Set of educational toys and books
- Material: Cardboard, laminated pages
- Brand: Einstein Box
- Number of pieces: 5
- Size: 9.06 x 5.12 x 1.57 inches
- Weight: 912 g
Detailed Review:
This Einstein box with versatile play and learning items develops imagination. Precisely, this kit is the best to buy to improve thinking skills and develop a love for books.
This box contains five farm animal masks using which your toddler can have countless role-play ideas. Next is a peek-a-boo board game that focuses on enhancing memory. The first-word poster will let you teach your kids phonetically easy words and the rhyme book for improving verbal skills.
Additionally, the box has two board books that are safe to use, durable, and tear-resistant. They are: FIRST NAMES and SET FIRST SOUND SET, helping the extra mile with hearing and speaking skills.
Pros
- Develops imagination and creativity
- Focuses on boosting memory and language skills
- Plastic-free components
- Toxin-free materials
- No choking hazard
Cons
- Slightly sharp corners
- Needs adult supervision
8. CDLong DIY Felt Christmas Tree & Snowman Set
Editor’s point:
This Christmas tree, snowman set from CD long, is one of the most simplistic and reusable toys, made age-appropriately for toddlers. It also doubles up as Christmas decor. The components have zero hazards and are safe to use without adult supervision.
Special features:
- 1 DIY felt Christmas tree
- 1 DIY felt Snowman
- 25 detachable ornaments for the tree
- 24 detachable adornments for snowman
- 2×2 cm velcro for adhesion
Product Specification:
- Type: Wall hanging felt set
- Material: 3 mm felt fabric
- Brand: CD Long
- Number of pieces: 2 bases + 25 + 24 ornaments
- Size: 12.17 x 9.57 x 4.06 inches
- Weight: 15.2 ounces
Detailed Review:
This Christmas ornament set comes with multiple detachable pieces. It gives countless ways to play by swapping the arrangements. This toy primarily focuses on creativity and imagination. However, with adult supervision, other game options can help with memory and focus. The felt base and the ornamental pieces come with attached velcro that is of high quality, so you will not have the pieces falling off now and then. Also, the ornaments come in versatile colors from yellow to red (helps in color recognition). The tree and snowman come with a red string on top to hang them on walls or windows.
Pros
- Made of high quality felt
- No sharp edges
- No choking hazard
- Vibrant and versatile colors
- Entertaining hands-on toy
Cons
- Can get dirty
9. DOLIVE Baby Sensory Fidget Toy
Editor’s point:
This fidget toy from DOLIVE is an exceptional sensory gadget to gift kids aged between six months and two years. Unlike the typical toddler toy, this product focuses on developing basic sensory actions. I loved that the fidget had a cute and attractive animal shape!
Special features:
- Push, poke and grab fidget toy
- Smooth edges
- Free of BPA and other toxins
- Also a teether
- CPSIA and ASTM certified
Product Specification:
- Type: Fidget toy
- Material: Silicone
- Brand: DOLIVE
- Number of pieces: 1 fidget toy
- Size: 1.4 x 6.1 x 6.7 inches
- Weight: 4.9 ounces
Detailed Review:
This fidget toy is one of the best early educational toys you will find available today. Using this toy continuously can help babies entering the toddler phase move and shake their limbs flexibly. It has infinite learning benefits, from improving sight, touch, and hearing to color recognition. This sensory toy is around 6″, lightweight and portable. The in-built push block is versatile in color and can be poked, grabbed, and popped. Additionally, the simple dimple pops will make a popping sound when pressed improves sound perception. This toy can also double up as a bath fidget as it is remarkably waterproof. It can also work exceptionally as a teether for to-be toddlers.
Pros
- Made of food-grade silicone
- Safe to use as a teether
- High-quality ABS
- Rounded edges
- No choking hazard
Cons
- No cons found
10. WOOD CITY Wooden Sorting & Stacking Toys
Editor’s point:
This wooden stacking toy from Wood city is the best buy if you want a toddler to learn color and shape recognition. It contains four colors and four geometric-shaped blocks to stack on a sturdy wooden stick that they will also love making new and endless combinations!
Special features:
- Natural wooden peg
- Four different shaped blocks
- Vibrant colored blocks
- Eco-friendly paint
- 100% non-toxic wood
Product Specification:
- Type: Stacking block set
- Brand: Wood city
- Color: Multicolor
- Number of pieces: 10 pegs + 15 blocks
- Size: 8 x 0.13 x 8 inches
- Weight: 9.9 ounces
Detailed Review:
This stacking toy best suits early toddlers to learn geometry by sorting the shapes and stacking the blocks. Other skills to polish include color recognition, hand-eye coordination. By making different shape and color combinations, your toddler can also develop creativity and even learn numbers.
The shape blocks come with unique holes to get set into the peg, so there are countless arrangements your toddler can try. Also, the vibrant colors draw attraction, keeping their focus unescapable.
This geometrical stacker is safe, made out of 100% natural wood, there are no sharp edges or too small parts that can cause choking risks.
Pros
- Durable wood
- Smooth edges
- Made out of food-grade water paint
- Aids learn geometry
- Fits rightly in the toddler’s hand
Cons
- Slightly expensive for the size
How have I ranked the products in this list of best Christmas gifts for toddlers?
We have made this list of the best Christmas gifts for toddlers primely after weighing mixed customer reviews. We also compared the product specs and ranked the ones that do not require adult supervision first. Further, toddler toys that are safe and come without cutting or choking hazards top the list. Other factors considered are the vibrant colors, ease of play, weight, skills to master, etc.
Care And Maintances:
- Store the toys: Never put the toys on the floor when they aren’t in use. Instead, stack them on shelves or put them into a well-ventilated and durable toy chest after throwing away the plastic wrappers.
- Look for damages: Though toddler toys have smooth edges and wooden bases, any damage or crack can create sharp corners. Also, for toys that are of food-grade paint, watch out for peeling surfaces.
- Be careful with magnetic toys: Magnetic toys over the years can lose their minute magnets and increase the risk of choking. So always check if they are in place.
- Cleaning: Go for regular washing of toddler toys by simply using warm water. Additionally, you can use a mild baby detergent if you find them stained.
FAQ
Q1. Why are toys a go-to option as toddler gifts?
Most toddler toys promote learning in one way or the other. Additionally, there are also numerous early educational toys to pick. Since a child’s growth happens in these early years, such toys can make a better gift.
Q2. Should I look for age-appropriateness while buying toys?
Undoubtedly, yes. Every toy is designed for a specific age group and if you are looking for a toddler toy, always go for ones that recommend use for ages between one to three.
Q3. How can a new toy impact a toddler?
When it comes to toys, considering your toddler’s likes and dislikes matter. So, it is better to go for toys from brands that they have already been using or find where their interest lies and buy accordingly.
Q4. What are some safety aspects to look for in toddler toys?
Start with watching out for sharp edges or scratched parts. Next, check the size, make sure they aren’t too small. Also, for teether-based toys, make sure the material is food grade and the paint is organic.
Q5. What essential skills should a toddler toy teach?
With toddler toys, always go for the ones that have vibrant colors- these can improve focus and concentration at play. Further, if your child is at the transitional age, look for toys that will aid in learning words, numerals and develop verbal skills.
