Is it bold of me to say that these are the absolute best gifts for preschoolers? Probably. But as a homeschool mom who spends A LOT of time at home, I do consider myself an expert at keeping kids occupied in enriching ways. (I’ve also been told my girls bring GREAT gifts to birthday parties!) So, I’m willing to boldly proclaim the wonderfulness of these following gifts for little ones. My criteria for good gifts includes the following:
- Gift can be enjoyed safely without parental supervision: I want to be able to go pee or do a math lesson while my kids are playing.
- Gift is open-ended: Toys with one purpose tend to get boring after a while.
- Gift will grow with child (SUPER IMPORTANT): I don’t want to shell out (or ask the grandparents to shell out) a substantial amount of money for something that will be enjoyed from precisely 2-2.5 and then never touched again. No thank you.
- Gift can be enjoyed by multiple children at once: I don’t want to hear bickering about who gets to play with the fun new toy first. Everyone can play together and the toy can contribute to sibling bonding (or play-date fun).
Now, I have all girls, but I know these gifts are great for all kids. I’ve talked to other moms and seen them used during play-dates by both boys and girls. So, without further ado, here are the gifts you need to buy your little ones (or ask the grandparents for) so they can have literal years of fun with them, in no particular order.
1. Magnetic Tiles or Blocks
This one is no surprise I’m sure. There are so many brands of these nowadays, but the idea is always the same and it’s great! I’ve noticed you do typically get what you pay for with these, so if you plan on using them for a long time, definitely splurge on the name brand items. For littles with less dexterity, you might want to opt for blocks instead of tiles. Also, you can gift your kids a new box every year so there’s always something newer and bigger they can build. With so many shapes to choose from, and even cars, animals and dry-erase tiles, the possibilities are endless with these toys. We’re going on year 5, I think, of buying new magnetic tiles for Christmas at my kids’ request. These are also easy to find locally, so they’re great last-minute gifts!
2. Play Couch
A good play couch is so much more than a kid-sized piece of furniture. It can be a crash pad, a fort, a slide, a puppet theater, and so much more! There are lots of brands of this toy now, but in my experience, the Nugget is truly worth the splurge. The foam is sturdier and the material is less slippery than most others, so your builds will easily stay put. This toy has been a hit in our house literally from age one onward. If you already have a Nugget and want to expand your play options, you can get another one, or get their new toy The Chunk, or check out a Pikler triangle with a slide! It’s so fun, and it’s a perfect addition to any play couch. Plus, the Pikler can be enjoyed by older, less active kids because if you drape a blanket over it, it becomes a little tent! How fun is that?
3. Pikler Triangle
Piggybacking off the aforementioned play couch, Pikler Triangles are also fantastic for indoor playtime! The only caveat I’d give here is that you’ll probably want a play couch or some sort of crash pad for these. These triangles are great for gross motor development, getting wiggles out when it’s rainy or too hot or too cold, and can help build confidence in the youngest of climbers. We have a triangle with a slide, but the arch would also be a great addition to any playroom. As your kids grow too big for climbing, you can drape a blanket over the top and voila, you now have a play tent or house!
4. Yoto
Yoto, Yoto, how I love the; let me count the ways. But seriously, if you want a screen free option for audiobooks, music, and podcasts, this is by far the best option on the market. (Seriously, I’ve seen them all.) With cards that you can buy preloaded or empty to make your own, this “toy” is a must-have for the modern family. We use ours daily, and sometimes it’s on for literal hours in one day! Since data is stored on cards, it takes up minimal space, and there’s even a mini version that lots of parents swear by for traveling. This one easily grows with your kids because you can always get new music and stories to play!
5. Play Kitchen & Food
If you’re thinking of getting a toy kitchen for your little one, do it and get the bigger one. The amount of time that has been spent playing in with this toy set is truly astonishing. From playing restaurant, to making a cake for a doll’s birthday party, to chopping up these velcro foods, there seems to be no end in sight for this toy’s appeal. Plus, you can now buy stuffed foods for those kids who are in a throwing phase–because we all know wooden toys can hurt! This is also an easy gift to add to. Just when you think you’ve bought all the food, you’ll find something new. Our favorite sets have been sushi and the barista kit. (Are my children a little bougie? Maybe.)
Note: I will always sing the praises of books, board games, and art supplies for kids, and those would probably be my actual top 3, but for bigger gifts for the children in your lives, these are the best ones. I promise.
