Holiday gift guide for the whole family
Shopping for the holidays can seem overwhelming, so we have done the hard work for you and compiled our favorite toys and activities into different age groups (including gifts for parents!) Please keep in mind, these gifts are meant to give you a variety of ideas and price ranges, they are by no means essential or intended for you to buy all of them (especially since this is a tough time financially for most). All of these recommendations have been personally used by our bumblebaby team, so you can trust us that they’re our favorites! Don’t forget to check out my Amazon store for my favorite stocking stuffers divided up by age!
0-12 months
Gift guide
This yeti rattle is the best for traveling because of the clip ring and babies love the crinkle sound the feet make!
This pop piano toy was an Easter hit for us – my kids still fight over it! Great for tummy time or for babies who are learning how to sit up.
Beesie’s favorite toy as a little babe and now it is Roey’s favorite too! We still have this rattle. Babies love the way this cloud lights up when they squeeze it or shake it!
We couldn’t go to a restaurant or on a plane without this toy!! It suctions to any hard surface and you donât have to keep bending over to pick up toys off of the ground! This toys is great for cause and effect, encouraging spinning, reaching, tugging and strengthening hand-eye coordination.
These are the first toys Bee + Finn were able to grab (now Roey is using them)! Still a household favorite and has grown with baby every stage in the first year. Try the bunny, the ball, the classic rattle or the first year’s rattle.
We don’t travel or leave the house without this book in the backseat! Itâs a little pricey, but it really provides hours of entertainment with different activities on each page. Bee started using this book at 6 months old (when Finn didn’t steal it) and still uses it now at the age of 2! Roey is starting to love it now too, so it’s great for all siblings! Our favorite pages include the shoe tying page and the velcro pieces that come on/off. Disclaimer – be careful of the small pieces that do come off for younger babies!
This book is so cute and is one of Roey’s favorites! It has a teething heart shaped toy on the bind of the book (which is also soft and friendly for teething!) Each page crinkles which babies love and it has little activities on the pages too!
Set of six plush dolls stored in a cute basket for your baby to cuddle. These dolls are made with tactile fabric and no removable parts, perfect for infants and toddlers!
This company is so inspiring – for every doll sold, they donate 10 meals to hungry children around the world! Theyâre handmade and these high quality dolls last forever! By far Beesie’s most cuddly and favorite “dollie!” We currently have the small dog and small mermaid,, but Santa will be bringing the unicorn this year.
This activity cube was a long time favorite in our house! I still get the songs stuck in my head….ha! It can be used to help babies learn to sit up by putting their legs around the cube so they can balance against it. Use it for tummy time and teaching baby how to reach. Plus it keeps them busy with the different sides!
I can recite the piggy’s counting by heart! This piggy bank gets so much use. It’s great for fine motor skills too! This is Palmer’s favorite toy!
A Bumblebaby MUST HAVE! This bib has a collar to prevent leaks and spills onto baby. The top is removable and the silicone bottom is dishwasher safe. And it comes with free shipping!I love all BeautyCounter products because of how safe the ingredients are for myself and my family. They have this baby bundle collection that includes an all-over wash (including hair), protective balm, and soothing oil. I never think twice when using their products, especially on my babies – BeautyCounter has done all the hard work in research for me and is safe for babies, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. I was given a tip by a follower to use the baby balm on my eyebrow/lid eczema and it literally healed it overnight!
Checkout my bath essentials blog post for more of my favorite bath products and toys!
Baby’s first shoe! These are the only booties that ACTUALLY stayed on my kids’ feet when they were babies and young toddlers. They have all different sizes (starting at 0-3 months) and once they start standing and wanting to walk, the booties have little grippies on the bottom so they donât slip! Trust me, you wonât regret buying these! Theyâre also great for year-round too (they have fleece and cotton ones).This sit-to-stand walker can be used very early on and lasts all the way through when theyâre learning to walk! It has a removable play panel that Bee loved when she started to sit and kept her very busy! Once she started to stand, the panel clicks back on and can be used as a walker! I highly recommend this and our favorite part is the little phone that comes off!I LOVE and trust this brand because every single shoe is APMA approved (American Podiatric Medical Association) and their shoes are healthy for developing feet. Their shoes are flexible for maximum mobility and have room for babies to move so their feet develop and strengthen naturally. I donât have to think twice when I buy from this brand! Great for girls or boys!
My daughter loves to squeeze all the animal and hear their sounds! The farm also makes a great traveling case for on-the-go toys.
Scout is a long-time favorite! You can easily personalize it to say your child’s name, favorite food and favorite animal. Bonus, it’s a Leap Frog STEM toy. Science, Technology, Engineering & Math based, promoting curiosity and learning. It also comes in purple as Violet.
Splurge items0-12 months
This is perfect for babies who are starting to stand and walk! The activity center has a sleek design that fits perfectly in the corner and keeps them engaged while practicing and exploring their motor skills! Great for sitters, standers, and toddlers alike. All 3 of my kids still play with this 2+ years later! Swipe right for a deep sea alternative.
This beautiful climber is a favorite of Deema’s. It is also a Montessori favorite and helps with gross motor and balance control.
These structures will be helpful for spending winter inside this year! I love that it has a steps option for babies and toddlers to crawl up on! Swipe right for the wedge set option.
SALE ALERT!
I got this kitchen set for Beesie and Finn last year for the holidays!! I love this modern looking play kitchen because itâs slim enough into fit in any space and has a âsmartâ fridge and fun buttons for kids to play pretend! I like that height of it because once Roey starts pulling herself up, she’ll be able to play with it too. Comes in white too! Don’t forget the play food accessories + the chef outfits in blue, pink or red to go with it!
Checkout my Amazon store page for stocking stuffer ideas for 0-12 months (includes practical gifts!)
1-2 years
Gift guide
This is one of those toys that gets use daily, and it tends to grab a young one-year-olds attention for an extended period of time. Great for hand-eye coordination, motor dexterity and cause-effect.
This moosical cow gets a lot of use at our house. Beesie loves to to cycle through the songs and give the cow kisses! It’s also a great size to throw in a diaper bag, and it comes in white/black. Younger babies can also use it for learning to sit up on their own by wrapping their legs around it and hugging it.
Aww this brings back memories for Finn! He loved this track (actually still brings it out and builds it himself now) and carried the train everywhere. These train tacks and train are great toys for the young train fans the are closer to 12 months. Finn + Bee both love and still play with their xylophone bus. It has puzzle piece parts for extra play. Finn’s ALL TIME favorite toy set. We gave it to him for his first birthday and he still plays with it! It’s my go-to birthday gift (girls love it too!).
Finn was gifted this camper for his second birthday and I catch him setting it up all the time! This toy folds up into a van, which Finn loves, and opens up into a camping play set.Both boys and girls at this age love these construction vehicles! A great stocking stuffer!With a brutal winter ahead, this 3 in 1 Kids Slide and Toddler Climber Play Slide is a great option to have in your home to help get your child’s energy out! It is a slide, climbing set and has a basketball/ring toss feature. My favorite part is that is has enclosed stairs with a railing to help keep your child safe while climbing.
For a budget friendly and small space option, this Little Tikes slide folds down without any tools so itâs easy to fold up for easy storage when you’re not using it.
For more ideas to get your child’s energy out this winter, head to my Amazon store:- winter activities– items to get your toddler’s energy out– sensory seeking favorites
Here is a short list of our favorite books at our house!
- Ten Tiny Babies – Great for counting!
- Madeline (Bee’s Favorite!)
- Where Do Diggers Sleep at Night? + Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site (Finn’s Favorites)
- 100 First Words (lift the flaps)
- Pout Pout Fish (fun to read as a parent)
- Where’s Baby’s Belly Button? (lift the flaps)
- Dear Zoo (lift the flaps)
- My First 100 Words – Perfect for prating those first words!
- The Ultimate Book of Construction – The only book Finn would sit still for for a year. A little pricey, but it’s huge and has TONS of lift the flaps!
For more book ideas, head to my Amazon store.–favorite books 1-2 years–diverse books we love
I am not kidding when I say this may be the most used toy in our house. Bee runs around with this stroller and doll, and Finn will put his Mimis or trains in there. Around and around and around the house! A must have!
This ball pit is Deema’s favorite and kids at this age LOVE it (and it gets all of their energy out!)! It doesnât come with the balls so you have to buy those separately (slide right).
This push car is great for this age group because sometimes they start resisting the stroller around this age and this is the perfect solution. Itâs also pretty easy to put together and can be pushed inside or outside during those cold winter months! Added bonus – a cup holder for the parent!
Slide right for another option – This classic car can be used indoors/outdoors and even during cold winter months! It has a removable floor that kids can put their feet up on when theyâre younger or down when theyâre older. It also has a little handle on the back so you can push them! Comes in pink too!Bee and Finn both loves these puzzles and it helped them learn animal sounds! This pet one is cute too! Perfect for planes and car rides.
Stickers always increase engagement for us! Melissa & Doug makes the greatest puffer sticker books for little fingers (watch out for little pieces) and the first 100 words sticker book is great for first words!
This little people farm is a huge hit when your little one is learning animal sounds! It comes with lights, music and sounds.
Order up! This ice cream cart provides us with endless hours of playing shop! The magic scooper recognizes the colors and flavors as you pick them up, helping your little one to learn.
This grocery cart is is a hit in our house! Finn + Bee love to push it around with the play grocery items.
Splurge items
1-2 years
Having a kitchen helper is the best and we cannot live without it! These are my favorite because they come with a wide base for stability. Beesie and Finn each have one and eat all of their meals standing up in them at the counter.
- Naomi Home Kids Helper is a great budget-friendly option, it comes with locking sides and it’s easy to store.
- Guidecraft Contemporary Helper comes in a variety of finishes and is folds easily..
- Little Partners’ Kids Learning Tower features an adjustable height step stool and comes in a variety of colors.
This balancing board is beautiful, comes in two sizes, lots of color options, supports physical development and is fun!
This bumper car would have been on my wish list as a kid! Comes in a wide variety of colors, it’s easy to recharge and comes with a soft bumper (if you are worried about your walls)!
For more ideas to get your child’s energy out this winter, head to my Amazon store:
– items to get your toddler’s energy out
Checkout my Amazon store page for stocking stuffer ideas for 1-2 years (includes practical gifts too!)
2-3 years
Gift guide
New! November Sensory Rice Bins are in! Available in various sizes and packs, by Home with Elizabeth
- Snow Plow – Finn’s favorite – plow the rice with this wintry set.
- Glamping – make hot cocoa by the fire!
- Outta This World – space themed complete with glow in the dark stars and astronauts.
December Busy Bee Sensory Jars are in for PREORDER! Order in small, large or combo packs, by KidsSimple.
- Polar Plunge – Ice burgs, arctic animals, and Elsa vibes!
- Dino Dig – Volcanos, fossils, eggs, and a shovel for digging.
These color wonder sets are great for drawing, painting and stamping. The sets don’t stain furniture, carpet, or hands! You can thank me later!This Water Wow is the perfect activity for travel and the best part about it is that it doesnât make a mess! Just add water!
A great stocking stuffer! Wikki Stix are perfect for simple or complex craft projects!
This is a modern day Etch a Sketch that has 4 colors instead of just black and white!
We have got so much use out this Little People Friend Ship! Press the discovery button to swing the hammock and your little one is sure to copy you!
We love Melissa & Doug! This comes with 10 mini farm figures and a cute wooden storage tray.
Every little girl loves to have a purse of her own to store things inside of it, just like her mom!
A favorite at Lauren’s house, this tea set is adorable and comes with the cutest carrying case for all the play picnics you will be attending!
By FAR Finn’s new favorite. Magna-Tiles help develop math, science, spatial and tactile skills (STEM approved). He will spend hours (I’m not joking) building towers and “trucks”. Great for plane rides too.This trampoline is the perfect indoor activity to burn energy in the cold winter months! The handle also folds down for easy storage. Always help Finn get energy OUT especially in the winter months.Finn FIGHTS ME when I bring out the Dyson (I have a slight addiction). There is something about little kids and vacuums! This one actually has a real-life suction and parts that come apart like the real Dyson! Why not have your kid learn to clean up crumbs? đ PLUS! Scroll below for my Dad’s Splurge item and they can me matching!
Plae shoes the only shoes wide enough to fit Finn’s ultra wide feet. They are super durable. GREAT quality, and comfortable, plus free shipping and returns on Zappos! Great for girls and boys. Check out the Charlie in pink, the Max boots, and the Mimo for warmer weather. This scooter is AWESOME because it has 3 wheels so any toddler starting at 2 years old can start to use it, and it grows with them until age 5!
Don’t forget the helmet (see linked below). Comes in lots of colors too!Don’t forget a helmet for the scooter! It comes in a ton of colors too!
**This post is educational and not meant to take the place of your provider. Bumblebaby makes a small commission on some of the items listed above
