Shopping early this year? We have our best gift guides by kids by age (and for parents and grandparents too)!
As always, please take this guide as suggestions and not a must-buy list. We included a range of price points and ideas. All of our recommendations came from our team and from our bumblebaby community!
*Don’t forget to check out my Amazon store for my favorite stocking stuffers divided up by age!
Experience Gifts
After polling our Bumblebaby community, so many people requested experience gifts. We compiled your ideas with ours and came up with a pretty great list!
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Museum Passes
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Swim lessons
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Gymnastics lessons or ninja lessons
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Art lessons
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Music lessons/music classes
- Polar Express Train (locations across multiple cities)
- Ceramic painting
- Disney fund
- Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park
- Zoo Pass
- Disney on Ice Tickets
Chicagoland-specific experience gifts:
- Bumblebaby Store experiences
- Did you know our store has music classes and so much more?
- We have Meet a Princess Story Time, JG’s Reptile Road Show, Tiny Talkers classes and Toddler Crafts! Sign up here!
- Hotel Zachary Teddy Bear Tea & Breakfast with Santa
- American Girl Store Experience or Lunch and Tea at Water Tower
- Bubbles Academy Classes
- Mr. Dave’s Music
- Waterlemon Kids Play Space
- We love this space! So cute, clean and inviting in La Grange, IL
- Snacks and coffee available
- Playroom TWO Cafe Play Pass
- Huge indoor space with a ball pit, slides and more! Hang out and eat lunch or grab a smoothie as well! Food is delish.
- Brookfield Zoo Season Pass
- Goldfish Swim School
- Miss Beth’s Big City Readers classes
- Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park
- Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum, Adler Planetarium in downtown Chicago
- DuPage Children’s Museum
- Metta Baby Infant Wellness Baby Float or Baby Massage Gift Card
0-12 months
Gift guide
CoComelon toys
If you have a Cocomleon baby, they are sure to love. this musical plush book, the JJ musical doll, and this cute musical school bus.
fabric ring stacker
This plush ring stacker is perfect for babies! Each ring is a different texture, and the size is great for a baby!
piano toys
For your little musician, this wooden piano will grow with your baby. It includes sheet music that color coordinates with the keys!
This pop piano toy is a long time favorite for us – my kids still fight over it! Great for tummy time or for babies who are learning how to sit up.
pop toys
Dimple and pop toys are great for fine motor! They are so many sweet options, like this caterpillar/crab, this classic rainbow wheel and this 3-piece-set.
on-the-go toys
It’s a classic and we love our SkipHop rattle! This one is a little rainstick and couldn’t be cuter!
- I also love these rattle. Try the bunny, the ball, the classic rattle or the first year’s rattle
- We couldn’t go to a restaurant or on a plane without this toy!! It suctions to any hard surface and you don’t 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.
lovevery rattle
I love this wooden rattle for your baby, starting at 12 weeks.
lovevery book
This wooden book is designed for your baby starting at 4 months.
soft books
We don’t travel or leave the house without this book in the backseat! It’s 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!
dolls
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! They’re handmade and these high quality dolls last forever! By far Beesie’s most cuddly and favorite “dollie!” We currently have the small dog, but Santa will be bringing the unicorn this year.
activity cube
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!
home essentials
love all BeautyCounter products because of how safe the ingredients are for myself and my family. 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!
booties
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 don’t slip! Trust me, you won’t regret buying these! They’re also great for year-round too (they have fleece and cotton ones).
walking shoes
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 don’t have to think twice when I buy from this brand! And they come in a variety of colors and styles!
This sit-to-stand walker can be used very early on and lasts all the way through when they’re 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!
farm
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.
knotted gown
I have always loved knotted gowns for babies! This wildflower print is adorable, it also comes in a black or rust print.
holiday pajamas
These gnome pajamas have are footed and festive! They come in a variety of festive and non-festive prints here.
favorite books
Some of my favorite books for 0-12 months:
*For more of our favorite books, check out our Amazon Store Favorite Books 0-1 year.
Splurge items 0-12 months
play kits
These play kits have been my favorite presents to give for babies! They not only are the products FUN and age appropriate, they are designed to support your child’s development at every age!
activity center
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!
climber
This beautiful climber is a favorite of Deema’s. It is also a Montessori favorite and helps with gross motor and balance control.
wedge set
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! I also love this wedge set option.
play kitchen
I got this kitchen set for Beesie and Finn last year for the holidays!! I love this modern looking play kitchen because it’s slim enough into fit in any space and has a “smart” 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. Don’t forget the play food accessories + the chef outfits 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
soft block set
A soft block set for your teething little one! I love the colors and different textures (that can double as teethers).
stacking cups
Have you even seen a more beautiful set of stacking cups? They come in a variety of color palettes for whichever variety you choose. These are truly grow-with-me toys that will last!
SpinAgain stacking toy
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.
montessori wobble stacker
I love when a toy is not only functional but also a beautiful design. This wobble stacker will be sure to keep your growing toddler’s attention.
hide & find drop box
This drop and hide box is sure to have your little one engaged with play! I love the the wooden design!
sorter toy
This sorter toy has soft shapes for your little to play with while working on that fine motor helping them out of the cube.
moosical cow
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.
pound & tap xylophone
Such a fun toy for toddlers! This comes with balls, a hammer, and a xylophone! What more could a toddler want 🙂
touch-and-feel puzzle
A puzzle your little one can interact with. The animals come with touch-and-feel fur, puzzle pieces that in-set and a mirror in the middle.
puzzles
Non-toxic wooden jigsaw puzzles are perfect for your learning toddler. These come with rave reviews!
train track
My little guy loves his trains! This set even has Thomas and Perry talking with each other on the track!
LeapFrog book
The number of 5 star reviews on this one is ASTOUNDING!! This book is a clear favorite of parents and littles!
push-along train
This push-along train is the perfect size for your little one!
vehicles
For the younger ones, I love these green toy vehicles. This dump truck will house all the blocks and toys your little can find. I also love this set of construction vehicles.
stroller
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!
ball pit
This ball pit is Deema’s favorite and kids at this age LOVE it (and it gets all of their energy out!)! It doesn’t come with the balls so you have to buy those separately.
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.
sticker books
Stickers always increase engagement for us! Melissa & Doug makes the greatest puffer sticker book for little fingers (watch out for little pieces) and the first 100 words sticker book is great for first words!
busy board
You will be amazed at the level of concentration your toddler has with this book! It is amazing for play and learning basic buckling skills.
ice cream cart
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.
grocery cart
This grocery cart is is a hit in our house! Finn + Bee love to push it around with the play grocery items.
sled
My absolute favorite sled for toddlers that comes with a back and a buckle.
plaid outfit
How cozy is this plaid outfit for the winter? It also comes blackwatch plaid.
holiday pajamas
These polar express holiday pajamas from Hannah Anderson are sure to be a hit for your little one.
favorite books
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 and diverse books we love
Splurge items 1-2 years
slide
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 it’s 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
the Babbler play kit
All three of my kids loved this Babbler set! Roey would focus so intently on the ball roller and the faces in the friend puzzle, it is a favorite in our house!
push car
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. It’s 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! Comes in pink too!
kitchen helper
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.
Little Partners’ Kids Learning Tower features an adjustable height step stool and comes in a variety of colors.
rocking board
This rocking board is beautiful, FUN, and supports physical development!
bumper car
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)!
Checkout my Amazon store page for stocking stuffer ideas for 1-2 years (includes practical gifts too!)
2-3 years
Gift guide
road set
For your car loves, a road set so the best! This one is more a puzzle you can put together your own road. The blu track has some amazing reviews, and you can make your own roller coaster!
color wonder
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!
working sink!
I am just as amazed by this sink as my toddler! We use it inside (with towels) and out year round! It is a guaranteed hit for any water loving toddler!
wooden rainbow
This wooden rainbow set can be used for stacking, imaginative play, and more. It also looks beautiful on a shelf.
water wow
This Water Wow is the perfect activity for travel and the best part about it is that it doesn’t make a mess! Just add water!
water doodle
This water doodle is a (mostly) mess-free way for your little on to draw and its reusable!
magnetic drawing board
This is a modern day Etch a Sketch that has 4 colors instead of just black and white!
Little People Raceway
The perfect raceway for your little one. The raceway comes with interactive ramps to keep your little one entertained.
Farm Figures
We love Melissa & Doug! This comes with 10 mini farm figures and a cute wooden storage tray.
pop purse
This pop purse is to have your toddler the trendiest at the park!
tea set
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!
vacuum
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? 🙂
Minnie Mouse bow-tel
For your Mickey and Minnie Mouse fans, this bow-tell is sure to be a big hit!
water table
We use our water table year-round! This one is perfect for us because it has enough standing space for multiple children to share.
holiday pajamas
Hannah Anderson makes my favorite holiday pajamas. They also come in sizes for the whole family.
holiday outfits
I love this velour pocket dress and this crewneck sweatshirt (that also has matching pants).
shoes
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. I also love these See Kai Run shoes (also comes in this fun pink).
favorite books
Some of our favorites:
**Check out our Amazon Store for more 2-3 year old favorite books.
Splurge items 2-3 years
magna-tiles
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.
trampoline
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.
scooter
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!
the Problem Solver play kit
I am a big fan of Love Every kits. This play kit is sure to keep your little one entertained and learning for hours
3+ years
Gift guide
color rolls
This color roll provides endless hours of drawing entertainment for your little artist! We use them all the time!
doctor kit
I have had so many boo-boos healed with this doctor kit!
wooden train set
A wood train set is such a staple in our house. So much building and endless play!
doodle board
This doodle board is compact enough to fit in my bag and used constantly when we are on the go! It comes in multiple colors.
board games
Some of our favorites board games:
Lego building sets
Lego building sets have been such a hit in our house lately. They come in a theme for just about everything.
holiday pajamas
Hannah Anderson pajamas are my favorite! They come in the cutest prints. I’m currently loving this tree print this apple print and this Hanukkah print.
holiday outfits
This smocked dress is a favorite and I love these holiday sweaters from Hannah Anderson.
favorite books
Some of my favorite preschool books:
**Check out our Amazon Store for our favorite preschool books.
Splurge items 3+ years
toniebox
The Toniebox may be the it of the season! It is a screen-free audio box that plays music, stories and more (different ones for each character used). It comes with a variety of characters in a pink, red and blue.
Little Tikes Bouncer
This bouncer a life saver for me last winter! Worth every penny!
the Analyst kit
For your young learner, the Analyst kit teaches fractions, fine motor and more through play!
American Girl Doll
I have kept my American Girl dolls from my childhood and can’t wait to pass them on. I love the new Wellie wisher additions like this Kendall doll and this Willa doll.
bike
This bike is not only very adorable, but comes very highly recommended with over 1,000 5 star reviews. Perfect for younger bike riders. If you are looking for your older child, this version grows with them a bit more.
balance beam
Big and little kids alike are going to love this balance beam! It fold up to fit in any space and is a great grow-with-me toy as your child tries out their gymnast skills!
doll house
If a doll house is on your child’s wish list, this one come with thousands of 5 star reviews. For a bit smaller version, try this one.
parent gifts
socks
These Pacas socks are made from alpaca wool and I have never found a more comfortable wear! They have sizes for men, women and kids.
santal scent
If you come to my house, I am sure to have this scent going on the diffuser. Because if my house can’t look put-together at least it can smell that way 🙂 It smells just like a clean hotel room!
diffuser
I love a ceramic diffuser to go with my santal scent. This one comes highly rated!
hydrating body lotion
BeautyCounter lotion is sooo hydrating for these dry winter months and feels like actual butter when you put it on your skin! This is also a great gift for friends who are pregnant to help prevent stretch marks before and after baby! Breastfeeding safe also. Want a smaller option? Try this hand wash & cream set for a gift or for yourself!
initial necklace
Lauren loves this necklace. It is a bit of a splurge, but it is 14K gold and is perfect for everyday wear. I also love this letter necklace that is a bit more budget friendly.
air fryer
I LOVE my air fryer! I am not a big fan of cooking and this air fryer helps quickly make wings, vegetables and more quickly! I highly recommend!
dyson hair dryer
This hair dryer is on my wish list this year. It is defiantly a splurge, but I can use all the extra mom minutes I can get!
Half Baked
Reneé (who is a good cook) loves Half Baked cookbooks. This one just my speed ‘Super Simple.’
always pan
This pan is gorgeous and really can be used for just about everything you make.
men’s half zip
A surge warm half zip is sure to get a lot of use this winter.
quilted jacket
I have been looking at quilted jackets, but didn’t want to over-spend. I love this one from Target.
quilted set
solo stove
My friends just got this solo stove and it is incredible! Perfect quick and easy set-up for your winter campfires.
winter bottle insulator
I LOVE this wine insulator. This one works so well and has a pretty design.
AirPods Pro
If your loved one (or you) are in need of a headphone upgrade, AirPods make a great gift!
YETI cooler
This YETI cooler will be perfect for soccer games in the fall, camping and everything in between.
YETI mug
For your work-from-home coffee lover, this YETI mug makes a great gift.
Out ‘N About boot
I have been searching for boot that that is more like a sneaker (because I’m really not stomping around in the snow a lot). This one looks like the perfect mom winter boot for when you’re out ‘n about!
men’s waterproof boot
If you or your loved one is in need of an upgrade for waterproof bot this winter, I love the look of this men’s waterproof boot.
outdoor research gloves
I am a new fan of Outdoor Research gloves. They are great for everyday wear in the winter, fleece-lined and touchscreen compatible.
Experience Gifts
I love the idea of experience gift for parents! Here are some ideas:
- concern tickets
- comedy show tickets
- staycation
- sports games
grandparent gifts
acrylic frames
These acrylic frames are my go to for gifts for grandparents – for all those professional photos that sit on your phone! They look super expensive, but they are very affordable! I have them decorated on my mantle and all over my house.. The frames come in 5 x 7 and 8 x 10.
canvas print
When the grandparents in your life just want more pictures, try this canvas print. And if they are doing more puzzles these days, they will love a picture puzzle of your family! You can take it easy on them with a 60 piece puzzle or go as high as 1,014! I gave picture puzzles to my family last year and they framed them!
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
**bumblebaby makes a small commission on the items listed above.
**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
