Toddler Gift Guide

Christmas with toddlers is THE best. Each year, Finn understands the holiday more and more, and this year is the most excited he’s been. He’s been asking “is it Christmas tomorrow?” for a month. He’s also totally caught on to the whole Santa-is-a-guy-who-brings-you-presents thing, because he says “tell Santa I want this” ten times a week.

Last year, Santa went hog-wild. (We’ll blame it on him, anyway.) And between my parents and ourselves, Finn was spoiled rotten. This year, we decided to game-plan early on and make a conscious effort to scale back. Though, in collecting this gift guide of things we’ve purchased for him, I’m beginning to wonder just how successful we were at setting limits.

Still, here are the things that Finn will find under the tree–gifts from Momma and Mommy, Elias, Mimi and Pops, and Santa. I worked to find things that I really think he will play with regularly–and toys that will allow him to have lots of imaginary play, which he loves.

Also, I’m not doing a list for Elias because, if we’re being honest, he will probably get lots of Finn’s old baby toys for Christmas. Sorry, kid. We’ll do better by you next year, once you’re no longer a clueless, drooling (albeit smiley) little blob.

Finn’s Christmas loot:

1. Learning Resources Color Bug Catcher

I saw this on Instagram and thought it was the perfect educational game for a toddler. Finn loves bugs, and I love everything by Learning Resources!

2. Dino Egg Dig Kit

I scored a good deal on this on Amazon. Finn loves dinos, breaking stuff open, and anything hands-on. So, I think these will be fun for him, and we can do 2 or 3 at a time.

3. Melissa & Doug Wooden Blocks

I was worried that Finn was too old for wooden blocks and that we’d missed the boat on that one. However, after asking around, lots of moms said that their block sets were well-loved for many years. This is a great basic set. I saw a friend’s kid playing with it recently, and the blocks are large and sturdy.

4. Hape Wooden Railway Busy City Set

Finn got a train table and lots of accessories for his birthday a year ago, and he plays with his trains every single day. Lately, he spends at least an hour every evening playing with his tracks. This set is the exact same one they have for kids to play with at the toy store in our ‘hood, and Finn loves it. He said “I don’t have bridges like this!” So, kiddo, you’re getting your bridges.

5. Thomas Mini Train Case

We got him the Thomas mini train advent calendar this year, which means he will acquire 25 new trains and need somewhere to store them. This case is cute and cheap–win, win! Mommas like anything that keeps toys organized.

6. Little Pretender Karaoke Machine

If you follow us on Insta, you know how much Finn loves music–and always has. He sings and dances every night before bed. I think he will get a kick out of being able to ham it up, singing his favorite tunes, with this toddler-friendly karaoke set.

7. Bruder Tow Truck

It just wouldn’t be Christmas if Finn didn’t get something with wheels. Honestly, every time I’ve asked him what Santa should bring him, he’s said some sort of truck. When we saw Santa at the mall this past weekend, Finn told him he wanted a “crane,” by which I’m pretty sure he meant a tow truck. Last Christmas, he got the Bruder fire truck, and it’s one of his favorite toys. Despite the fact that he needs another truck like he needs a hole in the head, we want to give him something that we know he will be uber excited about, and Bruder trucks are really well made. He is going to lose his little toddler mind when he sees this under the tree, and isn’t that the point?

 

 

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