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Home / Gift Guide
Gift Guide

 The Best Holiday Gifts for Toddlers and Young Children

By Dobrina Zhekova on November 18, 2020

Few activities are as sweet as shopping for children’s gifts this time of year.

© Matthieu Spohn/Getty Images

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Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.

The holidays are nearly here, which can often mean scrambling to find the best “it” item for the children on your list. However, this year, instead of going with what’s trendy, why not give them a luxurious gift that will last a lifetime? Here are a few gifts that kids will appreciate and still cherish long into adulthood.

Related: Travel-Inspired Activities for a Day at Home With the Kids

 
Courtesy Neiman Marcus

Asweets Kid’s Ball Pit

Gift your child with his or her personal ball pit this holiday season and watch their face light up with happiness. This one is about 38-inches in diameter and 16-inches high so it’s ideal for babies and toddlers. The ball pit is covered in soft jersey-knit for added safety.

To buy: $180, neimanmarcus.com

Courtesy Bambini Fashion

Meri Meri Crocodile Scarf

How cute is this crocodile scarf?! Kids don’t really carry a lot about their winter accessories but this one is a different story. It is made from soft organic cotton and is long enough to keep your little one warm and cozy this winter.

To buy: $74, bambinifashion.com

Courtesy Bambini Fashion

Little Hotdog Watson Reindeer Print Deerstalker

Keep your toddler warm and cozy this winter with this adorable winter hat that sports an all-over reindeer print and cute ears. It is a must-have accessory if you’re headed for a family ski vacation in the mountains.

To buy: $128, bambinifashion.com

Courtesy Stella McCartney

Stella McCartney Kids Weather Backpack

Whether you are heading to the playground or daycare, this fun mini backpack will come in handy. It’s big enough to fit small toys or snacks and it has playful fringe detailing at the front.

To buy: $130, stellamccartney.com

https://www.stellamccartney.com/us/stella-mccartney-kids/shoes-accessories_cod11876128hk.html

Courtesy Scully & Scully

Sterling Silver Girl's Brush & Comb Set

Treat your little princess to this beautiful brush and comb set truly fit for royalty. Both are meticulously handmade in England from sterling silver. The hairbrush can be engraved with three initials to make the gift even more special. Both items come packaged in an elegant presentation box.

To buy: $475, scullyandscully.com

Courtesy Pottery Barn Kids

Shaped Dino Sleeping Bag

Naptime got a whole lot more fun. Your little one will love sliding into this fun Dino Sleeping Bag whether it’s at daycare or your house. It is warm and lightly padded for added comfort and sports spikes and a tail. Don’t forget to personalize it with your child’s name.

To buy: $129, potterybarnkids.com

Courtesy Olliella

Olli Ella Rattan Strolley

This beautiful stroller turns into a trolley just by flipping its lid. Your little one will love pushing around dolls in it or helping you carry flowers from the farmer’s market. You can also replace the handle with a longer one to accommodate your growing child. The basket’s steel frame is wrapped in natural hand-woven rattan that looks so pretty.

To buy: $135, olliella.com

Courtesy The Tot

Guidecraft Foundation Train Set

This 155-piece set is perfect for developing your child’s fine motor skills and, of course, willingness to share since this is a set that would ideally require the efforts and time of at least two little builders. It is made from smooth sanded beech wood and rubberwood with plastic roadway clips.   

To buy: $350, thetot.com

Courtesy Wundernook

WunderNook Classic + Collection

Encourage your kids’ creativity and pretend-play with this modular building system that can be transformed into eight clever creations including a lemonade stand, a puppet theater, and a play kitchen. The wood panels can be easily assembled into structures and thanks to the additional accessories that come in the kit such as fabric panels, handles, tote bags, and more, kids as young as three years old can start developing their problem solving and collaboration skills.

To buy: $670, wundernook.com

Courtesy Maisonette

E&E Teepees Emma Teepee

This beautiful teepee in blush pink is crafted from Pima cotton and features playful ruffles and a circle opening. It requires no assembly and can easily be moved from one room to another—just fold it like an umbrella. It’s a beautiful gift that not only adds a whimsical element to your little one’s room but he or she will absolutely love spending time in it playing and reading books. Add a few cushions to it to make it even more inviting.

To buy: $250, maisonette.com

Courtesy Burton

The Burton Throwback Snowboard

Before your children are old enough to learn how to snowboard, they’ll enjoy sitting down and riding Burton’s Throwback Snowboard. It has a classic snowboard shape with a slightly longer nose designed for more control and stability on any terrain. Use it in your backyard or in the park as soon as the first snow arrives. It can accommodate toddlers and children weighing not more than 55 lbs.

To buy: $150, burton.com

Courtesy McLaren

McLaren Senna Electric Toy Car

This year, McLaren launched a cool kids version of its Senna supercar. The mini replica is powered by an electric motor that also features a working brake with brake light function. Butterfly doors and an infotainment system with a USB device and SD card input option complement the car.

To buy: $582, available at McLaren dealerships

Courtesy Crate & Barrel

Camp Wandawega Plush Canoe

This plush canoe will inspire a lot of fun make-believe rides before the weather actually allows you to go on a real adventure. 

It is made from plush cotton canvas that’s so comfy your child may just hang out in it and read books or play with his or her other toys.

To buy: $279, crateandbarrel.com

Courtesy Little Passports

Little Passports Subscription

Little Passports inspires curiosity in children through travel-inspired subscription boxes. It is the Christmas gift that will keep on giving all year long—one that will teach your toddler about the planet and the cultural differences and traditions of people around the world.

In the first month, your child will receive a beautiful suitcase, a wall-sized world map, a luggage tag, and stickers. From then on, every month will bring a new package full of fun games, toys, activity booklets, letters, and photos dedicated to a single theme such as world music, oceans, or dinosaurs.

To buy: $240/year, littlepassports.com

Courtesy Neiman Marcus

Melissa & Doug 30-Key Mini Grand Piano

Encourage your little one to experiment with playing the piano (and add an elegant accent to their room) with this mini version of a classic piano. Similar to the real instrument, it has a lifting top and beautifully designed hardwood legs. The mini piano has thirty keys and color-coded note markers and comes with an equally stylish bench.

To buy: $140, neimanmarcus.com

Courtesy Maisonette

Liliput Play Homes Retro Camper

Sure, a playhouse is fun but you know what’s more fun? A huge playhouse camper parked in your backyard! It’s inspired by 1960s campers and sports a customizable license plate, faux luggage, and retro metallic trim. But it gets even better on the inside—with checkerboard flooring, mini kitchen, and a window seat bench, your child will be absolutely thrilled.

To buy: $9,649, maisonnette.com

Courtesy Maisonette

Little Tokyobike

This beautifully-made bike will immediately put a smile on any toddler. It has two brakes and removable training wheels to help your child with balance. The wide tires provide more stability when riding on rough surfaces while the handle has been designed so parents can easily lift the bike. And as your child grows, you can adjust the saddle’s height. We love the mint color that’s perfect for both boys and girls.

To buy: $315, maisonette.com

Courtesy Saks Fifth Avenue

Steiff Franzy Riding Pony

From the company that pioneered soft toys back in 1880, this cute rocking pony will entertain your little one for a very long time. It has a sturdy steel frame dressed in cuddly soft woven fur. This Steiff riding pony is definitely built to last and it might as well turn into one of those family heirlooms passed down from generation to generation.

To buy: $545, saksfifthavenue.com

Courtesy Saks Fifth Avenue

Roberto Coin Disney's 'Frozen 2' x Roberto Coin Deluxe Diamond Doll Set

This is a very special doll set of which there are only two produced. It features Elsa, Anna, and Olaf from Disney’s Frozen 2 donning some serious sparkle. Anna’s necklace and hair comb are made from 18-karat yellow gold and are set with yellow and orange sapphires while Elsa’s necklace is crafted in white gold and is embellished with amethyst and green tourmaline. Olaf too has been outfitted with a few precious stones—diamonds, to be exact, set in 18-karat white gold.

To buy: $30,000, saksfifthavenue.com

Courtesy Saks Fifth Avenue

Hape Toys Deluxe Scientific Workbench Set

For the curious toddler, this inventor's workbench contains over ten different experiments that will get him or her on the way to learning key scientific principles. Your child will spend hours constructing cranes, connecting different types of mechanisms, and using tools that develop his/her STEAM skills.

To buy: $120, saksfifthavenue.com

Courtesy Neiman Marucs

UGG Fluff Yeah Slide Sandal

Any little one who slides into these fluffy, stylin' sandals is sure to be ready to cozy up for wintertime. 

To buy: neimanmarcus.com, $65

Courtesy Saks Fifth Avenue

Kingart 110-Piece Select Series Art & Graphic Collection

Your little one will put all of these pencils to work as soon as he/she unwraps the gift. This impressive Kingart set features 110 pieces of art supplies including regular and watercolor pencils. That’s a great way to encourage your child’s creativity and introduce them to new painting techniques. The set comes in a beautiful wooden box that also serves as storage.

To buy: $121, saksfiftahvenue.com

 

Courtesy MoMA Design Store

Cheerios Book

This will be your child’s favorite breakfast book. Why breakfast you may ask? Well, the book consists of pictures that have to be completed by adding real dry Cheerios to them. Think mice with Cheerios glasses, fish with Cheerios bubbles, and Teddy Bears with Cheerios buttons. Basically, your toddler’s fun is guaranteed.

To buy: $8, moma.org

 

Courtesy MoMA Design Store

Kids’ Forest Table & Chairs Set

This cute table and chairs will encourage your toddler to spend some time playing by him/herself and putting his/her creativity to work. The table has a storage compartment, perfect for toys or art supplies, that is topped off with a chalkboard panel. The animal-inspired chairs—a bunny and a bear—will make your child love his/her new “play corner” even more.

To buy: $189, moma.org

 

Berg Toys 17' In-Ground Grand Champion Oval Trampoline with Safety Net

Your little one will get some exercise and have so much fun with this in-ground trampoline while you can have peace of mind that he/she is safely doing so. 

The Berg Champion is designed to sit only about four inches above the ground and as your child will not need a ladder to get in there it is a lot safer than normal trampolines. The AirFlow mat actually allows for easier and higher jumps because it permeates 50 percent more air. And higher jumps mean more fun for your toddler.

To buy: $1,600, amazon.com

 

Courtesy Neiman Marcus

Gucci Stripe Knit Baby Blanket with GG Embroidery

Keep your bundle of joy warm and cozy in this chic striped Gucci blanket. It is crafted from cotton and has ribbed edges. It will definitely come in handy to new parents who may need an extra blanket for the baby’s stroller.

To buy: $460, neimnamarcus.com

 

Courtesy Bed Bath & Beyond

Zinc Flyte Kids Luggage Scooter 18" Carry-on

Traveling may not be the most fun activity for toddlers but this cool carry-on-slash-scooter will change this. The suitcase has plenty of space for all of their essentials—you can even pack them together—and has a tough but bouncy surface to resist impact. And now, about the fun part—the scooter. It features a safe tilt ‘n lean steering system and when it’s not in use, it folds away and locks securely in place.

To buy: $56, bedbathandbeyond.com

Courtesy The Tot

Tender Leaf Toys Kitchen Range

It’s never too early to teach your kids to love cooking. And this fully stocked mini kitchen range is the first step. It has a microwave with a clacking dial and a plate rack, an oven with a shelf and a four-ring hob, a blackboard for grocery lists, and so many kitchen supplies and dinnerware pieces.

To buy: $250, thetot.com

Courtesy The Tot

Little Lights Space Rocket Lamp

For the budding astronaut, this rocket lamp by family-owned and operated company, Little Lights, will surely add a touch of otherworldly charm to his/her room and encourage them to dream big. The light is handmade from natural and durable pinewood and uses LED lights. It has a dimmer and a switch on the cord.

To buy: $220, thetot.com

Courtesy Saks Fifth Avenue

Ralph Lauren Baby Boy's 2-Piece Down Jacket & Bunting Bag Set

It’s a jacket! No, it’s a bunting bag! Well, it’s actually both. This down two-piece set is a winter must-have for parents of young children. The jacket has a detachable hood, two patch pockets, while the bunting bag attaches to it with the help of a few buttons.

To buy: $155, saksfifthavenue.com

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