Toddler Gift Guide

Updated November 2024

Looking for a gift that your kiddo will continue to play with year after year? Take a look at some of my toddlers' favorite things that have stood the test of time. All the toys in this list are things that were purchased a year ago or more that my children still plays with regularly. I've even re-purchased several for friends and family! I'm a big fan of imaginative play and things that grow with my child. I want their gifts to be used for longer than a few weeks. If that fits what you're looking for, read on!

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1 - Fisher Price Little People Farm - I got this as a gift for my oldest's first birthday, and both of my kids (currently ages 1 & 4) will still sit and play happily with their Little People Farm. Like many other Fisher Price toys, this one has 3 different "Stage" settings. Each setting is geared towards a developmental level. I typically prefer toys that don't require batteries or make noise, but it really is something that has grown with my daughter - from dropping the animals down the chute to see what happens to now incorporating it in her imaginative playscapes.

2 - Melissa and Doug Animal Magnets - We love all things Melissa and Doug! I am a big fan of these magnets because the magnet takes us the entire shape of the animal, so no small magnets popping off and becoming a choking hazard. These are especially great for entertaining both of my children while I'm cooking! They have several other shapes, like dinosaurs and letters. We have the letter set as well now that Kinsley is older, but keep in mind some of the lowercase letters are on the smaller side.

3 - Animal Figurines (Realistic | Cartoon) - As I mentioned, I'm a big fan of imaginative play and my kids are too! Kinsley has always played pretend with her little figurines more than any other toy we own. These make great stocking stuffers, or find a multi-pack and wrap them up! Thrift stores may be a good place to keep an eye out for these as well. My parents still had several Schliech brand figurines in their basement from when my sisters and I were kids, which I used as potty prizes for Kinsley.

4 - Ride-On Pirate Ship- We got this for Ryder last year when he was just learning to stand up. I'm not exaggerating when I say it has been used every day since. Before he could walk, he could pull up on it. Now he rides it, climbs on it, and jumps off it. Sometimes it's a chair. Sometimes big sis pushes him around the living room. Sometimes she uses it as a ship when playing pretend. I love that, unlike other toddler ride-on toys, this can grow with them and become an actual playset (although even at 4, Kinsley is still small enough to ride on it!).

5 - Pots & Pans - What baby doesn't love playing with Tupperware, pots, and pans?! We got Kinsley a set of her own cookware long before we ever got her pretend food or a play kitchen. She's always loved sticking things inside them, using them as drums, and trying to copy what mama is doing in the kitchen. Now that she's a preschooler, and we've added some groceries and a kitchen, she's still using the same set to "make" all kinds of pretend goodies.

6 - Stroller - We gifted Kinsley a stroller when I was pregnant with Ryder, and this little thing has gotten a lot of miles on it. I think it really helped with transition from her being the baby to having another baby - she got to take her baby on neighborhood walks in the stroller just like mommy! Be warned, though, when baby number 2 gets bigger, he will definitely start demanding sissy push him around in the baby doll stroller! 😂

7 - Busy Bear Books - Great for toddlers who are able to be gentle with books! We get these from the library, and I've never seen my almost 2 year-old sit still and play with a book for so long.

8 - Magnatiles - Is there a toddler gift guide out there that doesn't have this staple on it? We snagged these similar Picasso Tiles when they were on sale and have since bought multiple sets. The creative possibilities of this toy are endless, and I fully anticipate them getting lots more use for years to come.

9 - Art Supplies (Stamps | Markers | Puffy Stickers) - Another great stocking stuffer item! Pick a few items you might not have and grow their art supply collection! Puffy stickers are also a HUGE hit with both of my kids. The set I linked was purchased for a road trip, and they kept Ryder (barely 18 months at the time) entertained for over 30 minutes. I love that even his little fingers are able to peel these off on his own. You can't go wrong with art supplies.

10 - Play Kitchen - This was a splurge gift for us, as I'm sure it would be for many of you. It was something we saved for that I feel was totally worth it. One of her favorite activities is "cook dinner for you" in which I sit on her bed and she cooks up and serves me a pretend feast. It's so much fun to watch her imagination work! If you don't have the money or space for something like this, I absolutely love this super affordable DIY idea from PrintableCuttableCreatables.com!