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Gift Ideas for Toddler & Preschool Boys
45
items Many of these are tried and true recs we LOVE. Some are items we have on our own wish list for this year.
Sections
6
Holiday
Pretend Play & Dress Up
Building
Toys
Art & Sensory
Games & Books
Holiday
We’re so excited to add this sequel to our rotation this winter! I already received it, and it’s almost as cute as the first!
The Little Ghost Quilt's Winter Surprise
A mouse tried to move into the crèche and learns the true meaning of Christmas
Mortimer's Christmas Manger by Wilson & Chapman
A fun but reusable advent calendar!
Melissa & Doug Countdown to Christmas Wooden Advent Calendar - Magnetic Tree, 25 Magnets
I missed out on this last year before it sold out. Excited to play with it during the holiday season this year!
Melissa & Doug Pink Wooden Gingerbread House Reusable, Mess-Free Play Set Activity for Boys and Girls
Pretend Play & Dress Up
Each kid wants a sword and shield set from Sarah’s Silks. They’re made of soft foam and come in gorgeous colors
Silky Soft Swords & Shields
Capes are great for flexible sizing and love that this one is reversible. This was my son’s second Halloween costume, and we’re still playing with it!
Great Pretenders Reversible Dragon/Knight Cape S/M
These would be a great replacement for the running sink we used to have outside (which broke way too often…)
Simmer & Stir Stovetop Play Set with Color Changing Water WOW!
This is hands down the most popular pretend toy at every party. So many different ages play with it, it really grows with them!
Melissa & Doug Wooden Scoop and Serve Ice Cream Counter With Play Food and Accessories - 28pc: Pretend Kitchen Playset
In my experience like things that are a little gross. So they love this. It even includes stick on cavities 🥲
Melissa & Doug Super Smile Dentist Kit With Pretend Play Set of Teeth And Dental Accessories (25 Toy Pieces)
Another big pretend play hit
Melissa & Doug Pet Vet Play Set, 24-Piece
The fake beard is sending me 😭
Melissa & Doug Barber Shop Pretend Play Set Shaving Toy for Boys and Girls Ages 3+
One of our most-used pretend play items. I like these over the Christmas cookie version for year-round play.
Melissa & Doug Slice and Bake Wooden Cookie Play Food Set
Kids LOVE to pretend cook with pasta
Melissa & Doug Prepare & Serve Pasta Play Food Set
Building
Would be a great addition to building and sand play
Guidecraft Little Bricks 60 pc Builders Set
We recently discovered hot wheel cars can go through here as well! There are some fun accessory packs as well.
Air Toobz - Best Building & Construction for Ages 3 to 7
This is the one official accessory pack we don’t have for air toobz, and she’d love it!
Air Toobz Whirlwind Accessory Pack STEM Toy
Im considering getting these for him because they go with our unit blocks, but don’t get knocked down as easily, which can be a big frustration for our two year old :)
48 pc. Beginner Notch Block Set (step 1)
A great introduction to Clixo. All being one size makes them easy to store and transport too.
Clixo Tiny & Mighty: Educational Magnetic Building Sets for Creative Thinking and Fine Motor Skills
I already know he loved Clixo, and I love it as well for being light and easy to manage. This set with the addition of wheels would make a big difference in the play we get out of them!
Expedition Bundle
New this year! This is such a great addition to any magnetic tile collection.
CONNETIX Magnetic Tiles Bright Portal Pack 48pc
These are a big hit at our house!
Plus-Plus® Learn to Build BIG Activity Set
These are a great intro to unit blocks, which are perfectly proportioned so each shape fits together perfectly. If your kid gets really into them, they will work with add ons from any other unit block brand (everwood friends and guidecraft, to name a...
Melissa & Doug Standard Unit Solid-Wood Building Blocks With Wooden Storage Tray (60 pcs)
Toys
Big. Plastic. And worth it, I fear. My kids use this for cars and also as slides for their little animals.
Fisher-Price Little People Hot Wheels Stunt Track
The coordinating stepping stones are our most-used outdoor toys, and these would be a great addition.
Flower Balance Board Stepping Stones for Kids
These are 100% worth the hype. We usually keep ours outside - they’re used as stepping stones, for the floor is lava, seats to play in the yard and as bowls. We have both sets!
Balance Stepping Stones
This would be a combo of cars + people + doctor which are all at the top of his list right now
Playmobil Ambulance with 3 Figures & Accessories
This is such a fun, open-ended toy for any kid that loves playing with cars. Hot wheels can go two at a time or monster trucks can ride down the middle
Blu Track Classic 15 Ft Starter Set
On our wish list this year!!
Bluey Chikit Pretend Camera Toy for Kids
Art & Sensory
The stickers are on one side and the page is on the other, repeat across the entire book. A mom made these after being annoyed that all the stickers are usually in one section of the book. This really does make a difference.
Cupkin Pirate Sticker Book for Kids, 300+ Stickers
Also great with light tables!
Ribee 10Pcs Mini Magnetic People Figures
Usually I try to avoid characters, but as far as I know these are the only sticker books like these sold in a multi pack. The key is that the sheet that holds the stickers is attached to the binding. Their other ones are great but once you lose the c...
Melissa & Doug PAW Patrol Puffy Stickers 3-Pack
These grow so well with your child! They can be play food, make chains, and then make more elaborate things like dress up as they get older. The downside is them getting dumped on the ground.
Learning Resources Link 'N' Learn Links - 500 Pc
Our favorite for “special baths”
Glo Pals Water-Activated Light-Up Cubes 12pk
Super smooth and mesmerizing - a mix between play dough and kinetic sand
Mad Mattr Blue 10oz - Soft, Moldable Dough
These are our all-time favorite crayons, and Christmas is the right time for a refreshed set!
Smooth Stix Watercolor Gel Crayons - Set of 24
I think these would be more portable and waste less paper than the larger version of this we currently have
Melissa & Doug Mini Sketch Pad 6x9, 3-Pack
My son is getting this for Christmas - love that it’s art but also mess free
Melissa & Doug Rainbow Cord Picture Maker
Their very own water color set
ARTISTRO Watercolor Set with Metallic & Fluorescent Paints, Brushes, Paper & Markers
Games & Books
This is a fun way to introduce children to different jobs. It’s also fun to see how things have changed since this book was written.
Richard Scarry's What Do People Do All Day?
What will Alan do when he loses his teeth?
Alan's Big, Scary Teeth: Jarvis
One of my favs from childhood too
Alexander and the Terrible No Good Day Game
This book is a tinyyyy bit gross, which makes kids love it
The Three Billy Goats Gruff - Barnett, Mac, Klassen
Books with real pictures of animals are a big hit lately!
Zoology: Inside the Secret World of Animals by DK, Hardcover
Look and Find books are great, but make sure the book you buy has pictures of what the kids should be finding and not just a written list! The Usborne 1,001 Things to Spot series fits the bill
1001 Things to Spot in the Sea - by Katie Daynes (Hardcover)
Hoping this is a game they can enjoy and play independently - will report back!
Shut the Box Variant - Gigglescape(TM): Educational Math Game for 1-2 Players with Instructions, 20 Min Play