When Christmas shopping for babies and toddlers, there are so many things to consider — safety, age-appropriateness, level of entertainment, sound, color and usefulness for keeping kids quiet (especially for parents who work from home). The task can feel overwhelming. But, you’re in luck. This gift guide, specific for babies and toddlers, features interactive games to promote creativity and development, mess-free art, a rocker and Elmo as a plush toy with an accompanying flashlight to brighten up every night. The following eight toys cater to newborns and up, which will hopefully make your to-do list a little shorter and leave more time for important things.
Food for thought. Curious toddlers can delight in a crochet vegetable rattle and board book, which is available at Seed Factory, about visiting the farmer’s market. It’s intentional that all four rattles — corn, tomato, carrot and eggplant— are made with organic yarn, which is a nod to produce and things often found at farmer’s market. There’s a canvas bag to store these toys which doubles as a snack bag in real life. $48. 1100 Howell Mill Road NW, Atlanta. 404-355-2043, seedfactoryatlanta.com.
Credit: Handout
Credit: Handout
Hungry for more? Encourage your child’s creativity and ability to tell a story using an interactive tile game called The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Children can create a 3D caterpillar or rearrange tiles to help with counting, color association and identifying shapes, food, animals and more using over a dozen large square tiles. Putting the tiles together is a piece of cake, which happens to be one of the food images, too. Best for ages 3 and up. $39.95, createon.com.
Credit: Handout
Credit: Handout
Creative arts. When Baby Shark meets Crayola, they create a Color Wonder Mess Free coloring book and markers. While this set keeps kids entertained, especially if Baby Shark is their background music, parents can relax knowing the markers only work on the magic paper, not skin, clothing or carpets. Best for ages 3 and up. $7.99. Toddlers like to touch things so this Christmas give them free rein with the EasyClean Finger Paint Station, which allows them to paint on a paper locked in place. In the happenstance a little (or a lot) of paint gets outside the station, cleanup is easy since the paint is washable. Best for ages 1 and up. $19.99, shop.crayola.com.
Credit: Handout
Credit: Handout
Mold and shape. Kids can get creative with all-natural plant-based colorful jars of dough from The Dough Projects. Each batch is made with organic wheat flour, sea salt, cream of tartar and vegetable oil; color comes from a variety of sources, including beets, purple carrots and turmeric, making it chemical-free. As yummy as the ingredients may sound and the life-like food items that kiddos may make, it’s best they wait for edible food during snack time. Best for ages 3 and up. Available as a three, six or nine pack. $19.99-$59.97, thedoughproject.com.
Credit: Handout
Credit: Handout
Bedtime buddy. Little ones can feel safe and sound snuggling up with a soft Bedtime Elmo, who wears his favorite glow in the dark pajamas. And, in case your toddler hears something bump in the night, Elmo’s friendly face flashlight makes things bright. Best for ages 1 and up. $34.99. walmart.com.
Melody making. Babies love to be stimulated, and an interactive grow-with-me mat does the trick for years. Opt for the Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick and Play Piano Gym to keep baby engrossed in activities such as lay and play or tummy time; during the toddler stage, they can explore songs, colors, shapes and numbers. The piano features real notes, so kids can play Christmas jingles or just bang on the toy to make their own version of music. Best for newborns to 36 months. $39.99, target.com.
Rock with it. Hop up and hang on to a plush elephant rocker from Pottery Barn, which features wood handles and runners for a secure yet gentle rocking motion. Plan to keep this, and pass it down for a rocking good time for generations to come. Customize by adding the child’s name on the bottom wooden panel. Best for ages 18 to 36 months. Rocker, $149; with personalization, $161, potterybarnkids.com.
