Buying holiday gifts for little ones is pretty easy, but everyone is going to buy them the latest and greatest toy (or if they’re super-practical, socks and underwear). These gifts are a little quirkier than your standard toddler and preschooler fare.
‘Star Trek’ bodysuit
Trekkies who have toddlers will love these little bodysuits inspired by Star Trek: The Next Generation. Adorable and geeky, Trekkie kids will be the only ones wearing these at the next family gathering — we hope. (ThinkGeek, $20)
Tangram set
This giant foam building block set, known as a tangram, is perfect for older babies and toddlers. Tangrams consist of seven shapes that can be assembled into larger shapes. They’re good for little brains and cooperative play with parents as well. (Fat Brain Toys, $29)
Hide ‘n’ Squeak Eggs
These squeaking eggs will be loved by kids and parents alike. Moms and dads will love that they don’t need batteries. And the peep noises made by the eggs aren’t loud and obnoxious. Score! (Amazon, $13)
Felt pizza set
Check out this super-cute felt pizza from Melissa & Doug. Not only does it come with 40 pieces of foodstuffs to decorate a pizza, it comes with a cardboard pizza box for “delivery.” Where was this when we were kids?! (Amazon, $15)
Connectagons
This toy, called Connectagons, is geared toward the older end of this age set (recommended for ages 4 and up), but it’s a really cool concept that helps kids develop some pretty important skills, including spatial relations and creativity. (Hearth Song, $30)
Cthulhu hopper ball
This modern-day twist on an old classic toy gets a Lovecraftian makeover in the form of a Cthulhu hopper ball. (ThinkGeek, $40)
Sit ‘n Spin
There’s something almost quirky about a toy that doesn’t take batteries but instead runs purely on toddler power. The classic Sit ‘n Spin toy is the perfect example and a good gift for parents with a toddler who needs to burn off some energy (basically all toddlers). (Amazon, $20)
Ickle Baby Bot
Lush is well known for its bath bombs, but did you know they make one specifically for little ones? The Ickle Baby Bot was created to provide a soothing nighttime bath for restless babies and toddlers. (Lush, $5)
Plush DNA
You can buy any old stuffed animal for a small child and they’ll likely adore it. So why not throw something sciency into their collection? This plush DNA (yes, really) is just right for little hands and can be a teaching tool when they’re older. (Amazon, $12)
‘Star Wars’ tees
If you know that “S” is for Star Wars, then these stylish toddler tees are right up your alley. (ThinkGeek, $15 each)
Balloon dog night-light
Kids love night lights, and there’s good news: They’ve come a loooong way since we were little. This balloon dog night-light is sure to please kiddos who love a little interactive action (a squeeze of this guy’s paw, and he’ll glow for 30 minutes). (Uncommon Goods, $25)
Nesting utensils
These utensils are frankly adorable and perfect for little ones. When not in use, the bunny hugs the carrot, and yes, we’re in love. (Amazon, $12)
Cleaning playset
This six-piece cleaning playset is great for little boys and girls alike, and it’s different than many similar items, as it’s made out of wood and includes a storage stand. Now, children can clean, then they can clean up their cleaning toys. (Amazon, $21)
Swinging nook
This indoor/outdoor personal nook is a really nice, thoughtful gift for a young child. It comes in a few different colors, and it also comes in “duck,” which actually has feet. Sweet. (Amazon, $55)
Fizzy tub colors
If the tiny tot on your shopping list is a little resistant to bath time, these color tablets will probably change all that. (Walmart, $5)
Leave a Comment