Toddlers can be tricky to shop for. Between finding age-appropriate toys, not wanting too much technology and screens, and the fact that they can love something one week and be totally over it the next, they can have you running in circles during the holiday shopping season. I decided to put together this gift guide to, hopefully, help out some fellow gift-givers who are looking for ideas for girls ages 2-4 years old. This guide is full of either things that my girls Nia (2) and Skyler (4) already have and adore, or items that are on their wish lists for Santa this year.
Disclaimer: Please be sure to check the age recommendation on the linked items and only purchase what you are comfortable with. Quite a few of these toys have an age recommendation of 3+; however, there are two ways that I tackle this for my 2-year-old (please feel free to do the same when shopping for your own little ones or suggest it to the parents if the kiddo is not yours). Firstly, know the child who you’re shopping for and how they tend to treat their toys. If they are a “put all the things in their mouth” type of kid, maybe try to stick with the age recommendations. If you don’t know, always heir on the side of caution. Secondly (and this one mostly applies to shopping for your own children), I often remove items from the toy that may be a chocking hazard, such as doll accessories or shoes, and put them away for the child to play with when they are older or under close supervision.
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- Arts and Crafts Library: Like many little ones, my girls LOVE arts and crafts (no idea where they get that from). Kid Made Modern was actually a gift suggestion from a friend who has children the same ages as my girls and who also love crafts. According to her, she sits them down, opens the box, and allows them to entertain themselves for what feels like hours. There are small pieces to this one, but there is plenty that the kids can do independently.
- Highlights Magazine Subscription: Subscriptions are the gift that keeps on giving since they will receive a new issue for each month of the length of the subscription. Plus, who doesn’t have nostalgia about Highlights magazines? It’s so neat that they have different magazines based on age group to ensure that the content and “readability” is age appropriate.
- Black & Decker Toy Tool Set: While this gift may not seem as “girly” as you would think, my girls are also obsessed with building and fixing things (they also may have gotten that from mama). They really get a kick out of using these tools that look just like Mom’s/Dad’s/Grandpa’s, and I love encouraging that curiosity as a fellow girl who loves tools.
- Classic Jewelry Box with Jewelry: This particular classic style jewelry box (which Santa may or may not be dropping at our house this year), and comes with a necklace and bracelet.
- Wooden Baking and Cookie Set: This item comes as a bundle, and is great for kids who like to help out in the kitchen! As with all Melissa & Doug wooden toys, the quality is wonderful.
- Wooden Tea Set: We’ve had many tea parties with this set, and it still looks as good as new (another Melissa & Doug gem).
- Remote Control Car: This is a great one for hand-eye coordination, and your toddler will love learning to make it do tricks. The easy charging might land this one under our tree this year.
- Kids Guitar/Ukulele: Kids love making “music”, and the more like the “real thing” their instruments look, the better!
- Indoor Garden Kit: The science and life lesson of growing something from a seed and actually using the “finished” product is a great one that a small indoor garden can teach a toddler. Plus, this one grows “pizza” herbs, perfect for your pizza-lover.
- Board Puzzles: What I love about these puzzles is that the set of 4 comes with 2 puzzles with larger pieces, and 2 with smaller pieces. The larger pieces are great for a 3-year-old (or 2, if your kid is a puzzle wiz), and they can graduate to the smaller puzzles.
- Little People House: You will get almost as much of a kick out of watching your little one’s imaginative play with this doll house as the child gets out of playing with it. I love that this is a buildable gift since you can always add more people, buildings, vehicles, and accessories.
- “Goodnight Coney” Doll: This doll from the show, Cry Babies, is at the top of Skyler’s list for the guy in the red suit this year. This is an interactive doll whose face lights up.
- Bluey House: This is similar to the Little People house, but Bluey is all the rage (it’s actually a cute show on Disney Jr… If you haven’t watched it with your kiddos, you should).
- Potato Toss Game: This game is similar to the “Hot Potato” game that you probably played as a child. It does require at least 2 players, but if more than 1 kid is present, it is a game they can play independently (aka, break for parent).
- VTech Write and Learn Center: While this is, technically, a tech toy, it allows children to work on writing letters and numbers and also just doodle until their little hearts are content.
- “The World Needs Who You were Made to Be” Book: This recent release authored by Joanna Gaines is just the sweetest book that teaches children to appreciate what makes them (and others) different. A message that is truly needed!
- Radio Flyer Scooter: This scooter is sturdy, excellently made, and can grow with your child. Don’t forget safety gear!
- Doc McStuffins Doctor Bag and Tools: It’s a fact that kids think they are mini-doctors, so of course they need the tools for the job! Bonus: I feel like these tools helped the girls feel more comfortable at the real doctor’s office, especially when it’s time for shots!
- Our Generation 18″ Doll: While I’m counting down the days until I can trust Skyler with an American Girl doll, this Target version is just as cute and would not give me as bad of a heart attack if the hair was turned into a birds nest (parents of girls with dolls, you know what I’m talking about). This is another buildable gift, as you can buy accessories for years to come.
- Stick Horse: You would be amazed at how much joy young kids get out of this classic. This one has a spin in that it is a unicorn and also makes sound. If you’re really feeling it, go ahead and grab a cowgirl hat and watch them ride off into the sunset (and by “sunset”, I mean your family room).
