Gift Guide: Ages 0-2
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Finding the perfect gift for a little one can be tricky, but our gift guide for 0-2 year olds has you covered. From learning toys to cozy essentials, discover thoughtful, age-appropriate ideas that will delight both kids and parents.
Featured Gifts for Toddlers
Sound Puzzle
Place a puzzle piece correctly in the puzzle board to hear realistic sounds. We had all three types and these were used over and over again.
Lego Duplo Train
A classic toy for this age! Includes 10 number bricks carried in the push-along train’s carriages, plus boy, girl and dog LEGO DUPLO figures to inspire imaginative role play.
Squigz
My kids loved these when they were little. They are great for car rides and bath times. They can even be easily washed in the dishwasher!
Gifts Under $25
Learn-A-Lot Avocados
“My 18 month old niece loves this toy and her parents are happy it keeps her occupied. Highly recommended!” – Melanie
Melissa & Doug Cutting Fruit Set
The Melissa & Doug Cutting Fruit set includes a wooden knife and seven pieces of sliceable fruit that can be cut into a total of 17 pieces. The pieces are held together with self-stick tabs, so the food makes a fun and satisfying “crunch” sound when sliced.
CoComelon Musical Learning Bus
JJ is ready to take little learners on an upbeat bus ride with the CoComelon Musical Learning Bus! A big hit for little ones.
Pop-a-Balls Push & Pop Bulldozer
Push the handle to roll the bulldozer across the floor and watch it pop balls out of the chimney into the bucket
Counting Animal Matching Game
A total of 36 brightly colored zoo animals including lions, elephants, sheep, hippos, cows and rhino, 6 sorting bowls and 2 tweezers in this toddler sensory animal toy set.
Wooden Alphabet Puzzle
“My daughter absolutely loves this puzzle. Great quality and vibrant colors!” – Karla
Animal Sound Book
This was a huge hit with my kids at this age. I continually gift it to people too! Kids love to push the animal sound that goes with the animal they are reading about.
Boynton’s Books
My kids LOVED these books. The Big Blue Box is a perfect collection for terrific little kids. Includes four wildly popular books:
1. Moo, Baa, La La La!
2. A to Z
3. Doggies
4. Blue Hat, Green Hat
Stacking Toy
A classic toy that every young kiddo should have!
Makes a great gift for toddlers and preschoolers.
Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog
My kids would have loved this when they were young! I’m snagging one for my nephew this year! It has over 33,000 great reviews too.
Poke a Dot Books
A huge hit with this age. A 20-page interactive sturdy board book with buttons to press and “pop” on every page. Little ones love this!
Crayola Washable Fingerpaint
Perfect for toddlers! This 6-pack of paints is safe, non-toxic, and washable. Use them in an empty bathtub with the Fingerpaint Paper Pad for the easiest clean up ever!
Baby Einstein Star Bright Take-Along Toy
A hugely popular toy for kids. Great to throw in your purse! It’s also an entertaining toy that isn’t annoying to parents. WIN!
Manhattan Toys Links-To-Go
Flexibly, bendably versatile for moments that need it. Another great item to throw in your purse.
LeapFrog My Pal Scout
40+ learning songs, melodies and lullabies, for active daytime fun. Lots of ways to have fun with this little guy.
Metal Dump Truck
Out of all of the trucks we own, the dump trucks get the most action. Hint: metal trucks seem to be favored among the kids. I think it’s because the noise it makes when rocks and materials are dumped in and out.
VTech Story Book
A great car toy. Kids like all of the buttons and the loud click that happens when you turn the pages.
Baby’s First Blocks
A classic toy for a good reason. It’s so fun to see kids begin to figure out how shapes work. Easy to store all of the pieces too.
Play Tunnel
Great for all ages, but the fun can start as soon as they can crawl. My kids had a lot of fun in these!
Stroller for Baby Doll
I don’t know why kids love these but they just do! My daughter’s baby stroller went with us on SO many walks when she was little.
Baby Doll
Little ones take to dolls really quickly. This is a classic doll that is durable and will become a favorite quickly.
Water Wow! Books
We have gone through SO many variations of these. My preschooler still loves to play with them. They make a great car activity or even a, “Please do something in one place while I make dinner,” activity.
Counting Piggy Bank
Not only do little hands like putting the “coins” in the bank but this toy has 40+ sing-along songs, tunes & phrases.
Stack Up Cup Toys
These are a must for little ones. My kids used these over and over and over again! I love that they have little holes in the bottom for bath play too. For such a great price, you’ll get so much play out of something so simple and cheap!
Bath Letters and Numbers
I got a set of these when my children were in this stage and they are STILL around. It’s one of those toys that grows with the kids!
dimpl
Little hands love these! Features five vibrant Silicone Bubbles built into a plastic frame that they can push, pop, poke, and grab. Perfect sensory delight!
Indestructibles
Indestructibles is the trusted series for easing little ones into story time. Beloved by babies and their parents. They are built for the way babies “read” (i.e., with their hands and mouths) and are rip proof and waterproof.
$25-$50 Gifts
Xylophone
Award Winning Durable Wooden Musical Pounding Toy. Sorry, parents. Kids this age love stuff like this! Their little brains love a big cause-effect toy!
Bubble Machine
You just can’t go wrong with getting one of these. Kids will use it for years and years!
Green Toys Recycling Truck
I have never met a toddler that doesn’t obsess over this truck. It’s made from earth friendly materials (no BPA!), easy to clean, and dishwasher safe.
Inflatable Bounce Toy
I got this for my youngest son when he was about 1.5 years old and it was a huge it. I thought for sure it’d pop quickly but was so surprised by it’s durability! It even survived older kids bouncing and boinging around the house with it.
Mega Blocks First Builders Table
30+ building pieces perfect for little hands. These blocks are a toddler staple that develop imagination and gross motor skills.
Bath Toy
Water is drawn through the submarine to create a steady stream of water. No need to keep the bath faucet on!
Laugh & Learn Wagon
For 6 months and up, this wagon grows along with your little one’s age and stage.
Toddler Swing
We had one of these hanging under our deck for YEARS. Kids love them! My kids, who are way too old for it now, still ask about it!
Little People Caring For Animals Farm
My nephew’s favorite! Classic Little People farm playset with lights, music, sounds, and Smart Stages learning content.
Balance Bike
This came highly recommended by my sister-in-law. As a mother of a 2-year-old, she said this was a top favorite toy for the past year.
$50-$100 Gifts
Junior Play Slide
Used this inside during the winter months and outside in the summer. A huge hit!
Push Around Buggy
All three of my kids LOVED this little buggy. It’s a great alternative to the stroller for little ones, and also comes in red!
Kids Play Couch
“I am super happy with my decision and would absolutely purchase this again. My daughter immediately starting crawling all over it smiling and giggling having a blast.” – Abbey
Play Kitchen
“I recently purchased the playset for my grandson, and it has been a huge hit! The set includes 25 pieces, offering a variety of utensils, pots, and food items that keep him entertained for hours.” – Jose
Check Out All of Our Gift Guides
Good News of Great Joy
A simple, weekly Advent devotional that’s intended to help your family focus on the story of Jesus’ birth.
The discussion questions and wide range of fun activities are designed for children ages 2-11.
Each weekly activity focuses on a different aspect of the Christmas story.
25+ Make Ahead Christmas Breakfasts
We have rounded up the BEST ideas for Christmas breakfast or brunch on the internet. The good news is that all of these can be prepped ahead of time so you can relax and enjoy the morning.
LaNee King says
I choose #2, my grandson has a sensory problem and he touches and feels everything, the rings would prove entertaining for him
Rachel Tiemeyer says
Great idea. Thanks for the comment, LaNee.
Jennifer says
My kids ( now all teens) had a play tunnel. They all loved it! And I was surprised it survived all of them!
Rachel Tiemeyer says
Same here! Thanks for commenting, Jennifer.
Jessica says
The Water Wow books are a huge hit in this house with my 4 year old and 1 year old. PERFECT car activity!!
Rachel Tiemeyer says
Good to know. Thanks, Jessica!
Elizabeth says
The Water Wow books are some of our faves in our house. Good for quiet play and to take on the road!!
Carrie Nespor says
I like suggestion #7, the play tunnel! It can be easily compacted, allows for physical fun for kids and provides for lots of fun and giggles. 🙂
Rachel Tiemeyer says
My older kids STILL use theirs when fort building in the basement. 🙂 Thanks for commenting, Carrie.
Becky says
It’s so hard to choose my favorite but the water wow books are amazing!
Rachel Tiemeyer says
I know, right? The Water Wow books are always a hit.
Leah Haak says
Love the stacking cups!
Rachel Tiemeyer says
A classic for sure!
Kristia says
We love our metal dump trucks. My oldest is 13, and they are one of a few toys that have lasted through 3 kids.
Rachel Tiemeyer says
My sons loved their dump trucks. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Mary Beth says
My little guy would love the dump truck for his new sandbox!
Rachel Tiemeyer says
Yes, so fun! Thanks for entering!
Renee says
We have enjoyed quite a few things from this list the last couple of years (even now as a 3.5 year old!). A favorite is the Water Wow painting books. They’re so easy to do a quick art time with no mess!
Rachel Tiemeyer says
Thanks for entering the giveaway.
Lori Brock says
This is a GREAT list of gift ideas. I have 7 grands and have given many of these as gifts or purchased them for “Grammie & Poppie’s” play room. Currently I am loving the Dimple, as a school counselor, ANY sensory tool is valuable!
Rachel Tiemeyer says
Sweeet! thanks for entering, Lori.
Hope says
We love the water wows!!! My older girls loved them and I am so excited to get some for my son now that he is interested in coloring with his sisters!
Rachel Tiemeyer says
Awesome, thanks for entering, Hope.
Laura says
So many good ideas here, but I would have to say the water wow books are a favorite around here! I also like taking them to families with a new baby. Keeps the other little ones busy while mama is nursing.
Rachel Tiemeyer says
Thanks, Laura.
Maura says
I love the play tunnel! I want to grab one for my 2 year old. Help get some energy out this winter!
Rachel Tiemeyer says
Yes, my kids STILL use the one we bought when they were little to build forts in the basement. Thanks for commenting and entering.
Abby says
I have 3 boys and youngest is in this age group. All of these items are perfect but #17 (bath toy letters) is a favorite. So simple but always played with.
Rachel Tiemeyer says
Thanks for commenting and entering, Abby.
Holli says
We’ve had that same dump truck for 7 years and it’s our favorite beach and sandbox toy!!!!