Young House Love

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2012 Holiday Gift Guide: For Little Ones

We’ve received a bunch of requests for a Christmas gift roundup for kids, so here are a few items that we’re loving (most items are under $25 – some are even under $12, and nothing is over $49).

1. Clara loooves painting and definitely has an appreciation for vibrant colors, so I think she’d love something like this $25 watercolor print from Etsy. Another fun gift idea would be to get some colorful paints and a few pieces of cardstock for some good quality time spent painting together.

2. Clara’s always enamored with toys like this in waiting rooms and other kid’s houses, so when John’s mom asked for links to things she might like, we shot a link to this $25 racer ramp to her right away.

3. Pretend play is one of Clara’s favorite things (she loves making meals at her play kitchen, rearranging her dollhouse furniture, and even pretending to care for her dolls by giving them band aids), so we knew this little wooden doctor kit would be a hit. At $38 it’s hardly cheap, but Nonna (my mom) couldn’t wait to pick it up since she knows firsthand how “into first aid” Clara is at the moment.

Kid Mood Board

4. These people-shaped crayons from Etsy are cute, eco-friendly, and budget-friendly (they’re under $9).

5. Clara has one of these cars in pink and she loves it. It’s one of those simple and inexpensive toys that she plays with far more than most of the other more expensive and elaborate toys that she has been given.

6. I was totally drawn to the pretty colors and shapes in this handmade puzzle, although it’s probably above Clara’s current skill level. Maybe next year…

7. This fun $29 bowling set is handmade, eco-frienly, and adorable. I mean let’s be real – who doesn’t love penguins? I like getting “new experiences” for Clara (like learning how to bowl, or how to fish like gift #9) so although we haven’t pulled the trigger and ordered this yet (we’re building her something special, like last year’s play kitchen) I’m definitely tempted…

8. To Clara, Woody = a hero among men. So I bet she’d love to find this Pez dispenser in her stocking (I saw it in Target near the checkout for about $3 a few nights ago).

9. This is the second item that John’s mom is getting Clara. It’s a $29 set of fish with magnets that can be picked up with a fishing pole (we played with something similar at a friend’s house and she couldn’t get enough of it).

10. Does this even need an explanation? I think any kid would crack up over it just as much as grown ups would.

11. We already own this awesome balancing wooden cactus from Plan Toys and Clara loves it. We’ve squeezed at least a year’s worth of play out of it and it’s still in heavy rotation, so it’s well worth the $25 we paid for it back in 2010.

12. This is the second item that Nonna’s getting Clara since she loves books and she loves dogs (so what’s better than a dog who barks along to key words in a story?).

So that’s what we dug up. Do you have any favorites of the group? What are your kiddos/nieces/nephews going to find under the tree this year? John and I can’t wait to start working on our little homemade gift for Clara (from Santa of course). More details – and probably a million pics – soon!

Update: You can check out all of our favorite holiday decor finds here – many of which are under $15! 

*This post contains affiliate links*

Comments

  1. Hannah says

    Great round up. I especially like the bowling penguins and the fish!

    When you said about the play kitchen I couldn’t believe that was a year ago! Where does the time go?! Look forward to seeing what you make this year. That was one heck of a good play kitchen!

    Reply

  2. Laurie says

    One of the best gifts I put together for each of my nephews was an art box. I got an inexpensive plastic container at the dollar store and trolled the dollar store aisle for construction paper, scissors, crayons, pencils, stickers and washable markers. I also got some bright folders to put art projects in because there is that age where kids love putting things into other things. Aw heck. When do we outgrow that? I still love new folders.

    I just found as many art things as possible and filled up the box. Then I got little foam stick ’em letters and put their names on each of the boxes. They not only loved their box when they got it (and I received awesome thank you pictures that I framed) but I’ve been told these boxes are still in rotation and still great when the weather is crummy or a friend comes over to play.

    Reply

  6. Allie says

    What a great list of ideas! I’m halfway done with my shopping – got the husband’s whole side and now have to get my side’s gifts as well. My husband and I like making each other gifts for special occasions. This year I’m surprising him with several gifts under the tree but also building him a workbench in the garage (and organizing all his tools) while he’s out of town this weekend!

    Reply

  8. Tracy says

    I asked my grandfather (an amazing wood worker) to build a kitchen based of four that I had found via the internet. So my two children will be getting a kitchen. I have asked family members to buy some wooden accessories to go with it, so I think my littles will love that. Their nephew is getting a quiet book that I made. Basically it is a bunch of felt pages that allows the child to practice skills, likes snaps, zippers, colors, counting. It was fun to make and I can’t wait to give it to him. We also picked him up a wooden train set from etsy! This should be a fun Christmas for our family with all these toddlers in the house!

    Reply

  9. Shannon says

    I just bought my mom a bunch of patterns for Christmas of crocheted play food, kitchen utensils, pots and pans, etc. I can’t wait to give them to her.. it is a great gift AND I know that our daughter will be getting some great homemade play kitchen items in the upcoming year :) She’s already been making these in felt and wood, so I thought yarn was the next addition for her soon-to-be online shop!

    Who knows… maybe I’ll learn to crochet and make them, too :)

    Reply

  10. erin says

    You guys! Toys That Teach in Bon Air has those magnetic fish for $19.99. I just got some for my son. I know you like to shop local when you can!

    Reply

  11. Alli says

    My niece and nephew’s birthdays are in December (the 10th and 15th) amd they are turning 5 and 3. My husband is building each of them their own marble ramp since it is the most used toy at my mom’s house when they visit. Hers is actually one my grandpa made for us when my brother and i were little! He’s adding a few extra features to them such as a stopper at the top so the marbles can be backed up and then unleashed all at once. Another feature is an idea i had to put magnets in the upright supports so the two ramps can be connected and they can race marbles against each other. We’re stainin them tonight, but i’ll have to send you a pic when they’re done!

    Reply

  12. Angela says

    My youngest is getting something I am making…inspired by you guys. I’m waaaayyy nervous because I feel like I’m not close enough to having it done by now and I am afraid it won’t turn out as cute as it is in my mind! Aggggh! Stress!

    Reply

  13. katie says

    Great suggestions. My 18 month old daughter has the car (#5) in both pink and red and we love them! She rolls them all over the house and I like that they look cute on the shelf. I’ve been thinking of getting her one of those dogs from Hallmark – thanks for the reminder to check that out!

    Reply

    • Alisha says

      My twin 13-month-old nephews have #5 and one bonked me over the head with it earlier today! It makes a fine bludgeoning tool, haha.

      Sherry, thanks for the Plan Toys tip a few months back! I scooped up both #11 AND the stacking pine tree for Christmas presents, but I’m worried 13 months is too young for the 2+ years recommendation (the boys are in full-on “everything in mouth” phase). You say Clara has already gotten a good years worth of play out of her’s…when did you feel it was safe to give them to her?

      (but I’m sure my sis wont mind them as “just decorations” until their big enough either)

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Oh yes, she has had encounters with them since she was around 1 (nothing is that small if you’re playing with them- and they’re toys that you have to help them with until they’re at least 2+ I think) and around 1.5-2 she really started playing with them a lot and now at 2.5 she loves them and uses them nearly every day (even beyond their intended use, like putting all of the pieces in a lunch box and carrying it around and pretending to buy them at the grocery store- so funny!). Hope it helps!

      xo
      s

    • Alisha says

      It does, thanks! Glad to know that they can still be enjoyed at this stage and for the stages to come!

    • YoungHouseLove says

      I’m actually going to do a me version (stuff I’d love) and I even convinced John to do a dude version! As for wedding showers and baby showers, if you search those terms they should come up since we’ve covered a few ideas for both! Hope it helps.

      xo
      s

  20. LeCheech says

    That colour puzzle– above her age level? BAH. They may not go back in the right order, but I think she’d love it anyway. Plus, there’s the possibility of inspiration; say she puts it back the ‘wrong’ way, and you see a few colours together and get inspired!

    … Okay, so maybe -I- would appreciate the puzzle more than she would… haha.

    Reply

  22. LMN says

    I just love everything about y’all. Even this child’s christmas list, and I don’t even have children! Can’t wait to meet you in person in Charlotte. What do people say? “Hi, we’ve never met. I love you…?” EEEkk. I’m so excited!

    Reply

  23. Amanda Bolan says

    Our daughter is also about 2 1/2 and we are going for – a small piano (brave, I know http://www.zulily.com/p/pink-18-key-toy-piano-22188-2444670.html?pos=60&e=1&), a Mr. Potato Head toy, a “zoo” that is essentially a doll house with animals from zulily, a toddler trampoline (http://www.walmart.com/ip/Little-Tikes-7-First-Trampoline/16529105) and a few other little things that we know she’ll enjoy. Between my husband’s divorced parents, and my divorced parents, this kid racks up!

    Reply

  25. Stefanie says

    Oh, man, we made the American Girl Doll investment this year. It’s one of those things that I’m not sure who’s more excited about, me or my daughter.

    Reply

  26. Chris says

    My daughter bought an inexpensive 3-tiered bookcase from Target and transformed it into a Barbie dreamhouse. It’s awesome and I know it’s going to be my granddaughter’s favorite gift.

    Reply

  27. Steph H says

    I am making EVERYBODY’s presents except 3 (out of 12). I’m sewing blankets, flat iron straightners, coffe cozies and an AWESOME art journal folder for my 8 yr old nephew. My biggest challenge was to keep everything under $15, which I did accomplish! Now I just need to finish sewing…

    Reply

  28. Morgan says

    Our nieces are 9 and 6 so they are getting the crayola airbrush kit. I saw the commercial and wanted it so we figured they would love it!

    Reply

  29. Tracie@MiddleClassMod says

    True confession? My parents bought me the ’80s version of #2 when I was really little, and I played with it until I was,um, really old. Luckily I had a much younger brother and could make it seem like I was just playing with him, but uh-uh. That toy could put me into a happy trance.

    I hope Clara gets as many years of trance-y fun!

    Reply

  30. Janelle says

    I feel like I get to be a kid again when buying kids gifts. We bought my love’s nephew a remote control 4 wheeler thing. He’s all about trucks and cars. And for his niece we are taking her to see Elf: The Musical! I can’t wait to see how excited she’ll be :) Plus, I love elf, so it’s a gift from me to me too. Haha.

    Reply

  31. Catherine says

    Leave it to you guys to find the cutest toys! Love that fishing set. :) A word of warning about wooden bowling sets. Clara may be a sweet little one, but just imagine the damage that wooden ball or one of those pins could do to your house. I don’t like the looks of the plastic ones, but I’ve thought of making a simple set for my daughter out of more lightweight materials.

    Merry Christmas – each year is just going to feel so much more magical as Clara gets bigger!

    Reply

  33. Krissy says

    My nephew LOVES his Jingle! When my sister and her kids were stuck at my mom’s house during Sandy, he kept asking “Can we go home and get Jingle? I think he’s lonely.”

    Reply

  36. Casey @ Waffling says

    Im getting my niece (well, got) a handmade wooden cradle that I bought from the maker. then im going to make bedding for it and give her a baby doll. She is only 1, but really seems to be getting into pretend play so I think she will enjoy it! She just had her birthday so I decided not to go overboard. She is also getting some RESP monies!! :)

    Oh and my SIL likes to be surprised so her and my brother dont know what im getting her…so I cant blog about it. boo. hahah

    Reply

  37. Gina says

    These are such cute ideas! My daughter is only 16 months old so maybe next year :) This year we decided to get her a play kitchen. We were going to DIY the whole thing like you guys and so many others to make it more personal but with our schedules we just didn’t have time but I did manage to DIY one thing on it, the stove top burners. Who knows we might add more to it later on. Can’t wait to see what you guys are working on from Santa!!

    http://simplyhereblog.blogspot.com/2012/12/diy-play-kitchen-stove-top-burners.html

    Reply

  38. katalina says

    so cute…. but I have teenagers on my list !

    I have had a bad flu for 9 days so have not done any shopping for parents, siblings or sibling’s teenagers!

    wish you had gift ideas for all age groups!

    do you go to actual stores or do all your shopping online? any interesting online stores you like for the unusual hard to get parents, and family?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We’re actually going to post mommy gifts (aka: things I want) and John is doing a dude roundup too! We usually do a mix of online shopping and local shopping – and DIY of course!

      xo
      s

  39. Liz says

    Last year we gave our nephew an ‘Imagination Station’ with dress up clothes (read: on sale Halloween costumes from November 2) and foam hats and masks from Michaels. This year, because he is prepping for Kindergarten, we made him a fine motor kit (still working on a better name) with games and activities to strengthen his hands and prep him for writing his name. These ideas are so fabulous… I love toy shopping!

    Reply

  40. Jill says

    When my kids were smaller (they are big at 5 and 8!) we took our pretend medical kit with us to the doctor’s office during their well check ups. Both my boys enjoyed examining the doctor before she examined them – and the doctor loved being the patient for a change. Also, one of my best memories is my son pulling out his kit to take care of me when I was sick. You AND Clara will love that toy!

    Reply

    • Jessica says

      My 3.5yo daughter bought a doctor’s kit with her birthday money – Doc McStuffins is her favorite show. She regularly gives me, hubby and her stuffed animals check-ups. It’s opened the door to a lot of ‘how the bod works’ and health related discussions plus the last time she went to the doctor she seemed to really enjoy it! The only bad thing was when she tried to draw viens on her arm with a crayon “to make her blood work better.” LOL It was hard to be too stern in the face of such earnestness.

      For Christmas she’s getting a working stethascope – I found a pink one on Amazon for about $6 – and a mini-lab coat.

  41. Kelly says

    These are great ideas! Our boys both had speech therapy in our home, and the therapist had one of these toys. Big hit, let me tell ya.

    Our boys are 5 and 3 now, and they are ga-ga nutso over Imaginext toys, mainly the dinos and dragons, but the superhero ones are a very close second. They can imagine all kinds of scenarious with these and it keeps them very busy for quite a while and really expands there imaginations…

    Reply

  42. sara says

    I bought some of those crayons, in dragon shapes, for my two year olds’ stocking. Same vendor. They are so cute.

    Am mostly done shopping for kids. Some things I got the 2 year old:
    shaped crayons,
    a bunny doll and baby mouse doll (via http://www.splendidavenue.com/product/mouse-girl-in-a-matchbox);
    tube of farm baby animals (for her play farm);
    wooden eggs and pot (http://www.etsy.com/listing/73353694/time-to-play-with-your-food-wood-hard);
    and I knitted a little patch (bunch of knitted squares sewn together) blanket for her stuffed animals. @ two she is excited to get a “present for me” – it seems it doesn’t matter what the present is.

    for the 10 yr old boy: a couple of science kits (how to make gum & sour candy); sherpa hoodie, magic cards, pingpong table…when they are older they have lists!

    Reply

  43. Alise says

    LOVE #6 (the color wheel). I just ordered it for my graphic designer hubby — it’s perfect for kids of all ages! Thanks for sharing the links to such lovely gifts.

    Reply

  45. Leah says

    Nooo!! Someone beat me to the squirrel painting! After three years of reading your blog EVERY day, that stinker of a squirrel got me to post for the first time. P.S are you coming to Hotlanta on the book tour or what?!? ;)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Haha, that’s hilarious! I hope he makes a lot more of those awesome squirrel paintings! And as for ATL, it’s gonna happen! Can’t wait for them to finalize it!

      xo
      s

  46. Kellie says

    I’m putting together a build-your-own-fort kit for my nephews. I have a couple old king-sized flat sheets, and I hit up the dollar store for clothespins, rope, flashlights, and bunji cords. I’ll sew up a bag to put it all in. Not bad, under $7!

    Reply

  47. Georgia says

    My sister had the car ramp, and just so you know, its so addictive, i spent ages playing with it!! haha definately a better adults toy :) – need it for my desk at work! haha

    Reply

  48. Meagan {Green Motherhood} says

    LOVE your ideas for Clara!
    Isla June is getting a Clara doll house this year (handmade by her Boppa!) I found wooden furniture for the whole house from a consignment store for 12 bucks! couldn’t believe my good fortune.
    Her other big present is from my sister who picked out a balance bike. Supposedly 2 1/2-3 is a good age to introduce it, so we’ll see how it goes! She’s really into bikes right now so I think it’s gonna be a hit. :)

    Reply

  49. Centsational Girl says

    Fabulous choices, love the cactus, and you must get Clara the color wheel puzzle! She can totally do it! Especially with Mom & Dad’s eye for color, ha! Actually, now I kinda want it for myself….. it would be great wall art too!
    xo
    Kate

    Reply

  50. Mary-Beth says

    I love all the wooden toys! I am making my 1 1/2 year old a board book of his ‘favorite things of 2012’ and also something similar those fabric magnetic letters you got for Clara a while back. All the big stuff comes from Grandma :)

    Reply

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