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. Connie says

    My grandfather made my mother a marble roller (must have been about 1925) with molding for the marbles to roll down. We all enjoyed it as kids. Then the grandchildren and it’s now around for the great-grandchildren.

    There is a high stand to hold the beginning end, a turnaround wooden post (the marbles go in from the higher molding strip and out on the lower. If your parents allow, you put a metal can to catch the marbles at the end. Crash, Bang. Steel ball bearings made the most noise but were large enough to get caught in the turnaround.

    If Clara’s marble roller lasts as long, it will become the least expensive toy (initial cost divided by years of use) you ever bought.

    Reply

  3. Meredith williams says

    Hey guys! Love your list! You should check out themeltedcrayon.org they make crayons in every shape and character! SO COOL!! :)

    Reply

  4. Robyn says

    Thank you for the awesome line up! I just ordered one of those cars for my son, I know he’ll love it!

    I was also checking out the cactus toy and noticed they have a bee hive toy! Something I could totally see you guys being into, so I thought I’d let ya know :-)

    Reply

  6. Kelly says

    Thanks for the tips!

    One suggestion, when the pictures are all grouped together it’s hard to read and get the visual clue about what you’re describing. Means a lot of scrolling up and down even on my 15″ macbookpro. Have you considered doing just one line of images separated by the descriptions?

    Reply

  7. Jill says

    love those ideas! I’ve been looking at plastic fish magnet sets for a while now, but those wooden ones have just stolen my heart! (I have a 2 1/2 yr old)

    For any grandmas/aunts/auncles out there reading comments, I’ve always thought the book “365 Things to Make and Do (Usborne Activities)” along with ALL the craft supplies needed for all crafts in the book (there really aren’t 365…) would be an awesome gift for the little crafter (and their parents!). unfortunately I just have nephews that like to throw things, so I’m waiting to give that gift to someone else! Maybe my daughter in another year or so.

    We’re also a huge fan of the felt boards & playdoh tools at our home too. http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/product/productDet.jsp?productItemID=1%2C689%2C949%2C371%2C904%2C223&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395181113&bmUID=1355260304252

    and i love this book as a unique special gift: “Tickle Monster Laughter Kit” http://www.amazon.com/Tickle-Monster-Laughter-Josie-Bissett/dp/1932319832

    we’re doing a train set this year for our daughter- always a classic!

    Reply

  8. layne says

    My son has the ramp racer and loves it! We got his at earthfriendlytots.com. They have a some other non-toxic toys. Thought you might like to check it out since you don’t like Clara to be around for off gassing of spray paint fumes. There is some yucky stuff in toys!

    Reply

  9. Shelley says

    Hi Guys,
    Great gift selection! I though I would mention how fun and easy it is to DIY the magnetic fish game. We made it years ago for our boys and simply used garden centre wood poles for rods. The kids drew, decorated, and cut out their fish on heavy stock paper. We attached paper clips to the fish and tied string with a magnet to the poles. voila! Cheap, easy, and a fun craft for kids.
    Merry Christmas!
    Shelley

    Reply

  10. Alicia says

    I *love* that color wheel puzzle. And I was just eyeing that squirrel print two days ago!

    For kids aged 2-8, I went to the teacher supply store for gifts this year. They always have a great variety of puzzles, games, art supplies, types of blocks, and dramatic play items. No one else shops there, so I don’t have to worry about duplicate gifts!

    Reply

  11. Tina says

    We love giving art supplies in a personalized clear bin, the younger kids get crayons, colored pencils and paper all washable stuff. The older kids get fewer items but we try to get real artist supplies like actual canvases and acrylic paints with a decent small set of artist brushes. All the kids and parents seem to love the idea and we can keep our eye out for sales at various art stores and those awesome 40 percent off coupons all throughout the year!

    Reply

  12. Rachel says

    When I was a kid my aunt noticed my interest in sewing and got me a big bag of random material, trim, buttons, etc. for Christmas. It was awesome. I sew professionally now, not sure it was due to the sewing supplies, but it didn’t hurt.

    P.S. Are you sure those “bowling penguins” aren’t bowling sloths? They sure look like sloths to me.

    Reply

  13. Sarah says

    My go-to has been tickets to a play at a local children’s theater tucked inside the book the play is based on. I’m a fan of giving experiences and it gives kids the idea of delayed gratification. This year it’s Pinocchio! Even if your kid is little, once they’ve been to a theater and know what the experience is they love getting tickets.

    Reply

  14. Amy says

    We have this racer ramp from Melissa & Doug–my girls love it because there are two tracks/two cars so they race!

    http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Deluxe-Wooden-Racer/dp/B000GYZ30M

    I was lucky enough to score it at a thrift shop for $2.98 a few weeks ago (with both cars intact–that never happens!).
    Also, I work at Hallmark HQ & am so glad that you like Jingle Pup. There are many more interactive story buddies like him–& some way cool interactive book/plush sets hitting stores next year. He’s been fun to work on, so it’s wonderful for us to see him being loved on!

    Reply

  15. Michelle says

    Great list!! Oh how I miss those days! I am buying clothes, makeup, socks, underwear – but no toys for my 22,21, and 17 year old children. I especially miss the baby doll days. Enjoy this time because it’s going to go by so fast.

    Reply

  16. Kelley says

    #11, i.e. the cactus is also spotted in the post from earlier today, on the book shelves!

    Yes, I noticed. Yes, I love the cactus. Yes, I died a little when I there was nothing to read about the cute little cactus!My niece would love it!

    Reply

  17. Shelley @ Green Eggs and Hamlet says

    Some of my favorite gifts for our various (8 total) nieces and nephews this year included: “Goodnight Moon” board game, Little Tikes hippo takes a swim toy (hard to describe), Colorado Rockies Pillow Pet, Melissa and Doug wooden recycling truck, “Curious George” Christmas book including a CD of Christmas music. Next year I’m hoping us aunts and uncles can draw names for the kids because we have another nephew due in April and I think shopping for 9 might do me in, whew!

    I’m also hoping to DIY some sugar scrub (using this tutorial: http://www.howdoesshe.com/sugar-and-spice-make-your-feet-very-nice-diy-peppermint-sugar-foot-scrub/) for my sisters-in-law and am making some really simple gifts for our neighbors too.

    Can’t wait to see what you guys make for Clara!

    Reply

  18. Starr @ The Kiefer Cottage says

    Hold the phones, no Kindle Fire or iPad on this list?? No smart phone? What kind of world are you living in? One in which kids learn through play and pretend? Where little ones interact with the real world rather than screens? If it doesn’t take oodles of batteries, make lots of noise, and have many buttons to press, it isn’t a toy worth buying!

    Or maybe I mean the exact opposite. Those are cute toys. Right up my alley. I think I might enjoy them as much as my children would.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Haha, thanks Starr! Clara definitely loves watching Caillou and some iPad color songs, but toys like this keep her busy most of the time. And playing outside with rocks and sticks and sand. Haha!

      xo
      s

  19. Lindsay says

    I plan on sewing my, almost 3 yr old and just turned 4 yr old, nieces matching play aprons (so they can craft and keep their clothes clean)and matching pink tutus. Since I know they’ll be getting plenty of toys from others and “Santa”, I wanted to do something handmade for them :)

    Also, can I just say I LOVE your choices in toys? I love the fact that many are handmade, colorful, and sturdy. So many toys are so cheaply made these days, but these are just beautiful!

    Reply

  22. Pamela says

    I have to do Christmas THIS Sunday, because much of the family is going abroad for the holidays. Please, please, please have John do his dude list this week and include some non-DIY items. I’m getting panicky.

    Reply

  24. Val says

    Ah! I love the fish!! Santa is bringing Maggie a bright red baby piano and Momma is working on a home-made set of soft blocks. So excited for our first Christmas with baby!

    Reply

  25. Cassondra says

    Loving that wooden car ramp! Definitely appreciate a beautiful wooden toy which has a much more timeless look than all the plastic toys out there that kids get so tired of. These toys look like the kind of thing you’d play with forever and have treasured memories of.

    Reply

  26. Ellen says

    Thank you so much for this post! This morning I had no idea what to get my boyfriend’s niece and nephew, but now I can’t decide what not to get them. Thank you!

    Reply

  27. Brandi says

    My six-year-old nephew is getting an ant farm from his auntie. It’s the gel kind that doesn’t require him to actually feed them on a regular basis (he already has 2 turtles that he is responsible for feeding). I used to have one in my classroom and the kids (and teachers) were fascinated by it! And I picked one up at Toys R Us for about $20.. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=pd_sl_650h146qw_b?rh=i%3Atoys-and-games%2Ck%3Aant+farm+colony&keywords=ant+farm+colony&ie=UTF8&psrk=gel+ant+farm

    Reply

  28. Catrina says

    I love the fishing pole game! So cute!!! We do not have any kids yet, but one is on the way. I have already started to stockpile some toys since I started selling discovery toys a couple months ago. They still have some of my favorites that I played with when I was a kid. And I secretly love playing with them now!

    Reply

  29. Christine says

    We’re getting our 3 year old Magna-Tiles, after asking around with all the “no batteries, please” parents we trust.

    After googling and reading the glowing reviews everywhere, we were sold. Plus I love building toys. Bonus for ones that don’t kill my feet when I step on them (I’m looking at you, legos).

    Hope they are as big a hit here as others have experienced!

    Reply

  30. Dominique says

    That squirrel reminds me of one of our favorite books- Micawber, by John Lithgow- it is a great book with a pretty solid rhymyness to it….good stuff!

    Reply

  31. Anna says

    Great recommendations! I always have such a hard time buying for kids. Love that so many are wood and eco-friendly, I much prefer them to plastic!

    Reply

  33. Anika says

    My boys are getting that car ramp too…so fun! Other than that, we’re going practical with clothes and books since they are still too young to realize those aren’t necessarily “cool” presents! I’m sure the grandparents will take care of filling the house with toys though!

    Reply

  34. Pam the Goatherd says

    Forget about buying those for the kids! I want the crayons, the racing ramp, and the puzzle for myself!
    I’m at that awkward age where the kids are all grown up (in their 20s) but I don’t have grandkids to spoil yet. I have been known to buy myself a giant Hello Kitty coloring book and a box of Crayola crayons that I break out whenever I’m stressed and need a short break from reality.

    Reply

  37. esther says

    I’m totally in love with that colorful puzzle!! I may just have to get one for my niece (who is way to small to play with it just yet, seeing she still has to be born – due date January 2, ’13!!:)) teehee but nevermind that;))!!

    Reply

  40. Carole says

    We are buying our two year old a plasma car, which one best toy award in (I think) 2012. Hopefully she will like it.
    http://www.plasmacar.com/ It’s a bit expensive, but we did buy it with 20% off and that’s pretty much all she is getting.
    For my four year old, were buying a toy (pointer thingy) to pretend play teacher.

    Reply

  41. HeidiG. says

    awww, the squirrel painting is gone :( so bummed out. My 2 year old is obsessed with squirrels…when you ask him ‘what do you never hug’, he screams ‘SQUIRREL’ and runs. It’s so funny!

    Reply

  42. romeoandjewels says

    We have Jingle the Husky and it even amuses me, it’s pretty awesome! :)

    -and now for the public service announcement that there are thousands of homeless huskies in the US, please adopt. :)

    Reply

  43. Leigh says

    I love the all the suggestions. I need to get that cactus for my 17 month old son. I think he’d like it. Maybe that can be a birthday gift. I love the art print and this may be just my wacky mind, but doesn’t the pink on the right hand side kind of look like a boob? Just me? Please excuse my dirty mind….

    On a cleaner note, we are making our son a few things for Christmas. A magnet board, a desk and a chair. We actually just bought the supplies yesterday so I guess we need to get to work!

    Reply

  44. tami says

    we totally bought that cactus after i asked you about it a while back. my daughter uses the pieces as microphones when she is singing! :)

    Reply

  45. Lauren Nicole says

    We’re making our 4-year-old daughter a train board, just like the one you made Clara! I plan to let you know how it turns out … when we finally finish it. ;)

    Reply

  46. Juliana says

    Loving the Etsy finds! So glad when people support Etsy. My nephews actually asked for crocheted scarves this year – I had them modeling some for my Etsy shop and they insisted I make them some camouflage ones!

    Reply

  47. carolyn says

    Love wooden toys!

    Our 6-year old is getting a telescope (it’s the only item on her list). And a (semi-homemade by mom) sewing kit.

    Reply

  48. amy c says

    i went overboard with one niece and nephew (brother and sister): he’s getting two outfits, a dump truck that has mega blocks in it, and one of those fold out foam couches (so he’ll stop fighting his big sister for her’s) and she’s getting an outfits, some fun tights, some play dishes, and a doctor’s kit. their older cousins (also brother and sister) are getting cash, what more could a teenager want? i’m hoping to paint a piece of art for my new niece who should be arriving in april. and finally for my “nephew” (my best friend’s son) i got a little tike work horse with hammer, secrewdriver, etc, a shirt, and some pjs. whew, it is almost all wrapped too!

    Reply

  50. Sarah says

    I love these ideas, especially the funny bowling set! Thanks for the advice. I just finished a series of gift guides for little guys (12 months and younger)and new moms; I added a link to your recommendations for moms shopping for an older crowd!

    dearyoungmother.blogspot.com

    Reply

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