Our Favorite Gifts for Toddlers and Preschoolers
The holiday season can feel a little overwhelming. Between the pressure to do all the things, rising costs, and the endless options out there, it’s a lot.
We want to share thoughtful suggestions you can feel good about. Think of this list as a collection of ideas to choose from: simple, beautiful gifts that invite play and have stood the test of time in our own homes.
We love aiming for fewer, better things: gifts that invite imagination, exploration, and connection, with room for play to grow and change.
As pediatric speech-language pathologists, we’re often asked which gifts will help children learn to talk. The truth is, no specific toy makes a child talk. What matters most are the everyday moments you share together: playing, talking, reading, and following your child’s lead.
To make the list easier to browse, we’ve grouped our picks into toddler gifts for ages 1–3 and preschool gifts for ages 3–5. But there’s plenty of overlap! Many of these toys grow with your child and can be enjoyed in different ways for years, so take a peek at both sections.
We hope these ideas bring a little inspiration to your holiday shopping, and lots of opportunities for connection and play. 💛
Let’s jump in!
Our Favorite Gifts for Toddlers
Art & Creativity
Paint Sticks
These glide onto paper and cardboard like butter, and the colors are so vibrant! We love having paint sticks on hand for art projects, birthday signs, and all kinds of toddler creations.
Multiuse Table
This brand-new table from Lovevery is the kind of gift we have in mind when we talk about choosing fewer, better things. It’s high-quality and multifunctional, and a little table can become a home base for drawing, building, and pretend play for years to come.
It’s an investment, but one we think families will use often. We also love this classic IKEA option, which we both owned when our kids were little!
Pretend Play
Baby Dolls
Baby dolls belong in every child’s toy collection. Feeding, rocking, dressing, and tucking in a baby gives toddlers so many ways to play pretend and provides endless opportunities to talk together as their play skills grow.
Rainbow Fairy Wings
For becoming a fairy, a butterfly, or a magical creature of their own invention! These colorful wings invite pretend play, dancing, and little adventures around the house.
We’re also big fans of their playsilks, which can be used in sooo many fun ways. Enjoy an extra 10% off with our link and code WEETALKERS.
Little Tikes Cozy Coupe
A classic for a reason! Little ones love having their own car to motor around in. Pretend trips to the grocery store, library, or park turn familiar routines into play.
Building & Things That Go
LEGO DUPLO Starter Set
We love this DUPLO starter set for open-ended play and building. A starter set leaves room for your toddler’s own ideas, whether they’re making a tower, a house, or something totally new.
We also love that you can add to the collection over the years. DUPLO is great for children around 18 months and up; for younger toddlers, these silicone blocks are a great option.
Shop the LEGO DUPLO starter set →
IKEA Car Ramp
Ready, set…go! Things that go are a hit with so many little ones, and car ramps invite the kind of repetition toddlers love.
We love this $20 rug that goes with the set to really help the play come alive.
Maison Rue Cars and Blocks
Cars and blocks make such a lovely combination for open-ended play. Little ones can build a road, stack up a garage, send their cars on an adventure, and start all over again. We love simple toys that leave room for a child’s imagination to take the lead.
See the Maison Rue cars and blocks →
Playful Classics
Big Mr. Potato Head
There’s a reason this classic keeps finding its way into playtime. Putting a nose where an ear should go gets a laugh every time, and there are so many opportunities to talk about body parts, make choices, and ask for help along the way.
For Little Adventures
Animal Backpack
Toddlers love having a little bag of their own, and this one is so sweet! A backpack makes everyday outings feel like an adventure and gives your child a chance to help pack.
It would be especially cute filled with a few of your favorite stocking stuffers, too.
Fun Flashlight
Sometimes the simplest gifts inspire the best play. A flashlight adds a little magic to blanket forts, shadow games, and searches for a hidden stuffed animal.
Balance Bike
Balance bikes are a great way to help little ones build confidence as early bike riders—Katie’s family swears by them! Some children are ready to start around 18 months, depending on their size and the fit of the bike.
The one featured here is the best of the best! If you’re looking for a less expensive option that’s still great quality, we’d recommend this one.
A Gift Of Storytime
Wee Talkers Kids Club
For book loving kids, the Kids Club is a thoughtfully curated collection of storytime videos, songs, rhymes, plus a screen-free kids podcast for toddlers and preschoolers.
With a slower pace and books we truly love, it’s a wonderful way to bring more stories into your family’s everyday routine with ease.
GIFTS FOR PRESCHOOLERS
Art & Creating
ChompSaw
Wow, this new toy is super cool if you have a child who loves to create things. This cardboard-cutting tool lets little makers bring their ideas to life…from pretend pizzas to houses for their stuffed animals.
A thoughtful bigger gift for creating together, with lots to plan, problem-solve, and talk about along the way. You have to check this out. Use code WEETALKERS for a discount.
Modeling Clay
You might wonder if your child is old enough for something like this, but we think they’ll love it. And you might be surprised by what they can create! It’s a fun activity to do together, and this set isn’t super messy. It comes with lots of colors, googly eyes, and sculpting tools. Our kids have loved it.
Building & Creating
Magna-Tiles
These aren’t cheap, but we’re not kidding when we say they’re so worth it. Katie has had the same set of Magna-Tiles for 10 years, and they’re still going!
They grow with your child, too. Little ones can explore how the tiles stick together, and as they get older, they can build all kinds of magnificent creations.
Rainbow Blocks and Gems
This wooden block and gem set is gorgeous and mixes easily with other building toys. We love open-ended toys that are beautiful, too! Children can stack, sort, build, and come up with their own ways to play. This is a small business we love to support and an heirloom quality toy.
Shop the rainbow blocks and gems →
Pretend Play
Calico Critters
Carly’s girls have been obsessed with these for years! They invite so much open-ended play and mix well with other toys. And we find them so adorable that we don’t even mind when they’re spread all over the floor. 🤪
Nosy Crow Fold-Out and Play House
Part book, part little world to play in! This fold-out house includes stand-up characters, furniture, and stickers for decorating the rooms. It’s so darling, and we love that it packs right back up in the box so it’s easy to bring on a weekend trip or over to grandma’s house. The farm version is also really adorable.
Shop the fold-out play house →
Cash Register
Such a great toy for pretend play! But watch out: preschoolers tend to overcharge you. 🤪
We love this particular cash register because it’s simple and not super noisy. Set up a little shop together and take turns being the customer and the cashier.
Starry Night Fairy Wings
For becoming a fairy, a butterfly, or a magical creature of their own invention! These beautiful wings invite pretend play, dancing, and little adventures around the house.
We’re also big fans of Sarah’s Silks playsilks, which can be used in sooo many fun ways.
Dump Truck
A very fun four-piece dump truck that’s loads of fun—pun intended! Take it apart, put it back together, and get to work hauling whatever your little one has in mind.
Games & Discoveries
Memory Matching Game
A classic for a reason! Matching games are a lovely way to spend a little time playing together, with plenty of chances to name pictures, talk about what you notice, and practice taking turns.
Start with just a few pairs and add more as your child gets the hang of it.
Shop the memory matching game →
Snail’s Pace Race
This game is all about racing! Up to six players can pick their favorite snail, then take turns rolling two colorful dice to see which snails move along the track. It’s a fun way to practice counting, learning colors, and taking turns together.
You can also browse all of our favorite games for preschoolers.
Rock and Gem Surprise
What preschooler doesn’t love rocks and gems?! This set invites little ones to sort, count, and match their discoveries—and enjoy a little surprise along the way.
Shop the rock and gem surprise →
For Everyday Adventures
Owala Water Bottle
Our go-to water bottle for kids! It has a covered straw, or your child can choose to drink from the spout. The world is their oyster.
Shop the Owala water bottle →
A Gift OF Storytime
Wee Talkers Kids Club
Created by pediatric speech-language pathologists (that’s us!), Kids Club is a thoughtfully curated collection of storytime videos, songs, rhymes, and a screen-free kids podcast for toddlers and preschoolers.
With a slower pace and books we truly love, it’s a wonderful way to bring more stories into your family’s everyday routine.
Explore Wee Talkers Kids Club →
STOCKING STUFFER IDEAS FOR PRESCHOOLERS:
There are so many fun stocking stuffers for preschoolers! Here are a few things we include year after year with our own kids: This drawing tablet is so nice to have at home or on-the-go. Our kids love using this to look at little bugs and things they find outside. These blow up wubble balls, are not quite balloons, but not quite balls—see for yourself! Wikki stix are a go to for creative little minds. If you’re looking for something practical, we’re pretty obsessed with these water bottles for kids. Or these mini magna-tiles for something to do while waiting at a restaurant or doctor’s appointment. And throw in this little counter clicker thing—kids LOVE pushing the counter to see how many red things they can find, how many toys they cleaned up, or how many cars they have in their basket. This skytail is also really fun and will get a lot of play! Oh and this rainbow veil 🌈
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