2014 Holiday Gift Guide: the toddler edition

Hi guys! How’s the day going? Keep those giveaway entries coming! You still have time to enter the Fivesse, Count Me Healthy and barre3 giveaways. New ones on the way tomorrow, Friday, Saturday and all next week, too!

Holiday gift guide fun continues. Here are some ideas for the little guy or lady on your list!!

Is it just me, but are toddlers kind of hard to shop for? I feel like they love everything, but at the same time, you want to get them items that will last a while before being buried in the toy box. At such a young age, Liv seems to have discerning taste. This can be a good thing, because we’ll walk through Target and she won’t ask for anything, but for this special occasion, I would feel stumped for what to get her. Thankfully, she has her eye on one thing, which she is very verbal about (haha) and is going to make shopping pretty easy. When Liv was a newborn, I heard this philosophy for kiddo shopping: get them something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read. In our own house, these are the boxes that I check. It keeps it from getting too crazy, and she receives gifts she’s excited about (books and dress-up) as well as practical things she needs. Here are some ideas for each component of that saying, if you’re shopping for a toddler this holiday season. 

Toddler gift guide

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies below, and these gift guides are not sponsored in any way. They’re all things I picked in hopes that they’d make holiday shopping a little easier. Affiliate links are included, which have no impact on purchase price, and I am thankful for your support. <3

Gift ideas for toddlers

Puzzles. Puzzles are awesome. They have beginner to advanced toddler puzzles, depending on the kiddo’s experience with them. 

Books. Some of Liv’s current faves: the Pinkalicious series, any of the little Golden books (especially the ones from my mom’s house; madre has boxes of them!), anything Eric Carle, Shel Silverstein, and Spanish/English books.

Blocks or Legos. I’m happy that Liv loves blocks and Legos so much, because I love playing them with her. 🙂 

Scooter or balance bike. They have beginner scooter options, and the strider bikes are cool (even for younger kids) because it helps to teach them how to balance before worrying about pedaling. Liv has this scooter (a gift last year, and still loves it.) Here are some toddler helmets, too. 

Play kitchen. Liv got this for Christmas last year, and it is definitely something she has used a ton and well-loved. This toy and the following few gift ideas foster imaginative play: 

Dress up gear. Some fun ideas: doctor sets, princess dress-up, ballerina tutus, plastic costume jewelry, feather boas, hats, funny sunglasses.

Doll house. Liv is at the age where she’s really getting into playing with her dolls in her doll house. They have so many unique and beautiful options out there, too. 

Baby dolls or Disney Princesses. The classic never dies.

Gear for their favorite activities: ballet uniforms, gymnastics leotards, swimsuits, etc. 

Teepee or reading nook. If we had more room in her bedroom, I would love to install something like this Land of Nod nook

Wintery pajamas and slippers. You can never have too many pajamas. Costco and Target have great prices on sleep sets, and I can usually get sales at Old Navy and baby gap, too. 

New kicks. It can be kind of tricky to meet fun with function, but there are SO many cute toddler shoes out there. Liv especially loves her kitty cat shoes, converse and furry boots

Board games. We haven’t gotten quite into these yet, but some of our friends and their kiddos love playing board games like Candyland and Hi Ho Cherry-O.

A good warm coat or cold weather accessories. 

Stocking stuffer ideas:

Bubbles

Crayons

Sticker books

Small coloring books

Hair bows or hair ties

Small dolls or figurines

Annie’s fruity gummies

Also, here’s a great list of mindful gifts for children

Are you shopping for a toddler this holiday season? Any great ideas to share? 

xoxo

Gina

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15 Comments

  1. ashley on December 3, 2014 at 4:02 pm

    My LO is only 7 months but I feel like Boone Products are great for all kid ages. I got my LO a snack ball and a fluid sippy for his stocking.

    • Fitnessista on December 3, 2014 at 4:24 pm

      so true! love the boone products, too 🙂

  2. Amber Schumann on December 3, 2014 at 4:05 pm

    Oh my goodness, that philosophy is GENIUS!!!! Hubby and I went a little nuts on cyber monday and I’m regretting most of what got (clicking is just TOO EASY…scary). The last think I want for my toddler is to be swimming in toys and not learn to appreciate a few quality ones.

    Definitely applying that philosophy next year!!!!!

    • Fitnessista on December 3, 2014 at 4:24 pm

      it definitely helps streamline things!
      i did almost all of our shopping on cyber monday, too, and the boxes started arriving today. amazon christmas! haha

  3. Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious on December 3, 2014 at 5:36 pm

    This is a huge help! I always struggle trying to figure out what to buy my friends little ones. I don’t buy for all of them just my best friends kids who I’ve known since they were born. Since I don’t have kids it’s always a challenge knowing what they’re into.

  4. Fancy on December 3, 2014 at 5:58 pm

    So what’s the one thing that she wants and has been so verbal about??? My daughter and Liv are about a week apart in age so this answer may help with my shopping 🙂 Xo!

  5. Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment on December 3, 2014 at 6:37 pm

    Great gift ideas! Thanks for the suggestions. We need to get some gifts for our niece and nephew. Appreciate the guide.

  6. Giselle on December 3, 2014 at 6:52 pm

    We ordered that scooter for Ayden this year. He has a balance bike and really wants a regular bike but we’re holding off until he turns 4. So hoping the scooter will keep him happy until then 🙂

  7. Kim on December 3, 2014 at 8:25 pm

    Running and yoga keep me balanced. I feel so off if I’m not working out especially with all the holiday goodies I’m consuming.

  8. Yvonne Jones on December 4, 2014 at 5:41 am

    My wallet hates you.. now I NEED a canopy from land of nod…. darn you. My LO is just shy of two and we scored a play kitchen on BF for 75% off! Can’t wait for her to see it! We also got blocks and a basic trike from amazons lightening deals. Christmas is so much more fun shopping for a little!

    • Fitnessista on December 4, 2014 at 8:05 am

      hahahah! yes, the deals this past week have been amazing!

  9. Tracy on December 4, 2014 at 10:30 am

    I’ve been out of the toddler loop for a while so this will come in handy when I’m shopping for my 2 year old niece! Any ideas for a one year old boy?

  10. Mer on December 4, 2014 at 2:33 pm

    I got my 2-year-old niece a kid’s yoga mat and a kid’s yoga video. Can’t wait to do it with her!

    • Fitnessista on December 4, 2014 at 2:36 pm

      oh love that so much! she will adore it, and what a fun memory/experience for both of you to share <3

  11. Kara H. on December 4, 2014 at 2:41 pm

    I’m having some issues with figuring out the best gift for my 14 month old son. He is almost to that walking stage so its between helping him with walking and getting other engaging toys. We are going to go for a wagon, blocks, snowsuit, and books.

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