Gift guide.. for little kids
Our gift guide is BACK! We’re kicking off this year with your gift guide for little kids, and have tried to compile a well-considered selection of gifts that will be played with or enjoyed long beyond being unwrapped. Ideas range from under a tenner up to just under fifty, but many could be bought between family members or added to by others, making for less clutter and maximum play over the months and years to come.
Some affiliate links have been included, but we haven’t been paid or asked to promote any of these items – they are things we genuinely love and heartfelt recommendations from our family home to yours. If you would like to support our gift guides, a share online or amongst your pals would be warmly appreciated. Oh, and clicking on the item name or image will open a new window linking to the product..
Now let’s get stuck in shall we?
This sweet little hibernating mouse would make a lovely present for little hands. Soft, small and engaging – little ones can take their mouse on a world full of cosy imaginative adventures.
£13.50 from Small Kins
Great fun for an array of ages, these Kitpas crayons can be used on windows or in the bath and simply wiped away when finished – a fab resource for rainy days especially!
£13.50 for a set of 12 (also available in packs of 6 or 16) from Amazon
This is one of our favourite puzzles! 100 beautifully illustrated pieces that are robust enough for little hands and interesting enough for bigger ones! It comes with an accompanying poster and fun things to find once you’re done. The makers, Magic Cat Publishing are also our go-to for the most beautiful books going. Check out their Slow Down range if you’re looking for more thoughtful gifts.
£17.99 from Magic Cat Publishing
These overalls have been staples for our little ones for the last 10 years! The quality is amazing – hardwearing and fully waterproof, plus they seemingly last forever (ours are now down to child number 3!). They come up large, so buy size-moderately if you want an immediate wear.
£28 from Polarn O. Pyret
Aqotas is one of our go-to makers for children’s gifts – their sensory play dough is lovingly handmade with non-toxic ingredients and delicious seasonal scents! This Christmas Tree play dough is apple scented and has an extra sprinkling of (biodegradable) glitter. For something more extravagant, check out their play dough sets with sensory accessories for lots of open-ended play.
Single pots of play dough £4.50 from Aqotas Sensory Toys
I’m not sure you can go far wrong with Magnatiles for little ones. They provide hours of open-ended building and imaginative play, and your collection can be added to for ongoing celebrations. It’s one we always have out on the kitchen floor!
£34.99 for a 32 piece set from Amazon
What could be better than pyjamas and a costume wrapped into one? These organic cotton pyjamas with detachable wings would make a brilliant unisex present for a little one who has enough toys already and a love of dress-up and make believe.
£44 from The Bright Company
This Grimms wooden star candle holder would make a thoughtful keepsake for a little one. Candles can be a wonderfully calming addition to home rituals like meal times or bedtime, and this is a simple yet beautiful one to start with.
£6.50 from Myriad Natural Toys
Cosmo recently got one of these for his birthday and it’s proving a huge hit! We found this one which lights up (great for bedtime!) and features native animals and famous landmarks, making it a gift that will grow in its offering for years to come. And it’s never too early to ignite their interest in planet earth, is it?
£32.99 from Amazon
Spinning tops are very popular with all the different aged kids in our house. Perfect your technique alone (whilst maxing out on those fine motor skills), or compete with others in who can keep their top spinning for the longest. Carefully crafted from natural materials, this makes for a calming play opportunity too. To make a bigger gift (or split between family members), why not consider a wooden spinning plate too?
£17.50 from Babipur