Gift Guide #10: Presents for Little Ones
For the 10-and-unders in your life.
Maybe you could use some positive distraction today? If so, I got you! The people who give me powerful perspective on life—without fail—are the little ones in my life. My nephews and nieces and gorgeous godchildren fill me with hope and encouragement. For this reason they are my VIPs during the holidays.
Here are gift ideas for the VIPs aged 10 and under in your life that, fingers crossed, you won’t be seeing on other gift guides this year. Seems an appropriate theme for Elisabethan Times 10th gift guide!
I curated this list with the goal of letting Santa shine with the big-ticket items. I also tried to prioritize natural ingredients since many homes are saying “Bye, Felicia” to plastic toys that make a lot of noise.
Here we go!
IMO, it’s never too early to prep a toddler on the proper way to pack a picnic basket for the Hollywood bowl. Here’s the Parisian version. (18mos+)
A tow truck - because it’s never too early to teach your kids to read those meters closely in the Meatpacking District! I speak from experience. (3+)
If you’re considering buying a play kitchen this holiday season, tread carefully with this particular one. It’s so beautiful you may feel inclined to remodel your own kitchen to mimic it. (3+)
Oh, how I wish this was a real pizza oven because I sure could put my nephew to work! Until then, we will just have to practice on this stylish wooden pizza oven. (3+)
I’m pretty much only including this one because it’s yet another example of how the toy industry seems to just look around a house and say, “yup, that’s a toy!” A toy weed trimmer. Sure doesn’t feel like a toy when you’re using one in the yard. (3+)
When my nephew was three, he loved to mimic the adults in his life. I figured the most “me” action he could mimic was making coffee, and so I bought him his own coffee maker. I wasn’t wrong! He was a tiny barista in no time. (3+)
If my 2-year-old niece could recommend a gift to you, she’d definitely tell you how this musical llama was the gift she loved most last Christmas. My sister might tell you how she didn’t search very hard for the drumsticks when they went walkabout. (1 yr+)
That same sister used to pretend she had a private investigation business when she was, like, five. This small wooden telescope seems like something she should hand down to her 2-year-old daughter this Christmas. (The manufacturer says 5+ but that seems a bit old. Maybe be daring and give it to my 2-year old niece.)
This simple yellow digger feels like an iconic sort of toy. Bonus points for its sleek look that lends it to a great display item for a nursery. (18mos+)
Little foodies should appreciate this “caterpillar” fruit playset or these colorful wooden cupcakes. (18mos+)
If you’re looking to outfit your backseat back-up singers, consider this mini shake and rattle rainmaker or this 3-piece wooden percussion set. (12mos+)
In the past 10 years or so, I’ve seen pajamas become an integral part of celebrating the holiday season. It appears Hanukkah got the memo on pajamas. This outfit could work as a set of pajamas for a girl. It comes complete with tutu and matching headband. Here is a pajama set for a boy and a set for a baby.
This Hanukkah gingerbread house is kind of perfect. No sticky icing or walls falling down. Just a cute little house all aglow that’s ready to add a bit of seasonal cheer to a kid’s room.
According to the box, this My First Chanukah Set has everything they need to celebrate the Festival of Lights. Personally, I think the set could use some chocolate. (3+)
For any families celebrating both Christmas and Hanukkah, this personalized Chrismukkah ornament might be a way to commemorate this year.
And of course, chocolate menorahs.
As you may have noticed, my name is spelled in such a way that I am guaranteed I will never find my name on a keychain in a gas station unless I am on the continent of Europe. And so, when I received a personalized book as a child with MY name in it I was over the moon. Wonderbly books makes dreams come true for kids with uniquely spelled names. They offer personalized books about a wide variety of storylines. It’s a wonderful gift for a niece or nephew or godchild. (All ages)
Most board books designed to teach children sounds and words are so, well, over the top unrealistic and dare I say tacky. This Big Book of Words feels like it was designed for both the grown up and the baby. The illustrations are beautiful!(6mos+)
This collection of classic books is just stunning. The design team behind the books – MinaLima – gave us the visual design of the Harry Potter films and Wizarding World. This collection features 5 young-reader fairy tales wrapped in hardcover with foil embellishments. The books also showcase whimsical illustrations throughout the stories. (9+)
I am a Montessori kid, and as such I have strong memories of a thing called The Letter Box. Most of my memories associated with The Letter Box are clouded in a haze of confusion as my 4-year-old self sounded out ridiculously hard words like elephant and telephone in front brightly colored letters. Remarkably, that box of letters worked. I was spelling telephone in no time. Here’s a similar tool in the form of a puzzle that will help your favorite toddler get to know the Alphabet before stepping up to the ol’ letter box. (The manufacturer recommends 4+ but I know many 3-year olds who’d kill this puzzle with help from their favorite uncle.)
Let’s face it, the best childhood stories are fairytales. They endure through adulthood in the form of Hallmark movies. Here’s a literal fairytale playbook that might make a perfect gift. Because it’s never too early to master the art of the fairytale. (3+)
I am intrigued by something called Yoto. I’ve yet to see one in person because they are always sold out at Target. Apparently, they function much like an old school Gameboy. Kids insert a small card into the device which allows them listen to audiobooks, music, and other educational audio either through built-in speakers or stylish headphones.There’s no microphone or camera, and no ads will play. The design is simple and cheery. (3-12+)
Two classic books for a Yoto: Dragon Tales and Winnie the Pooh.
I must have made a hundred of these paper “fortune tellers” when I was in elementary school. (6+)
A kit of paper airplanes. Some come designed, some can be colored, all are made to fly which is a lot better than any paper airplane I ever made! (6+)
Not so long ago, I hired a personal trainer at the gym. He was super into balance. As in, hey, stand on this tiny beam on one leg and then bend over and tie your shoe without falling on your face. It sounds simple but it was brutal – and a genius way to work out. This balance board looks innocent, but I promise it’ll be great exercise for any kid…or adult…who uses it. (1+)
These two gifts could very well have landed under the Pretend Play section, but if the little girls in your life are anything like my niece, hair and makeup aren’t for pretend play. This is serious business! Super Smalls is known for their “glitzy, grown-up stuff” and that includes this makeup kit and hair salon set. Super cute! It’s recommended for 3+ but I’d push the makeup kit out to age 5.
Now even this tempts me. Do not look at this as a cardboard castle ready for personalization (aka coloring), but instead see this for what it is – the ability to combine therapeutic coloring and having a “room” of one’s own. (3+)
The Gathre brand is full of beautiful takes on common items and toys for kids. (Is it wrong if I buy this child’s purse for myself? If so, I don’t want to be right.) Ahem, this list isn’t about me, so I’ll turn our attention back to this trampoline with its soft vegan leather in a sophisticated ivory color. Weight limit is 55lbs.
Consider this grow-your-own-geode kit as a gateway drug to growing your own lab diamonds at home. (10+)
Some parents sneak vegetables into their kids’ food, other parents sneak a little physics lesson into the afternoon with things like this water- powered robot. (8+)
Whew! Did you see anything that might work for your list?